In Depth: Creating Space – A Galaxy of Resources for your Epic Space Film (Updated!)
Update! Yes, we just published this article last week but we have added some fantastic content from the “Making Space” series from Graham aka ShiveringCactus VFX Tutorials that you need to check out!
It’s no secret that I am a space geek. With the Perseid Meteor Shower peaking Aug. 12-13, and recent images from the James Webb Telescope, it’s a great time to be a fan of outer space! Watch an inspiring new video from NASA below.
But, we’re Toolfarm, and we focus on creating things here on earth. Sure, you can create planets with a sausage, but you can also use some pretty spiffy visual effects software.
In this Article
Space Tutorials – planets, nebulas, asteroids, black holes, space ships, and even a space colony!
Introduction & Inspiration
The James Webb Telescope
Check out the video from NASA about the James Webb Telescope that shows incredible images of galaxies.
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.
Ultra 3D Earth Tutorial! + Free ORB Plug-in! 100% After Effects!
Below, Andrew Kramer shows you how to create a realistic planet in After Effects. If you don’t have the free ORB plugin from Video Copilot, get it here.
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.
Cinema 4D Tutorial – How to Create a Space Colony
Create your own stunning ring-shaped space colony in Cinema 4D with this epic, 12-part, 16-hour tutorial by Adam Benton. 16 hours! Doesn’t it look amazing!?
🚀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.
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
Dosch 3D: Space
Get Space Assets for your 3D Scenes
The completely textured 3D-models are provided in multiple file formats: 3DS, 3dsmax (version 4 and above), Lightwave (version 6.5 and above), OBJ, Maya (version 4 and above), VRML, SoftimageXSI, Cinema 4D (version 8.5 and above), Collada DAE and FBX.
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.
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.
Boris FX Sapphire Perpetual License
Ultra Speeds, Ultra Creativity, Ultra Power. Download a free trial today!
Sapphire plugins let you create stunning organic looks unmatched by any host native effect tools. Key features include over 270 effects and 3000+ presets, a powerful Effect and Transition Builder, and integrated tracking and masking with the Academy Award-winning Mocha. Sapphire’s superior image quality, control, and render speed offers massive time-savings — allowing creatives to focus on what matters most, delivering an impact that keeps audiences coming back.
Boris FX Sapphire Annual Subscription
Ultra Speeds, Ultra Creativity, Ultra Power. Download a free trial today!
Sapphire plugins let you create stunning organic looks unmatched by any host native effect tools. Key features include over 270 effects and 3000+ presets, a powerful Effect and Transition Builder, and integrated tracking and masking with the Academy Award-winning Mocha. Sapphire’s superior image quality, control, and render speed offers massive time-savings — allowing creatives to focus on what matters most, delivering an impact that keeps audiences coming back.
Learn MoreTry Boris FX Sapphire Annual Subscription for free!
Sound Effects / Sound Design
Made with Krotos Audio Concept 2 – Earth from Space Station
Krotos Audio Concept 2 was used to create an amazing piece of atmospheric music quickly. Watch part one to hear the piece, and then in part 2 Matthew Collings, Head of Product at Krotos, demonstrates how it was done.
Krotos Audio Concept
A simply powerful, yet powerfully simple synth
Concept 2 is everything you want in a modern synth plugin, beautiful sounds without the complexity of operation found in many other synths.
Your time is valuable, and so we wanted to give you access to a rich sound design palette without having to spend time learning how to use it. With Concept 2, you can get lost in the music, not the manual.
Great sound design can make or break your film. Check out these options!
BOOM Library SFX Sci-Fi - Designed
Ready-to-use designed sci-fi sound effects.
Choose from a huge arsenal of powerful lasers, rail guns, plasma beams, unique alerts, whole ambiances, awesome mechanics, energy fields, space ships, etc. to equip your SCI-FI universe with the right sounds. SCI-FI DESIGNED will let you create high-quality futuristic sound design at light speed.
BOOM Library NEON – SCI-FI Elements
Futuristic Sound Design Elements
Sometimes a sound is elementary for a complex sound design and sometimes a single sound is an iconic statement. NEON is both: A modern SFX library that is fundamental to designing new sounds while expanding your library with unprecedented stand-alone SFX.
Video Copilot MotionPulse Audio SFX - BlackBox Bundle
The Ultimate Sound FX Toolkit
MotionPulse BlackBox Features 2,000 multi-layered soundfx, all 5 sound design packs, over 25 categories sound mixing tutorials, fully mastered. SoundFX Pack – 24-bit, 96Khz, WAV and MP3 formats. Full Audio Sound FX bundle includes Signal, Impact, Velocity, Organic and Machine packs.
Zynaptiq WORMHOLE
Otherworldly Audio Effects
From beautifully shimmering detuned guitar widening and glassy ambient octave-shift tails, to surreal ambiences, starship drones, alien, monster, and robot voices — WORMHOLE is the new indispensable multi-effects powerhouse for sound designers, music producers and film composers alike. Combining ultra-clean pitch/frequency shifting, eccentric spectral warping, dual lush reverbs, and unique dry/wet morphing, WORMHOLE delivers sounds so unearthly you’ll swear they’re from a parallel universe.
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!
Freebie: NASA PACK 1: ISS Expeditions 30-42
Download this free pack of hi-res images from NASA and the International Space Station.
More NASA Public Domain Images
There’s a great Flickr group with images that are public domain from NASA, called NASA – Public Domain. It’s unofficial, but all of the images can be used.
Free Space Sounds
The soundtrack is just as important as your visuals. If you need a soundtrack for your 2001 sequel, look no further than NASA’s SoundCloud Page. Here’s an example.
Posted by Michele Yamazaki
