Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Section I Working Foundations

Chapter 1 Compositing in After Effects

Workspaces and Panels

Make Use of the Interface

Project, Footage, and Composition Settings

Previews and Viewers

Effects & Presets

Output: The Render Queue

Study a Shot like an Effects Artist

Chapter 2 The Timeline

Organization

Animation Methods

Keyframes and the Graph Editor

Über-duper

Spatial Offsets

Motion Blur

Manipulate Time

In Conclusion

Chapter 3 Selections: The Key to Compositing

Many Ways to Create Selections

Compositing: Science and Nature

Alpha Channels and Premultiplication

Masks

Combining Multiple Masks

Masks in Motion

Blending Modes: Compositing Beyond Selections

Track Mattes

Chapter 4 Optimize the Pipeline

Multiple Compositions, Multiple Projects

Precomping and Composition Nesting

Adjustment and Guide Layers

Render Pipeline

Project Optimization

Create a Shot

Section II Effects Compositing Essentials

Chapter 5 Color Correction

Optimized Levels

Color Matching

Beyond the Basics

Chapter 6 Color Keying

Good Habits and Best Practices

Linear Keyers and Hi-Con Mattes

Blue and Green Screen Keys

Get the Best Out of Keylight

Typical Keying Challenges

Conclusion

Chapter 7 Rotoscoping and Paint

Articulated Mattes

Overcome Mask Limitations

Morph

Puppet

Paint and Cloning

Conclusion

Chapter 8 Effective Motion Tracking

The Essentials

2.5D Tracking

Extend a Track

Track for Rotoscoping

3D Tracks

Conclusion

Chapter 9 The Camera and Optics

Cameras: Virtual and Real

Storytelling and the Camera

Camera Blur

The Role of Grain

Film and Video Looks

Conclusion

Chapter 10 Expressions

Values

Links and Offsets

Mars Productions

Patterns

Rules

More Information

Chapter 11 32 Bit HDR Compositing and Color Management

CS3 Color Management: Why Bother?

Film and Dynamic Range

Linear Floating-Point HDR

Conclusion

Section III Creative Explorations

Chapter 12 Light

Source and Direction

Color Looks

Source, Reflection, and Shadow

Multipass 3D Compositing

Chapter 13 Climate and the Environment

Particulate Matter

Sky Replacement

Fog, Smoke, and Mist

Billowing Smoke

Wind

Precipitation

Conclusion

Chapter 14 Pyrotechnics: Heat, Fire, Explosions

Firearms

Energy Effects

Heat Distortion

Fire

Explosions

In a Blaze of Glory

Index