On a recent project for Gemini- and Emmy-nominated MGM series Stargate SG-1 (Stargate SG-1 Productions), Vancouver’s Image Engine created not only a number of scene-enhancing elements for the complex shots, but smoothed over some complications resulting from Mother Nature’s inconvenient interference during production.

For the episode ‘Need,’ Image Engine was called upon to embellish seven shots based on background plates supplied by series effects coordinator Simon Lacey.

The scene in question called for the addition of an ancient cave entrance and the CG continuation of a naturally occurring bluff in the shot.

The cave and entrance were created in 3D, with the surrounding bluff painted with Matador. CG flames also had to be added to torches burning inside the cave and CG smoke composited over the fire pits in the live-action footage. Additional extras also had to be composited into the scene.

The shot was complicated by a cloud which had passed over during the duration of the move on the clean background plate, making it necessary for the shop to recolor timing of all new elements to match.

The gear: Alias|Wavefront was used for animation. Compositing and painting was done utilizing Avid Illusions. All software was running on dual-processor SGI Octane workstations.

The artists: Robin Hackl and Craig Vandenbiggelaar animated. Hackl handled compositing and painting.