The BCC+ Depth Map ML filter automatically generates a greyscale depth map from the filtered source, which can be used for compositing elements into a scene.
Typical use of the effect may include sky replacement, compositing elements such as fog, smoke or text behind other still or moving objects in a scene, selective color correction, grading or blurring isolated objects in the filtered source. The result returned by the filter is a greyscale depth map image where white pixels are closest to the camera and black pixels are farthest away from the camera.
The filter includes a variety of different methods to post process the derived depth map so that it can be tuned to work best with the filtered source. The Refine Depth group includes controls for independent tuning of the highlight, midtown and shadow regions. The Matte Tools group includes controls for fine tuning the Depth Map for use as a traveling matte and offers threshold, levels, range, and slice controls along with softness, choke/spread and blur. This group also includes an Invert Matte checkbox option.
Quickstart Guide for Using the Filter
- Apply the BCC Depth Map ML filter to an image source.
- You should now see a greyscale depth map result from the filter.
- Use the Refine and Matte control groups to fine tune the depth map and generated matte result.
- Set the Output Mode in the filter to Alpha Channel.
- You should now see that the image has alpha and is ready for compositing.
Presets and the FX Editor
The FX Editor provides a convenient way to store and retrieve factory installed and/or user generated filter presets. To select a preset, open the FX Editor interface and pick one from the Presets panel. Click the apply button in the FX Editor to return to the host user interface.
To save a custom preset, click the “Create Custom Preset” icon in the top right corner of the parameter list, next to the filter name, set a name for the new custom preset in the dialog that appears and click done.
Mocha Mask and Track, and the Pixel Chooser
Mocha Mask and Track provides a way for the user to select and track which pixels in the filtered source are actually going to be affected by the filter, via the generation of image based mattes, gradient mattes and vector shape masks. Mocha planar tracking and vector shape masking options are included in the Pixel Chooser, which allows for the generation of motion-tracked mask shapes as a hold-back mask.
For more information on the Mocha Masking and Tracking, Click Here.
Compare Mode
The BCC Compare Mode provides a convenient mechanism to compare the effect result with the original source layer. It provides several variations on basic split-screen views with the filtered clip placed next to the unedited original.
For more information on the Compare Mode, Click Here.
Filter Parameters
View: Used to determine the view output from the filter.
- Depth Map: displays a greyscale depth map derived from the filtered source.
- Source: displays the unfiltered source for the depth map.
Model: Used to select the desired depth map model.
- Better: a slower but more precise depth map model
- Faster: a faster but less precise depth map model
Output Mode: Used to set the output for the filter.
- B-W Matte: Outputs a greyscale depth matte.
- Heat Map: Outputs a colorized version of the depth map.
- Alpha Channel: Generates an alpha matte from the filtered source.
- Multiply Alpha: Multiplies the matte with the existing alpha channel.
- Screen Alpha: Screens the matte over the existing alpha channel.
- Stencil Alpha: Generates a stencil matte for the filtered source.
Mapping Mode:
- Scaled: Provides the user with a single Scale control for tuning the returned depth map result. Low values in the corresponding Scale parameter will generate more transparency, while high values in the Scale parameter will introduce more opacity to the result.
- Min/Max: Automatically rescales the depth map to span the full range from black to white
- Guided: Generates a depth map based on user defined start and end points in the image. A pair of position points, Guide Near and Guide Far, are placed over regions that are nearest to and farthest from the camera, which provides a start and end point for the depth map generation.
Scale: Available when Scaled mode is selected and used to tune the white scale of the depth map result. Low values in this parameter will introduce more transparency, high values introduce more opacity.
Guide Far: Available when Guided mode is selected and used to set the far point for the depth map
Guide Near: Available when Guided mode is selected and used to set the near point for the depth map
Brightness: Used to increase or decrease the brightness in the generated depth map
Contrast: Used to increase or decrease the contrast in the generated depth map
Gamma: Used to increase or decrease the gamma in the generated depth map
Level Far: Used to tune the Far (furthest from the camera) region of the generated depth map
Level Near: Used to tune the Near (closest to the camera) region of the generated depth map
Invert: Used to invert the depth map
Refine Depth Group
This group includes a set of brightness/contrast/gamma controls to separately refine the near/mid/far regions with user definable range and position settings for each region.
Enable: Enables/Disables the Refine Depth Group parameters.
Far Sub Group: Used to tune the far regions in the depth map (furthest from the camera)
- Position: Used to set the mid-point in the Far range
- Range: Used to define the size of Far range
- Brightness: Used to control the brightness in the maps Far region
- Contrast: Used to control the contrast in the maps Far region
- Gamma: Used to control the brightness in the maps Far region
Mid Sub Group: Used to tune the mid regions in the depth map
- Position: Used to set the mid-point in the Midtone range
- Range: Used to define the size of Midtone range
- Brightness: Used to control the brightness in the maps Midtone region
- Contrast: Used to control the contrast in the maps Midtone region
- Gamma: Used to control the brightness in the maps Midtone region
Near Sub Group: Used to tune the near regions in the depth map (closest to the camera)
- Position: Used to set the midpoint in the Near range
- Range: Used to define the size of Near range
- Brightness: Used to control the brightness in the maps Near region
- Contrast: Used to control the contrast in the maps Near region
- Gamma: Used to control the brightness in the maps Near region
Matte Tools Group: This group includes a set of parameters to fine tune the matte that is generated from the Depth Map result.
Enable: Used to enable / disable the refine matte controls
Matte Type: Select one option from the list to fine tune the matte
- Levels: Uses depth map levels directly as set by earlier phases
- Threshold: Exposes Threshold and Softness control sliders for selecting all levels above or below a particular threshold
- Range: Exposes Range From and Range To matte control sliders for selecting an arbitrary range of levels
- Slice: Exposes Slice Center, Slice Width and Softness matte control sliders for isolating a range of pixels around a particular level
Threshold: Used to set the center point for pixels that are either black or white
Range From: Used to set the starting range (brights) of pixels to be included in the matte
Range To: Used to set the end range (darks) of pixels to be included in the matte
Slice Center: Used to isolate a range of pixels around a particular level to be included in the matte
Slice Width: Used to define the width (in terms of levels) of the Slice range
Softness: Used to soften the transition of the threshold, range, and slice boundary regions
Choke: Used to choke or spread the matte
Blur: Used to blur the matte
Invert Matte: Used to invert the depth map
Mix with Original: Blends the smoothed result back with the unfiltered source clip.
GPU Rendering: This popup allows toggles renderer in use for the filter.
- Default: By default the filter will utilize the installed video card and bases the render on the project settings.
- 16 Bit Float: Sets the render to 16 bit float
- 32 Bit Float: Sets the render to 32 bit float
- Disabled: Disables GPU rendering and switches to software rendering.