Digital image and mixed media integration are one of the fundamental aspects to the Digital Compositing industry.
In this module students will learn the technical and creative mix of skills required to create comprehensive composites for Visual FX.
This module will introduce history, theory and practice of digital compositing from the still through to the moving image.
Students will study:

- Composition
- Colour modes, image, acquisition, basic compression (DCT), print, pixel based image manipulation.
- Rotoscoping (practical and theory), rig removal (practical and theory including image processing and vector maths), patching, paint and stablisation to separate and repair shots.
- Chromakey technology, matte extraction, luma, colour key, difference matting, motion keying and common matte combining operators.
- Explore both 2D and 2.5D methodologies and create composites for both understanding differences between the two approaches. Implement layering and combination of disparately created elements into a perceptually cohesive whole.
- Understanding area, planar, corner pin and point tracking and what makes a good tracking region.
- Colour corrections, mismatched lighting, compositing operation and an intermediate study of colour space and look up tables. HSV, curves, exposure, blackpoint and white point matching.

100% Coursework comprising of:-

A written analytical and reflective logbook (2000 words) weighted at 40% which will assess Learning Outcome 2, 3 and 4
A multiple choice class test weighted at 10% which will assess learning outcome 1.
Practical assessment weighted at 50% which will assess Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5

Lectures and laboratory sessions

1 x 1 hour lecture per week
1 x 2 hour tutorial per week

Learning on all aspects of the module will be facilitated by lectures, tutorials, problem solving exercises and student centred learning.
Practical assignments using laboratory equipment and post production facilities will support the learning.

Allen & Connor (2006), Encyclopaedia of Visual Effects , Peachpit, ISBN-13: 978-0321303349
Barbara Gordon (2003),Commercial Art and Graphic Design, Second Edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0071411496
Brinkman, R (1999), The Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Techniques for Visual Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics, 2nd Edition, Morgan Kaufmann ISBN-13: 978-0123706386
Digital Image Processing with Applications to Digital Cinema, K S Thyagarajan, 2006, Focal Press, ISBN: 0-240-80729
Matt Kloskowski (2011), Photoshop Compositing Secrets, Peachpit PresS, ISBN-13: 978-0321808233
Miller (2009), Traditional Animation: Multiplane camera, Rotoscoping, Live- action, VDM Publishing House, ISBN-13: 978-6130081997
Perkins (2009), The After Effects illusionist : all the effects in one complete guide, Focal Press, ISBN-13: 978-0240811451
Ulrich (2002), Photoshop 7: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 0072223111
Wright, S (2006), Digital Compositing for Film & Video, 2nd Edition, Focal Press, ISBN-10: 024080760X

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects or equivalent
Composite
3D Studio Max, Maya or equivalent
Photoshop / Illustrator
Mocha
Digital Academy Forum

None