Day to Night Transition Tutorial

Overview

• This guide explains how to create a day-to-night transition effect often used in movies.
• The effect involves transforming daytime footage into a nighttime scene.
• The tutorial will be conducted using Da Vinci Resolve and Fusion.

Tools Required

• Da Vinci Resolve 20
• Fusion (node-based workflow)

Basics of Fusion

• Fusion is a node-based compositing software unlike layer-based systems like After Effects.
• Key components in Fusion:
  • Nodes: Used for various effects and transformations.
  • Timeline: Used for setting timing and changing key frames.
  • Spline: Adjusts key frames as necessary.

Working with Nodes

• Nodes work with inputs and outputs.
• Common nodes include merge nodes for stacking layers.
• Use Ctrl + Spacebar to add nodes.
• Merge node shortcut available.
• To change order, use Ctrl + T.
• Rename nodes with F2 to avoid confusion.

Steps to Create Transition

Initial Setup

1. **Clip to Fusion: **

   • Select footage and Alt-click then drag to create a Fusion clip.
   • Right-click to create a new Fusion clip or use the Fusion icon.

2. Working with Nodes:

   • Use nodes to apply techniques and effects instead of layers.
   • Square represents the output of footage.
   • Add nodes through control spacebar.

Adding Components

3. Merge Node:

   • Add background and use merge node for blending.
   • Use shortcuts and rename components for clarity.

4. Masking Techniques:

   • Use the alpha channel (blue color) for masks.
   • Example: Create rectangle mask to isolate parts of footage.

Transforming Color Space

5. Color Space Transform:
   • Use color space transform to convert footage to Rec. 709.
   • Set input color space to Canon Cinema Gamut and input gamma to Log3.

Tracking and 3D Scene

6. 3D Camera Tracking:

   • Use camera tracker in viewport to track footage.
   • Adjust detection threshold for more tracking data.
   • Avoid moving subjects with rectangle mask.

7. Export Tracking Data:

   • Average solve error should be minimized.
   • Use export tab to create 3D comp.

8. Organize Nodes:

   • Use underlay nodes for organization.
   • Rename and color them for clarity.

Creating the Night Scene

9. Sky Replacement:

   • Use luma key to isolate sky and replace it.
   • Import night sky and set it on an image plane 3D.
   • Adjust positioning and scale.

10. Foreground Elements:

    • Add 3D models (e.g., Eiffel Tower) and position them.
    • Adjust lighting and opacity to blend with the background.

Using Masks

11. Magic Mask:

    • Use for isolating moving subjects like dancers.
    • Paint over subjects to create precise masks.
    • Use tracking to follow subject movements.

12. Planar Tracking:

    • Use for tracking plane elements.
    • Create masks for foreground adjustments.

Final Adjustments

13. Color Corrections:

    • Adjust colors to differentiate day and night scenes.
    • Color correct foreground layers to match night scene.

14. Motion Blur:

    • Enable motion blur in render settings.
    • Adjust quality and shutter angle for realistic movement.

15. Final Edits:

    • Add glow effects to simulate lighting effects.
    • Adjust layers and merge nodes as necessary for realism.

Transition to Da Vinci Resolve

• Use compound clips for final transition.
• Add color grading for day and night scenes.
• Use speed ramps and key frames for smooth transitions.
• Explore new features in Da Vinci Resolve 20 for enhanced editing.

Tips

• Remember to cache disk for consistent results.
• Organize node trees to avoid clutter.
• Experiment with settings for best results.

This guide is a comprehensive walkthrough of transforming daytime footage into a nighttime scene using advanced compositing techniques in Fusion and Da Vinci Resolve.