After Effects Compositing: 5 Rotoscoping & Edges
1h 58mIntermediate2015-07-01
Authors

Mark Christiansen
Creator, Leader, Author
Course details
So you've decided to rotoscope. Performing a "roto," an animated selection with masking and paint tools, is time consuming, but the result can be amazing. In this course, Mark Christiansen teaches you how to roto, and how not to roto, in After Effects. His technique relies on a mostly manual masking and painting process, but he also introduces some procedural tools, such as tracking, to make your job go faster. Learn how to build simple rotos and more advanced articulated rotos, replace missing or mismatched backgrounds, separate foreground action to visual effects, and make the results look more realistic with soft edges and motion blur. Mark also reveals techniques for painting with the Brush and Clone tools and tricks for working with the Roto Brush.
Learning objectives
Selecting a target
Applying a mask
Starting a mask with a shape
Breaking down shots of clean plates
Creating points and Bézier curves quickly
Building articulated rotos with in-between frames
Adding soft edges and motion blur
Working with the clone brush
Getting the most from the Roto Brush
Learning objectives
Selecting a target
Applying a mask
Starting a mask with a shape
Breaking down shots of clean plates
Creating points and Bézier curves quickly
Building articulated rotos with in-between frames
Adding soft edges and motion blur
Working with the clone brush
Getting the most from the Roto Brush
Skills covered
CompositingMotion GraphicsAfter EffectsRenderingMotion Graphics and VFXVisualization and Real-TimeAdobeAECProduct and ManufacturingAnimation and IllustrationDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - Using the exercise files
- 03 - What is rotoscoping
1. Simple Roto with Mask Tracker
- 04 - Select a target
- 05 - Apply a mask to effects
- 06 - Refine mask controls
- 07 - Test the limits of the mask tracker
2. Know Your Mask Tools
- 08 - Evaluate before beginning roto
- 09 - Shortcuts - Draw and edit a mask
- 10 - Start with a shape
3. Roto Strategies
- 11 - Lock-off for VFX
- 12 - Break down the shot for a clean plate
- 13 - Create blank footage with a simple expression
- 14 - Replace missing or mismatched background
4. Separate Foreground Action for VFX
- 15 - Decide what needs attention
- 16 - Quickly create points and Bezier curves
- 17 - Rotoscope straight-ahead
- 18 - Lock position only
- 19 - Build articulated roto with in-between frames
5. Soft Edges and Motion Blur
- 20 - Car - Work with defocused masks
- 21 - Refine mask feather
- 22 - Get motion blur for free
6. Clone and Paint
- 23 - Brush tools come last
- 24 - Clone brush setup and shortcuts
- 25 - Input devices for paint and roto
- 26 - Working with clone brush
7. Roto Brush
- 27 - Make quick use of Roto Brush
- 28 - Don't get bogged down with Roto Brush