Alternative DOF Effect?

[mouj]

Howdy 3DZ !

well, it probably won't give the exact same effect, but i'm quite sure you could at least simulate or approximate the effect in Ps, maybe cloning the image a couple times and applying each clone a slight radial blur (set to zoom and "crappy" quality), maybe even using a smoohted out selection around the focus point, then comp that back together on layers, playing with fusion modes ?
tis just an idea, so it just might not work at all : )

mouj

[RockinAkin]

Well, I ran into the same problem when I was rendering out a 5000x5500 scene for a poster printing just last week.

The size of the image and the processing time (almost 22 hours) made the multi-pass and native DOF impossible to accomidate, so heres how I faked it:

I brought the render into Photoshop --> Then very carefully lasso selected the objects in the distance (which was pretty easy because of the huge image size) --> Applied a Gaussian blur filter to that background selection --> then used the Blur brush to blend the blurred background elements into the sharp foreground.

The result was pretty convincing, I dont think anyone would be able to tell the difference.

One other thing you could try is to render out a Z-Depth buffer pass from Max's rendering elements rollout, and try compositing the DOF in a program like After Effects, Combustion, or Shake. (but this method gave me nothing but problems, so I abandoned it in favor of the method above.)

Hope that helps you out,
-DivideByZero-

[Dave Black]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to reply, guys...sniff...sniff...really means alot to me...sniff...

One thing I failed to mention in my caffein induced state, was that this scene is an animation, so manually retouching is out of the question(though a goooooood way to go about it).

I'm wondering if I can setup the Z buffer as a mask in PS....hmmmm...

I'm with you, DividedByZero, it's always given me problems too...

Not to mention that I don't have a decent post processing soft here...(next on my list).

I'll just give up on the effect if I can't get a work-around figured out in an hour or so. It's not that big a deal, but would be nice.

Thanks again for your suggestions, guys, I'll give 'em a try!

-3DZ

:D

[RockinAkin]

Yep, if your working with an animation, then I think the only way to do it is with a Z-Depth Buffer sequence composited with the original image sequence.

Might be a pain in the ass, but it'll do what your after.

Other than that, nothing else really comes to mind.

Good Luck,
-DivideByZero-

[jeb]

the z buffer is your best choise like DivideByZero said.

its actually not that hard in after effects. you render you anim and the z depth channel video too. you combine them in after effects very simple

you insert your animation, then copy it. the animation that is on top will have a matte channel, so go to effects/channels/set matte. now the effect options appear, and you have to insert the z depth video in the composition too, keep it hidden cuz it not supossed to render. in the set matte options select the z depth video as matte and select luminosity option too.

now to the animation video that is in the back of the one with matte you will apply gaussin blur,(try to not make it too high.)

tada

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