In Depth Articles (54 Tutorials)

In Depth: Which 3D render engine is best? (Updated 4 May 2022) #3drenderer
May 4, 2022
There are so many renderers available out there, and how does an artist know what to choose? Learn what the different renderers offer.

Michele’s NAB Survival Guide Edition #NABShow
March 9, 2022
Going to NAB this year? For first-timers to NAB, this is the insider’s guide from someone who has been to almost 20 NAB Shows.

In Depth: Render Farms / Network Rendering / Distributed Rendering
March 4, 2022
The idea of network rendering is to distribute your render over a network, or farm, of computers, to speed up your render times.

Gunfire & Muzzle Flash Effects, Part 1
February 22, 2022
In the first article in the series on gunfire & muzzle flash, we break down real gunfire shots, to help add realism to your own effects.

How to Smash the Learning Curve to Learn Software Faster
January 31, 2022
Have you been wanting to learn new software but don’t know where to start? Don’t have the time? Well, I’m here to help you make it happen.

In Depth: DaVinci Resolve Studio vs the Free Version
November 3, 2021
Is Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Studio version worth the investment over the free version? Yes, it is! Read DaVinci Resolve Studio vs Free to learn more.

In Depth: Upscaling Video (Updated 11 Aug 2021)
August 11, 2021
If you work with old video footage in standard format or can’t shoot 4K, here are several tools to make the job smoother and get better results.

In Depth: Create Subtitles and Captions for Your Videos (Updated!)
July 26, 2021
Create subtitles and closed-captioning to help your video gain reach and appeal to a wider audience on broadcast and streaming videos.

In Depth: Fireworks Extravaganza with Fun New Content
June 30, 2021
Each July 4 we update a collection of fun tutorials on making fireworks. Enjoy tutorials for Particular, Particle Illusion, X-Particles, more!

In Depth: Lens Flares for Video
April 5, 2021
Lens Flares add drama and presence to scenes. In this article, I’ll be comparing some lens flare tools for your favorite NLEs and Motion Graphics tools

In Depth: Particle Plugins for After Effects within your Budget
February 4, 2021
Learn about creating particles in After Effects with plugins including Particle Illusion, Trapcode Particular, Rowbyte Plexus, and more!

In Depth: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Great Demo Reel
February 3, 2021
Get advice from seasoned pros on putting together a reel that will get you jobs! Learn what work to include on your reel, music choices, etc.

In Depth: Working with Night Time Scenes, part 1
November 2, 2020
You really have two choices when shooting scenes that take place at night. Either shoot at night and deal with the low light situation or shoot Day for Night. Shooting at night is easier if your camera is capable of it. Day for Night, which I would recommend under certain circumstances, can be tricky but can look fantastic and undistinguishable when it’s done correctly. Part one of this article will focus on shooting in after dark.

In Depth: Working with Night Time Scenes, part 2
November 2, 2020
Part 1 of this two part series focused on shooting at night and when and how to accomplish shooting in low light. Part 2 focuses on working with footage shot during the daytime and color grading for night. We'll also talk about adding some night time elements to sell your shot.

In Depth: Rain Generators
October 14, 2020
It has been cloudy here all day and is just starting to sprinkle here so I thought it might be a good time to update this article with some new information. Added June 13, 2016: Next Limit Realflow, Insydium X-Particles, a Boris tutorial, and more examples.