What is Visual Effects? (0:12 min.)
Visual effects (VFX) is the process through which imagery is altered, created, or enhanced for live-action media that could not be captured during live-action filming due to it being costly, dangerous, impractical, or impossible to shoot. Visual effects allow for the integration of live-action footage and VFX to create realistic objects, characters and environments.
Movie special effects terms are often used interchangeably but are different in that VFX are created using a combination of live action shots and digital imagery, CGI is anything created digitally, and Special Effects are captured live, without the aid of a computer.
VFX (visual effects) in film is a process of creating imagery that does not physically exist through the use of CGI, Compositing and Motion Capture. Examples include 3D modelling, green screen filming and performance capture.
(Computer-generated imagery) is anything that is created digitally within a computer. CG can be incorporated into a VFX shot in a live-action movie (i.e., The dinosaurs in Jurassic World) or used to create a fully CG film (i.e., Toy Story).
Image courtesy of Amaru Zeas
SFX (special effects) are practical effects that do not use CGI. They are implemented directly on set during filming and are either mechanical or optical effects. Examples include prosthetics, miniatures, paintings, stop motion photography and animation and composite imagery.
Scale your studio’s rendering and simulation capabilities, while equipping artists with powerful modeling and animation tools
Tools for 3D visual effects, finishing, and 3D compositing—available as Flame, Flame Assist, Flare, Lustre
We offer free Autodesk software for students and educators. Use the same visual effects software as top professionals around the world.
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Thanks to the power and remarkable malleability of VFX work, Image Engine was able to give a series as familiar as “Lost in Space” new life, reimagining 50-year-old concepts for the modern era.
Image courtesy of Image Engine
The rising popularity of superhero movies has brought new challenges to VFX studios. Double Negative shares their work on “Thor: Ragnorok”, the hurdles they faced, and how they tackled them.
Image courtesy of Dneg
Richard Hoover, VFX Supervisor at Framestore's Montreal office, shares how the studio pulled off some of the most demanding sequences filmgoers have ever seen for “Blade Runner 2049”.
Image courtesy of framestore
Learn more about rendering software with these tutorials, tips, and guides.
Tutorials of all levels to help you learn Maya, our 3D animation and modeling software
3D modeling and rendering software for design visualization
Tutorials of all levels to help you learn 3ds Max.
3D visual effects (VFX), finishing, and color grading software Tutorials of all levels to help you learn Flame.
Global illumination rendering software
The place to ask and answer questions and share knowledge about using Arnold.
The learning hub on AREA has free tutorials for software used by VFX professionals, ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels.
From big studios to independent film makers, learn more about our customers, their VFX work, and the problems they’re solving.
