Frank Davis wondered how digital info was transferred to film. Before images can be digitally treated the film has to be scanned using some kind of optical or laser process to translate the picture information into digital format. Computer Film Company in London (CFC) uses an optical process to scan the negative or positive film frames and then can manipulate the resultant image on their proprietary computer platform. This is done at resolutions much higher than videotape and is not in any sense video. At the digital compositing stage images can be combined, altered, recoloured, decoloured and manipulated in a myriad of ways. When the producer/director are happy with the result the output is scanned back onto film in a reverse of the original digitizing process. Kodak have developed a similar system but use laser scanning and writing back to film. The scane rates are about 2-3 seconds per frame. Projected film travels at 24 frames per second so it takes 48-72 seconds per second of screen time to scan or write the material. At the manipulation stage there are numerous platforms now being used. Flame is an American device being used in features and TV commercials. You may have seen an NFL ad which places Dennis Hopper on the field of play in a game dressed as an umpire. There will be literature around on the subject - try the Academy in Hollytown. Bob Weis ------------------------ Bob Weis [log in to unmask]