The Art and Science of Digital Compositing (The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Computer Graphics) - Hardcover

Brinkmann, Ron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0121339602 ISBN 13: 9780121339609

Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann, 1999

Synopsis

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

About this title

Review:

Digital compositing, defined here as "the digitally manipulated combination of at least two source images to produce an integrated result", is a huge field incorporating 2-D and 3-D still and animated artwork. The Art and Science of Digital Compositing homes in on a specific area--visual effects in film, multimedia and commercials--and expands on it in a highly precise and technical fashion. The author, Ron Brinkman, has applied his expertise to many projects, including such feature films as James and the Giant Peach and Die Hard.

Here he teaches aspiring film, video and multimedia artists how to create mattes; manipulate time; track, view, and analyse images; work with various film and video formats and understand the issues of quality versus efficiency. Brinkman concentrates on improving what you've put together by manipulating colour, brightness, perspective, lighting, cameras and more. You can apply much of the introductory information-- resolution, bit depth, compression, colour and geometric manipulations--to simple image-compositing projects. But then you're off into Hollywood territory, though the tone is one of serious insight, not whimsical observation. This is essentially a textbook for people who are looking for an in-depth discussion of technology for advanced animation production. As such, it does an excellent job. --Kathleen Caster, amazon.com

About the Author:

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.

About this edition

• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0121339602
• ISBN 13: 9780121339609
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 364