Building a compositing system

[cross]

If you had to build up a graphics / compositing system used primarly for motion graphics, type and green screen keying for spot work and corporate video production what would you build?

[uwe_wiesemann]

Hi.
… looks like these questions are popping up all the time now….
Well, I’d start with AfterEffects and a card for capturing/playing out to DigitalBetacam (like Blackmagic). For Editing I’d go with FinalCutPro. For tasks like touching-up and keying/colorcorrecting I’d get Combustion. Only when you are planning to work in shifts, being paid by the hour/shift and have the client/director sitting next to you all the time I’d definitely consider Flint, Flame or even inferno, depending on the work you do.

Regards

Uwe Wiesemann

[Anonymous]

I’d say just buy a copy of Combustion and go with that. It doesn’t sound like you’re looking to spend a lot of money, and Combustion can serve all those purposes.

Also, if you need software to capture DV footage, I’d get a copy of Sony Vegas+DVD, it’s cheap and works very well. Plus, you get a good DVD creation program.

Your question is a bit vague, though, if we had an idea of what you’re looking to spend then the suggestions could be more specific. As listed above, it’s probably around $1200 for the software.

[cross]

I am not looking for a cheap alternative. I am looking for opinions on what people would build if they could pick anything other than a Flint/Flame/Inferno type system. I need to bring in and put back to DigiBeta tape. An I do usually work on a session / bill by the hour type situation so speed and quality are very important.

[Anonymous]

Well, to build a system that is fast enough for client sessions will be hard. Especially to match the performance of iff. But, I would get a quadG5 with….

FCP5+Decklink card for editing and i/o
Shake for compositing
AE for mograph
Adobe CS is a must have

You will also need some sort of raid. Either scsi or fibre will do fine. The Xraid is a very good option for the price. And, you could set up a render farm with G5 nodes. AE has a very simple watch folder network render setup, but I would recommend the x-factor plug-in…

http://www.gridironxfactor.com/products/xfae_overview.asp

Not sure about Shakes network rendering, but I know that it can do it. You could also do all this on a PC. Just use Premiere instead of FCP and Fusion instead of Shake. Good Luck.

md

[eltopo]

Shake offers unlimited free render nodes for the mac

There are some rumors about a new final cut to compete with the higher end Avids and Discreet products. It will debuted at NAB it will be a good idea to wait and see what unfolds

[Anonymous]

eltopo wrote:

Shake offers unlimited free render nodes for the mac

There are some rumors about a new final cut to compete with the higher end Avids and Discreet products. It will debuted at NAB it will be a good idea to wait and see what unfolds

Steve Jobs also announced at this week’s Macworld Expo that Apple’s entire product line will be Intel-based by the end of 2006. That means we’ll see new Intel PowerMacs (or whatever they’ll be called) by the end of the year, so you may want to wait if you’re leaning toward the Mac route.

[Anonymous]

To get realtime client feed back you need:

RAID!!

lots of it. Not just mass storage on a single firewire channel. THAT WILL NOT DO.

You need FAT PIPE in and multiple streams of it.

I recomend 3 – 4 channels of FIBRE all striped as one array for 2k and higher workflow. I also suggest it for hd.

NOW THIS IS UNCOMPRESSED im talking about. Once you have that… then using a system that can take advantaged of it LIKE:

IFF obviously. Mistika, Piranha OBVIOUSLY.

BUT lower end suggstions would be:

Fusion 5 for total control. Very advanced… HOWEVER not perfect for tv… but damn good.

Mac based i would say combustion for its value is just amazing.

BUT its particles Suck compaired to true 3d intergration.

Fusion supports fbx and particles can be in the same scene.

Shake, well… for tv? i suggest not at this moment UNLESS you ARE a large facility AND have several shifts doing it.

the fact is the 3d trackers are all 3rd party EXCEPT for afew high priced exceptions…

And you cant survive on 2d tracking solutions any more. So remember that in your purchase. I like the power of PFTrack out of all of the tracking options out there.

KNOW your target demographic. HD? Film? SD, NTSC? Either way, you want room to expand and grow.

Apple has great stabilty for the most part… but shake is dog slow.

YES I SAID IT! And you all were thinking it.
😉

The key is REALTIME interaction. fact is, Fusion seems to tackle that VERY WELL.

If you have a couple of bucks more.. you might want to take a look at the next version of Toxik.

As far as colorists go.. well that is a whole other topic. But Assimilate makes an interesting product called scratch that has paint system and other effects tools and IS REAL TIME.

REMEMBER THIS.. just because you throw a capture card in a mac/pc doesnt make it real time im afraid. You shouldnt need a card to compress and play.

GET RAID. LOTS OF IT.

-c

[eltopo]

What about Nuke? 4,5 version looks incredible specially if you work with 3d. The article on Aeon Flux showed some amazing things…
I think is wirth considering (and is not that expensive compare to lets say: an overprice FFI system)

Plus its plattform independent Linux Win and Mac

[Anonymous]

Have you worked with NUKE?

It is geared for only one thing.

and TV isnt it. The tools are great.. but the gui is far from great in my opinion. its a lot of work to use… on top of the work you already have. BUT projections are way cool… and F5, com, AND shake need to adopt it fast.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure if this is any interest to you guys but…

Shake Keying
Nuke Keying
Fusion Keying

I have all the above DVD’s that can compare compositing in both apps to see which you like the best.

If you would like to see the comparison.. for this week only… ill get you all the dvd’s for the price of 1 plus shipping. email me [email protected] and ill set you up.

I can even get you the scratch training dvd that is not available to the public if DI is your interest.

-c

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