Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
What makes this cool:
By saving the
internal buffers and then using a program
like CinePaint or After FX to combine them
after rendering
, you can have amazing con-
trol over how the final image looks. You can
adjust the darkness and tonality of base col-
ors, shadows, and highlights. You can blur
the Specular shading buffer, using Screen to
create soft “bloom-like” effects. (The list of
things you can do to control every aspect of
the final image without re-rendering is
nearly endless.) This is what the pros do.
Notes:
Working in this manner is highly
advanced, but it is something that you will
want to get into when you want your ren-
ders to start taking on even more of a
professional feel. The code-like information
in the Buffers fields refers to which individ-
ual buffer channels (shown under the Help
button) will be used to make up the R, G, B,
and alpha channels of the
output
image.
(The first entry in the Buffers field stands
for the red channel, then the green channel,
the blue channel, and finally the alpha
channel.)
Side Note:
If you're into random-dot
stereograms, you can use this plug-in to
save the depth buffer to the black-and-
white image an RDS-generating program
needs to work its “magic.” (You can find
RDS programs through TUCOWS.com,
explored in Appendix B.)
ASA ColorPicker
(Intel)
Full Version
What it is
: Layout => General Options |
Color Picker | ASA_ColorPicker changes
the tool you use to select colors in
LightWave's interface.
What makes this cool
: This opens up a
whole new level of precision and ease for
choosing your colors in LightWave. You can
compare your original color with the color
you are selecting in the upper part of its
window and use the “ratchet-ring” around
the color wheel to micro-adjust your color
selection.
Notes:
Using this plug-in makes select-
ing colors in other programs seem like a
drag.
Figure A-4: ASA ColorPicker.
