View source

== Contents ==

This section is designed to provide a series of handy little insights into how to properly perform certain compositing tasks as well as shortcuts and advice. Please visit this page often as it will be updated on a regular basis.

Also, be sure to look through the dozens of original [http://www.eyeonline.com/web/eyeonweb/techniques/tips_tricks/main_tips_tricks.aspx Tips & Tricks] pages on the eyeon website. Many of these are useful time-saving tips, and others provide invaluable introductions to common tools.

<!-- no longer active...
[http://www.eyeonline.com/web/eyeonweb/techniques/tips_tricks/tips_tricks.aspx Tips for Fusion 4 & 5]<br>
[http://www.eyeonline.com/web/eyeonweb/techniques/tips_tricks/tips_tricks_F5.aspx Tips for Fusion 5]
//-->
More tips as well as scripts and macros have been gathered by [[user:Gringo|Gringo]] over at the "[http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5549 Fusion User Goodies]" thread on the pigsfly forum.

[http://www.anatomicaltravel.com/research/quick-tips/ Anatomical Travelogue's R&D pages] also list some neat and quick Fusion tips.



== New: [[/Quick_Tips|Quick Tips]] ==
[[/Quick_Tips|Here]] is an invaluable list of quick tips and shortcuts, taken from Fusion 6.0's new console tip feature. Feel free to add your own!

See also a personal collection of [[User:Gringo/Eyeon Fusion Tips & Tricks|Eyeon Fusion tips and tricks by Gregory Chalenko]]

== 3D ==

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Importing OBJ or FBX sequences</b>
<i>(Last Updated: Feb 18, 2009)</i><br>
You want to import 3D objects on a frame-by-frame basis? Here's how it works in Fusion 5:
<br>This assumes you have a sequence of FBX or OBJ like "MyMesh0000.obj, MyMesh0001.obj, etc. 
and want to have MyMesh0000 at frame 0 and MyMesh0001 at frame 1 of your composition.<br>
Add an FBXMesh3D to your scene and load any of the meshes.<br>
Adjust the material of the mesh in the FBXMesh's Material tab.<br>
Once this is done to suit your needs, add an animation to the materials by right-clicking on any of the color sliders
and selecting "Animate MaterialsStdInputs group". <br>
'''This step is important, because else every time a new mesh is loaded (i.e. on every frame) all color values would be reset'''.<br><br>
Now for the trick.
Go to the FBXMesh's Scripting tab and in the FrameRenderScript add the lines

<lua>
MyPadding=4 --set the padding of your sequence
MyFrameNum=string.format("%0"..MyPadding.."d", time) --derive the framenumber from the current time in padded format
ImportFile="Comp:\\OBJ_SEQUENCE\\MyMesh"..MyFrameNum..".obj"
</lua>

Most likely you would have to tweak the path to your needs.

That's it. 

Enjoy.
<br clear="all" />


[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Correctly scaling Imageplanes</b>
<i>(Last Updated: July 9, 2007)</i><br>
You want to scale your ImagePlanes according to the size of the image feeding them? Easy to do. <br>Just add a simple Expression to your ImagePlane's Scale saying "Input.Width/720". Assuming your reference size is a PAL image, all other imageplanes will scale according to that size. Check out the comp: [[Media:SE_3Im_Size.comp|SE_3Im_Size]]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:3dparticles_1.jpg|left|frame]]<b>3D Particles</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 9, 2006)</i><br>
In this video tutorial, our eyeon demo artist takes you thru the motions of creating a really interesting particle explosion with some explosive results.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/videos/3DParticles_1.mov Download video here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:3dgeometry.jpg|left|frame]]<b>3D Geometry</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 9, 2006)</i><br>
This video tutorial covers the use of primitive 3D shapes to produce some high end motion graphics effects.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/videos/3DGeometry.mov Download video here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:3dtracking_1.jpg|left|frame]]<b>3D Tracking</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 9, 2006)</i><br>
This video tutorial covers some advanced principles in 3D tracking. It shows you how to map a window on to the provided boujou track example.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/videos/3Dtracking_1.mov Download video here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:TipsLocator_thumb.png|left|frame]]'''[[Tips_and_Techniques/Point_to_Locator3D|Point to Locator3D]]'''
<i>(Last Updated: January 6, 2010)</i><br>
This tip show how to derive the location of a 2D feature in 3D space by "triangulating" from two different frames of a camera path. It basically uses the Locator3D backwards.
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]'''World Position Pass'''
A world position pass stores the XYZ coordinates of a rendered pixel as RGB floating point values. This data may help you place cards and other objects at the right position in 3D space or select and mask areas of a rendered scene for color corrections and relighting. There are threads on PigsFly discussing the [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5860 visualization as a particle system], [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6557 position and normal relighting macros] to extract an area as a mask, [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6840 relighting comps by Pingking] and [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6469 how to get XYZ data from a rendered z-Pass].<br/>
You can render a world pass using Fusion's 3D space by assigning a [[Eyeon:Manual/Fusion 6/3DChannel Boolean|special material]] to your geometry. The [[Eyeon:Manual/Fusion 6/Displace 3D|Displace 3D]] tool allows you to displace a plane using an XYZ pass.
Fusion 6.2 has introduced [[Eyeon:Manual/Fusion 6/Position Pass Concept|native support for a world position pass]].
<br clear="all" />

{{Tips_Overscan_Renderer}}

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]'''Shadow Pass'''
If you want to render an object's shadow (or all shadows in a scene), use a [[Eyeon:Manual/Fusion 6/Replace Material 3D|ReplaceMaterial]] to make everything white (diffuse, no speculars). Render it with a separate Renderer3D and multiply it with your beauty rendering. -- [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8073&hl=shadows#entry35435 xmare on pigsfly]
<br clear="all" />

== Conversion Utilities ==

[[Image:Tip_208.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Interlacing Fielded Footage w/Fusion 5</b>
<i>(Last Updated: January 23, 2006)</i><br>
A sample flow and instructions for interlacing your fielded footage.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_208.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_112.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Rostrum Camera (Panning and zooming a large image)</b>
<i>(Last Updated: January 24, 2006)</i><br>
Are you a beginner to Fusion or DFX+? This tip outlines the process and basics of panning and/or zooming a large image for video. Handy for focusing on particular areas of large maps or photographs.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_112_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_103.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Converting NTSC to PAL or PAL to NTSC</b>
<i>(Last Updated: January 24, 2006)</i><br>
As the world becomes more of an international market, we often find ourselves exporting our work to other countries with different formats and specs. This week we will concentrate on the process of converting one format to another.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_103_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />


== Keying ==
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsRedFringe_thumb.png
|pagename=Tips and Techniques/Red_Fringe
|title=Despilling Problem: Red Fringe
|updated=March 17th, 2011
|description=
Sooner or later, you'll have to key something like this: Whether it's a motion-blurred red flag, a pink dress or a defocused fruit cocktail in front of green screen. The problem is the fringe that remains after you have pulled the key which is hard to kill using regular color correction tools.
}}


For a collection of keying techniques and algorithms that are not specific to any software package, see [http://www.vfxwiki.org/tiki-index.php?page=Keying&structure=vfxwiki].

There are lots of threads on PigsFly dealing with [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6047 different keyers and plugins], [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6047&view=findpost&p=22989 custom macros] and [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6219 tracking markers].


== Miscellaneous ==

[[Image:Th_106.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Post-Multiplication</b>
<i>(Last Updated: January 24, 2006)</i><br>
When dealing with semi-transparent layers in Fusion, there are two ways to deal with them. In this tip I explain how, and more importantly, why you need the additive/subtractive slider in the merge tool.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_106_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Pre-Divide / Post-Multiply and multi-pass composites</b><br>
When you add or multiply several CGI-passes you need to make sure they are unpremultiplied to prevent black borders in your composite. See [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6645 this PigsFly thread] for an [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6645&view=findpost&p=27331 annotated comp] by Karahana.<br>
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_116.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Automated Animation of Controls: Using "Probe" to control motion blur on/off</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 29, 2006)</i><br>
Using the Krokodove "Probe" tool you can automatically control when Motion Blur turns on and off.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_116_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_118.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Cache to Disk: Tips on using the Cache to Disk Option</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 29, 2006)</i><br>
Using the cache to disk option in a large flow can dramatically increase performance of a project inside Fusion.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_118_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_121.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Heat Haze & Gaseous Displacement: Using a displacement to simulate heat haze</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 29, 2005)</i><br>
Sooner or later we all come across this one, we need to simulate some heat waves. Whether it is for a 3D animation, or just an early morning shoot where the road wasn't hot enough yet, you've got to add some visual distortion.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_121_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Tip_209.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Using any image to create a Gradient</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 29, 2006)</i><br>
A basic level tip showing how to use the FromImage modifier to automatically select gradient colors from a portion of another image.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_209_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Zoom using the mousewheel without the Ctrl key</b><br/>
Here's a simple tip for Photoshop users, to allow zooming in & out of display views by using just the mousewheel (instead of the default Ctrl+mousewheel). Type the following into the Console view:
<lua>
comp:SetPrefs("Comp.Views.Left.CtrlWheelZoom", false)
</lua>
Use "Right" instead of "Left" if you prefer, or do both. Then, rightclick on the view & choose Settings/Save Defaults, to make that the default for future views. Note that this setting is saved with the comp, so older saved comps will still require the Ctrl key, unless you enter that line & save them again.
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>How to use a single frame from a numbered sequence</b><br/>
You can load the whole clip then trim it to the desired frame using Loader's Trim In/Out controls, but an easy way to do this is to hold down the Shift key while dragging the frame(s) from a file Explorer window into the flow view. If you run an old version of Fusion, where this doesn't work yet, shift-drag the frame(s) from the explorer into the bins. This will add an icon for each frame, which can be dragged onto the flow to create a Loader that's ready-trimmed for use.

See the Trimming tip for an alternate method.
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Trimming using the scrub bar</b><br/>
You know how you can select a Loader (or Saver or a clip in the Bin or even a diskcached tool) and Fusion will pop up some controls to let you play and scrub the clip? Well, with Loaders and Bin clips, you can use those same controls to trim the clip too.

Just scrub to the desired frame and use the scrub bar's right-click menu to set it as the new in point or out point. Not only will playback now be limited to the trimmed region, but while "Sync trim settings" is enabled in the context menu, the Loader or Bin clip will also be trimmed to match.

You can also hold down the Ctrl key and drag the scrub bar to set the trim region, or ctrl+drag from the in or out points to further trim or extend the clip. You can even scrub to a frame and ctrl+click to set the trim region to just that frame.
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Deflickering</b><br/>
Here's an example comp that tries to deflicker a sequence by using a probe modifier and a custom tool. This technique obviously only works for global brightness changes but if you restrict the probe modifier to a certain area, it can be used to match the flickering for set extensions. The expressions in the custom tool only work in linear gamma space, where changes in global luminance can be achieved by scaling (multiplying) the RGB values accordingly. [[Media:Deflicker.comp|Download Deflicker.comp]].
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Clearing the  File Browser History</b><br/>
Type this into the console to clear the file browser's history of recently-used directories:
<lua>fusion:SetPrefs("Global.FileReq.History", {})</lua>
<br clear="all" />

== Masks ==
{{Tips_Mask_BypassAntialiasing}}


== Text ==
{{Tips_Text_FromFile}}


== Paint/Roto/Wire Removal ==
{{Tips_Paint_CoverageMask}}

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Object removal using 3D unwrapping and projection</b><br>
If you have a matchmoved camera track of a shot, you can use it to remove objects by projecting clean plates onto cards. See [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6591 this PigsFly thread] for an [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6591&view=findpost&p=27531 annotated comp] by Eric Westphal that takes it one step further by using a second camera to create an undistorted (or unwrapped) clean plate that makes painting easier. It can also facilitate rotoscoping if you animate your polylines on a stabilized/undistorted image. There's a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USS84b1iUp4 YouTube video] about the process.<br>
<br clear="all" />

{{Tips_General_Rotoscoping_Principles}}


== Particles ==
{{Tips_Particles_SoftClip}} (Starting with Fusion 6, you can use the built-in [[Eyeon:Manual/Fusion_6/SoftClip|SoftClip]] tool to achieve this effect not only with particles but also with geometry.)

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Particles Along A Path</b><br/>
Using the CoordinateTransform modifier and a Particle Custom tool is one way to make particles to follow along a path in Fusion. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWlbgfjdYZA This YouTube video] explains how. [[Media:Particles_Along_Path_01.comp|Download the original comp here]] or an [[Media:Particles_Along_Path_01_duplicate.comp|alternative solution]] using the Duplicate Fuse. See also another solution here: [http://www.pigsfly.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4976&#entry26003 Particles Follow a Path]
<br clear="all" />

{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsSoftRegions_thumb.jpg
|pagename=/Soft_Particle_Regions
|title=Soft Particle Regions
|updated=January 24th, 2013
|description=
How to soften particle regions used for emission or defining the forces in space
}}

== Stereoscopic ==

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Stereo conversion using a world position pass</b><br>
[[Media:Dragon_wpp_stereo.zip|This example setup]] demonstrates how to use a world position pass to displace a single beauty rendering and film it with a stereo rig.<br>
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Vertical alignment</b><br>
[[Media:Fu_VerticalAlign.zip|This comp]] demonstrates how to fix (or at least improve) vertical misalignment of stereo images without the help of plugins.<br>
<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Th_tips.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Stereo Metadata</b><br>
Fusion 6.3 added support for stereo metadata in images to override the stereo mode that is selected in the viewers. You can add this data using the Set Metadata fuse, for example:<br clear="all"/>
 Stereo = { Method = "hstack", Swap = "true", Offset = {10, 0} }
Or you can set these preferences using [[Eyeon:Script/Reference/Applications/Fusion/Classes/Composition/SetPrefs|comp:SetPrefs()]]:
 Comp.Views.<left>.Stereo.OffsetX.Stack
 Comp.Views.<left>.Stereo.OffsetY.Stack
The offset specifies how many pixels an image will be shifted in the viewers. This may become necessary if your footage was shot with parallel cameras where the horizon ends up on the screen plane, but you want to push everything back for easier viewing while you're working on the images. The stereo combiner tool will also add metadata to the output that indicates the stacking direction (vertical or horizontal).<br>
<br clear="all" />

== Warping ==

[[Image:Th_201.jpg|left|frame]]<b>Using the Grid Warp tool to digitally extend a building.</b>
<i>(Last Updated: March 29, 2006)</i><br>
The grid warp tool is a very powerful feature in Fusion 5, and in this case we'll begin with using it to digitally extend a building. This is a great example to get you used to the basic features and functions of the Grid Warp.<br>
<b>[http://www.eyeonline.com/Web/EyeonWeb/Techniques/tips_tricks/newtips/tip_201_F5.aspx More here.</b>&nbsp;]<br clear="all" />

[[Image:Cog.png|left|frame]]'''[[Creating a custom displacement tool]]'''
<i>(Last Updated: March 5, 2009)</i><br>
The custom tool in fusion is very versatile, you can use it to do expressions on a channel or per pixel level. In this case we'll grab the pixel values of one image and use it to displace another one.<br/>
<br clear="all" />


== Workflow ==

==== Extending a tracked path beyond the range where the tracked object is visible ====
{{Tips_Extending_Path}}

==== Analyzing a complete sequence brightness ====
{{Tips_Probe_Sequence}}

==== How to work properly gamma-wise ====
[[Image:Gamma_Bears_thumb.png|left|frame]]<b>[[Working_with_Gamma|Gamma Bears or Tale of Stolen Irises]]</b>
<i>(Last Updated: May 12, 2008)</i><br>
An article about understanding and using gamma-correction.
<br clear="all" />

==== Pre-Grading / Final Grading Order ====
{{Tips_Pre-Post-Grading_Order}}

==== How to put together a set of 3D-passes ====
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsFinalGradingWorkflow_thumb.gif
|pagename=Tips/Final_Grading_Workflow
|title=Final Grading Workflow
|updated=January 30th, 2013
|description=
Final color grading of an entire TV-spot or a film sequence in Fusion
}}

==== How to put together a set of 3D-passes ====
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsMultipass_thumb_v02.jpg
|pagename=FAQ/Combining_3D_Passes
|title=Multi-Pass Compositing Introduction
|updated=January 14th, 2013
|description=
How to put together a set of render elements generated  by V-Ray to get an equivalent of the combined rendering result (Beauty)
}}

==== Importing and Exporting ====
{{Tips_Importing_Exporting}}

==== Blurring an Area Within Contrasty Edges ====
{{Tips_Blurring_Within_Edges}}

==== Simple DOD workaround ====

Every now and then I've seen people requesting some 'Domain Of Definition' capability in Fusion (before version 6.0), which means you can select a tiny portion of an image to work on which is then reinserted in the original. Thinking of it some more I came up with what I think is a simple workaround to this problem, using just a couple of connected crops... Elegant enough, I feel, to be actually useful!

[[Image:SeM_SimpleDOD_01_001.jpg|left|frame]]<b>[[Media:SeM_SimpleDOD_01_001.comp|SeM_SimpleDOD_01_001]]</b>
: Simply pipe whatever large image you have in the PipeRouter on the left, put anything you want between the DOD and UNDOD tools and check the result...
<br clear="all" />

== Natural Phenomena Simulation ==
<!--=== Defocus ===-->
<!--=== Motion Blur ===-->

=== Smoke ===
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsSmoke_thumb.jpg
|pagename=/Natural_Phenomena/Smoke
|title=Smoke
|updated=November 12th, 2010
|description=
Short tips on creating realistic smoke
}}

<!--=== Fire ===-->
=== Fireworks ===
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsFireworks_thumb.jpg
|pagename=/Natural_Phenomena/Fireworks
|title=Fireworks
|updated=November 11th, 2010
|description=
Short tips on creating realistic fireworks
}}

=== Sparks ===
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsSparks_thumb.jpg
|pagename=/Natural_Phenomena/Sparks
|title=Sparks
|updated=September 22th, 2010
|description=
Short tips on creating realistic sparks
}}
<!--=== Lightning ===-->
<!--=== Rainbow ===-->
<!--=== Rain ===-->

=== Snow ===
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsSnow_thumb.jpg<!--image of DOFed snow-->
|pagename=/Natural_Phenomena/Snow
|title=Snow
|updated=November 21th, 2012
|description=
Short tips on creating realistic snow
}}

=== Translucency ===
{{Tips_Summary
|image=TipsTranslucency_thumb.jpg
|pagename=/Natural_Phenomena/Translucency
|title=Translucency
|updated=September 11th, 2012
|description=
Simulating the translucency effect on thin surfaces like cloth, paper or petals
}}

== Tips for Scripts ==

You can find some tips for working with scripts [[Useful_Scripts#Tips_and_Tricks|here]].

== Tips for Macros ==

Some tricks when working with macros are [[Settings_and_Macros#Macro_Tips|here]].

== Tips for Skins ==

You can customize Fusion's GUI using skins (Preferences -> Appearance section). The skins that ship with Fusion are located in Skins folder inside Fusion's program directory. Fuskin files are really just zip files that you can extract to look inside. If you create your own skin, you can just create a subdirectory in the Skins folder instead of zipping and updating a .fuskin file all the time. It is recommended to restart Fusion after changing the skin so every icon and color gets refreshed properly.

A tutorial on how to create or edit a skin can be found in the [[Skins]] section.