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

~ (Author) "A massive spacecraft hovers over New York, throwing the entire city into shadow..." (more)
Key Phrases: nonlinear color space, premultiplied image, color difference method, Input Pixel Value Figure, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Independence Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com 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 Brinkmann, 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 analyze images; work with various film and video formats; and understand the issues of quality versus efficiency. Brinkmann concentrates on improving what you've put together by manipulating color, brightness, perspective, lighting, cameras, and more. You can apply much of the introductory information--resolution, bit depth, compression, color, 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

Product Description

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 364 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann; 1st edition (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0121339602
• ISBN-13: 978-0121339609
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #544,841 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The textbook for compositers, December 20, 2001

By	Jason White (London, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This was our assigned textbook for a course I took in digital effects. The author has created a book with techniques and info that are not likely to become dated anytime soon, which is a good thing, but to do this he had to completely avoid application specific information. So the book will work regardless of your preference of software, but this can be frustrating too. Many times I wanted him to confirm that the tool he was describing was 'just like the ______ tool in Photoshop.' Overall the book is solid, what it really is, is a book of compositing techniques that are universal. How and why to achieve certain things.

There are chapters on motion tracking, matte creation, formats & aspect ratios. Sections on lighting, shadows, atmosphere, curve editing. There's a interesting 'case studies' section in the back, which breaks down and explain certain composites from movies like Titanic, Star Trek, Independance Day, and a few others. Definately a worthwhile book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is no other book like this anywhere, period., July 24, 1999

By	Sean Devereaux "filmsoup" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been studying digital compositing for about five years, but due to the youth of this profession, gaining knowledge had to come from experience. This is the first book I have come across that defines digital compositing and explains it's vast tool set in one collective volume. Mr. Brinkman's book will soon be the desk reference for every seasoned artist and required reading for every student of visual effects.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Art and Science of Digital Compositing, November 18, 2002

By	Sren Jacobsen (Odense C Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this book is a very good overall explanation of digital compositing, it is packged with information.

but please note that this is not a tutorial/workbook type of book, if you are looking for exercises recreating special effects you need to look elsewhere, but on the other hand if you are looking for a thorough insight into what is 'really' going on (which can often be the difference when saving an effects) then this is for you, you will know about cineon, lin/log colourspace, pre/unpre-multiplied images etc.

great book!!