prolost-linear-colorAnyone working with realistic imagery on computers, be it video processing, visual effects, or computer generated images, has at some point had to deal with Gamma and lighting effects.  Stu Maschwitz, of Prolost.com, has long been an advocate of “linear light”, described briefly as such:

Back in the day I blogged a lot about how compositing and rendering computer graphics in “linear light.” a color space in which pixel values equate to light intensities, can produce more realistic results, cure some artifacts, and eliminate the need for clever hacks to emulate natural phenomena.

He’s been advocating this for years and it’s slowly gained traction in the industry, and this week fxguide interviewed “Master Zap” of Mental Images and discusses “linear workflow” at length.  This leads Stu to proclaim this:

Which is so very awesome, because I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

It’s just no fun going around telling people “Oh, so you put one layer over another in After Effects? Yeah, you’re doing it wrong.” Or “Oh, you launched your 3D application and rendered a teapot? Yeah, you’re totally doing it wrong.”

So, if you’re interested in how to start using Linear Workflow then read Stu’s blog for some quick instructions for AfterEffects CS4, and listen to the fxguide interview.


But if you want to know why you should be using Linear workflow, then it’s best summed in Mark Christiansen’s “Adobe After Effects CS4 Visual Effects and Compositing Studio Techniques“.From the description:

A thoroughly packed, informative read, this masterful guide focuses on explaining the essential concepts, features, and techniques that are key to creating seamless movie-quality visual effects. Users who are comfortable with After Effects will find a helpful review of After Effects fundamentals—managing footage, viewing and editing layers, animating type, and more—so they can learn how to work smarter and more efficiently. Readers of all levels will learn core techniques for effects compositing including color matching, keying, rotoscoping, motion tracking, emulating the camera, and concluding with using expressions in After Effects, written by contributor and expert Dan Ebberts. The final section of the book delves into creative explorations, demonstrating professional effects that readers might want to re-create.

Readers will also find comprehensive coverage of all that’s new and makes this version of Adobe’s effects program such a boon to video pros of all stripes: searchable timelines and projects, Photoshop 3D layers import, the Cartoon effect, Imagineer Systems’ Mocha for Adobe After Effects, improved workflow for mobile devices, and more.

Throughout the book, beautiful full-color examples demonstrate what’s possible, while the companion DVD offers demos of After Effects CS4, sample footage, and software plug-ins.

So if this isn’t already in your collection, head on over to Amazon and check it out!

via ProLost – ProLost Blog – Passing the Linear Torch.