Fusion Tools for Colorists – Shot Matching Composites In Fusion

Part 3: Advanced grading tips and techniques for compositing

Continuing our series, we explore getting assets to color match inside a composite using the tools in Fusion. We start by analyzing RGB values and determining white and black points on a parade scope – helping assist with blending elements. Then, intermediate techniques – such as the Probe modifier – are used to add dynamic lighting inside a scene.

This Insight uses a clip from Tears of Steel, an open-source science fiction film produced by the Blender Institute. The plates are high quality, and the production was filmed on a Sony F-65. Key techniques you will learn include:

• Making color adjustments
• Adding contact shadows
• Adding flickering effects
• Matching foreground and background in a composite

Key takeaways from this Insight

By the end of this Insight, you should understand how to:

• Analyze and match colors from various elements in your Fusion composition
• Customize the sample size of Fusion’s ‘Color Inspector’ using a quick tip
• Compare foreground and background composites using A/B buffers
• Use the parade scopes on the Fusion page
• Create a contact shadow to blend assets
• Use the Probe Modifier to analyze luminance changes (such as from a candle) to create lighting effects

External Links

• About Tears of Steel – Learn about the Tears of Steel short film this Insight uses.
• Tears of Steel – Uncompressed Assets (Creative Commons 3.0) – From raw footage to final mixes and deliverables. They’ve made it all available.

Related Mixing Light Insights

• Fusion Tools for Colorists – Building Color Page Grading Tools – This is a previous Insight in this series and contains the Additional Download of the LumaMix Fusion macro used.

Questions or Comments? Leave a comment!

Is this Insight useful to you? Let us know! Mixing Light is all about community discussions, and we’re curious if you found this helpful, if you have something to add, or if you have more questions you need answered.

– Bernd