Compositing Academy has launched Rim Light Tool, a free plugin for Nuke that allows simulating rim lighting effects in 2D. This tool is designed for projects such as title sequences and motion graphics. It uses only the image's alpha channel to create an edge lighting effect.
Rim Light Tool includes a custom node that generates more realistic results compared to traditional methods like using an Emboss node. Additionally, it offers controls to adjust the light falloff and soften shadows, without needing 3D data such as position or normals information.
It is compatible with Nuke 15.0 or later versions, but requires a commercial version of Nuke, as it does not work with Nuke Non-Commercial. Rim Light Tool is free, even for commercial use, and is available for download on Gumroad.
Information on rim lighting effects in Nuke and the industry
In Nuke, rim lighting effects (rim lighting) are mainly used to highlight an object's edges, separating it from the background and creating a more dynamic and three-dimensional appearance.
Traditional techniques for creating rim lighting effects
- Light wrap
- Use of blur nodes
- Hand-painted masks
However, these techniques can be limited in terms of precision and require more adjustment time.
Advantages of tools like Rim Light Tool
With tools like Rim Light Tool, the process is simplified, as they automatically generate the effect from the image's alpha channel, eliminating the need for 3D data. This is particularly useful in 2D sequences and motion graphics, where position or normals information is not always available.
Applications in the industry
In the industry, rim lighting effects are very popular in:
- Movie titles
- Credits sequences
- Commercials
These effects help create a clean and attractive visual design. They are also used to improve visual clarity in complex scenes, highlighting key design elements.
In more advanced compositions, artists combine these techniques with other tools like directional blurs and color corrections to achieve more customized and cinematic effects.