Ask & Answer: India's Largest Education Community

Visual effects (VFX) are images made, edited, or augmented for any film or other moving medium that do not occur during live-action shooting. VFX frequently include combining actual video with modified graphics to create realistic-looking settings for the context. They accomplish this through the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and VFX software. 

Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, Nuke, Fusion and Silhouette are some of the common software taught in VFX courses. The finest VFX software toolkit for beginners includes CamTrackAR for 3D tracking your footage so that effects can be added, Blender for 3D modelling, animation, and physics simulation, and HitFilm for compositing, visual effects, and green screening.

1. Compositing

1. It is a technique used in visual arts that involves combining visual elements from different sources to present them as if it is a single scene.
2. Keying is a technique that removes colours from an image and replaces them with transparency. Reds, yellows, oranges, browns, purples, magentas, whites, greys and blacks are not removed.
3. There are many techniques that are used within composting including matting, CGI, multiple exposure, physical composting, front/rear projection and green screen.
4. In compositing, the selected part of the image is replaced with other imagery.
5. Most of the compositing is achieved via digital image manipulation. It involves the following processes:
• Footage Preparation: It involves plate cleaning and colour correction. Any unwanted elements in live-action footage are removed including rigs, markers and wires that should be removed from the final shot. Footage may require initial colour adjustments for consistency and to match lighting conditions of CG elements.

·         

• Rotoscoping: This is a process of manually creating a mask for the object in the video frame by frame. It separates the foreground from background and masks out specific areas that require seperate treatment.
• Keying: This technique requires shooting a scene against a blue or gree screen where keying tools remove background and make it transparent. New background or CGI elements are placed behind the subject.
• Tracking and Matchmoving: When the camera moves during a shot, that movement is tracked. This ensures that CGI elements follow same movement and appear anchored in a scene. After that, match moving is performed to match the movement of 3D camera to 2D filmed footage sp that virtual elements are correctly positioned in 3D space.
• Layering and Integration: Different visual elements including matter paintings, CGI characters, and live-action footage are layered together in the correct order. Blending modes, alpha channels and masks ensure seamless integration.
• Colour grading: Once every element is combined, colour grading ensures that everything is in match in terms of colours and lighting. Adjustments are made for achieving the desired look.
• Atmospheric effects: It integrates elements and depth.
• Final touches: Adding motion blur to match live-action footage or making final adjustments to enhance the realism of the composite.
• Rendering: Finalize the composite, render out the scene and create a final video sequence. 

2. Bullet time

It is a visual effect that is a digitally enhanced simulation of variable-speed photography used in broadcast advertisements, films and video games. In this technique of VFX, the time is slowed down during action sequences which allows detailed and stylized portrayal of the subjects. This technique is used in action films for stylizing high-intensity moments including gunfights and combat scenes. Bullet time refers to a visual effect that slows down or stops the time while the camera moves around the scene at normal speed. This emphasizes a particular moment in the scene. Here is how the bullet time effect takes place:

1. Camera placement: Multiple cameras are lined up in a sequence or in a circular arrangement around the subject. The camera captures the action in rapid succession.
2. Shot planning: Camera paths are determined, and the action of subjects as well as other elements in a shot are also planned.
3. Camera triggering: Cameras are synchronized for taking the shot in rapid succession. This creates a sequence of images from different angles at the same moment in time.
4. Green screen: Filming of the subject on a green or blue screen allows easy integration of the subject with desired background.
5. Post-production: First of all, sequencing takes place. Images from cameras are sequenced together to showcase movement. Once this is done, interpolation takes place which shows that the movements are smooth. A fluid transition between images from each camera takes place.
6. Background integration: Background is removed in case a blue or green screen is used. After that, desired background, as well as CGI elements, are added.
7. Colour consistency: To ensure consistency, colour grading is performed. 

Any additional effects are added and the scene is rendered as the final video.

3. Motion Capture

It is the process of recording the movement of people and objects. This process is used in medical applications, entertainment and robotics. Motion capture allows recording human actions and using that information for animating digital character models in 2D and 3D co

According to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) report, the Indian Animation and VFX industry has witnessed a rise of over 50 percent in the past year. This figure is expected to rise further in the coming years and the Indian VFX industry will be ready to compete at the international level.

• VFX courses teach the necessary skills and information for a career in visual effects and related industries.
• VFX courses are currently in high demand in India. Additionally, anyone with the necessary abilities and credentials can easily land the greatest positions with excellent compensation packages. The entry-level salary for VFX students can be INR 4 lakh.
• Candidates can choose a VFX and Animation degree if they are interested in video games, cartoons, or animation.
• After a VFX course, one can become a Graphic Designer, Video Editor, Multimedia Programmer, Web Designer, 2D/3D Animator, 3D Modeller, VFX artist, and many more.
• The VFX studios are also witnessing a constant rise. The students, who are interested in taking forward their skills and shining their careers in this industry, can pursue professional courses offered by several Animation and VFX colleges and institutes.