AMAZING Day-To-Night FX with RELIGHT in Resolve Studio 18.5 - Compositing & Color Grading Tutorial

Resolve Studio version 18.5 is out with a fantastic new feature called Relight. This feature is only available in the paid studio version of Resolve, but it's definitely worth it. With Relight, you can magically determine the placement and orientation of objects in your shot, and then add a digital light to realistically re-light your scene. In this tutorial, we will explore one mind-blowing application of Relight: a day to night conversion. Let's dive in!

Tutorial Overview

In this tutorial, we will work with a shot that was originally captured during the day but needs to appear as a night shot. Typically, achieving this effect would require color correction and complex compositing techniques. However, with the new Relight feature in Resolve Studio 18.5, we can simplify the process and achieve stunning results.

We will start by color managing the shot using a color space transform. This will give us a normal-looking image to work with. Then, we will darken the overall image, adjust the saturation, and create a nighttime atmosphere. Next, we will focus on the sky by selecting it with a power window and reducing its brightness. We will also add a blue tint to give it a nighttime feel. To enhance the realism, we will soften the window's edge to avoid a harsh line between the sky and the rest of the shot.

The real magic happens when we apply the Relight node. This node analyzes the shot and creates a normal map, which determines the direction in which 3D faces are facing within the scene. By using this normal map, we can add a digital light to our shot that realistically illuminates the objects and creates convincing shadows and highlights.

Applying Relight for Realistic Lighting

To begin the process, we will add a new layer node and apply the original image to it. This layer will act as an untouched reference image that we will use to control the transparency of the Relight node. Next, we will add the Relight node to the layer and uncheck the output surface map option. This will allow us to preview the affected areas of the shot in real-time.

With the Relight node in place, we can manipulate the position and size of the virtual light to achieve the desired lighting effect. We have three types of lights to choose from: point, directional, and spotlight. For this day-to-night conversion, a point light is the most suitable option. By adjusting the size of the light, we can control the intensity of the illumination.

Once the lighting is set up, we can disable the overlay and preview the final result. The Relight node seamlessly integrates the digital light into the scene, creating realistic shadows, highlights, and lighting effects. The before-and-after comparison demonstrates the significant improvement achieved with Relight.

Keyword:

Day-to-night conversion, Relight, Resolve Studio 18.5, Compositing, Color Grading, Digital light, Realistic lighting, Normal map, Shadows, Highlights, Illumination.

FAQ:

Q: Is Relight available in the free version of Resolve? A: No, Relight is exclusively available in the paid studio version of Resolve.

Q: What is a normal map, and how does it contribute to realistic lighting? A: A normal map is a map that determines the direction in which 3D faces are facing within a scene. By utilizing this information, the Relight node in Resolve can create realistic lighting effects, including shadows and highlights.

Q: Can Relight be used for other lighting effects, such as simulating sunlight or moonlight? A: Absolutely! Relight offers various light types, including directional and spotlight options. These can be used to simulate different lighting conditions, such as sunlight or moonlight, providing flexibility for a wide range of creative possibilities.

Q: Does using Relight require advanced compositing skills? A: While Relight does require a basic understanding of compositing concepts, it simplifies the process of realistic lighting by automating many complex tasks. With some experimentation and practice, users can achieve impressive results without extensive compositing expertise.

Q: How demanding is the Relight feature on computer resources? A: The Relight feature in Resolve Studio 18.5 can be computationally intensive, especially when multiple instances of the node are used. Users should ensure their computer systems meet the recommended specifications to handle the processing requirements effectively.

Q: Can Relight be used for real-time preview while editing? A: Relight offers live preview functionality, allowing users to see the lighting effects in real-time. This facilitates efficient decision-making during the color grading and compositing process, providing immediate feedback on the applied adjustments.

In conclusion, Resolve Studio 18.5's Relight feature opens up exciting possibilities for day-to-night conversions and other realistic lighting effects in compositing and color grading workflows. With Relight, users can easily add digital lights to their shots and achieve stunning, professional-looking results.