The most intriguing visual effects often do not involve explosions, shattering glass, or vanishing heroes, but produce a scene so seamless, the fact that it is computer-generated never dons on the viewer.

Such is the case with a scene recently created by Vancouver-based Image Engine for mgm’s Stargate SG-1. The shot called for a cg cargo ship to be built and composited into a live-action plate so that it appears to lie between foreground actors and background trees.

To model and texture the ship, Image Engine had to create a design that carefully blended mechanical and organic. Once the initial shape had been produced, the ship went through numerous visual enhancements, including detailed hand-painted textures and lighting attributes. Lighting the ship in particular was the key to its success in the shot.

The ship was also animated to appear as though it is rising up slowly and then hovering.

In compositing, ship elements were integrated into the scene through a series of mattes. Because the ship ended up wider than anticipated, Image Engine had to key areas without the aid of blue screen. This was particularly challenging when it came to the green leaves on blowing trees.

In the end, Image Engine’s work was so successful and so realistic that they were told it was being mistaken for an on-set prop.

The Gear: 3D was handled by Alias|Wavefront’s Maya software and mattes and compositing were done in Avid Media Illusion. Additional textures were created on Avid’s Matador software.

The Artists: 3D director, Craig Vandenbiggelaar; senior compositing artist, Robin Hackl; visual effects supervisor, James Tichenor; project director, Christopher Mossman.