Where do you learn hardware-specific compositing?

[dax3d]

Hi all,

I go to Full Sail for computer animation. I haven't had my compositing class yet, but I know we use Shake.

My question is, if I don't learn the hardware-specific compositing packages, where can I? If not at an industry oriented school like that, I don't know where people can learn these type of compositing packages.

Is it an on the job thing (like move from the software packages onto the more powerful ones?)

thanks for any info

[Hugh]

I think that, like many tools, once you've learnt the techniques, it's not as hard to learn a different package to use them in. If you can prove that you're a good compositor, and a company wants you, I'm sure they'd be willing to train you up (if you're good, this won't take too long) on whatever tools they use.

Also, with Discreet's tools (Combustion, Flint, Flame and Inferno), the interfaces are very similar - you may get the chance to learn to use Combustion at some stage, and this is (apparently) a big step along the way to being able to use FFI (Flint, Flame or Inferno).

[dax3d]

Thanks, that makes sense. Over at 3dbuzz they have some Combustion tutorials, so I can study it after Shake.

Is there a good demand for compositers in 3d? I enjoy it so far, and I'd like to know if this is a good career.

thanks for your info

[Hugh]

Originally posted by dax3d
Thanks, that makes sense. Over at 3dbuzz they have some Combustion tutorials, so I can study it after Shake.

I wish that I had the chance at the moment to work with Shake.... I've heard so much about it, but have never actually got my hands on it to play...

Originally posted by dax3d
Is there a good demand for compositers in 3d? I enjoy it so far, and I'd like to know if this is a good career.

I'd hope so, although it's not just 3D that needs compositing - there are loads of areas where compositing is needed with no 3D element - explosions, general chroma-key work, and more...

[dax3d]

I don't get to see Shake for a couple of more months, I've only read about it so far.

That's great to hear, I can't wait for my compositing classes. I'm definitely more excited after reading about Shake on the Apple website, on how it was being used on Lord of the Rings.

thanks again for the info

[Hugh]

Which course are you doing at Full Sail? Something specifically compositing-based, or is that just part of a larger course?

[Paul Moran]

i too would looove to toy with shake till the end of time...but apple his seen fit not to develope a demo ... anyway...the way of the PC is doomed...Apple are not supporting Shake on the PC platform from v2.5

Pity for student/learners who have only PCs ...still it is an awesome app!! ...just ask Weta Digital

cheers guys!!

PS: dax...do you have an URL for Full Sail?? Id like to have a look at their site and add it into the training forum as a training center..thanks again

Paul

[Hugh]

Paul: http://www.fullsail.com/ is the official website - loads of info on there on the courses, and what they do...

[BlackKnight]

Hey guys

I've heard so much about Shake and what it can do, though as of yet I haven't had the chance to sample its delights.

hmmm...the pc is doomed is it Paul? Never! How come they are stopping it after version 2.5?

BK

[dax3d]

Good morning all,

sorry I didn't get back to you quick enough, time zone difference between us I guess.

Thanks for putting the url to Full Sail.

I am in the computer animation program there. This 14 month program covers modeling, shading/lighting, animating, compositing, effects, etc...

I'm about halfway done, we just started intro to animation. It's a lot more fun than just modeling something and having it sit there.

[Hugh]

Originally posted by BlackKnight
hmmm...the pc is doomed is it Paul? Never! How come they are stopping it after version 2.5?

Not the PC in general, just the PC version of Shake....

When Apple bought Nothing Real (who developed Shake) last summer (ish...), they decided to stop working on future versions of Shake for Windows then. They have since said (I believe - it may just be rumours) that they will stop working on Shake for Linux after version 2.5

A lot of the talk about this is that Shake for Linux is so popular that they will lose a huge user-base by doing this. However, their thinking is that they will get all these users to buy Apple hardware so that they can continue to use Shake....

As for what will really happen, who knows? We'll just have to wait and see...

[unxetas]

well since Digital Fusion is hopefully coming out for linux, I sure hope no one falls for that. Apple are trying to do business the way Microsoft always did, and I sure hope they get burned. I'm not into compositing a lot, but i once used shake to composite some particles.. well doesn't matter anyway, I thought shake was really cool and.. huh.. easy to do basic stuff like that! But from what I've heard, there's nothing shake will do that DF won't...

[Aruna]

Just a heads up.. Even if you are going into compositing (or even visual effects 3D) you will definitely need to understand layering and compositing. A 2D artist will ask a 3D artist to split up certain elements to make the composite easier to work with. And a 3D artist should know how to make elements for the compositor (after all, she/he is the last one to take a look at the shot and correct it!). Of course, a skilled compositor will know what to do with the elements he's given, even if there are some 3D elements missing.

Unfortunately, the combustion interface and the FFI interface are vastly different. I learned FFI from getting hired as an entry level compositor doing keys and roto on a flint (whew, thank goodness that's over! ). However, if you do get a handle on how FFI works, and you're skilled at it, you'll find that your talent is widely needed! Many large and small effects houses may have a flame or inferno that can be used to quickly turn around shots to clients. They are machines definitely to be used on a deadline!

Hope that helps a bit.