BergVision
Well-known member
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Special FX Software. Which ones?
- Thread starter BergVision
- Start date
kai
After FX Guru
Its not so much a software that just does those things for you, as much as its understanding the art & craft of vfx. These programs are just the tools you'll use to create such effects. You should study compositing and really have a good grasp on the basics when you start out on your journey, or else you'll just get frustrated if you buy a piece of software with high hopes.
BergVision
Well-known member
I have a very good understanding of FX, but I have not gotten into the Software end of things much. Thanks for the info!
The software doesnt matter its all about techniques.
For Example:
What kind of pencil should I use to draw like Stan Lee?
The pencil doesn't matter, it's all the techniques you use
the PC tools:
Photoshop, Photopaint, or GIMP
Illustrator
After Effects or Combustion
Maya or 3ds Max
Premiere Pro or other Editing software
The Mac Tools:
Photoshop
Illustrator
Maya
After Effects or Shake
Final Cut Pro or whatever you edit in
Now how you use those to create effects will all be based on your knowledge of what you want to do and how you want to do it. If you have absolutely no idea where to start then you have to start at the basics. I would suggest you start by checking out every tutorial you can find. And then learn the software that the tutorials on what you want to do by doing every tutorial you can find for that software.
You should probably start with learning your editor inside and out. Then start with Shake, After Effects or Combustion (whatever you choose they all do the same thing) because those compositing packages are where you are going to do most of your magic. Photoshop and illustrator are for creating painted/ photographic or vector elements to use in your compositor.
Start with the After effects forum here and on the creative cow http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_view_posts.cgi?forumid=2
For Example:
What kind of pencil should I use to draw like Stan Lee?
The pencil doesn't matter, it's all the techniques you use
the PC tools:
Photoshop, Photopaint, or GIMP
Illustrator
After Effects or Combustion
Maya or 3ds Max
Premiere Pro or other Editing software
The Mac Tools:
Photoshop
Illustrator
Maya
After Effects or Shake
Final Cut Pro or whatever you edit in
Now how you use those to create effects will all be based on your knowledge of what you want to do and how you want to do it. If you have absolutely no idea where to start then you have to start at the basics. I would suggest you start by checking out every tutorial you can find. And then learn the software that the tutorials on what you want to do by doing every tutorial you can find for that software.
You should probably start with learning your editor inside and out. Then start with Shake, After Effects or Combustion (whatever you choose they all do the same thing) because those compositing packages are where you are going to do most of your magic. Photoshop and illustrator are for creating painted/ photographic or vector elements to use in your compositor.
Start with the After effects forum here and on the creative cow http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_view_posts.cgi?forumid=2
bbalser
Veteran
First thing you should do is buy these two books, THEN decide on software.
Apple Pro Training Series; Encyclopidia of Visual Effects (intro by Ron Brinkmann)
The Art And Science of Digital Compositing, by Ron Brinkmann
And I totally agree with Arson, learn your NLE inside and out FIRST! It amazes me how many "experienced" FCP editors come to my classes and haven't the first clue about the compositing tools and abilities FCP has (compositing is it's strongest quality). They're doing things in a complex way in Shake or AE for work that can be done much faster and easier inside FCP. Learn your NLE, FOR REAL!
Apple Pro Training Series; Encyclopidia of Visual Effects (intro by Ron Brinkmann)
The Art And Science of Digital Compositing, by Ron Brinkmann
And I totally agree with Arson, learn your NLE inside and out FIRST! It amazes me how many "experienced" FCP editors come to my classes and haven't the first clue about the compositing tools and abilities FCP has (compositing is it's strongest quality). They're doing things in a complex way in Shake or AE for work that can be done much faster and easier inside FCP. Learn your NLE, FOR REAL!
