(VFX)  Visual  Effects  Basics  

Introduction  by  the  VFX  Bro   www.vfxbro.com  

Getting  Started   Software   Technique  

Understanding  the  industry   A  brief  overview  of  some  of   We  take  a  look  at  some  of  the  
and  deciding  what  route  to   the  most  commonly  used   basic  techniques  used  for  
take  in  order  to  achieve  your   visual  effects  applications.     achieving  commonly  seen  
goals.     visual  effects.    
Page  1   Page  2-­‐3   Page  4-­‐5  

What  are  Visual  Effects?    

A  visual  effect  in  its  most  basic  form,  is  digitally  manipulated  
live  action  footage.  The  use  of  computers  to  add/or  remove  
anything  that  was  not  originally  in  the  shot  would  be  a  visual  
effect.  
A  visual  effect  is  the  integration  of  live-­‐action  footage  and  generated  imagery  to  create  
environments  which  realistic,  but  would  be  dangerous,  costly,  or  simply  impossible  to  
capture  on  film.  Visual  effects  using  computer-­‐generated  imagery  (CGI)  have  become   Who  can  benefit  from  vfx?  
increasingly  common  in  big-­‐budget  films,  and  have  also  recently  become  accessible  to  
the  amateur  filmmaker  with  the  introduction  of  affordable  animation  and  compositing   Anyone  that  benefits  from  
software.   advertising  can  benefit  from  
visual  effects.    Video  has  an  
As  a  beginner  to  Visual  Effects  the  number  of  software  applications  and  training   inherent  appeal  to  audiences.  
programs  available  may  intimidate  you.  When  deciding  what  program(s)  to  use  and  how   Most  of  us  want  to  “see”  
to  learn  them  it  is  important  to  know  what  your   something  before  we  want  to  
“read”  something.  In  the  context  
long  and  short-­‐term  goals  are.  Are  you  looking  to  
of  internet  marketing,  visual  
break  into  the  visual  effects  industry  working  on  
effects  can  be  used  to  enhance  
major  motion  pictures  as  part  of  a  pipeline  that   the  consumer  experience  by  
includes  huge  a  VFX  team?  Are  you  a  one  man  team   educating  the  viewer  about  
looking  to  increase  the  production  value  of  your   product  or  services,  putting  a  
YouTube  channel?  Or  perhaps  you’re  looking  to  just   face  on  a  company,  and  building  
have  a  bit  of  fun  with  visual  effects  in  your  free  time.     a  company  brand.  
A  quality  video  that  
Visual  Effects  often  involves  working  for  clients  with  specific  needs.  Although  with   demonstrates  how  a  product  
increasingly  capable  and  affordable  technology  there  has  been  an  emergence  of   works,  with  attractive  visuals,  
filmmakers  that  can  direct,  edit,  and  do  visual  effects  on  there  own  projects.     would  provide  solid  evidence  
that  the  product  can  indeed  
This  article  is  dedicated  to  the  beginning  filmmaker  and/or  visual  effects  artist  interested   solve  a  particular  problem.  It  sets  
in  understanding  of  the  basics  of  what  visual  effects  are  and  how  they  can  be  of  use  in   off  emotional  triggers  that  static  
filmmaking.     text  simply  cannot  do,  ultimately  
influencing  buying  decisions.  
 
 The  following  software  applications  are  commonly  used  for  visual  
effects  on  both  professional  and  consumer  levels.  They  all  differ  and  
serve  a  unique  purpose  on  a  visual  effects  pipeline.    

3Ds  Max   Cinema  4D  -­‐  Maxon  

3Ds  Max  is  a  3D  modeling,  animation  and  rendering   Cinema  4D  is  a  3D  modeling,  animation  and  rendering  
software.  The  application  relies  on  widely  used  computer   software.  The  application  relies  on  widely  used  computer  
3D  technology  which  works  by  creating  groups  of  "points"   3D  technology  that  works  by  creating  groups  of  "points"  
(known  as  vertices)  who  form  surfaces  when  connected.   (known  as  vertices),  which  form  surfaces  when  connected.  
The  illusion  of  three  dimensions  is  created  by  modeling   The  illusion  of  three  dimensions  is  created  by  modeling  
objects  out  of  multiple  surfaces.  Still  pictures,  movies  and   objects  out  of  combined  multiple  surfaces.  Still  pictures,  
game  environments  (among  other  media)  can  be  created   movies,  and  game  environments  (among  other  media)  can  
with  this  technique.   be  produced  with  this  technique.    

Cinema  4d  is  used  on  a  professional  level  most  commonly  

After  Effects  -­‐  Adobe   for  motion  graphics.  It’s  ease  of  use  gives  it  less  of  a  
learning  curve.  Cinema  4D  allows  for  direct  exporting  into  
The  most  commonly  used  visual  effects  software.  It’s   After  Effects  which  also  makes  it  a  preferd  software  among  
primary  uses  include  motion  graphics  (title  intros  and  logo   After  Effects  users.  
animations)  and  compositing  (adding  fake  stuff  into  live  
footage).  This  program  is  great  for  beginners  to  visual  
effects.  It’s  ease  of  use  and  wide  range  of  uses  make  it  the   Flame  –  Autodesk  
perfect  tool  for  Indy  filmmaking  and  small  productions  
Perhaps  the  most  highly-­‐acclaimed  compositing  software  is  
teams.  
Flame,  which  runs  on  its  own  operating  system.  The  cost  of  
this  program  is  cost-­‐prohibitive  for  most  consumers,  
Boujou   rendering  it  more  of  professional  compositing  software.  
The  high  level  of  interactivity  required  for  client-­‐assisted  
A  3d  motion  tracking  software  that  allows  the  insertion  of   production  and  quick  turnaround  on  time-­‐critical  projects.    
computer  graphics  into  live-­‐action  footage  with  correct  
position,  scale,  orientation,  and  motion  relative  to  the   .    
physical  data  of  the  original  footage.  Also  known  as  
 
matchmoving  Boujou  is  similar  to  PFTrack  and  Syntheyes.    
  2  
 to  integrate  3d  models  making  it  ideal  for  3D  compositing  
and  environments.    

Learning  These  Programs  

Maya  
Nuke  also  allows  for  deep  compositing    which  means  that  
Maya  always  looks  like  a  special  software  for  cg  artists  
artists  can  work  with  ‘deep  images’  containing  multiple  
because  of  its  “node  base”  system.  It  has  a  really  strong  
opacity  or  colour  samples  per  pixel.  This  allows  rendering  
ability  about  animation,  particles,  dynamics,  rendering,  
of  CGI  elements  without  predetermined  holdout  mattes,  
modeling  etc.  
avoiding  the  need  for  re-­‐renders  when  content  changes.  
Maya  is  great  if  you  use  it  all  the  time.  If  you  don't  use  it  
constantly,  you  will  need  to  "re-­‐learn"  it  everytime  you  pick  
it  up.  Maya  has  some  of  the  best  animation  features.   PFTrack  

A  3d  motion  tracking  software  that  allows  the  insertion  of  

Mocha   computer  graphics  into  live-­‐action  footage  with  correct  
position,  scale,  orientation,  and  motion  relative  to  the  
Software  used  for  planar  tracking  and  rotoscoping.  Comes   physical  data  of  the  original  footage.  Also  known  as  
with  tools  for  wire  removal,  clean  plate  generation,  lens   matchmoving  PFTrack  is  similar  to  Boujou  and  Syntheyes.    
distortion  correction  and  mesh  warping,  to  deliver  an  all-­‐in-­‐
one  VFX  tool  set.  mocha  Pro  is  designed  to  complement   PFTrack  is  probably  the  most  sophisticated  tool  when  it  
any  editing,  compositing  and  finishing  environment,  and   comes  to  the  algorithms  used.  It  also  supports  object  
offers  digital  media  artists  a  powerful,  intuitive  and   tracking,  facial  feature  tracking  (used  for  motion  caputure).  
innovative  planar  tracking-­‐based  solution  with  a   PFTrack  2011  is  node  based  which  is  easier  for  Flame  and  
streamlined  interface,  accelerated  workflow  and  the  power   Nuke  users  to  work  with.    
to  easily  manipulate  and  track  shots  not  possible  with  
traditional  solutions.  It  allows  artists  to  easily  track  shots  
where  point  trackers  fail:  shots  with  noise,  shots  with   Syntheyes    
motion  blur  and  shots  that  go  offscreen  or  are  obscured.  
Mocha  AE  comes  free  with  After  Effects  CS4  and  above.     A  3d  motion  tracking  software  that  allows  the  insertion  of  
computer  graphics  into  live-­‐action  footage  with  correct  
position,  scale,  orientation,  and  motion  relative  to  the  
Nuke   physical  data  of  the  original  footage.  Also  known  as  
matchmoving  Syntheyes  is  similar  to  Boujou  and  PFTrack.    
Primarily  a  compositing  software,  it  is  similar  to  After  
Effects  but  used  on  a  more  professional  level.  It  is  one  of   SynthEyes  offers  a  complete  high-­‐end  feature  set,  including  
the  most  commonly  used  compositing  softwares  on  big   tracking,  stabilization,  motion  capture,  and  mesh  building  
budget  movies.  Nuke  and  Flame  are  used  by  most  
 
professiona  vfx  companies.    
 
Nuke’s  uses  a  node-­‐based  approach  which  allows  for  
powerful  workflow  within  a  vfx  team.  It  also  has  the  ability  

Best  and  Worst  Parts  of  Being  a  VFX  Artist  

Working  alongside  on-­‐set  industry  luminaries,  as  well  as  the  occasional  actor,  is  exciting,  says  Eric  
Alba,  a  free-­‐lance  visual-­‐effect  artist  who  has  worked  on  science  fiction  TV  shows,  including  "Star  
Trek:  The  Next  Generation."  "On  the  best  days,  I  get  to  blow  up  cars  on  set,"  Mr.  Alba  says.    

The  worst  part  of  the  job  can  often  be  dealing  with  clients.  Particularly  for  advertising  customers  
who  only  have  a  conceptual  idea  of  what  they  want,  says  Chris  Wells,  a  visual-­‐effects  supervisor  
with  Hydraulx,  "You  have  to  dig  into  a  client  and  ask  a  lot  of  abstract  questions  to  really  get  the  
palette  and  the  mood  they  want,"  Mr.  Wells  says.  "There  can  be  a  lot  of  trial  and  error."  Willingness  
to  relocate  is  crucial,  as  the  lion's  share  of  jobs  are  available  in  just  a  handful  of  cities  such  as  Los  Angeles,  
New  York,  Chicago,  Vancouver,  British  Columbia,  and  San  Francisco.  The  long  hours  also  can  wreak  havoc  on  personal  
relationships,  Mr.  Alba  says.  "I've  called  this  job  the  widow-­‐maker.  

  3  
 Visual  Effects  Technique  
Green  Screen   More  important  is  an  eye  for  
Green  screening  is  a  technique  for  compositing  
(layering)  two  images  together.  A  color  range  in  the  top   artistic  detail,  such  as  light,  
layer  is  made  transparent,  revealing  another  image   shadow,  and  texture.  “You  can  
behind.  Also  known  as  the  chroma  keying  technique,  it  
is  commonly  used  in  video  production  and  post-­‐ teach  the  technical  knowledge,  
production.   but  you  can’t  teach  a  great  
 
eye.”  
-­‐Mark  Tobin  

 
 
Motion  Tracking  
Motion  Tracking  allows  the  insertion  of  computer  graphics  into  live-­‐action  footage  with  correct  position,  
scale,  orientation,  and  motion  relative  to  the  photographed  objects  in  the  shot.  The  term  is  used  loosely  to  
refer  to  several  different  ways  of  extracting  motion  information  from  a  motion  picture,  particularly  camera  
movement.  Motion  tracking  is  related  to  rotoscoping  and  photogrammetry.  It  is  sometimes  referred  to  as  
match  moving.  
 
!

                                                                                               
 
3d  Modeling  
A  3d  model  is  a  representation  of  any  three-­‐dimensional  surface  of  object  (either  inanimate  or  living)  via  a  
3d  modeling  software  such  as  Maya,  Cinema  4d  or  3Ds  Max.  The  product  is  called  a  3D  model.  It  can  be  
displayed  as  a  two-­‐dimensional  image  through  a  process  called  3D  rendering  or  used  in  
a  computer  simulation  of  physical  phenomena.    
 

                                                                                         
 
 

Continued…  
  4  
 Matte  Painting  
A  Matte  Painting  is  made  when  we  combine  two  or  more  image  
elements  into  a  single,  final  image.  Usually,  mattes  are  used  to  
combine  a  foreground  image  (such  as  actors  on  a  set,  or  a  spaceship)  
with  a  background  image  (a  scenic  vista,  a  field  of  stars  and  planets).  
In  this  case,  the  matte  is  the  background  painting.  In  film  and  stage,  
mattes  can  be  physically  huge  sections  of  painted  canvas,  portraying  
large  scenic  expanses  of  landscapes.  
 
Visual  Effects  as  a  
Career  
 •  The  pay:  Earnings  vary,  
depending  on  whether  you  
are  employed  by  a  company,  
a  studio  or  as  a  free-­‐lancer.  
Typically,  short-­‐term  
commercial  jobs  pay  more,    
but  television-­‐show  and  film    
Physical  Simulators  
jobs  provide  more  job  
security.  Junior  visual-­‐effects   Physical  simulator  software  allows  simulation  of  the  way  bodies  of  
supervisors  earn  an  average   many  types  are  affected  by  a  variety  of  physical  stimuli.  They  are  also  
of  $2,500  a  week.   used  to  create  Dynamical  simulations  without  having  to  know  
anything  about  physics.  Physics  engines  are  used  throughout  the  
•  The  hours:  Workdays  are   video  game  and  movie  industry.  They  are  often  used  for  high  budget  
usually  at  least  10  hours  long.   films  involving  natural  disasters  such  as  2012.    
Deadlines  are  high-­‐pressure   !
and  rarely  flexible.  Many  
artists  say  they  work  through  
the  night  to  deliver  a  project  
on  time.  Visual-­‐effects  artists  
bemoan  that  there  is  no  
 
union  representation  to  
regulate  hours  and  working   Rotoscoping    
conditions.    
Rotoscoping  is  the  process  of  manually  altering  film  or  video  footage  
one  frame  at  a  time.  The  frames  can  be  painted  on  arbitrarily  to  
create  custom  animated  effects  like  lightning  or  lightsabres,  or  traced  
to  create  realistic  traditional  style  animation  or  to  produce  hold-­‐out  
mattes  for  compositing  elements  in  a  scene  and,  more  recently,  to  
produce  depth  maps  for  stereo  conversion.  
   
!
   
5  
  
 
How  do  I  work?  

 
 
For  90%  of  my  visual  effects  I  use  After  Effects,  Cinema  4d,  PFTrack,   I  like  to  shoot  on  the  
and  Mocha.  I  do  most  of  my  work  on  a  2010  MacBook  Pro  15’’  with  8   Canon  7D  because  it  
GB  of  RAM  and  a  2.5  ghz.    
shoots  in  high  
 
I  shoot  video  primarily  on  the  Canon  7d  and  5d  with  a  Canon  50mm   definition  and  has  
f1.8  and  a  Tokina  11-­‐17mm  f2.8  lens.  I  use  a  Flycam  Nano  Steadycam   the  option  of  the  
to  get  my  moving  shots.     shooting  at  60  
  frames  per  second  
When  working  with  other  on  a  project  that  involves  several  visual   which  is  great  for  
effects  shots  it’s  important  that  the  edit  is  locked  so  I  can  avoid  doing  
visual  effects  on  shots  that  aren’t  necessary  for  the  final  cut.    
slow  motion  shots  

For  Free  Visual  Effects  Training  on  Adobe  After  Effects,  Mocha,  and  PFTrack  check  out  www.vfxbro.com