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BleachBypass []

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:20:32 +0000

What do you do when you get the note ‘Put some stank on it’? Well one option is to simulate a Bleach Bypass on your shot.

Not know what Bleach Bypass actually is? Well the short version is it’s cool and you’ve seen it used in a ton of films and commercials. The long version is that it’s an development process which skips the bleaching function during film processing. This technique leaves the silver in the film emulsion along with the original color. The end effect usually has reduced saturation as well as increased contrast.

This gizmo gives you complete control over the end effect. So you can push it either to the extreme, or just give it a subtle hint. It’s very light weight too, so your overall comp will maintain it’s speed and responsiveness.

Give it a try!

BleachBypass (863)

Doug Hogan is a VFX compositor and freelance web designer working in Detroit. He's a 2006 SCAD graduate and has worked in both the broadcast, web, and feature film corners of the Visual Effects industry.

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

HighPass []

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:59:08 +0000

One tool that I really love in Photoshop is the HighPass filter. It’s a favorite of photographers who want to get a really sharp looking image. And the results are pretty stunning. But what about us Nukers out there who want to give our comps that same love? Well now you can by using my HighPass gizmo!

It’s designed to emulate the same function in Adobe’s Photoshop. And should be good to go right out of the box. But if tweaking is necessary controls for the size of the HighPass, as well as sharpen, and contrast are included.

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

CreateDirectory []

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:49:02 +0000

It’s a well known fact among the community that Nuke’s file browser a little less than clever If you create a Write node and your file path is calling a folder that doesn’t exist, your script will just error out and nothing will be rendered. Leaving you with the task of then going in and seeing which folder isn’t there and creating it yourself manually.

But with this simple tcl script, CreateDirectoy, just hit F9 and a command will be issued to Nuke to create any folder that doesn’t exist of all enabled Write nodes.

And I have to say, I wouldn’t want to work day to day without this script. It may be simple, but I’m sure you’ll feel the same. So click the download button below and make your day to day compositing a little easier and faster!

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

AutoArrange []

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:38:22 +0000

A good comp is a clean comp I’ve said this before, and it really is true! There is nothing worse than opening up a Nuke script only to find this…

Ahhhhhhh!!! Sure it might work, but how can you follow exactly what is doing what? And if there IS a problem, this type of script would make debugging take a lot longer.

But if you download AutoArrange, just hit F11 and ta-daa! Nice and clean…

And if you bundle AutoArrange with another script called SmartOffset, you’ll have a two button solution for a clean and organized Nuke comp. And, say it with me…

A good comp is a clean comp!

Good job.

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

writeRead []

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:17:53 +0000

When you use writeRead you will generate a new Read node with the frame sequence that the selected Write node was rendering

Simple idea yes, but this has many uses for a studio Compositor.

Whether it’s simply to just review the newly rendered sequence, or even precomp’ing elements to pipe back into your comp. This python script at the push of a button, does what normally would take at least a minute to do right by hand. And as time is usually short in a studio, this script is a must have for all Nuke compositors out there!

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

reloadALLreads []

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:08:17 +0000

reloadALLreads is another addition to the Utility series of python scripts that does exactly what the name implies

Use this script to make sure that before you render, all your Reads have the most up to date renders. And avoid those nasty Nuke error message!

No selection required. Just go to the newly created Lab Scripts menu and select reloadALLreads!

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

missingFrames []

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:04:59 +0000

This python script is a solution to a problem that always seems to just jump up and bite you come render time Let me paint a picture for you. You go to render your sweet looking shot, only to find that a good number of 3D frames never got rendered! Well now you’d have to go back and submit the missing frames and sit on your hands until you’re good to go. Not anymore with this missingFrames script.

Get your frames from your 3D software renderer, bring it into comp, and using missingFrames as the first script you use to check and make sure everything is all copasetic.

Features include a built in error message to only work with frame sequences the end with the Nuke friendly %0#d.ext. And an easy to understand dialogue box telling you exactly what frames are MIA.

Sound helpful? Well go ahead and download missingFrames!

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

nodecount []

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:53:53 +0000

1, 2, 3, 4, ah screw it! This simple python script that does just what it says How many nodes make up your masterpiece of a comp? Well download this script to find out with just a press of a button!

This is the first addition to the no muss no fuss Utility scripts coming to The Lab!

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

CamQuake! []

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:56:22 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

A good camera shake tool is something every CG artist should have in their tool box. Whether it’s for a shot with an explosion, a car zooming by the camera, or even natural disasters like tornadoes or earthquakes. Camera shake can give you a lot bang for your buck, and be just the thing to get your shot that final stamp of approval.

But what tool do you use if you’re a Nuke compositor since there’s not one built in? Well why don’t you try my gizmo called ‘CamQuake!’. It was designed to be easy to use right out of the box. While also giving you a wide range of customization options to achieve everything from the very subtle to most extreme shake your eyes can handle without exploding! Well maybe not that extreme, but you know what I mean.

It even has built in Motion Tiling. Giving you another option besides scaling up your image and loosing quality.

So what do you think? Sound like you can use it? Well if so go ahead and download this awesome little tool and as always let me know what you think! I’m always upgrading these tools as I use them day to day at the studio.

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.

smartOffset []

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:00:56 +0000

A good comp is a clean comp

Something that gets harder to keep up with if you start off unorganized. That’s where this custom written python script I wrote in my freetime comes in. Install it into your Nuke / plugins folder, and whenever you bring in a new Read node with a crazy frame range (ex. 499 – 2029), select the node and press shift+o. A timeoffset node will be created that’ll change your frame range to something more manageable starting at frame 1 and display that new range for your rendering convenience.

He also co-hosts the weekly geek podcast Lingo: A Geekly Podcast with his long time friend and author, Andrew Marcec.