Modern blockbuster movies seamlessly introduce impossible characters and action into real-world settings using digital visual effects. These effects are made possible by research from the field of computer vision, the study of how to automatically understand images. Computer Vision for Visual Effects will educate students, engineers, and researchers about the fundamental computer vision principles and state-of-the-art algorithms used to create cutting-edge visual effects for movies and television.

The book describes classical computer vision algorithms used on a regular basis in Hollywood (such as blue-screen matting, structure from motion, optical flow, and feature tracking) and exciting recent developments that form the basis for future effects (such as natural image matting, multi-image compositing, image retargeting, and view synthesis). It also discusses the technologies behind motion capture and three-dimensional data acquisition. More than 200 original images demonstrating principles, algorithms, and results, along with in-depth interviews with Hollywood visual effects artists, tie the mathematical concepts to real-world filmmaking.

Computer Vision for Visual Effects was published by Cambridge University Press in Fall 2012.  There are a few ways to get the book:

• Hardcover version through Amazon. Seems to usually be at full price but it’s been up to 20% off.
• Hardcover version through Cambridge University Press. Often the press offers substantial discounts in mailers and at conferences (e.g., the promotion code CS25 used to work for 25% off).
• eBook version through eBooks.com. This is a secure PDF that should work on a wide variety of devices and exactly duplicates the hardcover version.
• eBook chapters though Cambridge University Press. If you’re at an academic institution, you may have free access to the chapters depending on your library’s subscription.
• Kindle version offered by Amazon. I think this was automatically generated for Kindle by Amazon, and there are lots of inconsistencies in the formatting of the symbols, equations, and figures. It’s readable, but the eBook version is much better at about the same price.