THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES

THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES



Introduction
What is Video Editing and What Does VFX Stand For?
Video Editing Programs
Tutorials
Resources
Websites
The End

THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES



I’ll try my best to provide everything you will ever need to be a good video editor and/or a VFX artist, whether you came to learn from scratch, or to improve your knowledge, this guide will help you with whatever it is you seek. Feel free to come back here every now and then, I will make sure to update the thread with whatever new ideas that come to my mind. 


THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES



Video editing is the process of cutting videos, rearranging and manipulating them to create something that is different from the resources that were used to create the new content.
VFX stands for Visual Effects. Visual effects are digitally created by taking live-action footage and integrating it with generated imagery to create something new. In most cases, it is something that is impossible to recreate in real life, or is either dangerous or expensive to do so. Which makes visual effects the best alternative. VFX can be created by a number of programs, the most common will be mentioned and discussed later in this guide.



THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES



Before you continue reading, please note that picking the program that you want to use is based solely on what you need done. These programs are all different from each other, each has it’s own set of pros and cons.

Adobe After Effects
AE is a composting software. If you want to create cool Youtube intros, maybe some CSGO edits, or some explosions and some science fiction effects, this is the program to get. Sadly, AE lacks editing capabilities which can be compensated in other programs.

HitFilm Express (Free)
Hitfilm tries to combine editing and composting into one program, which means It's great for VFX as much as it's great for editing. Plus, this version is free!

HitFilm Pro (Paid)
This is the paid version of HitFilm. It has advanced options and additional plugins that the free version doesn't have.

Sony Vegas Pro
SVP is made for arranging movie clips in a sequence. Which also means that it’s great for compensating for AE’s editing capabilities. A lot of people use SVP for compositing as well, so it's kinda a mix between AE and Premiere Pro.

Adobe Premiere
Adobe Premiere is a similar program to Sony Vegas Pro, there are some slight differences like rendering speed and the ability to handle a broad variety of high-quality renditions in all formats. Unlike After Effects, Premier Pro is an editing software, not a compositting software. So you should use Premiere and After Effects together.

Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is one of the most professional video editing programs nowadays, it is used by a lot of major video editing individuals and companies. You can create some awesome stuff really fast using the help provided via It’s templates. You need a fast computer to get the best out of FCP.



THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES


Intro Tutorials

Here, I have provided some tutorials that will significantly help you make intros. You can make Youtube channel intros, or just normal movie or gaming intros.
Note that I have 
manually picked these tutorials to make sure that you get the best out of your time

Advanced 3D Light Rays
Create 3D Light Rays inside After Effects 

Fancy Bevels
Create detailed bevels with Element 3D 

Typewriter Keys Logo
Create a logo using vintage typewriter keys in Element 3D 

Translucent Glass
Create a cool title design using a 3D displacement map

The Jungle
Create a overgrown jungle scene with rocky title 

Element Animation Engine
Animate Pre-Fractured Objects with Element 3D! 

Biohazard Logo
Extrude a 3D logo in this video

Procedural Crumble
Create a procedural crumbling effect using Shatter Effect 

Light Glow
Create an illuminating title with color casting in 3D 

Green Smoke
Create a cloudy smoke title with real footage 

Shatterize
Create a progressive shatter effect in After Effects 

3D Ball Dispersion
Create a ball transition effect with CC Ball Action

Blueprint Reveal
Create a draw-on blue print title card

Ancient Titles
Create particles that only appear in the light beams 

The Ring
Build a silver ring in After Effects with a particle wipe 

Spin Orbs
Create a spinning orb that self animates with time 

Speed Particles
Use expressions to drive particles based on speed 

Fly By Titles
Create titles that fly by the camera 

Graffiti Writing
Simulate graffiti writing on a wall in 3D 

Fracture Design
Fracture layers and manipulate in 3D space with ease 

VFX Tutorials


Here, I have provided some tutorials that will significantly help you create visual effects. 
Explosions, gun shots and muzzle flashes, light sabers and alien stuff, you name it, It’s here.

Cloning Yourself
Probably one of the most on-demand VFX tutorials

Missle Launch
Fire a missile with new JetStrike pack & Particula

Sub Surface Skin
Create an illuminated skin effect inspired by Iron Man 3! 

Scopes
Use after effects to simulate a variety of optical scopes 

Alien Surface
Create a realistic set extension using a Matte Painting 

3D Truck Compositing
Composite a 3D truck into live action with 3D camera track 

Mid Air Emergency
Composite footage into Airplane interio

Magical Hits
Composite stock footage elements to create magic hits 

Dynamic Machine Gun
Create a machine gun with dynamic ricochets types 

Depth Charge
Combine multiple explosions to create a Depth Charge 

Blast Wave
Build a realistic explosion using Action Essentials 2 

Advanced Time Freeze
Composite suspended 3D glass into a live action shot 

3D Ledge
I ntegrate 3D with Live Action footage using 2D tracking 

Smoke Trails
Create realistic smoke trails with Particular particles 

Lightning Strike
Add Rain & Atmosphere then build a Lightning Bolt 

Disintegration
Build a furious procedural Disintegration effect in AE 

Futuristic HUD
Create 3D interface display as seen in Iron Man's helmet 

Soul Removal
Create Energy particle system in After Effects 

Energy
Create a complex energy scene with CC particle world 

Advanced Car Hit
Create a realistic vehicle collision with body damage 

The Healer
Create a healing effect as seen by many super heroes 

3D Eyeball
Make a 3D eyeball that can look around the room 

Eye Replacement
Create creepy eye effects by replacing eyeball 

Skin Displacement
Simulate the look of bugs crawling under the skin 

Set Extensions
Extend a live action set with custom matte painting 

Day To Night Conversion
Transform daylight footage to night footage 

Demon Face Warp
Add face warp using reverse motion tracking 

Advanced Sky Replacement
Use procedural mattes to remove a blown out sky 

The Blue Planet
Create a cool earth in After Effects 

Earth Zoom
Create a cosmic Earth zoom in AE 

Time Freeze
Simulate a frozen world around one person 

Simulated Lightning
Make a muzzle flash actually light up your scene 



THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES


Every editor’s must-have. You will need this whether you want to create intros, VFX edits or whatever else. 
In my opinion, this is by far the most important DVD for a VFX artist to have.

Triune Digital: Fire Assets
This pack has such unique looking fire loops, and because this pack is relatively new, your video is going to stand out, and your audience wont be able to tell where you get your stuff from!

Riot Gear
Great for making professional intros or things that don’t necessarily have to do with VFX.

Pro Scores
Cinematic production music, this is for anyone who needs amazing cinematic music for their short films, but it can work with anything.

Designer Sound FX
Another awesome sounds pack. The difference between Designer Sound and Pro Scores is that Pro Scores has cinematic sounds and orchestral Music while Designer Sound has a variety of in-real life sounds like impacts and swishes in addition to some simple layered music.

Gun Foley SFX
Hollywood Guns SFX
Let me put it this way; if a gun exists, one of these packs has it's bullet sound.

Triune Sound: Fighting SFX
This pack has some really high quality fight sounds. It will definitely come in handy in many situations.

Triune Sound: Hits & Risers
Whatever you're making, you're going to need an "impact" sound pack. This is one of the good packs out there. It has 170 sounds to create any impact sound you need for your video or film.

Triune Scores: Horror Pack
Are you into creepy stuff? do you tend to make horror-related videos? this pack will help you scare the shit out of your audience.

Triune Scores: Trailer Pack Vol1
Nothing compliments Youtube intros more than good trailer sounds. This pack will not only help you when it comes to intros, but anything else as well.

Film Magic Pro
If you’re intro creating short films, this will give your video a cinematic and professional look.


3D Packs

3D packs will help you add specific objects to your videos using AE, or any other programs that have 3D tracking, you can add objects such as jets, weapons, money and food. Basically anything you can think of.

Jet Strike Pack
Commercial and Military Jets

Metropolitan Pack 
3D Skyscrapers & Buildings

Projectile Weapons Pack 
Bullets, Missiles and More

Sound & Music Pack 
Music & Sound Gear

Sports Pack
Action Sports

Money & Casino Pack 
Instant Vegas

Fresh Food Pack 
Fruits, Veggies & More!

THE ULTIMATE VIDEO EDITING THREAD | VFX | RESOURCES


Some useful websites that will help you with your journey. 

http://www.videocopilot.net/
Tutorials and resources for a variety of video editing programs can be found here.

http://cgi.tutsplus.com/
Tutorials for a variety of video editing programs can be found here.

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/adobe-after...ced-users/
50 Adobe After Effect Tutorials

http://vfxbro.com/
This guy creates great tutorials and free resources.

http://www.creativebloq.com/3d-tips/afte...ls-1232661
45 After Effects Tutorials (all levels)

http://www.lynda.com/After-Effects-train...150-0.html
For more After Effects Tutorials.

http://www.lynda.com/Premiere-Pro-traini...287-0.html
For more Adobe Premier Tutorials.

http://www.lynda.com/Final-Cut-Pro-train...201-0.html
For Final Cut Pro tutorials.

https://www.youtube.com/user/CorridorDigital
After you've learnt the basics from VideoCopilot, check out these guys for more great tutorials.

https://www.youtube.com/user/freddiew
Same as Corridor Digital, these guys helped me a lot and still do.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJXZkYXXoRTDUDKHohq6sA
Great and useful AE templates can be found on this Youtube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I98pBdGHdTDT_qv9s2TDg
Great and useful AE templates can be found on this Youtube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfKs3mu...LM0A5nscwA
An amazing guy to get inspiration from for anything VFX related.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BakersTuts
More After Effects tutorials. Suggested by Reαl.

http://mitchmartinez.com/free-4k-red-epi...k-footage/ 
4K Res Time lapses, suggested by NeverHere

http://www.videvo.net/
Stock Motion Graphics, suggested by NeverHere

http://www.vidsplay.com/ 
HD Stock Footage, suggested by NeverHere

http://archive.org/browse.php?field=subj...ck_footage
Public Domain Footage, suggested by NeverHere

https://musopen.org/
Music, Mostly Classical, suggested by NeverHere

http://soungle.com/
Audio Effect Search Engine, suggested by NeverHere

http://www.bigsoundbank.com/
Foley Audio, suggested by NeverHere

http://sweetsoundeffects.com/
Audio Packs, suggested by NeverHere

http://www.soundgator.com/
Foley Audio, suggested by NeverHere

http://www.shutterstock.com/video/
Shutterstock makes for a useful site to use when thinking about greenscreen. 
The company has a wide range of categories to chose from including aerial shots, celebrities and time-lapse footage.

http://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/greenscreenplates
This site provides some free VFX Plates to download and test

http://www.videoblocks.com/videos/greenscreen
Video Blocks offers backgrounds as well as allowing you to provide the background to the footage provided


I would like to thank everyone who put time into reading my guide and hopefully put effort into learning, and I’d like to wish you all good luck on your journeys.

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