How do you keep your rotoscoping skills updated and learn new techniques?

The 2 best way to learn ROTOSCOPING is: 1)Watch UK music videos: Almost every UK music video uses rotoscoping creatively and it's great for taking inspiration for your own work 2) Tutorials are not ENOUGH: Watching tutorials is not enough because you get to know HOW to use it but not WHERE to use it

On a project, I used Silhouette for precise rotoscoping of characters. Then, in Adobe After Effects, I improved mask details and layer synchronization.

As there are thousands of way of performing Roto, and each type os scene can demand one technique or another, is important that the compositing artist keeps in mind that there's always a way to do one thing better than you've just done. Even if you did it brilliantly. And we have so many skilled artists round the world - as well as the technology to learn from them on-demand, including several free sources. If you have the patience to learn and the inquietude to keep improving your skills, you will surely develop faster as a professional.

Rotoscoping is a meticulous task that requires patience and precision. Engaging with tutorials allows practitioners to stay current with evolving techniques and software updates. It's essential to choose tutorials that not only teach the basics but also delve into advanced methods and problem-solving strategies. This can significantly reduce the time spent on trial and error. Moreover, learning from professionals can provide insights into industry standards and expectations, which is invaluable for those looking to work in professional post-production environments.

In my experience, you become better at Rotoscoping by simply facing different shot instances and situations. Every shot is different, it has different types of camera movement, lightning, objects walking in front of and behind your desired subject etc, etc. Just take your time and really do it frame by frame. It is tedious work but the more time you spend on it, the better result you're going to get. Master the in-built After Effects Roto tool and don't forget to use the Refine Edge tool after. Once you become comfortable using these tools, you can up your skills by playing around in Mocha - the free version is good enough to get you started. It'll give you more control and better results.

Not all roto are done the same way, and one the main reasons for that is that the footage are never the same. Increase difficulty by practicing with shady, motion-blurred, imperfect footage. But also practice with brutal quality clips, very well lit - Keep in mind roto is never the end itself, always a tool to achieve something - separate depths, placing elements, changing colors - So in your tests, never end the benchmark in the roto itself. Be sure to check how it will work when you give a use to it.

Rotoscoping is a meticulous task that requires a keen eye for detail. Practicing with a variety of footage is essential because it exposes you to real-world challenges, such as dealing with motion blur or low-resolution clips. It's crucial to also focus on the subtleties of human motion and natural phenomena, as these are often the hardest to replicate accurately. By diversifying your practice material, you build a versatile skill set that prepares you for any project that comes your way.

Tutorials and practice all the way. I think trying different types of masking is always a good idea. Also worth trying out Mocha AE. Mocha AE does feel a bit more involved, but the results tend to be more precise.

Level Up Your Rotoscope Skills Want to become a rotoscoping pro? Practice is key! I've found that working with diverse footage—fast/slow motion, high/low contrast, simple/complex scenes—is crucial. It pushes your boundaries, reveals strengths and weaknesses, and helps you adapt to any project. Try it! #rotoscoping #vfx #animation #practice #skills

Some great resources are available for a compositing artist willing to improve its rotoscopy skills. I always begin my search for resources on that subject inputing on google something related to an specific issue i've just faced, i.e: I had a hard time rotoing out some feathered hair on a bright background. So I go to youtube and search something like "tips on hair rotoscopy" "hair key cleanup techniques" and try to combine with softwares I use, so "tips on hair roto fusion" "rotoscopy bright hair after effects" and so on. I like to set my starting point always in something I can closely relate too, and then discover from there.

Engaging with online communities is crucial for staying current in the fast-evolving field of rotoscoping. Platforms like Reddit and Discord often have industry professionals sharing insider tips, which can be invaluable for refining your skills. Moreover, receiving critiques on your work from peers can provide new perspectives and push you to master more advanced techniques. Always remember, the collective knowledge and support found in these communities can be just as important as formal training.

Online communities and group chats are definitely a great place for people to learn off of each other, get feedback, criticism and advice on what to improve in their shot. Reddit is also a great place to learn constantly!

Level Up Your Rotoscoping Skills: Practice & Community Want to become a rotoscoping master? Two key ingredients are practice and community. First, diversify your practice. Don't just stick to easy footage. Challenge yourself with varying speeds (fast/slow motion), lighting (high/low contrast), and object complexity (single/overlapping). This will expose your strengths and weaknesses, making you adaptable to any project. Second, tap into the power of community. Online forums (Reddit, Facebook, Discord) and groups are invaluable. Ask questions, share your work for feedback, learn from others' experiences, and stay updated on industry trends. Connecting with fellow artists is incredibly motivating and accelerates your learning.

Lots of times, you'll have to do hard work frame by frame, handmade. But even it happening LOTS of time, that doesn't mean you shouldn't invest your time in tools and plugins - if the contrast is high, luma tools will help you, if the background is a solid color, maybe some color keying - and surely always combining. Hardly ever you'll get a shot in which only one technique was utilized.

I would say that you should start using plugins only AFTER you're good enough using the in-built tools and resources within your software of choice. Plugins can often times do the dirty work for you BUT if you don't understand what the dirty work is in the first place - you'll never be able to progress. You need to understand the logic behind the tools and how they work before you can start using plugins to save yourself time.

Unlock Rotoscoping Potential: Tools & Experimentation Want to create truly impressive rotoscoping work? Mastering your tools is key! Experiment with different software and plugins. Explore motion tracking, keying, masking, blending, and color correction tools to streamline your workflow and achieve stunning results. Don't be afraid to try plugins that add special effects like fire, smoke, or particles. This exploration opens up new creative possibilities and saves you valuable time.

Follow the newest trends in places like Reddit, Youtube and other online platforms. Join some Discord groups where you can exchange experience with fellow creatives. But never stop learning and always keep yourself up-to-date with what's currently trendy and popular and different ways to execute the same job.

This is SO important. Being able to take criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow is a crucial skill that you need to possess in order to succeed further. Learn from your mistakes and embrace them. Don't take criticism personal, it never is. It only aims to make you better. The sooner you are able to understand that - the better. It'll make your life easier and you'll be able to improve much much faster.

After Effects and Premiere Pro have tools for this but the auto key frame feature doesn’t always yield the desired result. Some times, you have to mask frame by frame. I once had to ask a person out of a handheld shot. It was a real pain and I only succeeded by working frame by frame.