… and my frustration got to the point that I decided to code and compile a cli command in C++, and a python hook for flame to call the cli tool. still no preview in the mediahub, but at least I can import h265/hvec mov files from iPhone15 and Fuji X in 10bit 422 Log. The automatically transcoded footage (yes using the apple hardware encoder/decoder) lands always in Reel 1. Works like a charm for me. I use Prores422 but could easyly implement Prores4444 if needed.
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I mean, encoding before using is common practise since years. But what if a client show up with a USB-C SSD full of h265 footage and ask you : Show me some magic with that. Here and now, my solution fit perfectly. I can import the multiple footage with just 1 click. And the client will be super happy. Actually I did research the last 8 years for a Solution. Autodesk never implemented it. Yes, there always is Drastic Media Reactor for Autodesk. @ a super hefty price tag. My Solution is much FASTER, cost just a fraction, and your Flame Project is ready in an instant. Copy that
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The picture shows only one file. But I can select a bunch or ALL of the files to import into flame. Just to be clear. The files keep their Metadata. Personally I use mostly 50fps nowdays. The Apple hardware encoding/decoding system plays absolutely well with.
this is awesome @Xteve ! will you be making this
available for the rest of the community at any point ?
Sure, I am working on it. I will upload to github with proper documentation next week.
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Is this something that can be downloaded via the Logik portal?
Not yet, I do not have access to the Logik portal for uploading. Sorry mate. I will come up with a github download and install solution next week as i mentioned earlier.
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I know Flame for about the last 2 or even nearly 3 decades. And about most of the derivates from the good old days. Edit, Paint, Effects, Flint, Smoke, Inferno… Today nobody even remember the old name ‘discreet’ anymore. I was also into NothingReal Shake about 20 years ago. … gone as well. Is there any future with Flame? It’s indeed a dino! And yes, it perform still on the top of the ladder. But I see less interest over the last decade. Whats going on? Flame is NOT ComfyUI! Flame incorporates some ML HighTec of course. Is that enough? I just ask out of naive curiosity. Before I spend the next weeks developing a proper 3DConnexion Space Navigator integration, I would like to know your opinion. If NOBODY is interested… I just go to X or SAP or Alibaba
Flame appears to be alive and well, but in the shadows. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, if you watch the dumbing down of popular apps with their myriad of YT channels and experts, it’s nice to have a tool used mostly by serious people. But it has to retain critical mass to remain active. It seems to be doing better on that front than some other apps.
Re: 3DConnexion - I would certainly try it out. But it’s not high on my priority list by any means.
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A very close friend of mine, once a Flame artist, was paid to develop 3DS Max integration for it, in 1997 I think. It wasn’t that intuitive for me, even when using it for 3D navigation.
The pen is like extension of me when using Flame. We’ve been using pen-like utensil for the past 10.000 years after all.
Flame is definitely in the shadow as Jan said, if you compare user numbers to Nuke or Resolve. But it’s us, the community, keeping it alive and kicking I think. Even if they don’t post, there are at least 2000 readers on the forum. And we’re so nice 
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I figured, there is not only *.mov to consider… Today I implemented also *.mp4
To get top performance out of the apple silicon hardware encoder/decoder I utilized fully the Apple VideoToolbox framework. Here is how it looks like:
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A new version (1.08) of the H.265 HEVC Importer for Apple Silicon is now available for freelance Flame Artists inside this Forum.
Key Features:
- Seamless Integration: Easily import 4K H.265 HEVC footage, such as videos from iPhones via AirDrop, directly into Flame without restarting the application. Source hevc footage can be from any other consumer Cam as well.
- Simple Installation: Install the H.265Transcoder.pkg and click “Rescan Python Hooks” in Flame to activate the importer.
Pricing:
- Free: First 5 requests.
- $19 USD: Requests 6-10.
- $29 USD: Requests 11-50.
- $59 USD: Requests 51-100.
- $69 USD: For freelancers beyond the first 100 requests.
For studios interested in the full package, including source code and long-term support, please inquire directly.
Additional Information:
- The context menu in the media hub has been renamed to “H.265 HEVC” → “Import”.
- Plans are underway to support higher resolutions (5K, 6K, 8K, 16K) and additional formats like 4444/BRAW PR-RAW, depending on demand.
As a German audio/video engineer residing in China for 20 years, I appreciate your support in helping me provide for my family.
I am a one-person team, focused on solving technical challenges without the distractions of marketing personnel.
Thank you flame folks!
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Ok so how do I get the plugin?
Hi John, I attach to the email.
Best ,
Xteve
(Attachment H265Transcoder.pkg is missing)
Thank you. Before I install it can you tell me what this plugin does under the hood? Is it some kind of add on to QT or something. Will it work on any version of Flame?
Hi John,
the flame python hook in /opt/Autodesk/shared/python/ calls the h265_decoder in /usr/local/bin and transcode your footage in the first step to /var/tmp/flame_h265_convert to Prores422
as soon the footage is there → it import the file from that directory into your Reels
Flame 2025.2 use Python3.11 as i know.
Best,
Xteve
@Xteve , first of all, thanks for sharing this. But, is it only for mac? I am surprised.
Hi Kily, it’s only for Apple Silicon Mac. As I stated earlier, the plugin works directly with apples hardware encoding/decoding engines. The Framework I used is called VideoToolBox.
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Hello, thanks for the plugin however I have unable to get it to work. I see the script in the contextual menu and when I activate it nothing happens.
Using the latest OS and Flame software.
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