Asset Integration for VFX 1001

This term, we'll create a believable shot combining plate photography with VFX

Asset Integration for VFX is a 12-week on-demand course where students will be taught the fundamentals of 3D and 2D to integrate a photoreal CG asset into a series of live action backplates**. Through practical hands-on learning, we’ll work through a wide range of topics covering the shot creation process.

This course is the last of a series that will teach you how to build an asset and push it through the VFX pipeline to create a number of believable shots. You can enrol on this course as a standalone, or if you’d like to develop a wider skillset, you can do so by joining us on Modelling Props for VFX and Surfacing Props for VFX.

Throughout the course, we’ll also discuss other areas of the VFX pipeline that are integral to the success of any project, such as Production, Editorial, Grading, R&D, Recruitment, HR, Finance and Artist Management.

To underpin each stage of the CG pipeline and to push your creative, technical and problem-solving skills, we’ll study the fundamentals and the theory behind computer graphics. This includes traditional skills, art, cinematography, design, storytelling, function and form. This background research will directly feed into how we approach the creation of VFX shots.

The outcome of the programme is to provide you with a strong generalist skillset enabling you to have a core understanding of a VFX shot pipeline and an ability to apply these skills to real-world projects.

**Please note, the images below are only temporary and do not represent the final visual output of the programme.

Term Details

Type: On-demand
Level: Beginner
Lessons: 12
Duration: TBC
Format: Video on-demand
Assignments: 12
Tools: Maya, Arnold, Nuke, Mari, 3DE, Resolve, Substance Painter, PTGui
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Maya, Arnold, Nuke, Mari, 3DE, Resolve, Substance Painter, PTGui
Course Access Time: Lifetime

Industry partners

Lessons in this course

01. Shot Pipeline Overview

We'll kick things off with a walkthrough of the VFX Shot Pipeline and how things flow from one department to the next. We will then cover how to go about tackling a VFX shot and we'll set up our project folder structure and colour space for the project.
02. Data Acquisition

In this lesson, we'll run through a typical VFX shoot and what to consider for the requirements of a shot needing asset integration. Following on from this, we will walkthrough the data captured onset for our sequence of shots.
03. Data Processing

With our data captured, now we need to figure out what each department requires and the intended use of the data. We'll then cover the process of creating a HDRI, a panorama and sorting other data captured onset.
04. Editorial

When working on a sequence, it is important to understand the bigger picture, even though you may be working on one shot. Here, we'll explore the cut by jumping into Da Vinci Resolve to organise our shots and output our frames for post-production.
05. Roto and Prep

When done well, you'll never know it happened. Here we will explore the hidden task of Roto and Prep by jumping into Nuke to clean up our plates.
06. Tracking

By having an undertanding of how a camera works and a lens sees the world, you'll be better prepared to handle shots where you have little to no onset information. Here we will explore such issues before we jump into 3DE to track our shots.
07. Layout

This lesson, we'll explore one aspect of cinematography, framing, and how we can use techniques to push the narrative. We'll then dive into Katana and start setting up our sequence template.
08. Introduction to Lighting

Continuing with the theme of cinematograhy, we'll now explore light and how we can use light to set the mood. We will then take this learning into Katana to become a digital cinematographer.
09. Lighting Integration

In this lesson, we'll break down the requirements of each shot and plan how we'll go about lighting the shot. And then back into Katana, where we'll now work on our hero lighting setup. We'll also cover working with AOVs and how you can use them to assess your renders.
10. Introduction to Compositing

With our composite blocked out, let’s now look at pushing the comp to create the final result before heading over to Grading.
11. Finalising the Comp

We've already broken down how a camera sees the world. Now, lets' explore the imperfections of an image, such as lens grain and lighting flares. We'll not look at how we can go about making sure our CG asset sits believably with the live action plate.
12. Grading the Sequence

For our final lesson, we'll explore how we can pull on the heartstrings, create moments of joy, or intense rage. All through the power of colour. And with our composite complete, we'll look at creating a final grade for our sequence.

Tutor: Jahirul Amin

CAVE Academy Founder | VFX Teacher

Jahirul Amin is a Computer Animation and Visual Effects Teacher and Consultant. He specialises in designing and delivering courses to create solid and diverse production ready skills in all 3D related departments and across a number of facilities worldwide. His background in academia feeds into his ongoing connections with Universities and Colleges which provide Computer Animation and Visual Effects courses. He is also involved in course and examination design as well as lecturing, running workshops and mentoring.

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Asset Integration for VFX 1001

This course will teach you the essentials of the Post-Production Shot pipeline to integrate a photoreal asset into a series of live action shots.