This guide explains the Cannonball VFX compositing pipeline utilities, what each tool is designed to do, and how comp supervisors should use them during project setup and shot management.
 

These tools were developed to reduce repetitive manual work, standardize project structures, and accelerate the setup process for shows with large shot counts.
 

The current pipeline utilities include:
 

1. All-In-One Pipeline GUI

2. Nuke Template Populator

3. Denoise Template Creator

4. Denoise Render Manager
 

1. All-In-One Pipeline GUI
 

What This Tool Is
 

The All-In-One Pipeline GUI is the primary project setup utility used to build and organize a new show structure.

This tool automates many of the repetitive setup tasks that would normally be done manually by production or comp supervisors.

It is typically the first tool used at the beginning of a project.
 

What It Does
 

The tool can:

• Create the full Cannonball VFX project folder structure

• Generate shot folders automatically

• Rename shot folders in batches

• Copy or move plates into the correct locations

• Organize references and footage

• Prepare the show for compositing setup
 

When To Use It
 

Use this tool:

• At the start of a new project

• After receiving client plates

• When restructuring a show

• When renaming or reorganizing shots

• Before generating comp templates
 

Typical Workflow
 

Step 1 — Launch the GUI

Open:

CB_AllInOne_Pipeline_GUI.pyw

Step 2 — Select Project Root

Choose the root folder for the project.

Step 3 — Create Shot Structure

The tool will:

• Build the standard Cannonball VFX directory structure

• Generate shot folders based on incoming footage names

Step 4 — Organize Plates

Use the GUI options to:

• Copy plates

• Move plates

• Organize EXRs

• Place references in correct folders

 

2. Nuke Template Populator
 

What This Tool Is
 

The Nuke Template Populator automatically creates prebuilt Nuke scripts for every shot in a project.

Instead of manually setting up Read nodes, frame ranges, write nodes, and render paths for every shot, the tool builds them automatically using a master template.
 

What It Does
 

The tool automatically:

• Detects footage

• Reads frame ranges

• Detects EXR resolution

• Creates comp scripts

• Builds render paths

• Applies colorspace settings

• Sets the timeline to start at frame 1001
 

When To Use It
 

Use this tool:

• After plates are organized

• Before assigning shots to artists

• When creating initial comp setups

• When rebuilding templates for a show
 

Typical Workflow
 

Step 1 — Launch the Tool

Open:

create_nuke_templates_gui_no_reference.py

Step 2 — Select Project Root

Step 3 — Select Nuke Template

Choose the approved master .nk template for the show.

Step 4 — Select Cube / LUT File

Optional.

Step 5 — Run Template Population

The tool scans all shots inside:

CB_internal/shots

and automatically creates populated comp scripts.
 

Generated Output
 

Comp scripts are created in:

project_files/comp

Example:

ROD_VFX_015_comp_v000.nk
 

3. Denoise Template Creator
 

What This Tool Is
 

The Denoise Template Creator automatically builds denoise Nuke scripts across an entire project.

This removes the need to manually create denoise setups shot-by-shot.
 

What It Does
 

The tool:

• Finds source EXR sequences

• Creates denoise Nuke scripts

• Builds input/output paths

• Sets frame ranges

• Configures render locations

• Applies colorspace settings
 

When To Use It
 

Use this tool:

• Before compositing begins

• After plates are ingested

• When preparing denoise passes for artists

• Before overnight denoise rendering
 

Typical Workflow
 

Step 1 — Launch the Tool

Open:

create_denoise_gui.py

Step 2 — Select Project Root

Step 3 — Select Denoise Template

Choose the master denoise .nk template.

Step 4 — Choose Run Mode

All Shots

Processes every shot automatically.

Specific Shots

Only processes shots entered manually.

Step 5 — Run Script Generation

The tool automatically creates denoise scripts for all matching shots.
 

Generated Output
 

Scripts are saved to:

project_files/denoise

Example:

ROD_VFX_015_denoise_v001.nk
 

Render Output
 

Denoised EXRs render to:

renders/comp/precomp/denoise
 

4. Denoise Render Manager
 

What This Tool Is

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The Denoise Render Manager is used to batch render denoise scripts directly through Nuke.

This tool automates the process of:

• Opening scripts

• Executing renders

• Closing Nuke cleanly afterward

without requiring supervisors to manually open each file.

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What It Does

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The tool:

• Loads all denoise scripts from the project

• Launches Nuke automatically

• Executes the write node

• Closes completed scripts

• Processes multiple shots sequentially or in parallel

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When To Use It

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Use this tool:

• For overnight denoise rendering

• After generating denoise scripts

• Before artists begin comp work

• When re-rendering updated denoise passes

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Typical Workflow

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Step 1 — Launch the Tool

Open:

render_denoise_scripts_from_project_gui.py

Step 2 — Select Project Root

Step 3 — Select Nuke Executable

Point to the Nuke executable.

Step 4 — Load Denoise Scripts

Step 5 — Choose Render Mode

Sequential Rendering (Recommended)

Renders one script at a time with lower RAM usage and lower crash risk.

Parallel Rendering

Launches multiple Nuke instances simultaneously.

Step 6 — Start Rendering

The tool will automatically:

• Open Nuke

• Render the write node

• Close the script afterward

• Continue to the next shot
 

Recommended Comp Supervisor Workflow
 

1. Create project structure using the All-In-One Pipeline GUI

2. Organize plates into plates/log

3. Generate comp templates using the Nuke Template Populator

4. Generate denoise scripts using the Denoise Template Creator

5. Launch overnight denoise renders using the Denoise Render Manager

6. Assign finalized templates to artists
 

Best Practices
 

• Keep shot naming consistent

• Avoid manual folder restructuring

• Use sequential rendering for stability

• Increment versions properly

• Maintain one approved show template

• Verify footage before template generation

• Confirm output paths before overnight rendering

VFX Wiki 

Cannonball Main Wiki

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