Tutorial: Page (1) of 2 - 08/04/04

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L[8] to AE6.5 Moving camera data to After Effects via RPF By Stephen Schleicher

In addition to the slew of new features and tools in NewTek?s LightWave 8, improvements to the type of information exported with a file also received a boost.  With  L[8] you have the ability to export camera data with your RPF file and have that information interpreted by Adobe After Effects 6.5.

After Effects has had filters for reading RPF data since the 4.1 days, but because many of us may not use a 3D application and a compositing application, we may not have seen much use for them.  However with the continued decrease in prices, more users are beginning to understand the power behind compositing 2D information in a 3D scene.

The Production Bundle of After Effects contains five 3D Channel Effects:  3D Channel Extract, Depth Matte, Depth of Field, Fog 3D, and ID Matte.  While each of these have a purpose when it comes to extracting matte information and generating depth of field and fog effects, they really have little practicality when it comes to importing the 3D camera data.  

 Let?s take a look at how we can read camera data from a still image ? the RPF and/or the RLA file.

In LightWave 8 (L[8])
What is an RPF or RLA file?  In applications like LightWave and discreet?s 3dsmax, the RPF and RLA formats save the rendered frame with RGBA (Red, Blue, Green, Alpha channel) data, but also saves information relating to the depth of the elements in the frame. In the case of  LightWave, it can save Z-depth information, Object and Material ID?s, Surface Normals, Transparency information, Shadow buffers, Velocity Buffers, and camera data among others.

Step 1:  Once you have your 3D scene set up, lit, surfaced and animating the way you want, it is time to render out an RPF or RLA file.  The first problem many first time users have when trying to render out a z-depth file is to go to the Render Panel and use the LightWave RLA(32) format.  While this will render out an image file, the file does not contain the data necessary for manipulation in a compositing program.

Instead you need to Export the image in the RPF or RLA format.

NOTE:  To save yourself some time (and file space) when you are rendering this type of data out of LightWave, it isn?t necessary to save a file in the Render Options Window (unless of course you want to render out a QuickTime for client approval).  You only need to set your beginning and ending keyframe, and make sure Auto Frame Advance is turned on.

Step 2:  LightWave 8 has gone through an extensive interface retooling since 7.5 and it may take you a while to find where many of the tools and interfaces have been moved to.  In order to access the Image Processing window, you need to go to Window>Image Processing or use the keyboard shortcut Control+F8.

Step 3:  In the Effects window, click the Processing Tab.  Then click on the Add Image Filter button and from the menu pop up select Extended RPF Export.

Step 4: Double Click the Image Filter to bring up option panel.  Navigate to the directory where you want to save the image files and then select the information you wish to export.

NOTE:  I prefer using the Extended RPF Export over the Extended RLA Export because it gives you more options as to what type of imbedded information you are including with the file.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Before rendering your scene, open the Camera Properties Window.  One of the problems with the camera data that is embedded in the LightWave (and 3dsmax) RPF files is that the Field of View (FOV) information does not translate correctly.  You need to make note of the FOV and write it down so you can make the changes in After Effects.

Step 5:  When you have that complete press F10 on your keyboard and let LightWave do its thing.

 

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