Are there any simplistic Special Visual Effects programs for a good price? at DVinfo.net

James A. Davis · January 16th, 2007, 12:38 PM

I'm looking for a program that can add things to your video such as laser blast, gun shots, explosions, glowing objects, or any other special effects. Nothing too expensive but affordable. Any suggestions?

Richard Alvarez · January 16th, 2007, 01:01 PM

Please define "too expensive" and "Affordable" to you.

Scott Routt · January 30th, 2007, 07:03 AM

Virtix is cheap and easy and sometimes even nice (especially for the price) around $100. This compared to Boris FX which is closer to like $750 if I remember right. Both use keyframing. The keyframing on Virtix is less intimidating because it has fewer controls. Both can be downloaded free to try. The Virtix free download will put a watermark on the sequence until you buy the key code. The BorisFX free download doesn't have a watermark but is only good for a couple weeks. Caution- BorisFX is so much better, but so more expensive that you might not want to look at it. It's like test driving a porche when you can only afford a volkswagon- so why bother. I know Boris is for PC/Mac, and I have Virtix for my Mac. I would just think Virtix is also available for PC.

Robert Kirkpatrick · January 30th, 2007, 08:44 AM

Inexpensive is tricky. $10 is a lot of money to me. :) But you might want to check out the folks at FXHome.com. They have some popular, easy software, for around $100-$200 -- which I've never tried -- but it has a loyal following.

William W. Holcomb · February 24th, 2007, 11:45 AM

FXHome is great for the price. I work primarily in After Effects but I'd say that about 75% of everything I do in AE I can easily accomplish in FXHome. I have played around quite a bit with FXHome and there is a learning curve (maybe not as steep as AE but still steep) so in order to get it to work for you you'll have to spend some time with it.

For lasers, gun blasts, blood spurts, etc., FXHome is perfect. Good luck.

January 16th, 2007, 12:38 PM	#1
James A. Davis Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 90	Are there any simplistic Special Visual Effects programs for a good price? I'm looking for a program that can add things to your video such as laser blast, gun shots, explosions, glowing objects, or any other special effects. Nothing too expensive but affordable. Any suggestions?

January 30th, 2007, 07:03 AM	#3
Scott Routt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 206	Virtix is cheap and easy and sometimes even nice (especially for the price) around $100. This compared to Boris FX which is closer to like $750 if I remember right. Both use keyframing. The keyframing on Virtix is less intimidating because it has fewer controls. Both can be downloaded free to try. The Virtix free download will put a watermark on the sequence until you buy the key code. The BorisFX free download doesn't have a watermark but is only good for a couple weeks. Caution- BorisFX is so much better, but so more expensive that you might not want to look at it. It's like test driving a porche when you can only afford a volkswagon- so why bother. I know Boris is for PC/Mac, and I have Virtix for my Mac. I would just think Virtix is also available for PC. __________________ Scott Routt "Talk is cheap unless you have a lot of audio toys"

January 16th, 2007, 01:01 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Please define "too expensive" and "Affordable" to you.

January 30th, 2007, 08:44 AM	#4
Robert Kirkpatrick Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 199	Inexpensive is tricky. $10 is a lot of money to me. :) But you might want to check out the folks at FXHome.com. They have some popular, easy software, for around $100-$200 -- which I've never tried -- but it has a loyal following.

February 24th, 2007, 11:45 AM	#5
William W. Holcomb Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Twinsburg, Ohio Posts: 46	FXHome is great for the price. I work primarily in After Effects but I'd say that about 75% of everything I do in AE I can easily accomplish in FXHome. I have played around quite a bit with FXHome and there is a learning curve (maybe not as steep as AE but still steep) so in order to get it to work for you you'll have to spend some time with it. For lasers, gun blasts, blood spurts, etc., FXHome is perfect. Good luck.