VFX Compositing with Nuke: The Complete 2D Edition

For users new to the node-based interface of the Nuke software, this lesson covers the interface basics, including how to navigate in Nuke, available tools and nodes, as well as where to find what in this node-based compositing software. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.

A brief insight and lesson into the differences between nodes and layers, including their pros and cons, best and worst use cases, as well as how Nuke's node-based system is different from other similar systems. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.

A deeper dive into the tabs, panels and windows available in Nuke, as well as the nodes and tools in Nuke's hidden and potent arsenal of capabilities and features. A comparison between the different editions of Nuke (Nuke, NukeX, Nuke Studio) will also be covered in this lesson. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.

Expanding from the previous lesson, selected nodes from each category will be covered in greater detail as well as how they all play a pivotal role together in the successful use of Nuke. Learn what each group or category of nodes are typically used for, by compositing pros. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.

A brief overview of what Nuke is capable of doing in terms of visual effects compositing, as well as its customizable components of the software. A simple comparison of Nuke's capabilities to After Effects will also be covered in this lesson. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.

This lesson will explore the basics of compositing including identifying the horizon line, compositing using layers and understanding how blur, depth and color affect the layer and entire image. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to apply effects and adjustments without affecting the entire image and how to apply proper depth to make your layers stand out in a composite.

This lesson will explore the many ways to work with green screen footage and other methods of keying, including a brief insight into the history of green screen. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to key effectively and which method to use where appropriate. Different nodes on keying and creating keys will be covered, including how they differ from one another in terms of its use.

This lesson will explore how to refine and finesse your keyed mattes and work with its edges, including different methods to get different results of a refined edge and matte. Tips and tricks are revealed on how and when to use specific techniques and refining mattes with a bit of rotoscoping help.

Specific only to Nuke, this lesson will explore the concept and theory behind the premult and unpremult nodes, how they work, as well as when to use them effectively during compositing. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to use these nodes with other nodes specific to Nuke, as well as other alternative ways of achieving similar results in a composite.

This lesson will explore different effects applied to blend your layers with the background image of your shot, including refreshers on color theory concepts. Tips and tricks are revealed on which effect to use and how to combine different effects to reach a final composited result.

This lesson will explore the different ways of 2D tracking in Nuke, using various different nodes or combination of nodes. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to use the data from the 2D track effectively as well as a deeper dive into the hidden functions of Nuke's 2D tracking node.

This lesson will explore the different types of set extension in composites and how to use your recent learning in compositing basics and color correction to create set extensions. Tips and tricks are revealed on matching and aligning 2D images for the purposes of set extension as well as how to work with scale in set extension. Part 1 of this set extension lesson focuses on clean-up work and preparations for set extension elements.

This lesson will explore the different types of set extension in composites and how to use your recent learning in compositing basics and color correction to create set extensions. Tips and tricks are revealed on matching and aligning 2D images for the purposes of set extension as well as how to work with scale in set extension. Part 2 of this set extension lesson focuses on actual set extension work including sky replacement and adding additional elements.

This lesson will explore the different ways to create artificial shadows in compositing including applying what you had learned in the earlier lessons on basic compositing and color correction. Tips and tricks are revealed on tricky situations with shadows and how to avoid artificial shadows where necessary.

This lesson will explore the importance of grain and how to match grains from two different layers to blend the image altogether in the final composite. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to manually remove existing grain and then applying grain manually for more customization.

This lesson will explore the theory behind log and linear images in the visual effects world, as well as how that affects you as a Nuke visual effects compositor. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to use Nuke's nodes or system of nodes to properly convert between the two types of images, vice versa, as well as what this means for your composite.

This lesson will explore render formats used in the film and visual effects industry, as well as render formats that you can or should use in your own shots. Tips and tricks are revealed on how to speed up your renders and optimize your composites.

Now that you've followed along, it is time to put your skills to the test with this new shot to try. Once again, post in the Q&A board if you have any questions or go back to previous lessons in order to figure out how to solve the shot.

This lesson will explore how to use the postage stamp node to your advantage and to keep Nuke scripts (files) optimized. Tips and tricks are revealed on the use of the postage stamp node with other nodes to enhance workflow in Nuke.

This lesson will explore how to use groups and the backdrop node to your advantage and to keep Nuke scripts (files) optimized. Tips and tricks are revealed on the use of groups and the backdrop node with other nodes to enhance workflow in Nuke.

Ending off this section, this lesson will explore industry tips, tricks and shortcuts in Nuke that help make you more efficient as an artist, or achieve better and quicker results in compositing. This is by no means, an exhaustive list of hacks!

A summary of all the points, tips and tricks of compositing we have covered so far, including a take-away sheet that summarizes the lessons and best practices learned about compositing in post-production.

A summary of the differences between After Effects and Nuke in the visual effects world and what the visual effects studios truly believe and think of the two software, including the pros and cons of both After Effects and Nuke, and how this affects you as a compositor.

Ending on a conclusive note, we will touch on some discussion points of compositing and the effective ways to use or apply compositing in your own personal projects, including how and when to use compositing in smart ways.

Well done! Compositing can be tricky work. For more in this series, stay tuned for future courses where we cover other kinds of similar software, best practices and cheats in the visual effects world.

BONUS: For staying all the way to the end of this course, this lecture is for you. More details inside.