The Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Techniques for Visual Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics

by Ron Brinkmann

*The classic reference, with over 25,000 copies in print, has been massively expanded and thoroughly updated to include state-of-the-art methods and 400+ all-new full color images!

At ILM, compositing is one of the most important tools we use. If you want to learn more, this excellent 2nd-edition is detailed with hundreds of secrets that will help make your comps seamless. For beginners or experts, Ron walks you through the processes of analysis and workflows - linear thinking which will help you become deft and successfully tackle any shot.
- Dennis Muren ASC, Senior Visual Effects Supervisor, Industrial Light & Magic

Ron Brinkman's book is the definitive work on digital compositing and we have depended on this book as a critical part of our in-house training program at Imageworks since the 1999 Edition. We use this book as a daily textbook and reference for our lighters, compositors and anyone working with digital imagery. It is wonderful to see a new edition being released and it will certainly be required reading for all our digital artists here at Imageworks.
- Sande Scoredos, Executive Director of Training & Artist Development, Sony Pictures Imageworks

The Art and Science of Digital Compositing is the only complete overview of the technical and artistic nature of digital compositing. It 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 an introduction to the field, as well as an authoritative technical reference, this book provides essential information for novices and professionals alike.

*17 new case-studies provide in-depth looks at the compositing work done on films such as Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Golden Compass, The Incredibles, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Sin City, Spider-Man 2, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and Star Wars: Episode 3-Revenge of the Sith.

*The accompanying DVD-ROM features bonus resources, including example footage from hit films and projects that give readers hands-on experience with real industry materials.

*Includes new sections on 3D compositing, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, Rotoscoping, and much more!

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Art, Design, Science, Reference

704 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 1999

Reviews

[Richard McAdam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed yet accessible overview of the VFX industry and techniques

Brinkman has created a readable yet technically rich introduction to VFX. It's long but worth the effort, with concepts, case studies and insight throughout. Although a little dated in 2020 it still provides excellent grounding in the subject for anyone interested in understanding how movies are made, whether hobbyist or professional.

[Sherif Nagib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in 2003. Was a part of my first amazon.com order ever. A great book and a true bible of digital compositing & visual effects with a detailed explanation of basics & fundamentals that are still till relevant today.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitive.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thing comes highly recommended, and I can see why. I will use the hell out of this book.

[Joshbgosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a bible for visual effects!

[Babyjj · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Mike Amelang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will help to know what's going on under the hood.