Innovative workflow to propel post-production technologies beyond the state of the art
The EU-funded 3FLEX (Depth enabled workflow for flexible 2D and multiview video production) project set out to introduce a workflow and tools to manage and benefit from video+depth information in 2D and 3D post-production. The use of depth information within post-production workflows promises efficiency improvements, cost savings, increased flexibility and creative possibilities. Project partners defined and developed an advanced workflow for flexible 2D and 3D production that extends existing post-production platforms. This was achieved with a set of plugins based on innovative computer vision methods. The workflow covers the entire post-production chain, from extraction of depth information to its use for visual effects to rendering of different 2D and 3D output formats. The workflow and required tools can be used for a broad range of 2D and 3D productions, including fiction, documentaries and commercials. The workflow supports various camera set-ups such as stereoscopic and trifocal cameras, and image+depth sensors. Existing post-production tasks are improved and extended, including depth- and object-based visual effects or depth-based colour grading and finishing. Various 2D and 3D formats can be rendered without considerable effort. 3FLEX impacts the post-production industry and market with technologies that make the most of video+depth information for live action scenes. It improves the efficiency and flexibility of common post-production tasks, and expands the creative possibilities. The workflow and tools overcome some of the major issues in current 3D post-production workflows such as native 3D and 2D/3D conversion. They also enhance visual effects for 2D productions as a result of the efficient extraction and use of depth maps. The 3FLEX project successfully tackled the major issues in current 2D and 3D production processes. Its collection of plug-ins should ultimately boost the competitiveness of the post-production industry.
Keywords
Post-production technologies, depth-enabled workflow, 3FLEX, video production, 2D production
