Want to go out of this world or even… destroy it entirely? Take to the high seas without having to hire a yacht (or feel seasick?), create fur effects or a giant dragon’s scales? You need VFX.
But with so many different VFX software programmes on the market, which are best? We’ve gathered together our pick of the bunch – from Cinema 4D to Adobe After Effects – for all you green screen aficionados and for anyone who wants to create the next MCU, for the visuals to go with your epic soundtrack.
What Is VFX Software?
Before we dive into the best VFX software programmes, if you don’t know, VFX is an abbreviation of ‘visual effects’, which means VFX software is, quite simply, ‘visual effects software’.
It’s what makes you believe that all the animals in Disney’s recent ‘live action’ version of The Lion King are real and the software that enabled the Avengers to smash up cities in order to take down their enemies – not to mention Thanos vaporising half the universe with just a click of his fingers… With VFX, you can travel at lightspeed through hyperspace, or transform an actor into a house elf. Create complex graphics for video games, or collapse whole streets in on themselves a la Inception. The only limits to what you can create are your own imagination.
Which Is the Best Software for VFX?
With so many different VFX software programmes available, the ‘best’ one for you all depends on your preferences. Below we dive into the world of how to make special effects to help you make an informed decision.
Best VFX Software – Our Top Picks:
- Side FX Houdini
- Cinema 4D
- Adobe After Effects
- Nuke
- Blender
- Marvelous Designer
- Unity Visual Effect Graph
- ZBrush
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Autodesk Maya
- Autodesk Mudbox
- Black Magic Fusion
- SpeedTree
- RealFlow
- Unreal Engine
1. Side FX Houdini
Price: Free – $4,495
Benefits:
If you’re aiming to create some on-screen magic, we suggest you look to Houdini: the VFX and 3D animation software does just about everything.
There are pyro effects, fluid effects, destruction effects and much, much more.
Films and TV shows that have used Houdini: Moana, Game of Thrones, Doctor Strange, Blade Runner 2049
2. Cinema 4D
Price: $59.91 a month/ $719 a year
Films that have used Cinema 4D: Tron Legacy, Pacific Rim, Inception
Cinema 4D is a powerful software suite, used by professional and amateur content creators, that offers a multitude of tools.
With its intuitive interface and procedural workflows, the Maxon-developed programme is a prime choice for any creative looking to blow their audience away.
3. Adobe After Effects
Price: £19.97 a month/ £238.42 a year
Films that have used Adobe After Effects: Avatar, Ender's Game, Iron Man 3
When it comes to post-production, it’s always a good idea to put your trust in Adobe.
After Effects is Adobe’s VFX software programme adored worldwide for its user-friendly layout, and impressive range of options and affordable price tag.
4. Nuke
Price: Free trial/ Purchase from £426
Films that have used Nuke: The Maze Runner, The Lone Ranger, Twilight: Breaking Dawn
Nuke is The Foundry’s node-based VFX application that keeps getting better with age.
Our favourite element of the software? It’s got to be the customisable gizmos. Being able to personalise your layout is always a big plus.
5. Blender
Price: Free
Films that have used Blender: Spider-Man 2, Next Gen, Tears of Steel
There’s no denying that Blender is one of the best free VFX software programmes around.
It literally has the same capabilities as some of the paid applications on this list! So, why not try it out?
6. ZBrush
Price: From $39.95 a month
Films and TV shows that have used ZBrush: Westworld, The Hobbit, Edge of Tomorrow
ZBrush is a leading sculpting software used in countless film and television productions; so the chances are, you’ve seen it in action on more than one occasion.
The application comes with an array of brushes and other functions to help you to bring your vision to life – exactly the way you see it in your head.
7. Marvelous Designer
Price: $1700 a year
Films and games that have used Marvelous Designer: The Hobbit, The Adventures of TinTin, Assassin’s Creed Unity
Marvelous Designer is the go-to cloth-making VFX programme for creatives worldwide, which includes graphic designers working at Disney, HBO and Playstation.
Used in both live-action and animated content, the software puts users in the seat of a fashion designer, as they use the software to create realistic virtual clothes.
8. Unity Visual Effect Graph
Price: From $200 a year
Games that have used Unity Visual Effect Graph: Last Day on Earth, War Robots, Relative Worlds
Unity Visual Effect Graph is the VFX software for video game designers that promises to create beautiful, complex graphics.
Judging by the case studies that Unity can boast about so far, we reckon they live up to their word.
9. Adobe Premiere Pro
Price: £19.97 a month/ £238.42 a year
Films that have used Adobe Premiere Pro: Deadpool, Gone Girl, Terminator: Dark Fate
As you already know, we’re big fans of Adobe post-production software. And Premiere Pro is another Adobe offering that can be used to create sensational visual effects.
We suggest that if you’re new to the world of VFX, you make this software your starting point.
10. Autodesk Maya
Price: Free Trial/ £234 a month/ £238.42 a year
Films and TV shows that have used Maya: Transformers Franchise, Stranger Things, Dumbo (2019)
What software does Hollywood use for VFX? Autodesk Maya. Chosen by Disney, Netflix, Paramount and more, Maya is a first-rate programme that’s responsible for some of the best visual effects in cinematic history.
11. Autodesk Mudbox
Price: Free Trial/ £12 a month/ £96 a year
Films that have used Fusion: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, The Tree of Life
The second Autodesk VFX software programme to make it to our list is Mudbox.
Primarily used to sculpt and paint, Mudbox allows its user to create intricate visuals with its world-renowned precision tools.
12. Black Magic Fusion
Price: Purchase from £235
Films that have used Fusion: Alice in Wonderland (2010), The Martian, Thor, Avengers: Age of Ultron
Your options feel limitless when using Black Magic Fusion: one of the best compositing software programmes available.
Why? We think it’s got something to do with the immersive interface that makes you feel like a professional (whether you’re already one or aiming to take your creativity up a notch).
13. SpeedTree
Price: Free – £1000 a year
Films that have used SpeedTree: The Lion King (2019), Black Panther, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
SpeedTree is a vegetation-focused VFX software that makes you feel pretty God-like.
The programme gives you the power to add life-like greenery, of all shapes and sizes, to your content.
We think it’s the best in its field…
14. RealFlow
Price: Starting from €497.50
Films and TV shows that have used RealFlow: Once Upon a Time, The Great Gatsby, Vikings
Just as SpeedTree is the place to go for vegetation SFX, RealFlow is the destination for fluid SFX creation.
The easy-to-use software creates mind-blowing effects that speak for themselves – so, go and take a look.
15. Unreal Engine
Price: Free
Film and TV shows that have used Unreal Engine: The Mandalorian, War of the Planet of the Apes, Ford VS Ferrari, The Batman
Video effect freeware Unreal Engine may have initially been developed by Epic Games for video games VFX, but film and television adopted it when they discovered the programme’s impressive capabilities.
Now it’s used to create some of the most iconic on-screen visual effects.
Add Music to Your Content
Once you’ve created VFX for your content, it’s time to start thinking about music. Music can instantly transform any scene, which is why you must choose your tracks wisely.
Use our search bar and filter by mood and emotion to find the composition for you.
Need Music for Your Project?
At Audio Network we create original music, of the highest quality, for broadcasters, brands, creators, agencies and music fans everywhere. Through clear and simple licensing, we can offer you a huge variety of the best quality music across every conceivable mood and genre. Find out how we can connect you with the perfect collaborator today by clicking the button below!
