Rendering Fields or Frames For CG compositing?

[meatpuppet]

generally speaking, when i worked on ntsc plates i didn't render fields but i found that in a few cases it looked better if i did.

the best thing to do would be a couple of test renders at different settings. try interlacing and try whole frames, do a quick garbage comp and see what you like best.

good luck,

[lazzhar]

You'll always get different answers for this question.
Maybe you'll find answer in this thread:
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=166553&highlight=field+render

[Shayder]

Thanks for the tips, I did check out that thread, but just skimmed because it said MR and I usually don't use MR. I did, however, re-read it and it didn't seem to answer anything definitively, just like Iazzhar said.

I guess it really matters what type of shot it is, Fast moving or static, the compositing program you use, whatever turns your crank.

Man, I wish for once there was one simple way to do something in this realm. Sometimes I just want to be shown one way and that's it. :)

[meatpuppet]

lol... me too.

[lazzhar]

LOL
I've found another answer for you by I rendering guru.
http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=1955194#post1955194

[Emil3d]

You need to render fields (interlace) only if your final animation will end up on a video tape to be watched on VCRs and you have a video tape recorder connected and communicating to your computer through software not capable of interlacing.
This is very rare scenario and I wonder when was the last time when somebody used the interlacing feature of the Maya software renderer – I guess it is some remnant from the past.

For anything else – DVD or computer file that you will send or broadcast over the Internet or mail through digital media you don’t need to think about interlacing at all. Your burning software in combination with the DVD or computer DVD players and the video cards with the TV-out will take care of encoding and decoding the NTCS signal.

If you also want to record your reel on a video tape, this is usually done through a service bureau and they will take care of this or ask you to prepare the files for their standards.

Another reason for using fields is if you want to achieve TV look on your animation even when played on computers. This is usually best handle with post effects software filters that give all sorts of looks to your animation like those worn-out old movies in sepia colour and full of scratches.

[Shayder]

emil3d:

Thanks for the reply. I work for a production house as an animator and I usually render out my stuff in frames as when my stuff is broadcast it is usually a stand alone segment. This time we are going to try and incorporate CG elements into video and try and be as photoreal as possible.

This is a new area for me and my company and I am just looking for a way to integrate them as seamlessly as possible.

Izzahar: thanks for the other link I will check it out!

[Emil3d]

Well, I’m a freelancer and I usually take care of all this myself but if you are part of a chain production team you must know:

1. what kind of media is your source – computer files or a combination of both analog video (tapes), and computer files?

2. where the editing will occur - on computer, other devices or combination?

3. whom and how (in what media and format) the result of your work will be passed to?

It is hard to figure out what you need to do without knowing the environment you are working in.

[Shayder]

Emil3d:

Hey I used to freelance and I sort of miss it. I sort of do like you eveything but the shooting.

The footage was shot on Beta SP.

We use Advid Adrenalines on G5's

Adobe After Effects for compositing.

I will be responsible for the effects shots and then handing them off to an editor usually with a quicktime (sorensen3) compression.

[Emil3d]

You have to digitize the tape which will also de-interlace the video then mix the video with your animation without any interlacing involved during the editing and after you are done submit the Quick time file.
If they want Beta SP tape, Avid can nicely print to a tape recorder and apply the interlacing.

[lazzhar]

Emil3d:
I will be responsible for the effects shots and then handing them off to an editor usually with a quicktime (sorensen3) compression.

Do you have to use Sorenson? I find using PNG more appropriate if you dont want to loose details. I know Sorenson gives footages a soft look, but I prefer leaving that to the last stages.

[meatpuppet]

I will be responsible for the effects shots and then handing them off to an editor usually with a quicktime (sorensen3) compression.

i would STRONGLY recommend giving your editor a sequence of frames (tga) or at least a quicktime with ANIMATION compression. sorensen is a great compressor for web movies etc. but it WILL change the final look of your render while animation compression is lossless.

cheers,

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