Tutorial: Using Mistika Boutique with the Canon VR camera

1. Preparing Your Footage

1. Edit your video in Premiere Pro (or another editor that supports .xml export).

2. Export your timeline as an .xml file.

2. Setting Up Mistika Boutique

1. Install the latest version of Mistika Boutique.

2. Open the Mistika Configuration Tool:

   • Set your project settings (resolution, frame rate, etc.).

   • Check or uncheck Drop Frame as needed.

• • If you get a drop frame error later, return here to correct it. Just click ok or go to the Mistika configuration tool and set the project to drop frame. 

3. Importing Your Project

1. Launch Mistika Boutique.

2. Drag and drop your .xml file into the timeline.

If prompted with a warning, click OK or fix drop frame settings in the config tool.

You’ll see:

• Green clips: video footage

• Yellow clips: transitions

If transitions don't work properly:

• Go to FX > Transitions > Mix and reapply manually.

4. Creating Stereo Layers

1. Duplicate your video clip on a second layer (Ctrl+C/V or Alt+drag).

2. Select the top layer.

3. Go to FX > VR Stitch and apply it.

4. Extend the VR Stitch layer down to cover both video layers and transition effects.

Tip: Use right-click and drag to scroll the timeline. The red vertical line is your playback indicator.

5. Linking Media for VR Stitch

1. Double-click the VR Stitch layer to open the editor.

2. If you see a checkerboard, link the footage:

• Click Media > Media Manager

• Click Link, select the clip and match the name.

• Hit Perform.

6. Configuring VR Stitch

1. Select the VR Stitch layer.

2. Click Add Camera to add the second view.

1. On the bottom left, configure inputs:

   • Input 1: Split = Left Half, Stereo Eye = Right

   • Input 2: Split = Right Half, Stereo Eye = Left

• • This will result in the following: 

1. In the Output Camera tab:

   • Set Focal Length to 8.5

   • Set Mapping to Equidistant Fisheye

1. In the Options tab:

   • Set Horizontal Offset to around -2.6

     • This value can vary between 2.0 - 3.0 depending on the lens.

7. Live VR Preview (Optional)

1. Click the headset icon to open the live preview window.

2. In DeoVR headset:

   • Open the local link (change https to http).

   • Set GUI to SBS VR180.

   • If GUI can't be changed, click the 3D button beside it.

• • In DeoVR, set projection to Fisheye190 - Side by Side.

8. Vertical Alignment Correction

1. Switch GUI projection to B&W Anaglyph or Mix for alignment.

1. Check central objects for vertical offset.

2. Adjust:

   • Go to Input Camera 2

   • Find Offset Y and tweak the value until aligned

     • Hold Ctrl + Alt for finer control

1. For better precision:

   • Temporarily adjust Horizontal Balance

• • Once aligned, revert Horizontal Balance

1. Switch back to SBS VR180 and preview again.

9. Duplicating & Trimming Layers

• Duplicate the VR Stitch layer for each shot (Alt+drag).

• To trim: Click the edge of a layer and drag left/right while holding left+right mouse buttons.

10. Color Correction

1. Select the VR Stitch layer.

2. Apply FX > Color > Color Grade.

3. Extend the Color Grade effect down to apply it to VR Stitch.

4. Double-click to open controls.

1. Adjust manually or load a LUT:

   • Use Canon's official CinemaGamut_CanonLog3 to CMT709 or BT709.

11. Transitions

• Use transitions imported with XML or manually add them:

  • FX > Transitions > [Effect]

• Ensure the transition effect area is applied over all layers.

• 

12. Adding a Mask (Optional)

1. Import a PNG mask with transparent circles.

2. Duplicate it and stack.

3. Apply VR Stitch as before.

4. Add a second camera:

   • Cam 1: Left Half - Left Eye

   • Cam 2: Right Half - Right Eye

5. Set output mapping to Equidistant Fisheye, focal length = 8.

1. Apply FX > Compose > Comp3D.

Stack: Mask (bottom), Comp3D (top), and drag Comp3D effect area to cover all.

13. Exporting Your Project

1. Go to Output.

2. Click the gear icon next to Video.

   • Set resolution, frame rate, and destination.

1. Choose format/container (e.g., MP4).

To set bitrate, click the gear next to codec and enter video/audio bitrate.

1. Ensure Audio is enabled and set to "In Movie".

2. Mark edit range with yellow brackets.

3. Name your file (e.g., video_fisheye190.mp4 for automatic DeoVR recognition).

4. Click Foreground (while Mistika is open) or Background (while closed).

5. Click Process Edit Marks.

   • Rendering progress window will appear.

14. Resources

• Sample video: Download

• Mask PNG: Download

• Mistika project file: Download

• Canon LUT: Download