Who can benefit from vfx?

Anyone that benefits from advertising can benefit from visual effects.  Video has an inherent appeal to audiences. Most of us want to “see” something before we want to “read” something. In the context of internet marketing, visual effects can be used to enhance the consumer experience by educating the viewer about product or services, putting a face on a company, and building a company brand. A quality video that demonstrates how a product works, with attractive visuals, would provide solid evidence that the product can indeed solve a particular problem. It sets off emotional triggers that static text simply cannot do, ultimately influencing buying decisions.

The following software applications are commonly used for visual effects on both professional and consumer levels. They all differ and serve a unique purpose on a visual effects pipeline.

3Ds Max

3Ds Max is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering software. The application relies on widely used computer 3D technology which works by creating groups of “points” (known as vertices) who form surfaces when connected. The illusion of three dimensions is created by modeling objects out of multiple surfaces. Still pictures, movies and game environments (among other media) can be created with this technique.

After Effects – Adobe

The most commonly used visual effects software. It’s primary uses include motion graphics (title intros and logo animations) and compositing (adding fake stuff into live footage). This program is great for beginners to visual effects. It’s ease of use and wide range of uses make it the perfect tool for Indy filmmaking and small productions teams.

Boujou

A 3d motion tracking software that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the physical data of the original footage. Also known as matchmoving Boujou is similar to PFTrack and Syntheyes.

Cinema 4D – Maxon

Cinema 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering software. The application relies on widely used computer 3D technology that works by creating groups of “points” (known as vertices), which form surfaces when connected. The illusion of three dimensions is created by modeling objects out of combined multiple surfaces. Still pictures, movies, and game environments (among other media) can be produced with this technique. Cinema 4d is used on a professional level most commonly for motion graphics. It’s ease of use gives it less of a learning curve. Cinema 4D allows for direct exporting into After Effects which also makes it a preferd software among After Effects users.

Flame – Autodesk

Perhaps the most highly-acclaimed compositing software is Flame, which runs on its own operating system. The cost of this program is cost-prohibitive for most consumers, rendering it more of professional compositing software. The high level of interactivity required for client-assisted production and quick turnaround on time-critical projects.

Maya

Maya always looks like a special software for cg artists because of its “node base” system. It has a really strong ability about animation, particles, dynamics, rendering, modeling etc. Maya is great if you use it all the time. If you don’t use it constantly, you will need to “re-learn” it everytime you pick it up. Maya has some of the best animation features.

Mocha

Software used for planar tracking and rotoscoping. Comes with tools for wire removal, clean plate generation, lens distortion correction and mesh warping, to deliver an all-in-one VFX tool set. mocha Pro is designed to complement any editing, compositing and finishing environment, and offers digital media artists a powerful, intuitive and innovative planar tracking-based solution with a streamlined interface, accelerated workflow and the power to easily manipulate and track shots not possible with traditional solutions. It allows artists to easily track shots where point trackers fail: shots with noise, shots with motion blur and shots that go offscreen or are obscured. Mocha AE comes free with After Effects CS4 and above.

Nuke

Primarily a compositing software, it is similar to After Effects but used on a more professional level. It is one of the most commonly used compositing softwares on big budget movies. Nuke and Flame are used by most professiona vfx companies. Nuke’s uses a node-based approach which allows for powerful workflow within a vfx team. It also has the ability to integrate 3d models making it ideal for 3D compositing and environments. Nuke also allows for deep compositing  which means that artists can work with ‘deep images’ containing multiple opacity or colour samples per pixel. This allows rendering of CGI elements without predetermined holdout mattes, avoiding the need for re-renders when content changes.

PFTrack

A 3d motion tracking software that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the physical data of the original footage. Also known as matchmoving PFTrack is similar to Boujou and Syntheyes. PFTrack is probably the most sophisticated tool when it comes to the algorithms used. It also supports object tracking, facial feature tracking (used for motion caputure). PFTrack 2011 is node based which is easier for Flame and Nuke users to work with.

Syntheyes

A 3d motion tracking software that allows the insertion of computer graphics into live-action footage with correct position, scale, orientation, and motion relative to the physical data of the original footage. Also known as matchmoving Syntheyes is similar to Boujou and PFTrack. SynthEyes offers a complete high-end feature set, including tracking, stabilization, motion capture, and mesh building.