Overview - 3D Postproduction: Stereoscopic Workflows and Techniques - page 29

Workl ows provide a structure for understanding and managing 3D post.
Workl ows are collections of resources and processes intended to accomplish
technical, creative and/or administrative objectives. Ultimately, interactions
between workl ows generate your show. If the term “workl ow” itself is
too jargony for your taste, feel free to call it something else. Synonyms for
“workl ow” include: pipeline, methodology, process and system.
Regardless of the term you use or whether your workl ows are mental
models or written diagrams, your show consists of workl ows. If you do
not understand or cannot explain your show's workl ows in simple language,
you may i nd yourself falling short of an optimal 3D post experience, not
to mention falling short of resources. Workl ows are a useful lens through
which to understand and manage your project. But always remember that
the workl ow concept serves the show, not vice versa. The point is not to
create a great workl ow; it is to create a great show.
1.11 The Six Core 3D Post Workl ows
The six core 3D workl ows are Managing, Editorial, Geometry, D epth,
Color and Visual Effects (Figure 1.14) . Of these, four are already familiar
to 2D post practitioners: Managing, editorial, color and Visual Effects.
Though each of these four workl ows has key 3D-specii c aspects we
address in the upcoming workl ow chapters, they are very similar to their
2D counterparts.
3D introduces two all-new post workl ows: geometry and depth . Geometry
is primarily a technical, corrective workl ow, depth primarily a creative,
grading workl ow. The technical/creative distinction between the various 3D
post workl ows is more for illustration and understanding than a rel ection
of reality. As post teams working on independent, or modestly-budgeted
projects already know, distinctions between technical and creative work and
between what is grading and what is correction are often blurred.
1.11.1 Workl ow Objectives
One way to understand the six core 3D post workl ows is in terms of
objectives or goals:
• Managing
Objective: Delivering the show as envisioned by the creative team using
the resources available.