AAF Import and Export

AAF (or Advanced Authoring Format) is a professional cross-platform file interchange format supported by many DAWs, non-linear video editors, and other media authoring tools. Given that most major software platforms are unable to read the project files created by other platforms, it is useful to be able to employ a neutral format that many tools can use.

The AAF support in Fender Studio Pro is particularly robust, allowing the import and export of mono and stereo audio files, automation data, fades, and crossfades.

Exporting AAF

To export a Session in AAF format, navigate to File/Save As... or File/Convert To... and choose "AAF File (*.aaf)" from the [Save as type:] selector. Select a target location and choose a name for your new AAF file, then press Save. Then, you have a few useful options to choose from:

• Embed audio: Store WAV and AIFF files from your Session within the exported AAF file. If disabled, references to files are used instead.
• Split stereo tracks: Convert stereo tracks to mono pairs. This ensures compatibility with applications which do not support import of stereo tracks.
• Convert audio files: Create copies of all audio data in a different format for export.
• Trim audio files: Discard silent regions in audio files to reduce the file size of your AAF project.
• Export pan: Include pan automation in your AAF export. Some DAWs do not accept pan automation in AAFs, so if you have trouble importing your AAF, try re-exporting it with this option disabled.
• Legacy mode: Enable to improve compatibility with older applications.

Note that AAF only recognizes standard audio files, so you may want to render your Audio and Instrument Tracks as continuous audio files before exporting the AAF. One easy way to do this is to save a copy of your Session to use for export, then select all of your Session content and navigate to Event/Bounce Selection (or [Right]/[Ctrl]-click one of the selected Parts and choose Bounce Selection from the pop-up menu). Then, just remove any Instrument Parts that were bounced, and your Session is ready to export.

Importing AAF

To import an AAF into Fender Studio Pro, open or create a Session, then simply drag-and-drop the AAF file onto the timeline. You can also import an AAF by navigating to File/Open and choosing the AAF file, or by double-clicking the AAF file in your file system. Any available audio tracks and one video track referenced in the AAF are added to your Session.

Note that only one video file can be imported, so if the source project contains multiple video clips, they should be consolidated in the original NLE or DAW before the AAF is exported. Only the raw video is imported, without any filters or VFX.