Summary:

To survive in today's competitive 3D computer graphics industry, one must possess the technical and artistic skills necessary to create believable visual effects. Through tutorials, interviews, and industry-proven examples, this book provides a complete breakdown of lighting and compositing a digital image or scene, from the basic concepts of lighting to the advanced and challenging special effects used on some of the most well-known feature films in recent history. This exploration of the day-to-day workings of veterans in the visual effects industry makes Inspired 3D Lighting and Compositing a great tool for anyone looking to break into the field.

Table of Contents:
Section I - Behind the Secrets DoorsChapter 1 - A Little Bit of HistoryChapter 2 - A Trip Around the IndustryChapter 3 - How Do I Open the Door?Chapter 4 - An Interview with Melissa Saul GamezSection II - FundamentalsChapter 5 - Tools of TradeChapter 6 - If You Can See It, You Can Light ItChapter 7 - An Interview with Jean-Claude KalacheChapter 8 - Analyzing Your ReferenceChapter 9 - Computer Representations of Lights and SurfacesChapter 10 - An Interview with Dennis MurenChapter 11 - Dead Give-Aways: Real World versus the CG WorldChapter 12 - Compositing Techniques and MethodsChapter 13 - An Interview with Mark ForkerSection III - Practical ApplicationChapter 14 - Lighting a ShotChapter 15 - Compositing a ShotChapter 16 - Interview with Jim BerneyAppendix A: Cameras and Film FormatsAppendix B: Basic Image FormatsAppendix C: Compositing FunctionsAppendix D: Math for Computer GraphicsGlossary of Terms