This series introduces the essential techniques for creating digital sets and backgrounds, an area of visual effects growing in prominence. In this third disc of a series of three, visual effects designer Eric Hanson begins with rendering a Maya scene into layers and passes, then leads into the various approaches for professionally compositing and integrating a digital set into a live-action background. He examines the main composite tree in Shake, illustrating the use of the various render passes including diffuse, specular, reflection, shadow, z-depth, effects and ambient occlusion. Throughout the disc, Eric uses a sample scene of an urban environment to highlight all essential steps. This series is designed for all advancing intermediate Maya artists.

• Rendering by Layer
• Shadow Passes
• Z-Depth Compositing
• Render Scripts
• Proper Compositing Setup
• Environmental Effects

1. Creating Render Passes in Maya
2. Compositing Setup in Shake
3. Z-Depth Integration and Compositing
4. Adding Environmental Effects
5. Final Project Composite Result

• Product Code: EHA03
• ISBN: 1-1-59762-994-4
• UPC: 805366010638
• Duration: 145 minutes
• Formats: DVD-ROM

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Eric Hanson

Eric Hanson is a visual effects designer specializing in the creation of digital environments and effects for feature films. Having worked with leading effects houses such as Digital Domain, Sony Imageworks, Dream Quest Images, and Walt Disney Feature Animation, his work can be seen in The Day After Tomorrow, Cast Away, Hollow Man, Mission to Mars, Bicentennial Man, Atlantis, Fantasia 2000 and The Fifth Element, as well as many special-venue films. Eric is also an active instructor, leading courses on effects techniques at Gnomon School of VFX and the USC School of Cinema/TV. Eric is a member of the Visual Effects Society and attended the University of Texas at Austin. He recently published the second edition of his book on Maya techniques for Peachpit Press entitled, “Maya 6 Killer Tips”. He wishes he could sleep more.