{"id":9203,"date":"2012-07-10T02:00:21","date_gmt":"2012-07-10T06:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=9203"},"modified":"2012-09-12T16:21:33","modified_gmt":"2012-09-12T20:21:33","slug":"connectfx-autodesk-smoke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/connectfx-autodesk-smoke\/","title":{"rendered":"Make the Connection with ConnectFX in Smoke 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn how to read and connect the effects nodes in ConnectFX, the node-based compositing\u00a0environment\u00a0in Autodesk Smoke 2013.<\/h2>\n

\"Smoke<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

ConnectFX is brand new to Smoke on the Mac.<\/strong> \u00a0Smoke 2013<\/strong> now has a retooled node-based compositor based on the workflow found in its big brother Flame. \u00a0For those that don’t know, node-based compositing is the process of connecting effects tools in a procedural workflow. \u00a0The workspace ends up looking like a flow graph of sorts where you can follow the path of video and effects from one tool to another and ultimately to the final result.<\/p>\n

Many other tools work with a node based system: Autodesk Flame, Nuke, and formally Shake.\u00a0DaVinci Resolve also uses \u00a0a node-based workflow for color grading. \u00a0In contrast Adobe After Effects uses a layer based compositing workflow where one layer is placed on top of another. There are advantages to both ways of working. \u00a0Smoke 2013 <\/strong>employs\u00a0both layer-based compositing on the timeline with video tracks, and node-based effects work within ConnectFX.<\/p>\n

\"ConnectFX<\/p>\n

What’s in a node?<\/h3>\n

Nodes are basically effects tools<\/strong>, like plugins, that you use to manipulate video in various ways. There are a large amount of tools that come with Smoke so the need for extra plugins is lessened. \u00a0Smoke 2013<\/strong> has multiple chroma-keyers, blurs, paint, stylize effects, damage effects, deform, color, and text nodes.<\/p>\n

Nodes have color-coded inputs and outputs on them, and depending on the type of effect it is, it may have some specialized inputs that are looking for specific types of video like Motion Vector or Z-Depth passes from a 3D application like Maya.<\/p>\n

\"ConnectFx<\/p>\n

Smoke 2013 Input\/Output Breakdown<\/h3>\n

Know what each color symbolizes and you’ll better understand node input and outputs in Smoke 2013<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

INPUTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n