Asset Integration for VFX 1001

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

Overview

This course covers Term Two for CG Essentials 2022. we will push our skills on the shot-side of things to design a photorealistic shot that combines miniature work, live action shoot photography, a digital set extension, and FX. All the elements will then be tracked and comped into the plate to create a believable and high-end result.

Throughout the term, you will learn to:

Capture onset data for the requirements of VFX
Process onset data within an ACEScg colour pipeline
Camera and object track
Clean up your plates using roto and prep techniques
Create FX elements to ground your CG asset into the shot
Light, render and comp the CG into the plate
Grade and edit your final shot
Get an understanding of industry trends such as Virtual Production

To strengthen the technical skills, we will underpin the teaching by exploring fundamental topics such as:

Cameras and lenses
Green v Blue screen
Physics for simulation
Using light to push emotion
Using techniques from the past in the present

Term Details

Type: Online
Level: Beginner
Duration: 12 weeks
Format: Online live lessons
Assignments: Weekly and 1 final
Tools: Maya, Arnold, Nuke, Resolve, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Houdini, PTGui, Unreal
Course Access Time: Lifetime

Industry partners

Lessons in this course

Week 01. Cameras, Lenses and Lights | Shooting HDRIs and Panoramas

We’ll kick off Term Two by taking a deep dive into a standard VFX camera kit before looking at how to go about capturing lighting reference and panoramas.
Week 02. Shoot Prep | Capturing Geometry and Texture Reference

This week, we’ll look at everything we have to take into account when preparing for a VFX shoot and workflows for capturing geometry and texture reference.
Week 03. Shoot Day | Acquiring Shot VFX Reference

It’s time to turn the lights on, get the cameras rolling and shout “Action”. This week, we’ll be capturing our shots and VFX reference.
Week 04. Invisible Arts | Roto, Prep and Matchmove

In order to successfully incorporate CG elements into our shots, we need to ensure our plates are prepped and tracked. This week, we focus on making sure our plates are VFX-ready.
Week 05. Exploring our World | Environments

This week, we’ll look at further pushing our environment by adding further 3D and 2.5D elements and incorporating them into our shot.
Week 06. A Brief History of Matte Painting | DMP

This week, we’ll take a look at the history of Matte Painting and then work on creating our own background elements.
Week 07. Natural Phenomena | FX

In order to sit our vehicle into the shot, let’s look at adding some FX elements.
Week 08. The Cinematic Look | Shot Lighting

This week, we’ll take the lighting captured during the shoot and go about incorporating our asset realistically into the shot.
Week 09. Pulling a Shot Together | AOVs and Elements

This week, our attention will turn to pulling all the layers together. We'll also break down all our AOVs and the elements for the comp.
Week 10. Reality in Art | Photoreal Compositing

With our composite blocked out, let’s now look at pushing the comp to create the final result before heading over to Grading.
Week 11. Storytelling through Sound | Edit, Grade and Audio

For our final week of the term, the focus will be solely on completing the VFX shot to a high-end industry standard.
Week 12. Networking and Career Planning | Final Dailies

For our final week of the term, the focus will be solely on completing the VFX shot. We'll also look at developing your networking skills and thinking about the future.

Tutor: Jahirul Amin

VFX Trainer

Jahirul Amin is a Computer Animation and Visual Effects Trainer 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.

This course is part of the CG Essentials 2022 Programme

Click on the link below to find out more about the programme and to apply.

APPLY FOR THE CG ESSENTIALS 2022 PROGRAMME

Asset Integration for VFX 1001

This term, we will be focussing on the shot side of things, where we'll explore onset data acquisition, camera and object tracking, roto, prep, matte painting, lighting, compositing and more.

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