In Depth: Creating Space – A Galaxy of Resources for your Epic Space Film (Updated!)

Introduction & Inspiration

In Saturn’s Rings

If you’re looking for some inspiration, look no further than In Saturn’s Rings by Stephen van Vuuren. It’s gorgeous and clearly a herculean project. Released in May 2018 on IMAX, they are currently working on a Fulldome version for planetariums. Disclosure: Toolfarm is a Platinum Ring Sponsor on the film.

This DIY, not-for-profit all-volunteer film is from Greensboro, NC, USA filmmaker Stephen van Vuuren with tons of help from volunteer image processors around the world. Over 67 volunteers on 5 continents are working on the film.

Created entirely from real photographs using photo animation and multi-plane photo animation. No computer-generated images, painting, cloning, tweening, morphing, texture maps, camera projection, or 3D models used. Even the “stargate” titles are created using photos – an 8000 photo mosaic of all-sky zoomed really fast to give a blurred appearance.

The film is 100% created using only flat 2D photographs (often hundreds or thousands per frame) stitched together for massive hundred megapixel+ resolutions that are scaled and zoomed using techniques developed by the filmmaker, based on Ken Burns and 2.5D photo animation processes.

The Lander, a short film by Han Yang

“Lander” is a short movie created almost entirely by Han Yang.  This sci-fi, action intensive film is fully CG and has taken almost a year and a half to create.  It’s filled with amazing outerspace images, lush, detailed landscapes, and the characters and ensuing action Han created are intense.  Plus check out the VFX breakdown and production workflow tutorial.

The Lander VFX Breakdown

CGI 3D Animated Short: “INTRA” – by Thomas Vanz

Space Tutorials

The tutorials here are based on creating realistic space objects, such as planets, stars, black holes, and so on. It does not include UFOs, satellites, and other man made elements.

“Making Space” Tutorial Series

What’s cool is that sometimes when we publish an article, a customer will popup and say, “Hey! I have some stellar stuff you should check out!” Graham aka ShiveringCactus VFX Tutorials send us such an email. He has a series titled “Making Space” with a little scientist cartoon, and he dives into some useful techniques. It’s a lot of fun with some fantastic pop culture references.

Fly through a Galaxy using Trapcode Particular

Graham shows you how to create a spiral galaxy with Trapcode Particular in After Effects. He includes an expression that you can copy and paste, as well as project files, which you can download from the YouTube description. Here is that expression:

Y = 0;
X = Math.sin(Math.PI*galaxySize)*Math.exp(galaxySize)*direction;
Z = Math.cos(Math.PI*galaxySize)*Math.exp(galaxySize)*direction;
[X,Y,Z]

Create an Interstellar Black Hole in After Effects

His first tutorial, reworked, after feedback from users who didn’t own Particular. He also has an expression on this YouTube description, as well as project files that you can download. Get them here.

Recreating the Genesis Effect from Star Trek II: the Wrath of Khan

His most recent addition to the series gives you a cool effect from Star Trek II. This tutorial also has an expression and links to download assets. Get them here in the description.

More Tutorials

Below, a collection of some of my favorite space VFX tutorials. Enjoy!

Creating a Planetary Atmosphere in Maxon Cinema 4D

Aharon Rabinowitz guides you through creating a possibly habitable planet in Cinema 4D, using the standard renderer in C4D.

Brandon Fate shot this impressive window shot with a giant red planet through the window. He explains both how he shot the scene, and how he composited it. He also uses the free Video Copilot ORB plugin, mentioned above, to create the planet.

Create Space VFX in After Effects

Create an Epic Earth Sunrise in After Effects

Caleb Ward explains how to create this glorious sunrise over the earth from a vantage point in space. You’ll need Video Copilot Optical Flares for After Effects to play along.

Solar Atmosphere Tutorial

Andrew Kramer from Video Copilot shows you how to make the surface of the sun, complete with solar flares. He uses the Heat Distortion plug-in from Video Copilot, as well as this expression:

Look At Expression:

value+lookAt(thisComp.activeCamera.toWorld([0,0,0]),position)[0]
value+lookAt(thisComp.activeCamera.toWorld([0,0,0]),position)[1]
value+lookAt(thisComp.activeCamera.toWorld([0,0,0]),position)[2]

3 Space & Energy Effects in After Effects | Tutorial

SonduckFilm shows you how to create an energy field that would be great for your planet!

Epic Space Scene with Nebula in After Effects – After Effects Tutorial

AM Motions shows you how to create some Nebula scenes, reminiscent of what the James Webb Telescope captured.

How to Create a Simple Spiral Galaxy in Cinema 4D

Lawrence Black shows you how to make a spiral galaxy, like our own Milky Way.

Rebuilding the Interstellar Black Hole in After Effects

Joey Shanks explains how to create a beautiful black hole for Shanks FX at PBS Digital Studios. He breaks down the process of how he made it in After Effects with some Red Giant Universe filters. First is the original video, then the video explaining the post-production process, step by step.

Creating a Sci-Fi Film (60 Minute Filmmaking Tutorial)

Neumann Films explains the effects of their short film, The Beacon.

How to Animate a Space Scene in After Effects & Cinema 4D – A StyleCraft Lesson

MotionScience takes you through planet Design and using After Effects and Cinema 4D to achieve orbit.

🚀Create an EPIC Space Scene in After Effects🚀

ProductionCrate does comedy and tutorials! In the tutorial, he uses Video Copilot Element 3D.

Burning Question: Making The Super Moon

This week we have the last super moon of 2022. Here are some ways to recreate the moon in After Effects or your NLE or editor, if you’re unable to capture the moon. This is a group of tutorials that covers Sapphire S_Luna, and plug-ins from CoreMelt, Video Copilot, Boris FX, Red Giant, SUGARfx, and Mocha.

View tutorials

Plugins, Tools, and Sound Effects

There are loads of effects that can be helpful with making planets, solar systems, black holes, etc., including particle generators, lens flares, and more. Here are a few that we find to be super helpful in this department.

Plugins

3D Elements

Space HDRIs in Greyscalegorilla Plus

In February 2022, Greyscalegorilla added Space HDRIs to GSG+. This includes 20 cosmic maps that will make your next render extra(terrestrial). a pack of 20 maps created specifically for cosmic renders. Your new Space HDRIs are high-resolution and easy-to-use, with a variety of Alien Skies, Stars, Nebula, and Aurora Borealis. The possibilities are astronomical.

Greyscalegorilla Plus

Boris FX Sapphire

Sapphire includes a few great tools for creating space elements: Night Sky, Luna, Aurora.

Introduction to Sapphire Luna and Night Sky

Damien LeVeck shows you Sapphire Luna and Night sky.

Create amazing motion graphics with Sapphire Aurora and Adobe After Effects

John Dickinson walks you through using Sapphire Aurora.

Get the video artists’ most coveted tool, Sapphire!

Available as a perpetual license or annual subscription.

Sound Effects / Sound Design

Great sound design can make or break your film. Check out these options!

Free Stuff

Freebie: 40+ Free 4K Space Textures and Elements from PremiumBeat

PremiumBeat has a stellar Space Kit filled with over 40 space-themed textures and elements, all at 4K and it’s free!

Learn more

Freebie:  NASA PACK 1: ISS Expeditions 30-42

Download this free pack of hi-res images from NASA and the International Space Station.

Learn more