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Node-based VS Layer-basedCompositing Software

While modeling, rigging, texturing, and animating cover a huge portion in an

animation production process, compositing is also a huge aspect that should not be

neglected. Composition combines all visual elements from separate sources into one

single container and it creates an illusion as if every element is part of the same

scene. From composing a series of distant mountains to a single lamppost in a busy

street, composition converges each visual element into a complex scene. Though

compositing may seem trivial, no matter how great and beautiful the models are

modeled or how smooth the animation is, an amateur composition will result in an

unprofessional and unconvincing piece.

Composition is one interesting skill. It takes a good deal of understanding in various

different functions of color adjustments, visual details and organizing elements.Composition programs such as AfterEffects, Shake, Fusion, and Nuke offer such

functions to manipulate the final output of an animation. In the listed programs,

there are two styles of composition workflow. They are Node-based and Layered-

based. Out of the list, Shake, Fusion and Nuke are Node-based and AfterEffects is the

only Layered-based composition program. In fact, AfterEffects is the only layer-

based compositing program.

In a node-based composition, elements within a composition are displayed through

a tree graph, along with each element and its respective effects are laid out in links

from the source input to the final output. Each single effect and source is displayed

as nodes and the linkage between them represents the relation between the twoelements. Node-based compositing is non-destructive to the original source and the

parameters to manipulate the source are clearly laid out in a tree diagram.

Figure 1 Node-based compositing (Nuke)

Layer-based compositing, on the other hand, handles elements in a stacked layer

style. Top leveled elements are displayed on top of the ones that are stacked

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beneath it. Effects are also controlled by either applying directly onto the layer or by

adjustment layers. Layer-based offers a better visual way in compositing different

visual element. Users can easily appreciate the visual UI when manipulating the

scene.

Figure 2 - Layer-based compositing (AfterEffects)

There is one major difference between node-based compositing and layer-based

compositing and this difference requires a steep curve for users to adapt to both

workflow environments. The difference is time and keyframing. In layer-based

compositing, namely in AfterEffects, users can effortlessly relate their visual

element against the timeline and keyframing points along time. Whereas in node-

based programs, each source is ruled by the parameters that are linked to them,

therefore the workflow does not stem from time entirely.

Another notable

difference in workflow

would be hierarchy

visibility. Layer-based

compositing make use

of nested

compositions to

maintain a

hierarchical structure

with each nested

composition governedby its own adjustment

layers or applied

effects. In doing so, a

very complicated

composition hierarchy

will result from a

moderately highFigure 4 Properties Option in NukeFigure 3 Properties options in AE

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number of layers. This would not be a desirable workflow when multiple instances

of the same effects are used somewhere else in other compositions.

Node-based compositing handles complicated composition in a much more

understandable manner. Nodes of effects can be applied to multiple source

instances at the same time by linking the two together. This allows a much cleaner

and organized way in compositing a scene.

Both methods have flaws and advantages in workflow, depending on the artists

preference. And both workflows are capable of producing the same result. The

effectiveness of using either one over another depends on the complexity of the

composition. When the composition is complex and have many different elements,

use node-based compositing would allow a more organized overview of the project.

Whereas if the composition is relatively less complicated, the estate of a timeline is

far more easier to visualize.

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References

Gartner, K. (2009, December). Node based compositing for After Effect Users.

Retrieved fromhttp://vfxhaiku.com/2009/12/node-based-compositing-for-

after-effects-users/

Maschwitz. S. (2007, Janurary). More Nodes vs. Layers. Retrieved from

http://prolost.com/blog/2007/1/17/more-nodes-vs-layers.html

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