Multi-Channel Compositing in NUKE
In this series of lessons, we'll learn how to composite with the channels system inside The Foundry's compositing software, NUKE. Software required: NUKE 5.1.
What you'll learn
In this series of lessons, we'll learn how to composite with the channels system inside The Foundry's compositing software, NUKE. We will start using a single multi-channel EXR file created in our 'Introduction to Channels in NUKE' course and finish with a composited render. We'll begin this course by learning how we can use the Merge node with a multi-channel pipeline. We'll then learn how we can isolate nodes such as color correct to only work on a single channel. After we merge our basic passes, we'll do some basic color correcting and masking. At this point, we'll learn how to use the Backdrop and Dot nodes to organize our node tree. After that, we'll add in the final passes and composite our render on top of a photograph while keeping our shadow. We'll then make final tweaks to our image and add a light wrap, erode, and grade node to make our two layers fit together better. This series of lessons will illustrate the basics of compositing a 3D render using the channel workflow inside of NUKE. For further information on creating and working with channels, check out our 'Introduction to Channels in NUKE' course. Software required: NUKE 5.1.
Table of contents
- Overview of Channels and the Exr File 3m
- Compositing the Indirect Lighting and Reflection Passes 6m
- Color Correcting Specific Channels to Fix Issues 6m
- Using Hue Shift to Change the Color of the Car 4m
- Using Bezier Nodes to Mask the Hue Shift 5m
- Organizing Our Node Tree with Backdrop and Dot Nodes 7m
- Adding the Refraction and Shadow Channels 6m
- Merging the Mustang with the Backdrop 7m
- Combining Alpha Channels to Add the Shadow Alpha 4m
- Adding a Lightwrap to Ground the Mustang 6m
- Using an Erode to Fix the Black Outline 5m
- Using a Grade to Match the Background White and Black 6m
- Evaluating Our Composite and Tweaking Certain Areas 6m