A long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far Far Away...

Hello folks, well…it’s finally here the one I have being meaning to get around to for ages now the lightsaber tutorial.  For this one I have not bothered to compose the step by step method using text and illustrations, instead I have just chosen the video tutorial method. I have done this for three reasons; one is that I know most people like to be shown hands on with a video tutorial; it is certainly my preferred way to learn. Second being the complexity of this particular tutorial, and last but not least it would drive me nuts writing it all down, lol

Health Issues First...

Rotoscoping lightsabers in Adobe After Effects, or any other Rotoscoping program is a very tedious and boring process, I recommend that you take a break every five minutes or so or turn off your pc for a couple of hours and get a breather. It is a very time consuming task and will drive you nuts once you see what’s involved, just imagine, here in the PAL region it is 25fps, so let’s say you have a 2 minute lightsaber battle that is a total of 3000 frames to draw...WOW... I would strongly recommend keeping your saber battle sequences to a minimum. I just use a lot of facial action shots of the actors doing battle, when all of the sound effects and music are added later you will not notice the short saber scenes as much…it works…trust me.

Saber Preparation...

It makes life a lot easier if you prepare your lightsaber first before the Rotoscoping process, it is not just a matter of standing in front of your camcorder and swinging a broom handle or toy saber around, there are couple if things that you need to do first in order for it to be more visible.

• It is possible to use a broom handle if you prefer but it needs to be a colour that can easily be seen. Go to a local hardware store and buy some fluorescent paint or tape any colour will do but I prefer green or yellow. Paint or apply the tape to the end of the broom that is going to be the lightsaber blade. For the handle wrap some cheap tape around it so it is comfortable to grip and your ready to go.

• If you choose to use a toy saber like I did it is also important to make it stand out before Rotoscoping. What I did was went to my local pound shop and bought a florescent safety tabard and cut it into strips, I then stuck them to the saber using some cheap masking tape and leaving a gap every few inches or so. The idea of using florescent tape is that it significantly helps you to see the saber as you Rotoscope. What ever option you choose, a broom handle or toy saber, just remember it does make life easier if you apply some paint or tape first.

Cut up a cheap safety tabard into various strips.	Stick the strips to the saber with cheap masking tape leaving spaces every few inches or so.
Once Rotoscoping is complete turn on your saber…be careful…these things are lethal.	You have the choice of many colours and brightness levels when Rotoscoping, green is one of my favourites.
Jedi gloves are optional… What were you thinking Walty? Lol

Ok, lets get rotoscoping...

Ok, I think that’s pity much it, I’m sure you are dying to give it go, just remember it will drive you nuts when you see how long it takes frame by frame rotoscoping, but it will be worth it in the end, just keep on saving your work regularly and take plenty of breaks, most of all though…have fun! click HERE to return to the downloads page.

Regards Wayne...