Make sure you have all of the following before starting a RotoKey Task.
ACES set up in your Program
RotoKey is
FIX ROTOKEY MAIN VS PRIMARY
RotoKey Primary will use latest version publish of each TIFF image sequence from the smAnim\export\publish\media folder.
Each publish might be separated into multiple image sequence layers, where characters are filmed separately. Have all image sequences live in the same working project file as seperate compositions or your softwares equivalent.
Save your working project files in your shot folder at rotoKeyPrimary\work\#artistName\#software\saveFiles.
Make sure to put your own name and software in place of the # template folders (duplicate the # folders and rename the duplicates)
Follow the template for naming your project file, most will be named as such BFP###_SQ##_SH##_rotoKeyPrimary_project-main_v001.file
We are looking for the following when your do your rotoKeyPrimary task.
All shadows removed (unless floor is part of the set )
All animation rigs removed
Color Spill corrected
Alpha Edges Refined (Matte Choker or similar)
Color depth kept intact (using HDR Compander or equivalent)
Correct Color Space Used for Work and Export
Matching Frame Rate of smAnim
Confirm you are using ACEScg - Learn More About ACEScg Here
Import the latest published version of the smAnim TIF sequence layer into your chosen Software
Set the Image Sequence and Composition to match the smAnim Frame Rate
Set the Resolution to match the imported footage's Native Resolution
Denoising and Fix Compression Artifacts in the footage if needed (usually not needed)
Reimport denoise variant, for faster program processing
Key and Rotoscope the footage as needed
rotoKey usually follows this Order
Garbage Mask Roto
Linear Color Key (for main Key) and Keylight (for
Spill Suppress
Render out the TIF / TIFF sequence with the following settings
Native resolution
LZW Compression
RGB + Alpha
Premultiplied (Matted)
Native Bit Depth (After Effects) / Codes (Davinci Resolve)
Starting Frame Number at 1
Follow the Naming Conventions for shot work, it should look like the following, with task code rotoKey and the same layerName, and varient as the original image sequence.
MNR00_sequence_scene-shot_rotoKey_layer01-varient_v002.0001.tif
Save the Rendered Image Sequence as an updated version folder (inside the publish folder for the rotoKey task of the sane scene-shot)
layerName01-varient_v001 (folder name)
BFP\03_prod\MNR00\sequenceName\000-000\rotoKey\publish\layerName01-varient_v002\BFP00_sequence_scene-shot_rotoKey_layer01-varient_v002.0001.tif
Render!
Save your working file to a folder with your name (inside the working folder for the rotoKey task)
yourName (folder name)
BFP\03_prod\MNR00\sequenceName\000-000\rotoKey\working\yourName\BFP00_sequence_scene-shot_rotoKey_layer01-varient_v002.0001.aep
If the native resolution of the rotoKey file you wrote out was larger then 1920x1080, you will need to create an additional lowRes variant.
In your same Step 1 - Main RotoKey file, create a new export.
Render out a TIF / TIFF sequence with the following settings
1920x1080
LZW Compression
RGB + Alpha
Premultiplied (Matted)
Native Bit Depth (After Effects) / Codes (Davinci Resolve)
Starting Frame Number at 1
Follow the Naming Conventions as the previous Step - 1, but append the additional variant lowRes.
MNR00_sequence_scene-shot_rotoKey_layer01-varient-lowRes_v002.0001.tif
Save the Rendered Image Sequence as an updated version folder (inside the publish folder for the rotoKey task of the sane scene-shot)
layerName01-varient-lowRes_v001 (folder name)
BFP\03_prod\BFP00\sequenceName\000-000\rotoKey\publish\layerName01-varient-lowRes_v002\BFP00_sequence_scene-shot_rotoKey_layer01-varient-lowRes_v002.0001.tif
Render!
Version up ( save under a higher vertion number ) you working file as in Step - 1
NOTE that the color will look a bot diffrent from the srgb it will be a bit more flat its intentional because we want it to be semi flat for cg uses, add comparison images of good vs bad views
Save to export > publish > media with file anme correct
use checker size 64
0.6 and 0.4
export at 1/2 res for previews with checkerboards
For EXR