Introduction
 
What is Visual FX?
Visual effect = any augmentation to a digital image through the use of digital compositing, of video, photographic, or motion picture footage
  • Color Correction
  • Rig Removal - flying person or object, puppet, etc.
  • Greenscreen/Bluescreen extraction
  • Virtual Sets/Matte Painting
  • Adding virtual elements such as a character, scenic element, or environmental elements (steam coming from a manhole cover or from someone's mouth in the cold)
  • and more...
 

Special effect = in-camera effect (happens at time of shooting)

  • Pyro
  • Make-up
  • Scenery
 
Composite Image = The digitally manipulated combination of at least two source images to produce an integrated result
  • Two Types of Compositing Applications
    • Node-based workflow (script-based)
    • Layer-based workflow
  • Popular Commercial Compositing Applications (in no particular order)
    • AutoDesk (Discreet) Flint/Flame/Inferno (SGI and Linux platforms) - NODE
    • AutoDesk (Discreet) Combustion (Windows, OS X) - NODE and LAYER
    • Adobe After Effects - LAYER
    • Apple Motion - LAYER
    • Eyeon Digital Fusion - NODE
    • Apple Shake - NODE (Deceased)
    • Nuke - NODE
 
Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI) = Any imagery created or manipulated using digital computer technology. Examples include
  • 3D rendered images - 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and rendering software to generate images in a virtual 3-dimensional space
  • 2D painted images - Raster and vector based images that only contain X and Y dimensions
  • 2D or 3D simulations - Software developed to simulate particle motion, liquids, gases, and rigid or soft body dynamics
 
Major Topics for the Course
  • Digital painting (Photoshop)
  • Image compositing (2D and 2.5D)
  • Matte extraction
  • Masks and Rotoscoping
  • Animation (keyframe and procedural)
  • Simple Color Correction
  • Tracking
  • Particles and Secondary Effects
 
People in Visual FX?
  • Visual Effects Producer - Works with Producer(s), primarlily works with budget and scheduling. Act as a liason between the Visual Effects Supervisor and the Producer
  • Visual Effects Supervisor - Works with the Director to develop the style for VFX. Manages the budget with the VFX producer. Assigns shots/jobs. Usually chooses sub-contractors. Helps develop overall pipeline.
  • Digital Paint (rig removal, roto, color correction)
  • 3D "Animator"
  • Roto Artist
  • Matchmove Artist
  • Visual Effects TD (AKA Compositing Lead)- Compositing, lighting, color correction, tool development
  • Motion Graphics Artist/Designer (occasionally) - usually for commercials or in-house work.
  • Freelance CGI Artist/Designer
  • Editors (Latest trend)