If you want to learn the art of rotoscoping, then Focal Press has a guide for you. Their book Rotoscoping: Techniques and Tools for the Aspiring Artist starts by explaining the origins of rotoscoping in the early 20th century. From there the book covers a myriad of topics, from software to getting work. In-between you'll learn how to frame, effectively recreate various kinds of movement, and get tips of how to roto the human figure, among numerous other topics. An accompanying CD and companion website provide you with project files to work on and additional materials.
Contents
- Chapter 1: Origins of Roto
- Chapter 2: Defining the Terms
- Chapter 3: Rotoscoping Software
- Chapter 4: Pre-Shot Warm-Up
- Chapter 5: Key Framing Techniques
- Chapter 6: Creating Splines;
- Chapter 7: Edge Consistency
- Chapter 8: Object Mode Transforms
- Chapter 9: Interpolation and Linear Movement
- Chapter 10: Blur
- Chapter 11: Checking Your Mattes
- Chapter 12: Tracking and Roto
- Chapter 13: Roto and the Human Figure
- Chapter 14: Faces and Heads
- Chapter 15: Hair (Or: Bald People Are Great)
- Chapter 16: Human Movement
- Chapter 17: Clothing
- Chapter 18: Keeping Focus and Getting Work
About the Author
Benjamin Bratt is a visual effects artist based out of Dallas, Texas who has worked as a digital artist on recent movies such as Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Race to Witch Mountain, Obsessed, and The Proposal. He is currently the lead compositor at Radium/Reel FX in Dallas. Clients include the Dallas Cowboys, Coors, Ram Truck, and more. Benjamin has also taught Visual Effects and Rotoscoping classes at the Academy of Art.