Procedural Compositing with Batch > Batch: Node Reference >

# Gateway Import Node

To import images into Batch using the Gateway Import node:

1. In the node bin, select the Gateway Import node and drag it to the schematic.

   The Gateway Clip library appears.

2. Optional: Create Import Rules and manage import preferences for the files to import.
   Note Global import options are disabled in a Gateway Import node: clips are always imported as unmanaged media, and include their alpha and other channels within the node.
3. Optional: For each file, set In and Out points using the Preview panel.
4. Select the clips to import.
5. Click Load.

   You are returned to Batch and the file you import appears in the schematic. If you import more than one file, a Gateway Import node is created for each file.

NoteWhenever you open a Batch setup which uses Gateway clips that have been updated, Smoke asks for your permission to update the setup with updated versions of these clips (when updates exist). Updating the setup replaces the current Gateway clips with the latest foudn versions. This ensures that you are using the right versions, and in any case, Smoke maintains the appropriate Batch schematic connections.

To Expand a Gateway Import Node

1. Select the Gateway Import node.
2. Press Ctrl+C.

To Replace the Current Clip With Another One

1. Select the Gateway Import node of the Gateway clip.
2. Double-click the Gateway Import node.

   The Gateway Clip library appears.

3. Optional: Create Import Rules and manage import preferences for the file to import.
   Note Global import options are disabled in a Gateway Import node: clips are always imported as unmanaged media, and include their alpha and other channels within the node.
4. Optional: Set In and Out points using the Preview panel.
5. Select the clip to import.
6. Click Load.

   You are returned to Batch and the Gateway Import node is updated with the selected file. It also updates the Batch Schematic, using a channel matching strategy that preserves the links between the clip's channels and the linked Batch nodes.

To Load a Clip as a Version

1. Select the Gateway Import node of the clip you want to version.
2. Double-click the Gateway Import node.

   The Gateway Clip library appears.

3. Optional: Create Import Rules and manage import preferences for the file to import.
   Note Global import options are disabled in a Gateway Import node: clips are always imported as unmanaged media, and include their alpha and other channels within the node.
4. Optional: Set In and Out points using the Preview panel.
5. Select the clip to import.
6. From the Load drop down menu, select Load as Version.

   You are returned to Batch and the Gateway Import node is updated with the selected file. The previous clip is now available as a version from the Clip Versions box. You can have as many versions as you need.

To Switch Between Versions of a Gateway Clip

NoteOnly possible with Gateway Import nodes loading Gateway clips with versions, or after Loading a Clip as a Version.

1. Double-click the Gateway Import node of the Gateway Clip.
2. Select a Clip Version using the Clip Versions box.

   The Gateway Import node now uses the selected version and the Batch Schematic is updated accordingly, using a channel matching strategy that preserves to preserve the links between the clip's channels and the linked Batch nodes.

To Check for New Versions of Clips

NoteThe Check for Updated Versions button is only availalbe if at least one Gateway clip in the Batch Schematic has been updated.

1. Open the Setup menu.
2. Click Check for Updated Versions.

   Every Gateway Node in the Batch schematic is checked for updated versions of their clip.

Do not worry about the links between the Gateway clip outputs and other Batch nodes: Smoke uses a channel matching strategy that preserves to preserve the links between the clip's channels and the Batch nodes, so you don't have to.

To Edit a Batch Setup Included with a Gateway Clip

NoteOnly available to Gateway Import nodes with Gateway clips that were created using the Include Setup option.

1. Double-click the Gateway Import node of the Gateway clip.
2. Click Append to current Batch.

   The Batch setup that created the Gateway clip for the displayed Clip Version is added to the Batch schematic as a Group node.

Modifying the appended Batch setup does not modify the Gateway clip imported with the Gateway Import node. But since it includes the original Export node, you can export a new Gateway clip with the exact same export settings. This means that you can create a new version of the Gateway clip, and then use the Check for Updated Versions button to update the current Gateway clip. A high level workflow could be as follows.

1. A Flare user processes a Batch setup to export a clip with the following options enabled.
   - Create Clip Data
   - Include Setup
   - Version (set to version 1)

   It creates Gateway clip with a Batch setup, and versioning enabled.

2. A Flame user imports the Gateway clip and starts using it in his own Batch setup.

   Looking at the Gateway import node, he can see that there is only one version of the clip (only one version in Clip Versions box) and that the Batch setup that created this Gateway clip is included (Source Setup field has the name of the setup).

3. In the mean time, the Flare user touches up his Batch setup. Before processing it, he also updates the Export node's Exports Settings (from JPEG to DPX), but makes sure to not change any of the Clip Data, Path, and Naming fields (the Flame updates the version automatically). Without further ado, he processes it.

   The Export node updates the Gateway clip file with new information: a new version which points to updated media files.

4. The next time the Flame user opens his Batch setup, he is prompted to check for updated Gateway clips. He does check, and the clip he imported in a previous session is updated and set to the current version.

   Or, during his Batch session, the Flame user can use the Check for Updated Versions.

#### Topics in this section

- Gateway Import Node Settings
- Using the Gateway Import Node
- About Gateway Clip Files