Color Temperatures of Light
The color temperature of light is the temperature to which you would have to heat an object (a black body) to produce light of similar spectral characteristics. Low color temperatures produce warmer (yellow/red) light, whereas higher temperatures produce colder (bluer) light.
The color of light is measured in Kelvins. LightWave has a handy Kelvin scale on its color picker, which makes it easy to plug in these values when you want an accurate starting point. For example, if you want to light your gunfight scene from High Noon, you would select a starting temperature of 6000 to 6500 degrees Kelvin (noontime) for your skylight and adjust from there. Table A.4 presents various temperatures and the type of light they represent.
Table A.4 Kelvin Temperatures for Various Light Sources
|
Temperature |
Light Source |
|
1400-1930 |
Candlelight |
|
2000-2500 |
Sunrise |
|
2680 |
40W incandescent lamp |
|
2800-2850 |
100W household (tungsten) bulb |
|
2950 |
500W tungsten lamp |
|
2960-3200 |
Tungsten studio lamp |
|
3000 |
Fluorescent light (warm white) 200W incandescent lamp 1000W tungsten lamp |
|
3200 |
Halogen bulb, Nitraphot B |
|
3400 |
Photoflood (floodlamp) Halogen bulb, Nitraphot A |
|
3800-4000 |
Clear flashbulb |
|
4000 |
Moonlight |
|
4400 |
Sun two hours after rising |
|
5000 |
Fluorescent light |
|
5000-6000 |
Daylight sun at midday to noon |
|
5500 |
Daylight (for photography) Electronic flash tube |
|
5500-6000 |
Blue flashbulb |
|
6000-7000 |
Electronic flash |
|
6500 |
Daylight (sun and sky averaged) |
|
7000 |
Overcast sky |
|
8000 |
Cloudy sky, light shade |
|
9000 |
Hazy sky, light shade |
|
11000 |
Sky light without direct sun |
|
13000 |
Blue sky, thin white clouds |
|
16000 |
Average blue sky, medium shade |
|
18000-19000 |
Clear blue sky, deep shade |
Film Output Resolutions
Table A.5 represents the most common resolutions you are likely to run into when working with film. These numbers are not absolute, however. There are many factors that could change the final output resolution. The second rows under some of the formats represent alternate resolutions asked for by some postproduction facilities. Some facilities may also ask for rendered output resolutions not on this chart. It all depends on the particular needs of the project.
Table A.5 Common Film Resolutions
|
Film Resolutions |
Image Aspect |
Pixel Aspect |
<1K |
1K |
1.5K |
2K |
4K |
|
35mm Full Aperture |
1.33 |
1.00 |
768 x 576 1024×778 |
1024×768 1556×1182 |
1536×1152 2048×1556 |
2048 x 1536 4096×3112 |
4096 x 3072 |
|
35mm Academy |
1.37 |
1.00 |
1024 x 747 |
1556×1134 1536×1119 |
2048 x 1494 1828×1332 |
4096 x 2987 3656 x 2664 |
914 x 666 |
|
35mm Academy Projection |
1.66 |
1.00 |
512×307 914×551 |
1024×614 |
1536×921 1556×938 |
2048 x 1229 1828×1102 |
4096×2458 3656×2202 |
|
35mm 1.75:1 |
1.75 |
1.00 |
560×320 |
1120×640 |
1575×900 |
2048×1170 |
4096×2340 |
|
35mm 1.85:1 |
1.85 |
1.00 |
512×277 |
1024×554 914 x 494 |
1536×830 1556×841 |
2048×1107 1828×988 |
4096 x 2214 3656 x 1976 |
|
35mm 2.35:1 |
2.35 |
1.00 |
512×218 |
1024 x 436 |
1536×654 |
2048 x 871 |
4096 x 1743 |
|
35mm Anamorphic 2.35:1 |
2.35 |
2.00 |
512 x 436 |
1024×871 |
1536×1307 |
2048×1743 |
4096 x 3486 |
|
70mm Panavision |
2.20 |
1.00 |
880 x 400 |
1024×465 |
1536×698 |
2048 x 931 |
4096 x 1862 |
|
Panavision |
2.35 |
1.00 |
1536×653 |
2048 x 871 1828×777 |
4096 x 1742 3656 x 1555 |
||
|
70mm IMAX |
1.36 |
1.00 |
512×375 |
1024×751 |
1536×1126 |
2048×1501 |
4096 x 3003 |
|
VistaVision |
1.50 |
1.00 |
512×341 |
1024×683 |
1536×1024 |
2048×1365 1828×1219 |
4096 x 2731 3072 x 2048 |
|
CinemaScope |
1.17 |
1.00 |
1024×872 |
1536×1307 |
2048×1743 1828×1556 |
4096 x 3487 3656 x 3112 |
|
|
CinemaScope |
2.35 |
1.00 |
1536×653 |
2048 x 871 1828×777 |
4096 x 1742 3656 x 1555 |
||
|
35mm (24mmx36mm) slide |
1.50 |
1.00 |
512×341 |
1024×683 |
1536×1024 |
2048×1365 |
4096 x 2731 |
|
6cmx6cm slide |
1.00 |
1.00 |
512×512 |
1024×1024 |
1536×1536 |
2048 x 2048 |
4096×4096 |
|
4" x 5" or 8" x 10" slide |
1.33 |
1.00 |
768 x 576 |
1024×768 |
1536×1152 |
2048 x 1536 |
4096 x 3072 |
Video Output Resolutions
Table A.6 represents the most common video and computer resolutions for working with video. Although NTSC and PAL are interlaced formats, it is a common practice today to render final output as frames rather than fields. It should also be noted that HDTV formats are still far from being standardized across various industries. Always find out from your clients which format they are using.
Table A.6 Common Video and Computer Resolutions
|
Video Resolutions |
Image Aspect |
Pixel Aspect |
Resolution |
Frames/Sec. |
|
D1 NTSC |
1.33 |
0.90 |
720X486 |
30i |
|
D1 NTSC Widescreen |
1.78 (16:9) |
1.20 |
720X486 |
30i |
|
D2 NTSC |
1.35 |
0.86 |
752X480 |
30i |
|
D2 NTSC Widescreen |
1.87 |
1.15 |
752X480 |
30i |
|
D1 PAL |
1.33 |
1.07 |
720X576 |
25i |
|
D1 PAL Widescreen |
1.78 (16:9) |
1.42 |
720X576 |
25i |
|
D2 PAL |
1.33 |
1.02 |
752X576 |
25i |
|
HDTV |
16:9 |
1.00 |
1920X1080 |
60i,30p,24p |
|
16:9 |
1.00 |
1280X720 |
60p,30p,24p |
|
|
16:9 (4:3) |
1.00 |
704X480 |
60p,60i,30p,24p |
|
|
4:3 |
1.00 |
640X480 |
60p,60i,30p,24p |
|
|
VGA |
1.33 |
1.00 |
640X480 |
|
|
SVGA |
1.33 |
1.00 |
800X600 |
|
|
XGA |
1.33 |
1.00 |
1024X768 |
|
|
SXGA* |
1.25 |
1.00 |
1280X1024 |
|
|
SXGA |
1.33 |
1.00 |
1280X960 |
|
|
UXGA |
1.33 |
1.00 |
1600X1200 |
*Note: 1280 X1024 should be avoided, as it is not the correct aspect ratio for video or computer monitors.
More References You Can Use
The tables listed in this topic are tremendous assets when creating the various surfaces and resolutions available to you in LightWave.
Now, we wanted to be the be-all end-all to LightWave learning, but that’s not fair. Not fair to you, that is! There are so many resources out there, it’ll make your head spin. Because of that, we’ve included a comprehensive list of other LightWave learning resources, as well as topics and videos related to the art of 3D modeling and animation.
Reading References
Some might say that topics are becoming a thing of the past, because of the Internet and various learning videos on the market. Not so! In fact, topic production is greater than it ever has been! So here are some great topics that you can use to help learn the art of 3D.
These are just a few topics of interest, and there are more emerging every day. Browse online, read reviews, and check around to see who’s used a topic you’re interested in. Get feedback and see if it’s right for you. Often, one simple tip or idea is worth the price of a topic alone, especially during a project!Often getting your hands on a topic before you buy it gives you the opportunity to review it and see if the info you need is in there.
Audiovisual References
Like most people, you enjoy a good, thick LightWave topic. You can read it on the train, in bed, even while in the bathroom! But sometimes, you want to see something being done. You want to hear the click of the mouse. If that’s the case, there are plenty of visual reference materials out there to help you learn LightWave, as well as many other applications. Below is a list of great learning resources:
•It is a very high-quality, high-impact learning course, with completely different projects than what’s shown in this topic. If you’re a student or teacher looking to learn LightWave from the ground up, the Signature Courseware is for you. Visit the site for free downloads and examples.
• Class On Demand (www.classondemand.net). Class On Demand sells not only LightWave training videos and DVDs, but also Video Toaster, Speed Razor, and many others. If you’re not looking for a course but rather an inexpensive spot tutorial, you’ve come to the right place. Visit the site to check out the full list of topics, and check with your local reseller for pricing.
• Desktop Images (www.desktopimages.com). Desktop Images has been around for years, teaching cool LightWave techniques to students around the globe. Visit the site for updates and information on products.
• Motion Blur Artwork (www.mba-studios.de). MBA sells LightWave training DVDs of excellent quality through Carnera 3D Seminars. Clear and concise, the tutorials are very complete.
• Kurv Studios (www.kurvstudios.com). Kurv sells LightWave training DVDs with specific topics of interest.
Web Resources
Often the best place for information is right on your computer! The Internet is a terrific place where you’ll find not only information on the latest version of LightWave but tutorials as well. While many tutorials need a little figuring out on your part, there are a ton of freebies that can help you pick up a quick tip or technique. Here is a list of just a few LightWave-related Web sites you can check out:
• NewTek, Inc. (www.newtek.com). The home of the makers of LightWave, this is a great place to begin learning with many online tutorials, free of charge.
• LightWave Tutorials on the Web (http://members.shaw.ca/lightwavetutorials/ Main_Menu.htm). Plenty of resources can be found here.
• Flay (www.flay.com). Hands down, this is the single best online reference for LightWave, be it tutorials, plug-ins, and more.
• 3D Links (www.3dlinks.com/tutorials_lightwave.cfm). This is another user-based site that is a great resource.
• LightWave Oz (www.lightwaveoz.org). Our friends from down under set up this killer LightWave resource page.
• 3D Palace (www.3d-palace.com). This site includes information for LightWave and other applications.
• 3D Buzz (www.3dbuzz.com) A leader in free 3D training, 3D Buzz offers LightWave tutorials, links, and references.
• MD Arts (www.md-arts.com). This is simply a great LightWave tutorial page.
• Creative Cow (www.creativecow.net). The Cow has forums set up where you can discuss LightWave and many other related applications. Find links to more information there.
• LightWave Group (www.lwg3d.org). The LightWave Group is a cool site for forums, links, and tutorials.
• Simply LightWave (www.simplylightwave.com). What more can you say? Simply LightWave! Check it out for some great tutorials.
These are just a few sites, but a search on Google.com, Lycos.com, or Yahoo.com yields a plethora of wonderful resources. Some may or may not be helpful in your situation or project, but it doesn’t hurt to check them out. You never know what you can pick up!
Be sure to also cruise the forums, which are great places to view, discuss, and critique 3D work. Try these:
• NewTek Forums (www.newtek.com)
• CG Talk (http://forums.cgsociety.org)
• 3D World (www.3dworldmag.com)
• LightWave Group (www.lwg3d.com)
• SpinQuad Forums (www.spinquad.com)
And there is much more out there. Search, and you shall find. Happy learning!
