Which VFX Software Should You Learn?

Image credits: Marvel Studios

You must have heard that learning the art is more important than the software. There’s no doubt in the truth of this statement, but given the time and energy being invested in learning, choosing a tool does have significance. Also, attributing a single software for CGI-ing isn’t possible as they are used for various purposes.

While some studios like Pixar has produced their own in-house animation software (Presto), most others either work around a single software or integrate a number of VFX software together to build workflows that are more efficient and deliver better results. The latter is called a ‘VFX pipeline’. 

If you’re going after a studio job, odds are you have to use whatever the software is being used there. So it’s better to know the fundamentals of a program because the actual workflow is basically the same. Flexibility can help you a long way through.

For Modelling, Rigging and Simulation

Autodesk Maya 
Very commonly taught as the primary tool! The latest versions have brought in huge improvements than the previous ones. Contrary to the belief, Maya isn’t extremely difficult to learn. It takes a while to understand the basics, but once you practice rigorously, you can work faster and easier. 

 Image credits: ©autodesk.com

Autodesk 3ds Max
It’s a ready out-of-the-box software for poly modelling. It gives you a more direct and in control feeling. As compared to Maya, 3ds Max is said to be more user-friendly and the applications are seen more in commercials and gaming than movies. A lot of indie studios are opting for 3ds Max rather than Maya. However, for character animation, Maya is preferred over this.

Houdini
Houdini often comes into the game when budget is a concern. Maya is way more expensive than Houdini. However Houdini has an edge over Maya for dynamic simulations and time efficiency. Also, Houdini’s distinctive node-based procedural workflow allows you to refine your work and make multiple iterations. It is easy to make changes and evolve your animations and effects, as compared to Maya. Houdini has been used for movies like Pacific Rim and the Harry Potter series. 

Blender
It’s an open source free software. If you’re a beginner, Blender is a good place to start. Until recently, it is was not completely possible to achieve photorealism using Blender. And that’s why it was not quite popular among filmmakers. Blender however comes with a fully-fledged built-in compositor and production ready camera and object tracking features. 

3D Motion Tracking 

3DEqualizer and SynthEyes

3DEqualizer is being used by the top VFX studios, but they prefer hiring only specialised people. If you’re aiming more to be a generalist then SynthEyes is the way to go. 
 

Compositing 

Nuke and NukeX
As Nuke and NukeX are the industry standard for compositing, you won’t be needing to test many others in this area. 

Rendering 

Autodesk Arnold 
Arnold is capable of great photorealistic renders. It is compatible with Maya and 3ds Max, and is one of the must-learn tools if you intend to be part of the VFX industry. 

To provide you with a single solution, many studios stick to Maya and thus the best consideration. Once you learn Maya, you can adapt to any program within days. Or if you intend to learn multiple software, then devote to each for a few months before jumping to another. The best way for beginners to do this is to join a comprehensive VFX career course that covers all popular software and techniques.