RollingShutter is a brand new plug-in tool for After Effects and Nuke which tackles image-distortion problems often experienced by users of CMOS cameras. Check out the following introductory video for more information:

Rolling shutter effects are commonly found with video cameras employing CMOS image sensors, which record every frame line-by-line from top to bottom of the image, rather than as a single snapshot of a point in time.

As parts of the image are recorded at different times, fast-moving objects, or objects that pass quickly through frame during camera whip-pans, become distorted with diagonal skews. Other typical distortions include image wobbles created when cameras are hand-held, and exposure problems with flashing or strobing lights.

Along with being ungainly and unwanted, these image distortions also increase the difficulty of 3D tracking during VFX post production, as the tracking points themselves can be equally affected or not deliver accurate results.

Using Local Motion Estimation technology, we can individually correct parts of the image that are moving relative to the camera, even if they are moving in different directions or at different speeds.

The Foundry’s RollingShutter plug-in tackles skew and wobble problems from the VFX artist’s perspective. Although the plug-in will often vastly improve the look of distorted footage, by either minimising or eradicating image distortions, its main purpose is to enable software trackers to work effectively on a wide range of affected footage.

“The CMOS camera is becoming an increasingly important and popular tool in filmmaking,” said Tom Cowland, plug-in product manager at The Foundry. “Our new RollingShutter product will provide a helping hand to artists working with affected footage during post production. The demonstration of our initial idea, developed by The Foundry’s chief scientist Simon Robinson, received a lot of attention at NAB 2009, and encouraged by this feedback we have been working hard to productise it in a timely fashion.”

Whilst we've been using this tool in house here, we've found that the following are good correction amounts for some of the cameras we've been shooting with:

• RED One: 0.32
• Canon 5DmkII: 0.56

If you have any values for other cameras, please send them along.

Please note, these should be treated as a 'guide' as changes in camera firmware, or specifics of each shot may require some tweaking of the correction amount.