Using the Virtual Set Pack with Ultimatte

1) Nomenclature
2) Ultimatte Hardware
3) Ultimatte Software

1) Nomenclature
Each Folder in the Virtual Set Pack contains all the files for that particular set. Each angle has up to four files associated with it in the root folder is just a plain image of the set named for example Studio31_UltM_NTSC_0001.tga this can be read Studio 31 for Ultimatte in NTSC format angle 1. In the Mattes folder are up to three more types of angles with additional segments BG, FG, and FG_BW. The BG is background with alpha channel for TVs and screens. The FG is a foreground with alpha channel for desks (for use with AdvantEdge and other Ultimatte software). The FG_BW is a black and white mask for foreground elements for use with Ultimatte hardware.

2) Ultimatte Hardware
The range of Ultimatte hardware uses the 24 bit backgrounds in the main folder of the set and the grayscale images with the FG_BW segment in it's name to for a foreground matte. There are a wide variety of methods for feeding these images into your Ultimatte. You can use a switcher with framestore capability, an NLE, or lay these images off to tape and feed them in from your deck.

2) Ultimatte Software

AdvantEdge and other Ultimatte plugins use the 24 bit background, and the 32 bit foreground and background in the mattes folder (FG and BG). For example in Digital Fusion one would attach a loader (Loader 1) with the footage to the AdvantEdge node and then the AdvantEdge node into a merge with another loader (Loader 2) with the background (ie Studio31_UltM_NTSC_0001.tga) and then another (Loader 3) to merge with the foreground (ie Studio31_UltM_NTSC_FG_0001.tga).

Whether you are using Combustion, After Effects, Photoshop, Avid, or Digital Fusion it works basically the same way, the talent is keyed over the 24 bit background and then the 32 bit foreground is composited over that (where applicable).