Word Bank Inventory: M
.ma / Maya file
A file type exported from Maya or scene files.
machine learning / ML
When AI uses the available data to make future task decisions/next steps/predictions without being commanded or programmed for each task. It will run the initial instructions, then it will keep analyzing the results, identify patterns, and reconfigure to improve performance.
macro
A group of functions/settings packaged in one to help with efficiency when using a software.
Mantra
A rendering tool in Houdini.
map / texture map
A flat image that serves as a visual guide that allows the artist to control exactly where textures or details will appear on the surface of a 3D object.
Mari
A software for painting textures or generating procedural textures..
marketing
A department in charge of organizing deliverables to spread consumer awareness of the product.
Marvelous Designer
A CG software used to model and simulate cloth.
mask
To select and isolate a specific area of a frame.
master shot / mastershot
A continuous shot of a scene used to establish the environment, characters, and their actions and later used as a reference when shots are broken out.
matchmove / matchmoving
Tracking and reproducing the camera movements of a live action footage (or plate) to ensure that CG objects render from the same perspective.
Matchmove Department
Tracks and reproduces the camera movements of a live action footage (or plate) to ensure that the CG objects render from the same perspective.
matte channel
Sometimes “alpha channel;” Contains the transparency/opacity info of a layer/image.
matte line
A rendering error when an unwanted artifact/outline becomes visible in the frame due to a matte.
matte painting
See DMP; output image/file from the matte painting department.
matte pass
A render pass containing the scene/object’s alpha channel.
Maya
Most commonly used software in CG and VFX.
merge
To combine as one.
mesh
A 3D object or model composed of faces, edges, and vertices.
metadata
Digital information that provides details of a shot, more specifically, the camera used in the shot, such as resolution, codec, frame rate, focal length, camera brand and model, date and time, etc.
methodology
The processes required to achieve a specific goal or result.
mirroring
A technique used to copy the exact half of an object to the other side in order to ensure symmetry.
.mov
A type of video file format.
MoCap / motion capture
Recording an actor’s acting by tracking the movements of specific points/markers on their body and then directly mirroring it on a CG asset by translating the captured movements into locations/path movements of the CG asset’s corresponding points in 3D space.
Modeling Department
Transforms assets from their 2D design into 3D objects that Layout, Animation, and Compositing can use in their shots.
monochrome
To use a single hue on an image/footage and the only variation in colours is in their brightness.
montage
A series of shots played one after another often to convey a passage of time.
motion blur
An effect seen in shots so that portions of objects appear blurred when moving quickly.
motion tracking
To trace or track the movement of objects in a shot. This info helps enable other functions or tools.
motion graphics
Animated image or graphics. Usually a clip or shot, and not necessarily photorealistic.
.mpg / .mpeg
Moving Picture Experts Group; a type of image or video file format.
MS Project / Microsoft Project
A project management software that is much more complex than MS Office.
