Finally! A VFX Workflow With Less Guesswork

Free tutorial assets: inlightvfx.gum...
My Patreon Page: / inlightvfx
In this tutorial, I share my VFX workflow to accurately recreate the lighting of a real world scene in a 3D program like Blender. As VFX artists, we want to do as little compositing work as necessary to get VFX elements integrated seamlessly with live action footage. This workflow will help you do exactly that! I explain the best way film your footage, capture and create an HDRI, and use a color reference chart for precise results and easy compositing. I hope this video helps you take some of the guesswork out of your own workflow!
LINKS FROM THE VIDEO:
Setup ACES in Blender: • Setup ACES in Blender
ACES RGB Color Converter: acescolorspace...
Color Checker Graphic: tinyurl.com/y8...
InLightVFX ►
Instagram: / inlightvfx​
Twitter: / inlightvfx
Thanks to user "ziwerliz" on Blendswap for the amazing Dodge Challenger model: blendswap.com/...
And yes, I realize that somehow in my mind I decided it was a Dodge Charger and not a Dodge Challenger and made the mistake the entire video. My deepest apologies to the car community!
#blender #vfx #ACES

[@ian.jo_]

you’re a king and i want you to know that

[@randoguy7488]

11:20 Instead of guessing the shadows, you can use the Sun Position plugin (Built-in) which allows you to match the Sun based on the Longitude and latitude, date and time, as well as pair it with the HDRI texture

[@DingoAteMeBaby]

genius!

[@pinpointping6175]

Oooo. I was thinking HDRI Sun Aligner but with the metadata you can pull this info! This is actually pretty smart!

[@constantinosschinas4503]

He guessed everything in general. Horrible workflow. Might as well not use an HDRi at all. Especially with this clear day sky, it will not make a difference.

[@poopiecon1489]

@@constantinosschinas4503 "With Less Guesswork"

[@constantinosschinas4503]

​@@poopiecon1489 With no "less guesswork"! Subscribe now!

[@Qbanpensil]

This tutorial is very accurate .THis is the way we work in vfx at Framestore studio. Always lighting our scene with hdri's and matching color from the plate. Good job for the video.Really good

[@InLightVFX]

Glad to hear that, thanks!

[@mr_sheen6942]

ive seen a lot of tutorials and people talk about hdris and this is THE most in depth in terms of colour correction

[@broctonnunns280]

Not only is this one of the most in-depth tutorials, but it's also so well done and edited. I am an idiot when it comes to color and I was able to follow along! Keep up the solid content!

[@InLightVFX]

That's great to hear, Brocton! I'm glad you can take some helpful things away from it!

[@rajendrameena150]

Now this is my good to go channel for blender VFX learning.

[@lgab]

This is really a vast simplification on how to use a Macbeth chart, you're only using white balance. It's also doing it in an unnecessary complicated way. There are tools available for Nuke that will analyze a chart and give you a proper 3D LUT which is what you want ideally. Also, it's a much better workflow to render out a new HDR with adjusted colors and use that in your 3D scene, no need to keep track of those gray scale values. Lastly, fine-tuning the final % is best done in comp using cryptomattes and such, not in the shaders, it's just not WYSIWYG enough.

[@Davesplaining]

Came to ask for neutral grade workflow, so interesting comment - any tutorial you know that covers the steps and best practices for it?

[@weeq326]

@@DavesplainingI’ve been looking into this as well. I found this kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y33WhKOMZcunedksi=qo7hfs_-O6QJq5Yc Basically you color balance both footage and hdri. But using ACES and color checker is easy.

[@TheKorabkoff]

Gray and mirror balls are extremely useful for light reference, especially if you do not have a reference object filmed.

[@artofjhill]

great video!

[@stim3on]

This, together with your ACES tutorial, is hands down the best explanation of how color and light works I have ever seen! Both in the context of CG work and for understanding how light and color works in general! Thank you so much for these great videos!

[@InLightVFX]

I'm very happy to hear that, Simeon. Thank you!

[@constantinosschinas4503]

think twice.

[@cooperclelan9761]

insane how much information is available on youtube, thank you so much for this video its so easy to follow

[@OnMars3D]

This was such a fantastic easy to watch tutorial. I was just researching this topic about color matching and compositing for VFX so I'm glad I came across your channel. Keep it up!

[@zaks7]

As a beginner, this is insane, i can't believe the amount of skill and precision it takes to be good at VFX, i have really underestimated this field. I'm excited to learn more!

[@fadhil4008]

Yeah me too. The more we learn the more we know that we understand nothing

[@zaks7]

@@fadhil4008 at least now we're on the right side of the Dunning-Krueger curve :)

[@deshrektives]

Get out while you still can.

[@tcohmemsyy]

This tutorial was vastly more complicated than it needed to be to achieve the desired result, so don't be discouraged! Look at this tutorial as a demonstration of very high-end concepts and do what works for you.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

was that good vfx? the result was horrendous, and while he advertised ACES workflow, at the and was simply guessing and eyeballing with a fake sun.

[@mauriciolee7349]

Thank InLightVFX for such a DETAILED & EFFECTIVE visual effects video.

[@TheRichardoboh]

Definitely deserves a like and subscribe! Excellent tutorial from Lagos, Nigeria

[@PoiTorres]

The explanation is so detailed my brain cannot comprehend I'm saving this video, I need to watch this multiple times.

[@the_devil_1230]

Great video. this channel deserve more subs

[@mikepindara8478]

I love this step by step pipeline, and I hope it starts to become a big standardization across the board. "begins with a careful filming process" = Instantly explodes when all my clients send me a smattering of random stock video, stuff shot from their iphones, or even more likely, things shot by other companies who didn't care about the post teams while filming at all.

[@rajendrameena150]

They keep the mentality that "everything can be done in post". Even just small things from their side can save a lot , you can differentiate your package like the one who provide you all file properly and who don't by significant margin.

[@snailone6358]

Straight to the point! Great video.

[@sheraixy]

You are just simply stunning amazing!!! Best tutorial ever!!!!

[@madlookzvfx]

You are very organized, Mr genius!

[@abbyrodebaugh6634]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise!!

[@peterlames]

you can match the grey patch quite a bit faster by picking the values in the grade node. I can go more into detail if you want.

[@traderz13]

Please go into more detail

[@peterlames]

@@traderz13 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e36UdpiLeNqMas0 Just use the grey patch u want to match as your whitepoint and then use the target values as your gain. U can pick both superquick with the colorpicker tool in the grade node. No need for writing down values and matching them channel by channel.

[@fadhil4008]

Bro all of this Studio Production Quality Content for FREE is kind of Awesome and Terrifying at the same time. So many Competition

[@DucatiKozak]

Thanks for making this overlooked but vital component!

[@davidwarrenbiazon9291]

Thank you. You are an amazing teacher 🌟

[@theworkshopwarrior]

Lol I'm finally not the only one to think Gamma = Grandma!

[@jonathangolgota]

kudos to your Video, not many people share this knowledge for FREE👍👍👍👍👍

[@GoofyToonz]

nice! good stuff. You lost me at Nuke but I kept watching anyway!

[@InLightVFX]

Haha, I appreciate you hanging in there. But don't let Nuke stop you! You can easily apply the general concepts of the workflow in many different programs.

[@williamlacrosse9389]

This is pure gold bro! Thx for sharing.

[@1polygonewithme]

Master Yoda is back again great quality work. Thanks for the knowledge.

[@Exilleron]

Holy....so much content for free... Thank you for that! I know it's not the right language, but I have some Matchmoving videos. May I can help your great work with those as well. I will definetly learn a lot from your channel. The next step in my journey is diving deeper into 3D. Good luck with your channel, I guess 1 of your Videos will take far over 50 hours to complete.

[@JuanGomez-op7cw]

Tile: Workflow Without the Guesswork VIdeo: Lot of guess work...

[@rileyb3d]

Brilliant video breakdown, thank you.

[@jonckyy]

I don't usually comment youtube videos, but this is well done !

[@DZMegamind]

this is the videos i open youtube for, you sir are a beautiful human being keep'em coming and I'll keep tagging along +1

[@saadullah5583]

this was mega help, need more

[@ethaisa1239]

wow, that was a fascinating workflow, i don't know if it'll work for me but wow that was interesting.

[@SpencerMagnusson]

-Make sure that- "Clamp result" -for that Multiply node for your HDRI in Blender is unchecked- ! -Otherwise your HDRI will be clamped to zero to one- Nvm, I misread and now see you already did it. And for the Color Balance node, use the "Offset/Power/Slope" correction format instead of "Lift/Gamma/Gain" - that method also makes some clamping and color space assumptions, while "Offset/Power/Slope" works with your scene space. Great walkthrough and steps! Love seeing others share their VFX workflow.

[@InLightVFX]

Hey Spencer! I think you're referencing the step at 8:23 correct? 'Clamp Result' is unchecked, and you're right, that is quite important. 'Clamp Factor' is checked which is a new setting on that node in version 3.4 I believe. Good to know about the Color Balance node, thanks!

[@SpencerMagnusson]

@@InLightVFX My bad, I had misread - weird that factor is after result. And your result looked great, so I was confused. I'll update my comment, cheers!

[@TheDragoy]

Very detailed process, thanks for sharing this.

[@hik.horticultures]

Your videos are always on point! You never miss a beat or gloss over anything. This is awesome man, thank you for this!

[@amswil3232]

I really love your videos i really want to get to that level

[@isnotexist]

Wooooooow! Thanks a lot! You're the Best! Keep it forward! 😍😍😍

[@mahmoud_ali_963]

You are genius. really smart workflow

[@rossdanielart]

Thank you for doing this!

[@sidalizaafoune8743]

What amzing !!!..... Keep going with ur amizing work

[@jjochum]

Thanks for yet another awesome VFX tutorial, cheers man!

[@mooncatcher_]

- Mentions he wants to avoid guesswork in compositing - Makes a ton of unnecessary steps - Proceeds to do guesswork in compositing

[@Skedooosh]

What resources do you recommend (no nuke)?

[@MABprodrennes]

Ahah ! exactly.. Aces Workflow and color management in general is just a pain in the ass, we just need to deal with it as compositors :D

[@AadiMourya-x6z]

You earned a subscriber man

[@noobmaster998]

thanks for sharing the files

[@joshradmore]

This amazing! I was so stoked to find your ACES workflow videos. I haven't tried things out yet, but this video answered pretty much all of my follow up questions regarding HDRI matching. Thank you

[@dwibasukirahmat3796]

industry standards approved!

[@lightingvideotv]

I suggest you rethink the use of the Macbeth chart as your reference and move to a chart designed for the camera standards the DSC Chroma DuMonde.

[@lesser__known]

Incredible work my friend

[@samcraftYT]

That's a great tutorial. Visually I can understand all.

[@XmontyVFXx]

This is phenomenal tut! Thanks!

[@jordaocsar]

This is gold, great work!!

[@truetonesway]

You have a dope teaching style!

[@jalpranjal]

This was very informative

[@MrExo_3D]

Thank you. Now just got to figure out how to apply this to C4D with redshift

[@jerrynkumu]

Welcome back 🌞

[@MylonasFilms]

G'day mate this is Bloody Legendary! thanks from Down Under!

[@charlesbrain5535]

Awesome as always

[@charlesleroq932]

This was a big help - the one thing you didn't make clear was saying "I will multiply these values with these other values" without explaining where you got those other values. Am I right in presuming you in fact divided the first set by the second?

[@ashutoshkumar-dn4nf]

keep making videos bro one day your account will surely blow up.

[@Benzcoll]

This was amazing. So much work went into this, and it shows! Best VFX guy on KZbin!!

[@InLightVFX]

Aww, thanks man :)

[@gordontarpley]

Man, this video is great. I've done this type of work for a long time but have stepped away for about 5 years. Some of the new techniques are SO handy! Thanks for the video!

[@Jaredvic]

huh, a blender tutorial that actually represents a feature film workflow with the tools we use. nice work. wouldn't be surprised if you work at a studio

[@AyushBakshi]

Bro, you are awesome ♥️

[@TheSatzy6699]

Excellent content and explanation

[@HeapsMad]

Doing Gods work

[@Pouk3D]

I literally don't need to know any of this. It was very cool.

[@badatblender]

This is very helpful. Great job

[@starlingvfx]

amazing tutorial thanks for sharing.

[@StepanHKA]

:D That intro

[@AndyTanguay]

GREAT, clear information. Bravo

[@OleksiiLysenko-b2w]

Thanks a lot for your great tutorial! It is really useful.

[@momenkhaled99]

very useful tutorial ...

[@slickrick37]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@InLightVFX]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@fresnel8279]

Nice job!

[@dustypixelsUE5]

It doesn't get any better than this does it! Great and very informative video. 👏

[@megustaonions5467]

Amazing video!

[@Mariocotorra]

It's remarkable how well you describe everything. Please continue making videos because are fantastic !

[@constantinosschinas4503]

He describes remarkably well, a remarkably flawed workflow.

[@corentinprovost903]

Wonderful content ! Thank you

[@LenzGraphics]

Wow, this video is literally perfect! I’m currently working on a short film with a few vfx shots. This is exactly what I needed. Well done Jacob!

[@InLightVFX]

Hey, Lenz! Thanks so much!

[@indiansrk9997]

Yes his level of video production is at another level

[@Ваня-ч1ю]

Thanks. Your chanel is trully the most high quality CG content I have ever watched. Im very sad about the amount of work that you do and your viewers\subscribers amount. You deserve more, and you will have it! Sorry for my English. Thanks again, awesome job.

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you for the encouraging comment! I'm glad to have kind people like you watching and learning.

[@Nuke3DPro]

just, perfect

[@oGrqpez]

i got to try this

[@R23_YGN]

That was amazing

[@johntnguyen1976]

This is super epic....for sure to be a bookmark I'll come back to again and again. Well done, good sir!

[@antstar1005]

Great. I loved the (VID). Thank you.

[@vijithasenadeera7576]

good teacher keep it up

[@Tatarusdesignpictures]

yessssssssssssss you are a master , thanks guys

[@bram_gunst]

This workflow is amazing and not too complicated. Thank you!

[@InLightVFX]

Absolutely, happy to share!

[@darkdroide]

THIS IS GREAT

[@michaelrcolton]

I can't comment on most of this as I certainly don't have this level of expertise, but it seems to me that if the scene and HDRI are shot with the same camera (either with a panoramic head, or a mirror ball) and ideally one that can actually capture the sun correctly, then a lot of this just goes away. Going that route has its own pros and cons, of course. I'm likely missing some subtlety here, if so, I'd love to learn more.

[@romantenger2328]

Very well done tutorial! The quality of your content is amazing!

[@VirtuallySerious]

This channel is hands down the best intro to 3D VFX workflows on KZbin, great work! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get rid of the CG Sun step by using an ND for the lowest exposure bracket on the HDRI. But it doesn't give the right EV value in the metadata to properly auto merge in Photoshop with the other exposure brackets. Do you have any idea if there is a way to manually assign the EV value while merging HDRI brackets? This save so much time and make the results even more accurate.

[@InLightVFX]

Great question. Maybe this article can help: blog.polyhaven.com/how-to-shoot-the-sun/

[@megasoft3555]

Well done. Most of us(your viewers) don't have expensive camera's; however, we do have smartphones. any chance we can follow this tutorial with footage shot from an Iphone?