# VES On-Set VFX Data Collection and Usage Guide

> A structured, machine-readable reference published by the VES Technology Committee
> describing which on-set data is collected, by whom, and which downstream VFX
> departments and vendors consume it. Covers 50+ dataset types across 16 categories
> including camera, scanning, colour reference, motion capture, LED volume, and more.
>
> Published under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0.
> Site: https://ves-on-set-data.org

## Key data resources

- [Structured dataset JSON](https://ves-on-set-data.org/data/data.json): Complete machine-readable dataset — the canonical source of truth. Contains all 50+ data-set entries, each with Creator, Consumer, Scope, VFXTypes, and descriptive text fields.
- [Directory structure JSON](https://ves-on-set-data.org/data/directory_data.json): Recommended VFX hub filesystem tree (FINISHING_DIRECTORY, VFX_DIRECTORY, VFX_LOCAL) as a nested JSON array.
- [Directory structure YAML](https://ves-on-set-data.org/data/directory_structure.yaml): Same filesystem tree in YAML format.
- [Full guide PDF](https://ves-on-set-data.org/data/On-Set_VFX_Data_Collection_and_Usage_Guide_v1.0.0.pdf): The original VES document — best for citation and full narrative context.

## Interactive tools

- [Dataset browser](https://ves-on-set-data.org/dashboard/index.html): Filterable grid of all datasets with Creator / Consumer / Scope / VFX-type facets.
- [Sankey flow diagram](https://ves-on-set-data.org/dashboard/VES_Sankey_Creator_Dataset_Consumer_23.html): Creator → Dataset → Consumer relationship visualisation.

## data.json structure

The top-level JSON object has these keys:

- `version` — guide version string (e.g. "1.0.0")
- `publishDate` — ISO date string
- `Introduction` — array of `{html}` blocks
- `Scope Definitions` — array of `{term: definition}` objects
- `Data Sets` — **primary data** — array of section objects (see below)
- `Directory Structure` — intro HTML + `{type: "tree_view"}` marker
- `Reference Docs` — array of `{html}` blocks with external links
- `Feedback` — array of `{html}` blocks

### Data Sets section structure

Each entry in `Data Sets` is a **section** (H1 in the guide):

```json
{
  "title": "1. Camera & Lens Data",
  "subsections": [
    {
      "title": "1.1 Manual Camera Data Collection",
      "items": [
        {
          "Data Collected": ["Roll, slate, take", "Lens, f-stop, ..."],
          "Description": "...",
          "Usage": "...",
          "Scope": ["Shot", "Take"],
          "Creator": ["Data wrangler", "Camera department"],
          "Consumer": ["VFX Post Vendor", "Dailies and DI Vendor"],
          "VFXTypes": ["Basic 2D VFX", "Basic 3D VFX", "Complex VFX"]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Dataset categories (16 sections)

1. Camera & Lens Data
2. Witness Cameras & Reference Video
3. Production Reports & Metadata
4. Colour & Lighting Reference
5. Set, Prop, and Actor Scans
6. Camera Rig & Technical Specs
7. Vendor & Pre-Production Data from VFX Vendor to Production
8. Mocap Data
9. Camera Tracking & Sync
10. LED Volume & Environment Data
11. Scene Metadata & Notes
12. Audio & Sync Data
13. Data from Other Production Departments
14. Data Shared with VFX Vendors During Principal Photography
15. Data Management, Tracking, and Review
16. Plate Deliverables

## VFX Types covered

Basic 2D VFX · Basic 3D VFX · Character VFX · Digital Matte Painting · Complex VFX · Motion Capture · Virtual Production · Real-time

## Authors

Web dashboard by Sam Richards.
On-set guide by Sheena Duggal with contributions from Sam Richards, Jim Geduldick, Jake Morrison, and Jean-Francois Panisset.