Datasheet

8
Product Overview
Shake 4
Domain of Defi nition
Visual e∂ ects are becoming more and more complex. More layers are being
composited and frames are getting larger. Shake 4 uses a Domain of Defi nition
(DOD) to identify the signifi cant pixels in an image in order to optimize the speed
of rendering e∂ ects and layering calculations. Everything outside of the DOD is
considered as background (black by default) and is therefore ignored in most
computations. The DOD is just one of the many extremely powerful ways that
Shake 4 can decrease compositing and render times. The DOD can be set
automatically by Shake 4, or you can refi ne the parameters if you wish.
Layering operations
Shake 4 o∂ ers 27 di∂ erent compositing nodes located in the Layer tab to provide
the utmost control and fl exibility when compositing. The category includes primary
compositing nodes ranging from Over and KeyMix to Boolean layering operators
that add, divide, multiply, or subtract two images together.
Shake 4 uses individual “atomic” nodes because they are useful for command-line
compositing and scripting. These are also useful for the Node View in that the user
can quickly see which type of operation is occurring.
A Layer node provides a single node with all the other compositing nodes built into
it. It o∂ ers more fl exibility, because you can easily switch between di∂ erent layering
operations without adding and deleting from the Node View. However, you have to
open up the Layer node view to see which operations are being used to combine the
di∂ erent layers.
Both methods deliver equally pristine quality, so artists can choose the approach
that best suits their compositing style.
3D multiplane compositing
Although a lot of compositing can be handled in 2D space, more and more integra-
tion of CGI elements with live action footage makes 3D multiplane compositing
critical. The new multiplane compositing in Shake 4 is integrated directly into the
Node View, making it seamless to jump from 2D paint, rotoscoping, and image
processing into a 3D layered composite. Adding a MultiPlane node allows the artist
to “plug in” any number of layers to be composited in 3D space. CGI rendered
elements can be perfectly matched into live action scenes when you import 3D
tracking data from applications like Maya, Boujou, and The Pixel Farm. The layers
remain highly interactive while you work, because the 3D MultiPlane node uses
OpenGL hardware-accelerated previews.