Export your VFX Breakdown from Filmustage to ShotGrid to integrate the analysis into your VFX production pipeline.
ShotGrid (Autodesk) is widely used by VFX studios to manage shots, sequences, tasks, and production tracking. Exporting the VFX Breakdown allows teams to move from script analysis to production tracking without manual setup.
Before you begin
Make sure your VFX Breakdown is already generated. If no analysis exists, run it first.
To run VFX analysis:
In the top navigation bar, click VFX.
In the top-right corner, click VFX AI Dude or Run VFX with AI Dude.
Ask AI Dude to generate the VFX breakdown.
Example prompt:
"Run a full VFX breakdown for the entire script.".
Once the breakdown is ready, you can export it to ShotGrid.
Open the ShotGrid export
In the top navigation bar, click VFX.
In the top-right corner, click Export.
In the dropdown menu, click Export to ShotGrid.
The App opens the ShotGrid connection window.
Connect Filmustage to ShotGrid
In the Export to ShotGrid window, enter your ShotGrid credentials.
Fill in the following fields:
ShotGrid URL
Enter your ShotGrid studio URL.
Example:
https://studio.shotgrid.autodesk.com
This is the address of your ShotGrid workspace.
Script Name
Enter the name of the ShotGrid API script.
This script is used by Filmustage to authenticate with ShotGrid.
Script Key
Enter the API Script Key generated in ShotGrid.
This key allows Filmustage to securely send VFX Breakdown data to your ShotGrid workspace.
After entering the required information:
Click Connect.
Filmustage establishes a secure connection to your ShotGrid workspace.
How to create a Script Key in ShotGrid
To connect Filmustage, you must create a Script-based API credential in ShotGrid.
Follow these steps:
Log in to ShotGrid.
In the top navigation bar, open the Admin Menu.
Select Scripts.
Click + Script.
Create a new script.
Recommended settings:
Name: Filmustage Integration
Description: Exports VFX Breakdown from Filmustage
After creating the script, ShotGrid generates an Application Key.
Use the following values in Filmustage:
Filmustage field | ShotGrid value |
ShotGrid URL | Your ShotGrid workspace URL |
Script Name | Name of the script you created |
Script Key | Application Key generated by ShotGrid |
For detailed instructions, see the Autodesk documentation:
Autodesk ShotGrid - Authentication (Script Name + Script Key) - https://developers.shotgridsoftware.com/python-api/authentication.html
Create and manage API scripts - https://developers.shotgridsoftware.com/99105475/
Additional Autodesk ShotGrid documentation:
Flow Production Tracking Python API library - https://developers.shotgridsoftware.com/python-api/
What happens after connecting
Once connected, Filmustage exports the VFX Breakdown data to ShotGrid.
The export typically includes:
VFX sequences derived from the script.
Shot entries created from VFX items.
Shot descriptions generated from the breakdown.
Estimated shot counts.
Complexity categories (A / B / C).
Technical context and notes.
This allows your VFX team to begin tracking work directly in ShotGrid.
How VFX data maps to ShotGrid
During export, Filmustage converts the breakdown structure into production entities.
Typical mapping:
VFX sequence → Sequence in ShotGrid.
VFX item → Shot or task entry.
Shot estimates → Production planning data.
Technical descriptions → Shot notes or metadata.
This keeps the original VFX analysis while making it usable inside the ShotGrid production pipeline.
Good to know
Export uses the currently open project.
Only analyzed scenes appear in the export.
You can re-run VFX analysis and export updated results later.
Exporting to ShotGrid does not modify your Filmustage project.