The Art and Science of Digital Compositing

Computer-generated visual effects are now used extensively in feature films, commercials, music videos, and multimedia. The backbone of this process, the final and most important step, is known as digital compositing. The Art and Science of Digital Compositing is a comprehensive reference that provides a complete overview of the technical and the artistic nature of this process. This book covers a wide range of topics from basic image creation, representation, and manipulation, to a look at the visual cues that are necessary to create a believable composite. Designed as both an introduction to the field as well as a valuable technical reference, this book should be of interest to both novices and professionals alike.

Written by a working professional in the visual effects industry, the book provides over 250 different images and illustrations (including a 40-page color insert) as well as a complete glossary of compositing and visual-effects terminology. Also included are in-depth case studies from well-known films such as Speed, Independence Day, and Titanic.

Balances fundamental "hard science" topics with the more qualitative/artistic challenges which face anyone involved in a digital composition project
Provides examples and illustrations from motion picture work
CD-ROM contains additional composition examples, illustrations, and development software
Includes 32 pages of colour

Autorentext

Ron M. Brinkmann has been working in the field of Computer Graphics for over a decade, involved with both hardware and software design, development and use. His primary field of expertise is in visual effects for feature films, and his personal feature-film credits include: Contact, The Ghost and the Darkness, James and the Giant Peach, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Speed, Hideaway, Tall Tale, Last Action Hero, and In the Line of Fire. He has had articles published in a number of magazines, and has lectured on the topics of digital compositing and visual effects in the U.S., Europe, Australia and China.

Inhalt

Acknowledgments
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction to Digital Compositing
Chapter 2 The Digital Representation of Visual Information
Chapter 3 Basic Image Manipulation
Chapter 4 Basic Image Compositing
Chapter 5 Matte Creation and Manipulation
Chapter 6 Time and Temporal Manipulations
Chapter 7 Image Tracking and Stabilization
Chapter 8 Interface Interactions
Chapter 9 Image Viewing and Analysis Tools
Chapter 10 Formats: Media, Resolution, and Aspect Ratios
Chapter 11 Quality and Efficiency
Chapter 12 Learning to See
Chapter 13 Creating Elements
Chapter 14 Integration Techniques
Chapter 15 Advanced Topics
Chapter 16 Case Studies
Appendix A Digital Compositing Software: Tools and Features
Appendix B Digital Compositing Software: Manufacturers
Appendix C Digital Image File Formats
Appendix D Common Film and Video Formats
Bibliography
Glossary
Index