DIGM 302 - The Art and Techniques of Digital Compositing
Spring Term 2010 / University Crossings (UC_015)
Section 001: Wednesday, 9:00 - 11:50am
introduction
Compositing can be defined as the integration of multiple disparate source elements to form a cohesive whole. Digital compositing is the use of digital tools, namely the computer, to attain this goal. Compositing can use images, or plates, from any number of sources. Some of the more commonly used sources are live action, animation, and miniatures. Compositing can be seen in nearly every feature film released today, if even in a very minor role. Pursued to the highest degrees of artisanry, digital compositing represents a valuable and engaging crossover between the perceived “real” and the “virtually imagined”, as it affectively bridges our human perceptions to the realms of suspended disbelief. And, in its less cinematic realism applications, compositing can evocatively serve to create immersive artful abstractions and new forms of the digital aesthetic.
objectives
The objective of the course is to gain a thorough understanding of compositing practices and techniques. We will address many of the different aspects of compositing, including color correction, 3D integration, chroma-keying (green screening), digital matte painting and others. At the end of the course, one should be able to convincingly combine plates to form a unified image.
Through a series of short-turnaround production assignments, lectures, discussions, and student presentations, the class will explore a wide spectrum of tools of compositing. Primary, if not central, to this tool set are Nuke and Furnace’s (Digital Domain/The Foundry) nodal interchange of algorithms, functions, scripts, and operators. Students will be expected to deliver into class a number of professor-directed research projects and experiments.
materials
Textbook (to be purchased no later than the second week of class):
The Art and Science of Digital Compositing, Second Edition
Students are required to supply a dedicated hard drive (>40GB) for data storage. Students are highly advised to supply a small format (9” x 12” or smaller, USB or Firewire) wacom tablet for use in classroom, lab, and home.
Each student must supply a sketchbook and basic analog drawing instruments (pencils, pens, eraser, etc.). These must accompany the student into every class. Failure to produce said materials, when called for by the instructor, will result in a grade reduction.
Grading
Grading will be based on:
1) Class attendance and participation (10%)
2) Homework Assignments and Readings (10%)
3) Mid-term project (30%)
4) Final project (50%)
Attendance is mandatory; more than two (2) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. Late submissions will be assessed a lower grade for each missed class date.
Following professor-directed instructions and directions is pivotal to success in this class. Failure to accurately respond to assignments’ parameters will be deductive to the student’s grade. Particularly, the Instructor’s guidance of the copying and placement of a student’s files into the proper network directories must be strictly followed; otherwise difficulty in locating student assets will garner negative impact to the grade.
Academic Honesty policy
Drexel University is committed to a learning environment that embraces academic honesty. In order to protect members of our community from results of dishonest conduct, the University has adopted policies to deal with cases of academic dishonesty. Please read, understand, and follow the “Academic Honesty Policy” as written in the Official Student Handbook.
Special needs
Students with documented disabilities who need course accommodations, have emergency medical information or require special arrangements for building evacuation should contact the instructor within the first two weeks of class. Verification of any special arrangements needs to be made through the Office of Disability Services, 3201 Arch Street, Suite 210.
classroom rules
1) Because of the contemporaneousness of course subjects, the Instructor may direct students to access data via the Internet. It is to be noted that NO student computer uses (viz. IM-ing, text-ing, game playing,..) other than those directed by the Instructor may be conducted during seminar sessions.
2) NO phone activity is permitted within the classroom during the seminar sessions unless directed by the Instructor.
3) ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES (except water) ARE ALLOWED IN THE LABS, OR CLASSROOMS!!
Note: Infractions of these rules will summarily affect the student’s grade!
Class Schedule
Week 01
Brief History of Compositing; Intro to Nuke UI
Homework Reading: Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Chapter 2, Chapter 3
Homework Project: Tutorial 1 from Nuke Documents (nuke script and rendered sequence), 6 High-Res uncompressed (tif, tga, etc.) images for use in your midterm comp.
Keep in Mind:
Make sure nothing we know should be moving is in the image (animals, people, driving cars, etc).
Think about how your CG objects will interact with the scene (masks, shadows, collision, etc) when choosing your shots.
I recommend having at least one strong foreground element, having your CG objects interact with something in the distance rarely works well.
Photos are due in your name/w02 folder the midnight before next class.
Week 02
Masks, Transformations, Rotoscoping Intro
Homework Reading: Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Homework Project: Choose 5 of your 6 images and develop a sketch overlay to illustrate what you intend on producing. I'm having trouble locating the example projects from the past that I think were successful, but I'll keep looking. Also, I'd like to see the finished script for compositing the car, sign, woman scene. I'm not concerned with the rendered image, just the script. Homework is due the midnight before our next class.
Week 03
AoV and EXR compositing, Scene Integration
Homework Reading: Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Chapter 6, Chapter 8
Homework Project: TBA
Week 04
Luma Keyer, Primatte Keyer, 2D tracking
Homework Reading: Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Chapter 10
Homework Project: TBA
Week 05
HD cam demo, Greenscreen, Image Based Keyer (IBK)
Homework Reading: Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Chapter 13
Homework Project: TBA
Week 06
Intro to PFTrack, 3D Camera Tracking, Set Replacement
Homework Project: TBA
Week 07
Nuke 3D workspace, Intro to Camera Projection
Homework Project: TBA
Week 08
Set Projection in Nuke and Maya
Homework Project: TBA
Week 09
Nuke 2.5D environments, Pan and Tile Scenes
Homework Project: TBA
Week 10
Semi-Final Critique
Homework Project: TBA
Week 11
Final Critique