File naming conventions – How to name a VFX file

Files are often misplaced as the assets are passed around different department of studios during post production. This confusion can be prevented by using proper file naming conventions.

In this example below

•  I stands for input to VFX system
• LP is a project name
• 030 is a shot number
• BG is plate name
• v02 is version of file
• 000032 is a frame number
• .dpx is a file extension

 

How Naming Convention is Used

Files are sent to the artist which in turn sends output files back to the sender.

i stands for input. Shots sent to VFX artist for post production have names as shown below

i_LP_020_BG_v02

i_LP_023_E1_v03

i_LP_031_E2_v01

O is output. When VFX artists sends back composite files back to the sender they will name the files as shown in example below.

o_LP_020_BG_v02

o_LP_023_E1_v03

o_LP_031_E2_v01

e stands for VFX element used in a shot. Compositing layers created by VFX artist is called elements

e_LP_020_smoke_v01

e_LP_023_fire_v03       

 

Numbering VFX Shots

Numbering each VFX shot in increment of 10. Set the padding to 4 figures. so shot no 20 becomes 0020.

If there are 5 shots in a show,the sequence would be 0010,0020,0030,0040,0050

In case if a new shot is added between the two existing sequences, we can split the difference for new shot number

For example – New shot added between 0020 and 0030 , the new shot would be 0025 and so on. This ensures that the shots are named in a sequential manner.

 

Numbering Plates

VFX shots are executed in layers.These can be used in a shot name as BG or E1,E2,E3 and so on. Shots can be named as-

i_LP_010_BG_v01
i_LP_010_E1_v02
i_LP_010_E2_v01

Naming the frames

Sequence of frame starts with 1 . With frame padding of 6 , the sequence file will be 000001.

 

‘BG’  stands for background plate. Extra layers can simply be labled as ‘E1′, ‘E2′, ‘E3′ etc.

i_LP_010_BG_v01.000001.dpx
i_LP_010_BG_v01.000002.dpx
i_LP_010_BG_v01.000003.dpx
i_LP_010_BG_v01.000004.dpx
…
i_LP_010_BG_v01.000100.dpx
…etc