Exporting to Avid Media Composer
In PluralEyes 3.5, you can export a synchronized timeline as an AAF file that can be imported into Media Composer 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5. To access this feature, click the Export Timeline button, then choose the Media Composer tab.
What is AAF? The XML file is a data file that references your media files, and indicates the order and spacing of the media files relative to each other. When you import the AAF file, Media Composer creates a new sequence in which the clips are synchronized.

TIP: By the way, you always have the option of exporting the timeline as video/audio files, rather than exporting an AAF file. To learn about this, see Export Timeline> Media Files.
Using the Media Composer tab
Here are the steps:
- (Optional) Save your project with a meaningful name. This will make it easier to locate and manage your exported files later.
- Click the Export Timeline button in the toolbar, OR choose File> Export.
- In the Media Composer tab, select the AAF checkbox, then click Export.
- Open Media Composer.
- Now do one of the following:
- From the PluralEyes 3.5 Exports window, drag and drop the AAF file into a Media Composer bin. Your synced sequence will automatically import into the open project. OR
- From the PluralEyes 3.5 Exports window, right-click on the AAF file, and select Show in Finder to see its file path. In Media Composer, choose File> Import, browse to the AAF file, and select Open.
Guidelines for working with Media Composer
Working between Media Composer and PluralEyes 3.5 requires a few guidelines, as the process can be a little finicky. Here’s the stuff to know:
- You have to start out with Media Composer. Otherwise you won’t be able to export.
- Make sure that no editing has been done. If you have any edits, like transitions or a clip movement, the export won’t happen. You’ll get an “Improper Timecode” error or an “Empty URL” error.
- If you import files into Media Composer, and are not using the AMA file format, then Media Composer will transcode them into MXF format. You won’t have video thumbnail previews in PluralEyes, but the files will sync correctly.