Matchmoving

Written by a matchmoving expert, this book is much more than a technical primer. It helps you think like a pro so that you can find the right solution for your matchmoves, no matter how tricky. You'll also find coverage of tasks that commonly go hand-in-hand with matchmoving, along with advice on the contributions you can make on the set of a live-action shoot. Whether you're a student or professional, Matchmoving: The Invisible Art of Camera Tracking gives you the knowledge and perspective you need to quickly and successfully solve every matchmove.

Coverage includes:

• Understanding how matchmove programs work
• Perspective matching
• Getting optimal 2D tracking data
• Calibrating/solving cameras
• Using automatic tracking
• Fitting matchmoves into a CG set
• Mastering matchamation techniques
• Modeling from matchmoves
• Troubleshooting bad matchmoves
• Multi-purposing matchmove data

Matchmoving is the art and science of ensuring that computer-generated objects (i.e., buildings or monsters) look real when put into live-action footage. Here is the first and only book on the subject, written by expert Tim Dobbert who works at one of the world's premier visual effects studios and teaches matchmoving. Inside, Tim thoroughly explains the essential matchmoving concepts and provides step-by-step tutorials that demonstrate professionally tested techniques. All examples are available on the CD, along with trial versions of top matchmoving programs. If you want to learn matchmoving without going to visual effects school, here's your perfect solution.

Tim Dobbert is matchmove supervisor at noted visual effects house The Orphanage. He has worked on such films as Hellboy, Spy Kids 3-D, and The Day After Tomorrow. He also teaches matchmoving at the Art Institute of San Francisco and Expressions Center.