If your jaws dropped watching a real-life tiger in the movie Life of Pie or James Bond falling from the 15-story building and still landing safe, then little would you know. Visual Effects it is, which has now reached greater heights making people wonder if it is happening. Visual effects make it possible to build a scene that could not be possible to create with regular photographic techniques. The animation and VFX grew 27% in 2018 to reach INR39.6 billion and are expected to reach INR78.5 billion by 2023. That’s a boom! 

Visual effects are a vast and dynamic field with multiple opportunities in the M&E industry. But to get to the final output, the work process does not include just a single piece of software but many other digital tools to work with. VFX is the most elementary structure which is controlled by the live-action footage. To master all the VFX software all you must do is learn and produce the best visuals. Some of the most famous software to create stunning visuals are listed below: 

Autodesk 3D Studio Max 

Autodesk 3D Studio Max 

Autodesk 3Ds Max is undoubtedly the best 3D graphics software in the world, which is adopted by professionals for animations, models, games etc. 3Ds Max is a 3D modelling, rendering and animation application that depends on computer 3D technology. Interestingly, it was used in Hollywood's most famous movie 'Avatar' which was the visual extravaganza. Not just this but it is broadly utilized for making the world's best computer games World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, demand for speed and greatly more. The usage of this remarkable software can also be witnessed in movies like 2012, Iron Man and X-men.  

Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya 

Autodesk Maya is the widely used application that brings life into any story by utilizing its exceptional 3D movement, displaying and rendering features. This software is blessed with strong ability about dynamics, characters, particles, rendering, modelling etc. In short, it encompasses some of the best features of animation. Adding to your surprise, it was the main reason behind the brilliant visuals in some of the best movies like Harry Potter, Kung Fu panda and Transformers. It has also been used computer games like Prince of Persia and FIFA. It is the most comfortable tool to work on as it has tools that help in movement designs, elements, demonstrating and rendering.

Nuke 

Nuke 

Nuke is primarily compositing node-based multiplatform software which is used in post-production after a series of work in TV and films. It was one of the compositing software, which was used in big-budget movies like Legacy, Swan, Avatar, The Hobbit, Extinction etc. and created the top-quality effects. It also facilitates the integration of 3D models making it perfect for 3D compositing. For better graphics, it allows deep compositing where users can work with deep images containing more details, opacity and color samples per pixels. You can imagine excellence!   

Adobe After Effects 

Adobe After Effects  

Out of all heavy software available in the market, Adobe After Effects is the most loved which is used for creating visual effects. It includes motion graphics and compositing for title introductions, movements etc. This is an amazing software which freshers love to work on to create some of the best graphics. This software was used in some of the best Hollywood movies like Iron Man 3 and Oblivion. It is convenient to use and has an extensive variety that helps in film making and animations.

Blender

Blender

Blender is one of the most famous open-source software which is easy to use and is free. The best part of this software is that it is keyboard shortcut driven. While working on this, you don't need to dig the menu just to fine an action. Just type the right shortcut and there you go. It's first largest project was Spiderman 2 which was appreciated by all, especially its visual effects. 

Mocha Pro 

Mocha Pro 

Mocha is the world’s most recognized, loved and powerful planar tracking tool, which is used for creating visual effects, rotoscoping and post-production. This software has device tools that are used for lens distortion, clean plate generation, wire removal and mesh wrapping. The advanced version of Mocha, Mocha Pro is intended to supplement any editing, compositing and finishing things which looks more influential and realistic. The interface of this popular VFX software accelerates work processes, and efficiency. It helps artists to effectively track shots.  

Continuum 2020

Continuum 2020

Industry’s busiest and editors and artists choose Boris FX Continuum. It has the collection of tools that fits every project need. It is powerful and time-saving that includes 250 effects and 4000+ presets. Its latest version, Continuum 2020 is industry’s most comprehensive plugin collection that includes 4 effects, 6 transitions and 100 presets which are professionally designed. It enables you to work more efficiently with particle illusion. With this tool tracking and masking are just few seconds job with the addition of an Area Brush tool.  

Which one are you going to start? Tell us at manali.dangda@arkinfo.in 

If you think we missed something, let us know.