ROTOSCOPY: A REVOLUTIONARY TECHNIQUE FOR VFX ARTIST

Posted on by Jyotilabh

Introduction

Rotoscoping is a very important technique in the visual effects production pipeline. In traditional Animation rotoscoping is a process to trace over the real live shoot frame by frame and these techniques mostly used in animated films to get the realistic movements of the subject in the shot. In visual effect the process is similar but in a different form, it is used to create a roto shape or mask for an object /subject to extract it from the background.

roto

Rotoscoping artist has to trace an object within the software with given tool to create the alpha channel.The artist needs to create different roto shape for an object and animate those shapes according to the movement.

History of Rotoscopy

Rotoscopy word came from word rotoscope. Rotoscope was a device invented by Max Fleischer in 1917 it changes the face of the Animation industry.

In the very early stage, the animated films were very jerky  so Max Fleischer decided to change this animation style introducing a device, using that device an artist could place a paper peace on the animation stand and trace live-action footage frame by frame. This device is known as ‘Rotoscope’ and patented in 1917 by Fleisher.

Process

In the rotoscopy process, the artist has to trace an object out to remove it from the scene or to apply effects exclusively within the created matte or mask. Rotoscoping is work similarly as a clipping path. Due to the fluid motion of live-action frames, rotoscope technology brought the illusion of even greater fluidity with the animation. Today, Rotoscoping process refers to manually creating a matte for a visual element on a live-action plate in order to composite it onto another background for use in film or a movie.

Role of Rotoscopy artist

Digital rotoscope artist’s job is to create extremely detailed digital mattes using 2D image processing software and drawing tools. These matters are used for wire removals, rig removals, background fixes, and blue screen removals. These days the career in VFX AS rotoscopy artist is perspective for the young professionals who are willing to join VFX field.