Add VFX into Cinematic RAW+LOG Footage (the right way) | ACES Part 1

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Part 2: • Add VFX to Cinematic R...
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RAW and LOG footage is known for creating that cinematic look we all strive for, but it often looks very flat right out of the camera. So how do we add VFX to flat-looking footage? Join me as we utilize ACES, a color workflow within Blender and Davinci Resolve, to do just this. With all the necessary software being 100% FREE, you have all the more reason to learn ACES and up your VFX game.
In this tutorial we’ll tackle the concepts of Color Gamut and Gamma. Any VFX artist will benefit from a general understanding of these concepts, but they are especially relevant for ACES. Though Color Gamut and Gamma can be tricky concepts, ACES is the perfect way to apply them and learn. So make sure you watch both this video and part 2 (linked above) for the full picture. As always, I invite any questions you might have!
Huge thanks to Mario and Daniel for all the research help!
Mario Cazares - / mariocazares
Daniel Brylka - www.toodee.de/
Filming & Equipment help:
Tim Moder - / timothymoder
Chloe Collins
Modeling help:
Spacecraft Model - www.blendswap.com/profile/152246
Robot Model - / artfromrachel
More InLightVFX:
/ inlightvfx
/ inlightvfx
Hebrews 12:11

[@ryanofsheffer]

This is fantastic work. 15 years in post and this is one of the best descriptions of log and raw footage I’ve ever seen

[@InLightVFX]

Part 2 is out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqTWeat6eLJqfpY

[@VideoVisualFX]

The fact that this video it's exactly 9:59 minutes shows how awesome you are,

[@KarenTookTheKids]

But why, isn't it dumb for a creator to make his videos less than 10 minutes long thats like working for a month but declining payment. I mean he's litterally providing his knowlege and work for FREE to all of us, so why would we not watch 2 minutes longer to support them

[@VideoVisualFX]

Karen For me won’t be a problem for this video to be exactly 10:01 minutes. This guy it’s awesome and it’s sharing valuable information. But i think it’s more like a protest against all the other youtubers who are views hungry and doesn’t care about the content and also against youtube.

[@KarenTookTheKids]

@@VideoVisualFX yeah but allways remember almost every youtuber provides his content for you to watch for free

[@brendansapp]

I don't think it even matters, I don't think he is eligible for monetization, so he won't have ads. Making it above 10:00 only benefits you when you have ads to put on the video.

[@petecoleman3443]

They changed it btw to 8 minutes

[@MaverickMario]

I’m blown away, I’ve never seen such a concise and informative explanation of color and gamut. This is probably my most favorite video about image processing on KZbin

[@ArturoJReal]

Hyped for part 2!

[@anandhups8341]

Yep

[@pinpointping6175]

I come back to this video every now and again because it’s just so freaking entertaining. Thanks bro.

[@InLightVFX]

You're welcome :)

[@dsgeyer]

This is the best video on ACES on all youtube. Well done. Love the poster too. The quality of this video is also insane. If this video series cost $250 I would buy it because all the months of reading technical documents and emailing experts that I had to do can now be avoided. People need to realize how much shit you are saving them

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Daniel! I'm glad you found a lot of value in it.

[@Leonidas909]

ngl the sock on mic cracked me up, I wasn't prepared

[@InLightVFX]

:)

[@kraftaculousgreekgodofcraf1113]

You know this guy is good when he can solve microphone pops with a hiking sock

[@marc-andreplante6156]

I have seen many tutorials on color management, but that one is so well done ! As usual. Valuable info. Thanks !

[@FlyingKell]

Saw your Reddit post. Subscribed! Amazing tutorials.

[@InLightVFX]

Awesome, thank you!

[@stefang9291]

Also here from Reddit!

[@hardiksinghvi9615]

You are one of the underrated channel. I hope you get a log growth in subscriber count.

[@jaydee4397]

That really set things straight in my mind for the first time. Thank you for being clear and so very helpful.

[@BrownHuman]

The presentation, the workflow and the quality of your videos are truly amazing and highly professional. Well done man.

[@aestheticworldwide3250]

Never heard such a straight forward explanation on this. Brilliant work!

[@cevxj]

After researching these topics for a year or so I have to say this is the most effective and comprehensive introduction. It owes a lot to the graphic design work. Awesome!

[@oGrqpez]

this is like the most positively rated video i have ever seen

[@TerenceKearns]

This is AMAZING. It answers the exact questions I am asking right now as a beginner Blender user and an experienced Davinci Resolve user editor (not experienced colour grader). Can't wait to see the rest of your videos. So beautifully and thoughtfully put together.

[@joshradmore]

This video is amazing and I'm very excited that you have more videos detailing this workflow. Trying to figure it out myself... I knew I was going to give up. Thank you!

[@gokulsarma2648]

I usually fast forward tutorials as it gets boring and delaying to get to the point. But then you showed up. It's so satisfying to watch that i forgot to skip. You really got amazing technical knowledge and never hesitate to share with us. Honestly bro, I never knew this one. Thank you so much!

[@franklawree5578]

you put so much work in to editing and making the whole video. It really is amazing, you should get way more views, I'll try and share as much as possible. Keep it up👍🏻

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Frank! Your support and sharing is much appreciated!

[@sanaksanandan]

This is the simplest and accurate description of ACEs workflow I have come across. Otherwise, lot of web pages, and videos either oversimplify, or overcomplicate the explanation. Thanks for putting in the effort to educate VFX artists.

[@samymerad6738]

I really really like what you doing, your workflow is perfect, informations that you provide are super precise. Keep it up dude !

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Samy! Glad to know I'm going in the right direction for viewers' interests.

[@TheZeclus]

this man makes some of the highest quality VFX tutorials and high end post production content on youtube with a phone in a sock as a mic... gotta love it !

[@julianstorm7722]

Quality of production is amazing. Instant sub. Thanks for your time and work. Cheers

[@shawnshawn3353]

You are so kind and patient.Thank you very much for this sharing.I have wondered the color space tech for a long time.

[@johnaart]

Please...Give us more of this type of content...LOVE IT

[@RonaldFinger]

Ayyy I didn’t realize you changed the channel name and icon until I saw you a minute in. Amazing video and explanations as always.

[@InLightVFX]

Yes, new name, same tuts!

[@danielgrindrod]

This was so well put together! thank you for sharing. Those explainer animations would have taken me forever to keyframe so I appreciate the effort you put into them 😀

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Daniel! Nice that you can appreciate the effort behind the scenes.

[@smortonmedia]

I’ve been wanting to know how to do this properly and what the workflow actually looks like. I’m crazy excited and can’t wait for part 2!

[@InLightVFX]

I'm excited to share it! Hope to have it finished and out before the end of next week! Thanks for watching, Stephen!

[@fade2nada]

One of the best breakdowns of usually confusing technical jargon. Well done 👍

[@Makedonas61]

When i first watched this video i didnt know much about colour management. 2 years later, I tried understanding how all this works and you helped me so much in trying to understand this. This is an absolute masterpiece of a video.

[@InLightVFX]

So glad to hear that and thanks for letting me know. 2 years sounds about right in making progress understanding colour managment :) Keep up the good work!

[@ramonlopeznote]

Absolutely the best training on understanding color gamut and spaces. Great and thanks a lot.!!!!!!! there was a big LIKE

[@lukasbieri]

I was researching about this for hours, until I finally stumbled upon your tutorial. I now finally get the entire concept and how it all fits together. Such important information, and you present it in such a nice way. Thank you so, so much for the work you put into this video, you really helped me out a ton with this! The production quality of your videos is insane, I really hope you get the appreciation you clearly deserve!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Lukas! I'm glad this could help clear up these tricky concepts.

[@imrsvhk]

Wow! Gotta say this is an amazing explanation and your presentation is outstanding. Keep up the great work.

[@coasterguy1000]

Ive been trying to wrap my head around color spaces and related color science topics but man this was by far the simplest and easiest explanation to digest about the topic.

[@InLightVFX]

I'm glad you found it! Thanks for watching!

[@ANRALOGI]

WOW! So much knowledge packed into one video. Very straightforward and less BS. I learned a lot from this video. Questions that were confusing to me before are explained in layman's terms. Thank You. I understand much more when reading data for those KZbinrs who spew data without explaining when reviewing gears 😂

[@sanse4409]

What a great Tutorial! I've learned so much. Thank you :)

[@henriquebispo]

The best explanation I've seen on the subject by far! Thanks for sharing 🙌

[@InLightVFX]

You are welcome, Henrique!

[@lewiswright4038]

Thanks for this new to davinci been trying to work out a round trip to nuke and back

[@valtabohm]

Holy shit bro this lil bro teach better than most institutes. Thats why I keep studying on Yt omfg this is great! Thanks

[@jamesbali1300]

Talk about learning inputs huh..Amazing Video InLightVFX, keep it up! Subbed!

[@jarryandria]

Exactly the video that I was searching for. Thank you for your amazing work ✨🔥

[@patricklevar]

yep happy to see more videos on I found out about from Mario a year ago can wait for the next video

[@EdoardoMassagliA]

Incredibly well made tutorial, kudos to you!

[@orangebananaaaa]

Nice, this is the most accurate and clearest explanation about ACES ever. There are a lot of videos expaining ACES and color space wrong out there, but you definitely nailed. Now I can send this video to my collegues so they don't complain about color space in my office lol

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you! I'm glad it can be a reliable resource to share with others :)

[@koltscats]

This was excellent. Paid tutorials I've seen aren't even near this well edited, detailed, or explained.

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Kolton!

[@mallickpriyanshuOG]

Wow, you explained the concept really well. 👍🏽

[@HartmutNoerenberg]

Very nice and good to see that ACES is comign more and more into focus. I can't wait for part 2.

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks you, Hartmut. Yes, ACES is such an awesome way to work. Excited to share the rest soon!

[@anbrickers]

this is the best tutorial i have ever watched!

[@chakravarthye]

You are a genius when it comes to explaining. I can't thank you enough for this. Keep rocking. After watching this . . . it's like . . . . . . Just take my money. Thank you

[@InLightVFX]

Haha thank you! I've happy you've found it helpful.

[@henkkok9437]

This is really solid and well presented information. Thank you!

[@dbharath6876]

simply amazing man, I understood everything that you've explained in this video, I was lacking a bit when it comes to raw and log but cheers to your video, I love it.

[@InLightVFX]

Awesome, that's great to hear!

[@CmanXP]

This is a fantastic video. So informative and consumable for a dummy like me. You earned yourself a subscriber, my friend. Thanks so much!

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks!

[@designfor3d59]

You really help me to understand more about VFX world

[@SandeepTogarathi]

Came from rebelway discord group only to find out that I am already subscribed to you ..👍👍👍

[@InLightVFX]

Haha awesome :)

[@DanceManAlex]

Really looking forward to Part 2!

[@naeemulhoque1777]

wow this channel is super helpful for any blender user 💝 love it!!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Naeemul!

[@Luis-Guilherme]

Hey man, came here from Reddit and it's hard to believe you are doing all this for free, really invaluable content, keep it up! Thank you!

[@InLightVFX]

You are most welcome, Luis! Thanks for coming over from Reddit to check it out!

[@sirvz]

Been watching this video since it came out, but couldn't follow along until now. Just got my BMPCC6KG2. Finally I could do this!

[@InLightVFX]

Awesome! Have fun!

[@Alohamora_13]

Brilliantly explained in quite concise and precise format! Kudos! great work!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Viduttam!

[@sehkhyro]

this is the most amazing channel ever holy heck

[@vikypup3181]

You are amazing; this is the best explanation I've ever seen. Please keep up the good work. ✨

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks! :)

[@thomasnorman453]

This was a FANTASTIC tutorial, THANK YOU!

[@raghavthakar2320]

This video was so well made! Brilliant information, the technical concepts were probably easy to understand even for those who dont know about graphs. The narration was spot on, the graphics were spot on, the music was spot on, the lighting in your scene was spot on, the music was spot on. Excellent stuff man. Even a lot of 'big' youtubers struggle with getting key information across so effectively!

[@InLightVFX]

Very encouraging, Raghav! I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@eschirtz]

So good Jacob, keep up the great work!

[@heshl1877]

Dude the quality's so good i feel i should be paying for this

[@InLightVFX]

There is that ACES Kickstart Kit... ;) Glad you liked it!

[@stasorange]

i love you bro, you save my time totally

[@AdautoAraujo]

Best lightning content ever. New subscriber.

[@kuunami]

Wow!! This is exactly what I needed. I have a pocket 4k and had no idea how to approach vfx if I shot the plate raw.

[@InLightVFX]

Glad you can put that pocket 4k to work! Awesome piece of equipment.

[@Marc1920x1080p]

Fantastic Video! Was a pleasure the watch

[@WonderFilm]

This is incredibly helpful! Definitely going to utilize this on a short film project for BYU.

[@technicolourmyles]

You don't understand how shocked I was to see this on my recommended feed. I spent about an hour today writing a Reddit post asking about EXACTLY THIS. I've been wanting to work on VFX more practically, as I've always just been watching tutorials and taking in information, but never actually made a shot that integrated CGI with live-action, and I've always wanted to finally make one. Colour management was the one topic that has always alluded me. I use a hacked Canon 700D that records 14bit RAW files, and I tried to mess around with them in Resolve and Fusion, and I just felt helpless. I thought I had something right, but after exporting, it looked different in every app I used to open it. I looked around so much and all I could find was KZbinrs selling LUTs and guides I could barely understand. You don't understand how helpful this is going to be (and it already is). I'm pretty sure this will be the first solid (and incredibly high quality) course on this topic available on KZbin. I cannot wait for the rest of this course. You are an absolute godsend. If you don't mind me asking, other than the resources you mentioned at the end (which I'm on my way to check out right now!), are there any other resources you can recommend that helped you grasp all these concepts for VFX work? Technical stuff like detecting the space your footage is in, knowing if you've got the right settings across your software (Blender & Resolve/Fusion for me), converting footage and rendering in the correct spaces, correcting and grading the final image and exporting it in the correct space for delivery. A solid resource for this stuff is all I've been wishing for. Thank you so so so much for this.

[@InLightVFX]

I'm glad this info came at the perfect time for you, Myles! As far as extra resources go, there's a rabbit hole of articles to read on all those topics you mention - there's so much to know! I think the most important thing is to start off simple and just try to finish a shot, even if it doesn't look perfect. I have a tendency to want to understand everything before I start actually working but have found that oftentimes this actually hinders my progress in learning and creative work! Hope that helps. -Jacob

[@technicolourmyles]

​@@InLightVFX I absolutely know what you mean! I always overthink things before getting started on something I want to make, and unfortunately, it often leads to me never doing that thing at all. I actually got some great responses on that reddit post, one of them was a 40 page PDF on Aces and colour in general, which I think will be a great help alongside your course, which I can't wait to see the rest of :) My main issue with not starting this shot is worrying about how good I can make it look with the gear that I have. With general filmmaking, I know the gear always comes second place, and the focus should be the story, but I feel that with VFX it's a little more complicated than that. I get worried about spending a lot of time on a shot and then being limited because I only shot it in 8 bit or because I might miss some "trick" that will make it look much better and give me a shot that would be portfolio-worthy. I've got a little shot I started working on a few months ago, but had to put aside to finish my freelance editing work, but I think that I'm gonna wrap that one up soon and then get a better understanding of at least getting my colour settings right in software, just so I know what to expect when I export. After watching this video and reading some of the resources I got on that reddit post, I think I'm starting to get the idea of how to work with Aces, at least enough to a point where I know where to look :D

[@InLightVFX]

@@technicolourmyles That's great that you found some good help! I think what it sounds like you're dealing with is the fear of failure which every artist (and human) goes through. Your focus right now should not be on making good vfx shots, it should be on making vfx shots that fail. That's the only way you'll learn. Take that 8bit camera and just do it! Fail it up - who cares?! Most of my vfx work up to this point has been in 8bit. If you keep waiting it won't happen. Good luck!

[@4manvfx27]

You explained so well my guy !! cheers

[@nicholascordonnier6706]

Caught my apartment in the lake shot ;) great work! Love your channel

[@InLightVFX]

Oh that's awesome! Thanks you Nicholas, glad to have local support!

[@smitmachhi]

here from Reddit, I'm binging your channel, Such high quality and super informative videos.

[@InLightVFX]

Glad you like them, Smit!

[@marioCazares]

Very thorough video! The motion graphics look so clean and the information is superbly organized. Great work on the video!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you for all your input - the video wouldn't have been the same without it!

[@rhaba]

@@InLightVFX Would you mind telling in what program you've made these graphics in? Because I too think they are extraordinary.

[@MSakashita]

This is a super high quality & informative video! Thanks!!

[@Leukick]

So well done. Even when not in the mood to comment, had to for this one. Subscribed!

[@InLightVFX]

Haha thank you!

[@lucensius]

Thnak you so much for your hard work and very nice explaining!

[@InLightVFX]

You are very welcome!

[@dpm2213]

Dude... you're the GOAT, thank you

[@InLightVFX]

Sure thing, David!

[@Arvolve]

Immaculate content, thank you!

[@eddyjuillerat835]

Best learning video ever.

[@FreshSqueezedLightning]

Incredible work!

[@MichaelHeiland]

this is really well done

[@Edzeddz]

This channel truly deserves more digits in the views/subscribes!

[@InLightVFX]

That's very kind of you, Facão!

[@cgcode]

What a great quality tutorial! Thanks!

[@InLightVFX]

You are welcome, thanks for watching!

[@gehriggosselin9468]

brotha if you start a patreon I will absolutely be supporting it. This granular and informative teaching style is so fucking awesome.

[@gehriggosselin9468]

oh wait shit you do have one, for anyone else, it's /inlightvfx on patreon. joinin up now.

[@InLightVFX]

@@gehriggosselin9468 Thank you, Gehrig. I'm making some changes to my Patreon and have put it on pause for a little (actually stopped charging my patrons). Trying out gumroad as a means for people to support the channel. Your support means a lot, thank you!

[@moleytv]

Oh my God! I needed this video so bad! Thaaaaanks!

[@BlenderDaily]

awesome explanation, really comprehensive!

[@HamzaARTi]

I literally wanted a video like this and u did it ..thanksss

[@nitromusik9275]

This is an amazing video! Great job. 10/10

[@takayalloyd]

I dig the sock over the iPhone mic lol great video dude!

[@InLightVFX]

Haha thank you!

[@MykKessler]

Awesome tutorial! You've earned a subscriber for sure. Looking forward to your future work!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you for subscribing, Myk! Appreciate your support

[@dude3d]

I found this video a year ago. But i didn’t care because i felt this was complicated for me. But Today i understand the value this offers. Thank you so much for creating this video and the other.. Good luck my friend 👍

[@Lord_Vega]

Best video I stg, great job man. This helped me ALOT

[@skydance1151]

hoooly goodness :D this video is soooo high quality! amazing Subscribed directly!

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you!

[@saemranian]

Awesome explanation Thanks for your sharing

[@thomasleclech2917]

Excellent video! Love the motion graphics, really well explained

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Thomas!

[@ezzellvfx2169]

Very interested to know how easy it is to composite in ACES using After Effects. I am eagerly awaiting the next video and I am hoping some of what I learn can be applied to AE as well.

[@omidpakbin]

Saw this on reddit. Very impressed. Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more videos.

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you, Omid! Appreciate it