Explore the visual effects techniques used in film, television, commercial and music video production. The art of creating a convincing composition lies in the knowledge and skill of the artist. This advanced level series provides hands on visual demonstrations of award winning modeling, animation and compositing techniques.

Visual FX Series

Technical Direction

The skills of the Technical Director in 3D animation rely on the attention to detail, properly setting up a model so that it reacts accurately within a scene. Doors opening and closing, flaps moving, wheels turning, these are the elements of secondary animation. Now you can rig any model to automate secondary animation components, accurately and controllably. Independent LightWave artist Greg Sullivan takes you step-by-step through an animation project, demonstrating essential concepts of Technical Direction while applying powerful features in LightWave such as Expressions, SoftFX, Follower and more.

• Control Points & Limits
• Synchronized Landing Gear with Expressions
• Reactive Wheel Rotation with Expressions
• Tire Dynamics with Soft FX
• Anticipatory Animation
• Alternating Gun Fire with Expressions
• Trigger Control with Expressions

Discover powerful concepts and procedures to achieve technically accurate and visually stunning digital imagery. Production proven tips and time saving tricks that will save you time and provide practical insight into the power of LightWave 3D.

Visual FX Series

Dynamics & Detail

A power substation is attacked causing an explosion that sends shrapnel and debris soaring into the air. The shockwave snaps the power cables sending the support pole falling to the ground. LightWave artist Greg Sullivan uses this scene to apply real world dynamics in LightWave while demonstrating the powerful features of Particle Dynamics, HardFX, SoftFX, Metalink and more. Learn to apply Wind and Collision Effectors, add Gravity, Weight and Friction Dynamics to object motion. Apply sag and stretch to Cloth Dynamics. Create real world effects that make a scene come to life.

• Particle Dynamics
• Hard FX
• Soft FX
• Metalink
• Wind & Collision Effectors
• Proxy Objects
• Explosion Groups

Discover powerful concepts and procedures to achieve technically accurate and visually stunning digital imagery. Production proven tips and time saving tricks that will save you time and provide practical insight into the power of LightWave 3D.

Greg Sullivan

Greg Sullivan has been animating on computers since the Apple IIe was new. Former lead animation director for KidzVid Studios where he over saw three full length animated DVDs. Since then Greg has directed several animated television commercials, created "performance animation" pieces for live, interactive experiences and contributed to several independent films. When not animating, Greg spends his time writing for film and TV or flying a Cessna 172 over Southern California.

Visual FX

3D Effects Compositing

Take your computer generated imagery to a new level with the ultimate in compositing control. Using NewTek's LightWave 3D and Discreet Combustion, Digital Effects artist Jarrod Davis demonstrates advanced compositing techniques that can be applied to many 3D and compositing applications. Set up the 3D scene to maximize compositing options, object lighting for textured environments, render individual layer passes, apply multi-layered effects, Color correction, filters and grain to blend the elements for final output.

• Background Radiocity
• Multi-Pass Rendering
• Compositing Techniques
• Exhaust & Dust
• Color Correction
• Grain Matching

Discover powerful concepts and techniques used in the Visual Effects Industry to seamlessly integrate computer generated 3D elements with live action footage. Production proven tips and tricks that will save you time and deliver stunning visual imagery.

Visual FX

Set Extensions

Set extenstions and matte paintings have been used in film production for decades to create settings that are either too expensive or impossible to build. Now you can apply these same techniques to create professional quality scenic backdrops. Using LightWave 3D and Discreet Combustion, Digital Effects Artist Jarrod Davis shows you the techniques to turn an average street corner into a futuristic cityscape. From matching camera angles and lighting to adding scenic elements and finishing touches.

• Matching Camera Angles
• Lighting and Fog
• Background Compositing
• Adding Buildings
• CG Traffic
• Special effects

Discover powerful concepts and techniques used in the Visual Effects Industry to seamlessly integrate computer generated 3D elements with live action footage. Production proven tips and tricks that will save you time and deliver stunning visual imagery.

Jarrod Davis

Emmy Award winning visual effects artist for Zoic Studios. Jarrod has worked on numerous televsion, film, and commercial projects including Van Helsing, Battlestar Galactica, Century City, Firefly, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Star Trek: Voyager. Though his career began working in 3D, he has grown to love and respect the power of compositing and believes that only by 2D and 3D working together can true excellence in visual effects be achieved.