Visual Effects Lab Manual
Visual Effects Lab Manual
STUDENT NAME :
REG NUMBER :
YEAR : IV
SEMESTER : VII
SUBJECT CODE / NAME : CCS373/Visual Effects Lab
REGULATION : 2021
BRANCH : COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
V.R.S. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
&TECHNOLOGY, ARASUR.
(Reaccredited by NAAC& an ISO9001:2008 Recertified Institution)
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
NAME : ……………………………………………………………………….
DEPARTMENT : ………………………………………………………………………..
ROLL NO : …………………………………………………………………….....
Register No.
Certified that this is the bonafide record of work done by the above Student in the
........................................................................................................................................................................
Laboratory during the year 2024- 2025.
Ex. Page
No. Date List of Experiments No. Staff
Sign.
1g. 36
Transforming Elements
1h. Stereoscopic Composting 40
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to gain a comprehensive understanding of Natron's user interface,
workflow, and key features by creating a simple compositing project
PROCEDURE:
Generic Description:
Natron provides a node-based compositing environment, offering a comprehensive set of tools for visual
effects and motion graphics. Its interface is designed to facilitate the creation and manipulation of nodes
within a graph, allowing users to build complex compositions seamlessly. The software supports features
like color correction, masking, and animation, making it a versatile choice for compositors and visual
effects artists.
The Toolbar:
The Toolbar in Natron is a collection of icons and tools that provide quick access to commonly used
functions. It includes buttons for creating nodes, navigating the node graph, and managing the viewer.
The Toolbar is a central hub for initiating various actions, streamlining the workflow by offering essential
tools within easy reach.
The Menu Bar houses a set of menus that contain a comprehensive array of commands and options. It
provides access to various functionalities, such as file management, project settings, node operations,
and preferences. The Menu Bar is an essential navigation element for users to access different features
and configure the Natron environment according to their needs
The Viewer Panel is where users can preview the output of their composition. It displays the final result
of the node graph, allowing artists to assess the visual impact of their work. The Viewer Panel supports
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interactive navigation, zooming, and panning, providing a dynamic and real-time representation of the
composition.
The Properties Editor is a panel that displays the parameters and settings of the selected node. It allows
users to fine-tune and customize the behavior of nodes by adjusting their attributes. When a node is
selected in the node graph, its properties appear in the Properties Editor, providing a convenient way to
modify settings and control the visual elements in the composition.
The Node Graph is the central workspace in Natron where users build their compositions. It consists of
nodes representing various operations or effects, connected by links that define the flow of data. Users
can add, move, and connect nodes to create a visual representation of their composition, making it easy
to understand the sequence of operations and relationships between elements.
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The Curve editor:
The Curve Editor is a tool for manipulating animation curves and keyframes. It allows users to finetune
the timing and interpolation of animated parameters, providing precise control over the motion and
behavior of elements in the composition. The Curve Editor is particularly useful for animators and
those working on complex motion graphics.
The Dope Sheet is another animation-related tool in Natron. It provides a visual representation of
keyframes and animations over time, allowing users to organize and manage the timing of animated
elements. The Dope Sheet simplifies the process of adjusting keyframes and understanding the overall
animation flow within a composition.
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The File Browser:
The File Browser is a panel in Natron that facilitates the management and import of external
media files. Users can browse through directories, preview files, and import media assets
directly into their projects. This feature streamlines the process of accessing and incorporating
external resources into the compositing workflow.
TOOLS:
1. Read Node:
Elaboration:
The "Read" node is fundamental for importing external media files, such as video footage or
image sequences, into the Natron project. This node acts as the starting point of your
compositing workflow. When you add a "Read" node to the Node Graph, you can specify
the file path, format, and other parameters to define how Natron interprets the input media.
This node essentially brings your source material into the compositing environment, making
it available for further manipulation through other nodes.
2. ColorCorrect Node:
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Elaboration:
The "ColorCorrect" node is used for color grading and correction within Natron. It provides
a set of controls that allow you to modify the color properties of your footage. This includes
adjustments to brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue. The node is essential for ensuring
that your visual elements match the desired look and feel. Whether it's correcting color
discrepancies in source footage or creatively enhancing the visual appeal, the
"ColorCorrect" node is a versatile tool for fine-tuning color attributes.
3. Blur Node:
Elaboration:
The "Blur" node is employed to introduce blurring effects to your images or footage. This
can be used for various purposes, such as creating depth of field, simulating motion blur, or
softening specific areas in the composition. The node allows you to control the amount and
type of blur applied, providing flexibility in achieving the desired visual result. It's a crucial
tool for manipulating the focus and visual aesthetics of your composition.
4. Merge Node:
Function: Combines multiple image streams, allowing for layering and compositing.
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Elaboration:
The "Merge" node is essential for combining different elements within your composition. It
enables layering and compositing of multiple image streams, allowing you to blend various
visual elements together. This node supports operations like over, under, in, out, and various
blending modes. By connecting different nodes to the "Merge" node, you can create complex
Function: Displays the composition at different stages for preview and inspection.
Elaboration:
The Viewer and Projector panels are integral to visualizing your work at different stages of the
compositing process. The "Viewer" panel displays the final composition, allowing you to
preview the output. The "Projector" panel, on the other hand, is used for inspecting individual
nodes or parts of your composition. These panels provide real-time feedback, helping you
assess the impact of changes and refine your work effectively.
6. Timeline:
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Elaboration:
The timeline in Natron is a tool for managing the temporal aspects of your composition. It allows
you to control when specific effects and animations occur. By setting keyframes on parameters
such as position, scale, or color, you can create dynamic and animated sequences. The timeline is
crucial for coordinating the timing of various elements in your composition, contributing to the
overall flow and storytelling in your visual project.
Function: Roto tools for creating masks, Paint tools for drawing directly on frames.
WORKING PROCEDURE:
1. Importing Footage:
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a. Create a Node Graph:
- Add nodes from the Node Library by dragging them onto the Node Graph.
b. Nodes represent operations or effects, and connecting them defines the flow of the
[Link] Nodes for Manipulation:
- Add nodes such as "ColorCorrect" to adjust color values, "Blur" to apply blur effects, and
"Merge" to combine multiple elements.
- Connect nodes in a logical order, considering the sequence of operations in your composition.
3. Viewer Configuration:
b. Create Keyframes:
- Animate elements by setting keyframes for parameters like position, scale, or color.
- Adjusting these keyframes over time creates smooth animations within your composition.
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6. Scripting (Optional):
7. Render Queue:
a. Set Up the Render Queue:
- Define the output settings in the Render Queue to prepare for the final rendering of your composition.
c. Initiate Rendering:
- Once everything is set up, initiate the rendering process to generate the final output based on your
configured settings.
By following these steps, you can effectively use Natron to create visually compelling compositions with
a range of effects and animations.
RESULT:
The experiment successfully provided a comprehensive understanding of Natron's user interface, workflow, and key
features.
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Ex. No: 1b Working with color and using color grading
Date :
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to work with color in Natron by applying color
grading techniques, which will enhance the visual appeal of the composition and achieve specific moods
or looks.
PROCEDURE:
Tools:
Color grading is a crucial aspect of the post-production process, enhancing the visual appeal and
storytelling impact of a video or image. In Natron, working with color and color grading involves using
various nodes and tools to adjust and manipulate the color characteristics of your composition. Here's a
guide on working with color in Natron:
1. ColorCorrect Node:
- The ColorCorrect node is a fundamental tool for adjusting color values, brightness, and contrast
in Natron.
- To use it, add a ColorCorrect node to the Node Graph.
- Connect the ColorCorrect node to the node representing your footage or image.
- Open the Properties Editor to access the parameters of the ColorCorrect node.
- Adjust parameters such as gain, gamma, and offset to modify the overall color balance and
luminance.
3. HueCorrect Node:
- For targeted adjustments to hue and saturation, use the HueCorrect node.
- Add the HueCorrect node to the Node Graph and connect it accordingly.
- Use the node properties to shift, saturate, or desaturate specific color ranges.
4. Grade Node:
- The Grade node is useful for comprehensive color grading adjustments.
- Add a Grade node to the Node Graph and connect it appropriately.
- Access the node properties to modify lift, gamma, gain, and other parameters for precise color
control.
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5. Viewers and Projectors:
- Utilize the Viewer and Projector panels to preview your composition at different stages.
- These panels allow real-time visualization of color changes and grading adjustments as you work.
6. Scope Panels:
- Natron provides scope panels such as the waveform and vectorscope for analyzing color information.
- Use these panels to assess the distribution of luminance and color values in your composition.
Procedure:
1. Add Node:
2. Multiply Node:
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- Has no effect on zero (black), making it valuable for controlling contrast.
3. Clamp Node:
- Flattens out the user-defined lower and upper lightness range of the image.
- Can replace these values with user-defined colors.
- Versatile and effective in controlling and limiting lightness values.
- Provides clearer information than the ClipTest node in certain scenarios.
7. Gamma Node:
8. Grade Node:
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This arrangement provides a concise overview of each node and its key functionalities within Natron.
Working steps:
1. Import Footage:
2. Arrange Nodes:
- Organize your Node Graph by placing nodes. Typically, start with a "Read" node connected to
your footage.
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7. Configure Viewers and Projectors:
- Preview the composition on different displays and under various lighting conditions.
- Make necessary adjustments, iterating until the desired visual result is achieved.
- Conduct a final preview of the composition before rendering. - Ensure all color grading
adjustments are satisfactory.
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RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the application of color grading in Natron.
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Ex. No: 1c Using Channels
Date :
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to utilize and manipulate channels
in Natron, including RGB, alpha, and custom channels, to gain better control over
compositing, masking, and color correction.
PROCEDURE:
1. Understanding Channels:
- Natron images consist of various channels representing different color or information components.
- Common channels include Red, Green, Blue (RGB), and Alpha (transparency).
- Channels are the building blocks that allow precise manipulation and control of image attributes.
a) RGB Channels:
- Explanation: The RGB channels (Red, Green, Blue) contribute to the color information in an image.
- Significance: Understanding how each channel influences color helps in precise color manipulation.
b) Alpha Channel:
2. ChannelMerge Node:
- Purpose:Combines multiple input nodes into a single image by merging respective channels.
- Usage: Connect nodes with different channels, like separate R, G, B nodes, to create a
fullcolor image.
- Outcome: Enables comprehensive control over the composition by merging various channel
information.
2. ChannelCopy Node:
4. ChannelBooleans Node:
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- Purpose: Performs boolean operations on channels.
- Usage: Combine or separate channels based on logical operations (AND, OR, XOR).
- Outcome:Provides a versatile tool for creating complex channel-based effects through boolean
operations.
5. ChannelSplit Node:
6. ChannelBlur Node:
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11. Alpha Channel Manipulation:
- Purpose: Leverages color space conversions to work with channels from different color spaces.
- Usage: Convert channels between color spaces using the ColorSpace node for advanced compositing. -
Outcome: Enables integration and manipulation of channels across various color spaces.
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RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the use of channels in Natron.
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Ex. No: 1d
Merging Images
Date :
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to merge multiple images in Natron by using the
Merge node, allowing the combination of various layers into a cohesive composition.
PROCEDURE:
Steps involved:
1. Import Images:
3. Connect Nodes:
Connect the output of the "Read" nodes (representing the imported images) to the respective inputs of
the "Merge" node.
Double-click on the "Merge" node to access its properties in the Properties Editor. Choose
the desired merge operation, such as "Over," "Plus," or "Matte."
Depending on the merge operation, adjust blend mode parameters to control how the images interact
with each other.
7. Render:
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Once satisfied with the composition, set up the render settings in the Render QueueSave
Project:
Save your Natron project to preserve the node graph and settings for future modifications.
2. Matte Operations:
Explore the use of "Matte" operations in the "Merge" node for more advanced compositing.
Matte operations help in controlling the transparency and blending of images.
4. 3D Space Integration:
If working with 3D elements, explore the use of "ScanlineRender" and "ScanlineRenderPass" nodes.
These nodes allow for the integration of 3D elements into the 2D composition.
Working procedure:
Layering Images Together with the Merge Node:
1. Select Merge > Merge (or press M in the Node Graph) to insert a Merge node after the
images you want to layer together.
2. Connect your images to the Merge node’s A and B inputs.
3. Connect a Viewer to the output of the Merge node so you can see the effect of your
merge operation.
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4. In the Merge node’s controls, select how you want to layer the images together from
the operation dropdown menu. The most common operation is over, which layers input
A over input B according to the alpha of input A. Just click through the various
operations to figure out what they are doing.
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5. Set which input’s bounding box you want to use for the Merge output:
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• union - resize the output b box to fit both input bboxes completely.
• intersection - use only those parts of the image where the input bboxes overlap.
• A or B - use the selected input’s bbox for the output.
6. With using the A Channels and B Channels checkboxes you may select which color and
alpha channels to use and to output.
7. The Mix slider is used to fade/mix in the image from input A.
RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the process of merging images in Natron by using the
Merge node, one of the most essential tools in node-based compositing.
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Ex. No: 1e
Date : Using Rotopaint
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to use the Rotopaint node in Natron to create
masks, apply paint effects, and modify specific areas of an image or composition.
PROCEDURE:
Description:
RotoPaint is a powerful tool in Natron that allows for frame-by-frame painting and drawing directly
onto image sequences or footage. It is commonly used for both artistic purposes and corrective work in
the compositing process.
Roto and RotoPaint are essential tools in compositing software like Natron, serving distinct purposes in
the post-production workflow. They are commonly used for tasks such as rotoscoping, matte creation,
and frame-by-frame painting.
Roto:
Definition:
Roto, short for rotoscoping, involves creating animated masks or mattes to isolate specific elements in a
scene. It is a crucial technique for compositing, allowing for precise control over elements in a shot.
Steps Involved:
2. Drawing Shapes:
Use the Roto node to draw shapes around the object you want to isolate. Create
keyframes to animate the shapes over time.
3. Adjusting Splines:
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Refine the shapes by adjusting control points and Bezier handles. Ensure
accurate tracking of the object's movement.
Apply feathering or blur to the edges of the roto shapes for smoother transitions. This
reduces the likelihood of harsh edges in the final composite.
Connect the Roto node to other nodes in the Node Graph for further compositing. Combine
the roto shapes with other elements to create a seamless composition.
Tools Used:
2. Shape Drawing Tools: Allow for the creation of masks around objects.
Steps:
5. Double click the Merge node, in the Poperties panel under Operation select: mask and make sure
that all A Channels are ticked (This is the first thing to double check if the result is not as
expected!).
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6. Double click Roto node and in the Viewer’s left side apears a menu, select Bezier tool.
7. Draw your Bezier directly in the viewer. While holding the mouse it draws curved points, when
just clicking it draws edges. Try it yourself to get the feeling. 8. Close your Bezier with hitting
Enter or clicking the first point drawn:
9. To feather some parts, you can drag the red handle lines. To feather everything just add
a Blur node between Roto and Merge.
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10. To animate the mask, just move the curser in the Timeline, then move your mask, it will
Keyframe automatically.
Roto (Stencil) :
RotoPaint extends the capabilities of roto by incorporating frame-by-frame painting directly onto images
or footage. It is often used for artistic modifications, touch-ups, and detailed corrections.
Steps Involved:
2. Painting Frames:
Inside the RotoPaint node, use the "Paint" node to draw directly onto frames.
Choose brushes, colors, and tools from the toolbar.
Animate painted elements by setting keyframes for properties such as position, size, and opacity.
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Utilize the clone stamp tool within RotoPaint to copy pixels from one part of the image to another. Useful
for replicating elements or fixing imperfections.
5. Layer Management:
Organize painted elements using layers within the RotoPaint node. This
helps in managing and editing individual components.
Combine RotoPaint with Roto nodes for a comprehensive approach to rotoscoping and painting.
Tools Used:
1. Seamless Integration:
2. Matte Creation:
Use Roto for creating mattes and masks and refine them with detailed painting using RotoPaint.
3. 3D Space Integration:
Consider how Roto and RotoPaint interact with elements in a 3D space. Ensure
consistency and accuracy in 3D compositing.
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4. Color Correction:
Apply color correction nodes to RotoPaint elements for a harmonious blend with the overall scene.
RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the use of the Rotopaint node in Natron.
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Ex. No: 1f
Date : Performing Tracking and Stabilizing
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to perform tracking and
stabilization in Natron, allowing users to follow the movement of objects within footage
and apply stabilization to reduce unwanted camera shake.
PROCEDURE:
Description:
Tracking involves analyzing the movement of specific features in a sequence to obtain data that can be
used to match or apply transformations to other elements. Stabilizing, on the other hand, aims to
eliminate undesired camera movements, providing a steady base for compositing.
Steps Involved:
1. Import Footage:
In the Node Graph, add a "Tracker" node from the Node Library. Connect
the "Tracker" node to the "Read" node.
Click on the "Analyze" button in the Tracker properties to track the defined
features. Natron will calculate the motion of the tracked points throughout the
sequence.
Fine-tune tracking parameters such as search area and sensitivity to ensure accurate tracking.
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6. Create Tracking Paths:
Once tracking is complete, connect the "Tracker" node to other nodes in the Node Graph. Apply
the tracking data to transform other elements in the composition.
8. Stabilize Footage:
To stabilize the footage, add a "Stabilize" node from the Node Library. Connect
it to the original "Read" node.
Fine-tune stabilization settings like smoothing and anchor point to achieve the desired result.
Connect the "Stabilize" node to the rest of the Node Graph. The
stabilized footage is now ready for further compositing.
Tools Used:
1. Tracker Node: Used for defining and analyzing tracking points in the footage.
2. Stabilize Node: Used for stabilizing footage based on tracked motion data.
1. Masking and Rotoscoping: Combine tracking with masking or rotoscoping for precise control over
composited elements.
2. Color Correction: Apply color correction nodes to ensure consistency between stabilized footage
and the rest of the scene.
3. Integration with 3D: If working in a 3D environment, integrate tracking data with 3D elements for
a seamless composition.
4. Multi-Point Tracking: For complex movements, use multi-point tracking to capture the motion of
multiple features.
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5. Setting a keyframe for the tracker every 20 frames:
6. Projections:
7. Fitting in:
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8. Recolating;
9. Final clip:
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RESULT:
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Ex. No: 1g Transforming Elements
Date :
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to use the Transform node in Natron to
manipulate elements within a composition, including scaling, rotating, and positioning objects.
PROCEDURE:
Transforming elements in Natron involves manipulating the position, scale, rotation, and
other properties of images or footage within a composition. Here's a guide on how to
perform transformations in Natron:
Description:
Transformations are fundamental operations in compositing, allowing you to control the placement,
size, and orientation of elements in a composition. Natron provides tools to perform various
transformations seamlessly.
Steps Involved:
1. Import Footage:
In the Node Graph, add a "Transform" node from the Node Library.
Connect the "Transform" node to the "Read" node containing your
footage.
4. Keyframe Transformations:
If you want the transformation to change over time, set keyframes for the transformation parameters.
Utilize the timeline to manage and visualize keyframes.
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Natron offers other nodes like "Rotate," "Scale," and "Translate" for specific
transformations. You can use these nodes individually or combine them based on your
requirements.
6. Connect to Output:
Tools Used:
2. Layer Management: Utilize layer management nodes to organize and manage transformed
elements within the Node Graph.
3. Animation and Effects: Apply animations and effects nodes to the transformed element
for dynamic and visually appealing compositions.
Working procedure :
Transforming Images
1. Select Transform > Transform (or press T in the Node Graph) to insert a Transform node
after the image you want to transform.
2. On the viewer there will appear a control element called “Gizmo” (the circle with the
crosshairs). Use your mouse within the “Gizmo” to scale, rotate, skew and move your
image. Just hover with the mouse over the crosshairs or the circle of the
“Gizmo” to fastly select the operation you need.
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3. In the Controls Panel you can also input your values with typing in numbers, highligthing
the value and scrolling the middle mouse wheel or dragging the sliders (with CTRL
pressed the slider reacts in a higher resolution).
1. Select Transform > Corner Pin to map the position of the four corners of an image.
2. Now you are able to move the corners directly with the mouse or entering values in the
Controls Pane
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RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated how to transform elements in Natron using the
Transform node.
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Ex. No: 1h
Date : Stereoscopic composting
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to explore stereoscopic compositing in Natron, allowing users to
create 3D compositions that can be viewed with depth, enhancing visual immersion through the use of two
distinct viewpoints for the left and right eyes.
Procedure:
Stereoscopic compositing in Natron involves working with footage captured from stereoscopic cameras
to create a three-dimensional effect. Stereoscopic images are captured with two or more cameras,
simulating the way human eyes perceive depth. tron:
Stereoscopic compositing in Natron allows you to work with left-eye and right-eye footage to create a 3D
effect. This is commonly used in filmmaking and virtual reality projects to enhance the viewer's immersive
experience.
Steps Involved:
Open the properties of the "StereoViewer" node to adjust stereo-related parameters. Modify
convergence, toe-in, and other settings to align the stereo images.
4. Use Stereo Nodes for Adjustments:
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Natron provides stereo-specific nodes such as "StereoOffset" for adjusting the depth of the stereo effect.
Experiment with these nodes to fine-tune the stereoscopic appearance.
6. Preview in Stereo:
While working, use the "StereoViewer" to preview your composition in stereo. This
allows you to assess the 3D effect during the compositing process.
If your project involves animation, set keyframes for stereo-related parameters to create dynamic depth
changes.
Tools Used:
1. StereoViewer Node: Allows for the stereo preview of left-eye and right-eye footage.
2. StereoOffset Node: Adjusts the stereo offset to control the depth perception.
Working principle:
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if clicking yes, Natron will create the missing views in the project:
You can do so by clicking either Remove and selecting the “Main” view or clicking “Setup views for stereo”:
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Hovering your mouse over the Output Layer parameter will detail which layer is available in which view:
When the project has multiple views available, each viewer will have a drop-down with available views.
You can select with view to display:
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Joining:
In Natron you can join different simple-view files to a multiple-view stream by using the JoinViews node,
like this:
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When set to “Single Part”, the Write node will aggregate all views requested to render in a single “part” of
the file. Single part files are what is written by OpenEXR
When set to “Split Views”, all views will be scattered in different parts of the file. The resulting file will
only be readable in applications that support OpenEXR 2 but with the advantage of being faster to read
than the single-part files. Note that if you select “All” layers to render all layers will be aggregated for
each view.
RESULT:
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Ex. No : 2a
Date : Motion Tracking -camera and object tracking
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand motion tracking in Natron, specifically focusing on
camera tracking and object tracking, which allows users to follow camera movements or track objects
within footage for integrating visual elements seamlessly into moving scenes.
PROCEDURE:
Analyze Motion:
Generates and stores tracking information from a source video clip that can be applied to other
objects. See Analyze and record movement in a clip in Motion.
Match Move:
Applies the movement of a source video clip (or animated object) to another object so they
appear locked together. See Intro to match moving in Motion.
Stabilize:
Removes unwanted motion in a video clip, such as camera jitter. See Stabilize a shaky clip in
Motion.
Unstabilize:
Applies the movement recorded by a Stabilize behavior to a video clip or object. For example,
you can use this behavior to match the camera shake in a clip to elements added in post-
production. See Unstabilize a clip in Motion.
Track Points:
Matches the control points of a shape, paint stroke, or mask to a reference feature in a video
clip. For example, you can draw a mask around a car in a clip and then track the control points
of the mask to the moving car, cutting the car out of the background. See Track shapes, masks,
and paint strokes in Motion.
Track:
Matches the position or anchor point parameters of shapes, images, or filters to a reference
feature in a video clip. For example, you can match the center of a Circle Blur filter to follow
and obscure a person’s face. See Track the position of a filter or object in Motion.
The Analyze, Match Move, and Track behaviors have two optional modes of analyzing reference
patterns:
Object mode:
Uses machine learning or point cloud analysis (or a combination of both methods) to recognize and
track subjects such as people or faces, pets, cars, or other common patterns.
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Or, if you want to manually specify a reference pattern, you can drag the onscreen object
tracker (an adjustable onscreen control, shown below) to the area in the canvas you want to
analyze.
Point mode:
Analyzes a pixel pattern within a search region, then tracks that pattern as it moves over time.
You specify the reference pattern to be analyzed by dragging one or more onscreen point
trackers (a yellow or red crosshair in a circle, shown below) to the area in the canvas you want
to analyze.
The more point trackers you use, the more spatial information you’ll record: One-point tracking
records position data; two-point tracking and four-point tracking record position, rotation, and
scale data (by comparing the relative change between the points); multiple-point tracking can
record all the control points (vertices) on a shape.
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RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated both camera tracking and object tracking in Natron.
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Ex. No : 2b
Camera fx, color grading ,vignettes
Date :
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to apply camera effects, perform color grading,
and create vignettes in Natron, in order to enhance the overall visual quality and mood of a composition.
PROCEDURE:
Camera Effects:
Definition:
Camera Effects in the context of computer graphics and filmmaking refer to various visual
enhancements or distortions applied to the rendered image to simulate real-world camera characteristics
or artistic effects.
Tools:
1. Depth of Field (DOF): Adjusted using the camera settings in 3D software like Blender. It mimics
the focus range of a real camera.
2. Motion Blur: Enabled in the render settings to simulate the blurring effect caused by the movement
of objects during exposure.
3. Bloom: Achieved through compositing nodes in software like Blender, creating a glowing effect
around bright areas.
Working procedure:
2. Motion Blur:
a) In the Render Settings, under the Motion Blur section, enable "Motion Blur."
b) Adjust the Shutter parameter to control the amount of motion blur.
c) Render the animation or image to see the motion blur effect.
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3. Bloom:
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c) Adjust the
Color Grading:
Definition:
Color Grading is the process of adjusting the colors and tones in an image or video to achieve a specific
look or mood. It's an essential part of post-production in filmmaking and graphic design.
Tools:
1. Color Correction Nodes: Available in compositing software like Blender, allowing for adjustments
to brightness, contrast, and color balance.
2. Look-Up Tables (LUTs): Used to apply predefined color grades or custom color adjustments.
3. Curves Adjustment: Found in software like Photoshop or compositing software, enabling precise
control over color tones through curve manipulation.
Working procedure:
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c) Adjust the
3. Curves Adjustment:
Vignettes:
Definition:
Vignettes are a visual effect where the image fades out towards the edges, typically darkening or
desaturating. They draw attention to the center of the frame.
Tools:
1. Mask Nodes: Available in compositing software like Blender, used to create shapes or areas that
control the application of effects, including vignettes.
2. Color Ramp Nodes: Allow for the control of color transitions, useful for creating smooth gradients
in vignettes.
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c) Adjust the
3. Lens Distortion Nodes: In some cases, lens distortion nodes can be used to create specific types of
vignettes or simulate optical imperfections.
Working procedure:
1. Vignette Effect:
2. Vignette Animation:
a) Utilize keyframes to animate the size and intensity of the vignette over time.
b) In the timeline or dope sheet, set keyframes for the relevant parameters (e.g., size and intensity).
c) Render the animation to see the dynamic vignette effect.
3. Gradient Vignette:
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c) Adjust the
RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the application of camera effects, color grading, and
vignettes in Natron.
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Ex. No : 2c
Date :
Composting images and Video Files
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand how to composite images and video files in Natron,
integrating multiple media types into a seamless composition while maintaining control over layering,
blending, and effects.
PROCEDURE:
Open Blender and choose the "Compositing" workspace. Enable Use Nodes: Check
the "Use Nodes" box to enable compositing nodes.
Add an "Image" node (Shift + A > Input > Image) and load your image by clicking on the "Open" button
in the node properties.
Add a "Composite" node (Shift + A > Output > Composite) to indicate the end of the compositing
process.
4. Connect Nodes:
Connect the "Image" node to the "Composite" node by dragging a line between them.
Insert various nodes (Shift + A) such as Color Correction, Filters, or Glare to adjust and enhance your
image.
Use the "Render" button to preview your composition. Adjust nodes as needed.
After finalizing your composition, use the "Image" or "File" menu to save or export the result.
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Working procedure :
1. Navigation:
2. Add viewer:
3. Image:
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4. Add colour:
5. Output:
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Video Files:
Step 1: Start Video Editing Layout
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Starting Blender is easy. Once installed, simply open the program from your desktop icon.
Once open, you will be presented with a "splash" screen or startup screen. This is the default
view for Blender and really doesn't do us much good for what we are trying to achieve. To get
things started, click anywhere outside of the popup box to close said box.
Now, we need to switch to video editing mode. To do this you will do the following from the file
menu:
File>New>Video Editing
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That's it. Now we are in the video editing layout of Blender. Now you are looking at the default
video editing layout. This can be adjusted to suite your needs, but how it is laid out now is
perfectly fine.
There are two ways to add a movie (video file) in Blender. This first method is probably the
quickest and easiest in my opinion, though it may be because that's the way I have always
done it.
Add>Movie
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Once this is selected, you will be presented with a new panel/window. In this window you
will see your file browser. There is a good possibility that this will default to you Documents
folder on your computer.
On the left side of the panel there are a few options for navigating around your system to find
the file you want to import. First, you have your system directory, which you can click through
to get what you need. Secondly, you have your system bookmarks. This is where you can add
your favorite locations for quicker reference in the future. We often use our desktop to setup
when editing, which is already bookmarked from the get-go.
The top bar in the panel shows what folder you are currently in. So, once you get to the file
you want to import, simply select it and then click "Add Movie Strip" in the top right corner.
To select multiple strips, hold down shift when selecting.
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Method 2 might be even easier for some folks or even be quicker. This method basically just sets
up a permanent file browser panel that you can access at any time.
To start this method, you will click on the small (+) symbol in the top left corner of the panel
furthest to the left. Clicking this opens the exact same panel as method 1, but docks it in the
that top left panel. Once you find your folder of choice, you can minimize a good portion of
that panel by hitting (T) on your keyboard while hovering over the panel. Then you are left
with your folder showing only.
Now, you can simply drag and drop the files into your Sequencer timeline.
:Note: these will drop in wherever your scrub bar is located at that moment. So be mindful of
that.
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Step 4: File Imported Successfully
Now you have imported a video successfully. An audio file will be imported with it as well. The
blue strip s your video file and the green is your audio. They automatically import on separate
lines and can move independently of each other.
RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the process of compositing images and video files in
Natron.
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Ex. No : 2d
Date : Multilayer Rendering
AIM:
The aim of this experiment is to understand the process of multilayer rendering in Natron, which
involves exporting multiple layers or passes from a composition to achieve greater control in
postproduction and flexibility in editing.
PROCEDURE:
Description:
Multilayer rendering breaks down the scene into various passes, each containing specific information
such as color, shadows, reflections, etc. This separation enables more precise control over each element
during the compositing stage.
Steps Involved:
In the "Render" tab (under the "Properties" panel), find the "Passes" section.
Enable the passes that you want to include in your multilayer rendering, such as Diffuse, Specular,
Shadow, etc.
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Connect the desired passes (e.g., Color, Shadow, Specular) to the "Composite" node.
Use nodes such as "Mix," "Add," or "Alpha Over" to combine and adjust individual passes.
This allows you to control the appearance of shadows, reflections, and other elements separately.
Tools Used:
1. Render Passes: Diffuse, Specular, Shadow, etc. These are the individual elements of the scene that
you can isolate and manipulate.
2. Compositing Nodes: Nodes such as Mix, Add, Alpha Over, etc., are used in the Node Editor for
combining and adjusting different passes.
1. Color Correction: Use color correction nodes to adjust the color and tone of individual passes.
2. Depth Pass: Enable the "Z" pass to have control over depth, which can be useful for effects like
depth of field in post.
3. Masking: Use mask nodes to isolate specific areas or objects in each pass for targeted adjustments.
4. Motion Blur : Enable the "Vector" pass for motion blur and adjust it in the compositor.
Multilayer Rendering:
a) Add a view layer, set up the output folder and file output settings.
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b) Now click Viewport Render Multilayer in the View Menu of the 3D Viewport.
Only the View Layers, enabled for rendering, will be renderd. Choose a small frame range to
test it first because Blender will freeze while the process is running.
Features:
1. Render Passes:
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Blender allows you to render various passes or layers separately, such as diffuse, specular, shadow ,
ambient occlusion, and more.
Each pass contains specific information about the scene, providing greater control during compositing.
2. Compositing Nodes:
Blender's Compositor provides a node-based system for compositing different render passes.
You can use nodes to combine, adjust, and manipulate various layers to achieve the desired final result.
3. Flexibility in Post-Processing:
Multilayer rendering gives artists the flexibility to make changes to specific aspects of the image after the
initial rendering.
Adjustments can be made to lighting, color, and other attributes without the need for re-rendering the
entire scene.
4. Z-Depth Pass:
A Z-Depth pass is often included in multilayer rendering, providing information about the depth of each
pixel in the scene.
This pass is useful for creating depth-of-field effects and other post-processing techniques.
5. Cryptomatte:
Blender supports the Cryptomatte feature, allowing for automatic ID-based masking during compositing.
This simplifies the process of isolating and adjusting specific objects in the scene.
6. Render Layers:
Blender's Render Layers feature enables users to separate different objects or elements into distinct
layers for more precise control.
Each layer can be rendered separately, and the results can be combined in the compositor.
Artists can specify which objects are included or excluded from each render layer. This
fine-grained control is beneficial for complex scenes with multiple elements.
Blender includes Freestyle, a non-photorealistic rendering engine, allowing artists to render stylized lines
as a separate pass.
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RESULT:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the multilayer rendering process in Natron.
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