- The client or studio/ad. agency create the storyboard, paying attention to proper use of chroma mattes (i.e. blue or green screens) for computer-generated effects to be added.
- Client or studio shoots live material (if there is any), and stores it on hard disk for editing.

- Client provides 3D graphics designer (me) with storyboards, necessary fonts, and reference material, with a clear explanation of what the graphics work entails, how it appears in the shot, duration, and what it should look like. Stills from the shot material will also be required (for lighting and scale reference for the compositing process).

- The concept must be nailed down before the graphics work begins. Any changes down the line will be costly and time consuming. Typically, changes made to the 3D process later on, result in the earlier stages having to be re-done. Client should also ask the studio that will be doing the editing, whether they prefer embedded or separate alpha images, and what file format they usually use.

- 3D designer creates 3D elements and places them on CDR(s), Jaz, or Zip disk(s). In my case, it is an image sequence on PC formatted media. I generally courier the sequence to the client or studio.

- Client or studio transfers the image sequence to an editing suite's hard drive, and composites and edits the material together.