[digital] Visual Effects and Compositing

Chapter Seven. VFX Techniques III: 3D VFX

Many VFX shots can be accomplished using only 2D and 2.5D techniques, but there are definitely those times when only a fully 3D solution will get the job done. At some point, almost every VFX artist I’ve trained has asked me, “How do I know when I need to do a 3D track instead of a 2D track?”, “When does a VFX shot have to actually be 3D and not some 2D or 2.5D cheat?”, and “Where is the line between the two?” After having to answer these questions and discussing all of the variables so many times over so many years, I’ve distilled the best answers down to one simple, easy-to-understand, concept:

Whenever ...