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Example of Using Channel Effects

The following example illustrates a way of using channel effects to arrive at specific results.

You learn how to create an effect where an image is split into three separate RGB color channels, moved out of phase (which makes a blurred three-color composite), and recombined into a normal image.

Step 1: Start a New Workspace and Import Footage

  1. Start combustion, then choose File | New.
  2. Select Composite from the Type list and enter Channel_effect in the Name field.
  3. Enter the following document settings:
  4. Click OK.

    5. A new composite branch is created.

  5. Choose File | Import Footage.

    6. The Import Footage browser appears.

  6. Load a clip or sequence that is at least 30 frames long.

    7. The footage appears in the active viewport.

  7. Name the layer RedChannel. You can change a layer's name by selecting the layer in the Workspace panel, clicking the layer once, entering a new name in the field that appears, then pressing the Enter key.

  8. On the Toolbar, click the Scale tool .
  9. Click the layer in the active viewport to select it, then hold down Shift and drag the layer so that it is scaled to about 75% of the viewport.

Step 2: Create the Red Channel

Use an RGB Arithmetic channel effect to extract both the green and blue channels from the image leaving only the red channel.

  1. Select the layer.
  2. Choose Operators | Channels | RGB Arithmetic.

    3. The RGB Arithmetic Controls panel appears.

  3. In the Green Operator list, select Set. In the Blue Operator list, select Set.

    4. Note: All Operands should be at 0%.

    Because only the red channel remains in the image, your image should now be comprised of black and varying shades of red in the thumbnail preview.

Step 3: Make the Green and Blue Channels

Make copies of the RedChannel layer, then modify the effect parameters to create separate GreenChannel and BlueChannel layers.

  1. Copy and paste the RedChannel layer two times.
  2. Rename one layer GreenChannel and the other BlueChannel.

  3. In the Workspace panel, expand the GreenChannel layer, and select the RGB Arithmetic operator.

    4. The RGB Arithmetic Controls panel appears.

  4. From the Red Operator list, select Set. From the Green Operator list, select None.

    5. Note: All Operands should be at 0%.

    Because only the green channel remains in the image, you should see black and varying shades of green in the thumbnail preview.

  5. In the Workspace panel, expand the BlueChannel layer, and select the RGB Arithmetic operator.

    6. The RGB Arithmetic Controls panel appears.

  6. From the Red Operator list, select Set. From the Green Operator list, select Set. From the Blue Operator list, select None.

    7. Note: All Operands should be at 0%.

    Because only the blue channel remains in the image, you should see black and varying shades of blue in the thumbnail preview.

Step 4: Use Transfer Modes to Combine the Layers

Use the additive transfer mode to combine the "separated" color channels.

  1. In the Workspace panel, select the BlueChannel layer.
  2. In the Composite Controls panel, click Surface.
  3. In the Transfer Mode list, select Add.

  4. Set the Transfer Mode to Add for the RedChannel and GreenChannel layers, then double-click the composite to see the layers in the active viewport.

    5. Because you are seeing an additive mix between the red, green, and blue channels, the image appears normal.

Step 5: Animate the Layers

Animate the position of each layer so that you see the color channels of the image move out of phase then return to a normal-looking image.

  1. Enable the Animate button (A).
  2. Move ahead 15 frames into the composite.
  3. On the Toolbar, click the Arrow tool.

  4. One by one, move each layer slightly away from the center in opposite directions.

    5. You can partially see each channel now.

    In the middle of the viewport, where the layers overlap, you see an out-of-phase composite of the color channels.

  5. Press the End key to move to the last frame of the composite.
  6. Select a layer and double-click the Arrow tool.

    7. The Position dialog appears.

  7. Click Reset to center the layer.
  8. Center the other layers.

    9. The image returns to a normal composite image.

  9. Press Home to move back to the first frame of the composite and then play the clip (Spacebar).
  10. Try experimenting with the interpolation between the keyframes to arrive at a more interesting effect. For information on keyframing and interpolation, see Keyframing.
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