Parsing an EDL? How can I do it?

[Matthew]

I need a way to PARSE an EDL file from Avid (any EDL in fact).

This will give us the ability to enter an EDL into a database so that shots can be sorted etc by any parameter.

ALE Export from a bin doesn't work because it does not export record In/Out times

Importing an EDL into Excel doesn't work either because not delimited.

Replacing the spaces with commas doesn't work ... or does it?? I'll try that. But any input appreciated

[shotlister]

Exactly what do you mean by "parse" an EDL? More info please.

[Matthew]

Hi JS

Parse = separate into component parts for input into a database

why? in order to cross reference with a table of data like keynumber, shot descriptions etc that ain't contained in a standard EDL - even with "comments on", sort the data, and export a list of shots with enough information for adequate stock-shot clearances etc.

The ALE from a bin only, doesn't contain shot record position info or shot number.

I remembered that EDLS were fixed length fields, 80 columns etc, and by replacement of spaces with comma was able to import into filemker as a comma delimited file. I could then link this to a similarly imported Avid ALE, linking the files on Source In time in both tables.

problem arises in th "parsing" when split offsets, moton control info etc appears in the EDL. Stuffs up the columns. So tried making EDLs without comments, and thought about converting all the effects in the edit to cuts only. This would have worked I think, except that when you make a slomo in Avid you get a new shot rendered in there, with new code, and you can't easily just remove the effect. (would have been easier in a Lightworks ;-)

Oh well, one day someone'll write the perfect app ...


Cheers

Matthew

[shilby]

Avid Log exchange should export any column that you have displayed at the time of export. Certainly MARK-IN and MARK-OUT are available to be exported as an ALE.

So a labourous way of parsing would be to display only one column at a time and export as ALE then copy paste into Excel or whatever.

Though this doesn't really apply if there are multiple in-outs from the one clip.

WaZ.

[Matthew]

but that's only the SOURCE in/out. We need the RECORD in/out as well ...

[shilby]

How About EDL TOOLKIT

http://www.frogsoft.com/edl_toolkit.htm


<quote from site>

Features include:

Convert lists between NTSC, PAL, 30 frame and 24 frame.
An EDL Legalizer to fix improperly formatted lists.
Clean lists to remove over records, holes, etc.
Remove Audio Edits, Notes, or headers.
Remove R Marks.
Renumber the list.
Sort the list.
Build a new EDL by hand, or by importing a text document.
Merge, or break apart lists.
Report on reel usage
Offset source reels times
Ripple record times
Move record time to source time
Rename reels
Open multiple EDLs side by side to compare.
and more...

<end quote>

WaZ.