One of the many misconceptions I get from my viewers and community is the difference between visual fx and motion graphics. Visual fx and motion graphics are incorrectly used interchangeably and I wanted to clear some differences out.
First off, visual effects are as stated, effects that are visual. Visual effects are primarily used on actual video footage or images and is done in post production. Examples of visual effects are explosions or lasers you see in a Hollywood movie. Visual effects usually require some compositing work or rotoscoping to match the scene the effects are taking place in.
Motion graphics can also have ‘effects’ but they aren’t necessarily ‘visual effects’. Motion graphics is basically graphics in motion like shapes, vectors, text, etc. Animations like anime and cartoons are a few other examples of motion graphics. The official Wikipedia definition: Motion graphics are graphics that use video footage and/or animation technology to create the illusion of motion or a traotion graphics are usually combined with audio for use in multimedia projects.
So the next time you discuss or reference visual fx and motion graphics, make sure you use the correct terminology. Using the right terminology will make you sound slightly more intelligent and will better help you get your point across. So what do you guys think? What is visual fx and motion graphics to you?
Awesome Explanation Dude! Thanks for clearing the Things Now!
Now i can also share such things if someone asks me things like these!
Love the New Design by the way! its really Cool!
Thanks Faisal, I appreciate all your support! Spread the word
never new the difference until today !! thanks to you !!!
Anytime! Glad the article was useful to you, come back often for more articles like this!
It’s like same as raster and vector images.
To a certain extent, yes
You got the basic idea!
Hi VinhSon! (or do I say Nguyen?) You talk really fast and get lots of information across really quickly! I like this! You are obviously extremely good at what you do! Well done! I would like to ask you if its possible to simulate the motion dynamics of a spiral galaxy using Adobe After Effects. I am a complete novice at this and have not tried even 1 project in AE. I’m not a professional in this field as my subject is science. I have a project for my paper on Galactic motion and, if I can, would like to build the motion dynamics of such a galaxy into a video for the obvious graphic reference visuals. Because I am unpaid for any of this work, I’m trying to avoid buying any more software and will use what I have if that’s possible. I would greatly appreciate your comment. Thank you. p.s. I may not have money but I am keen to learn AE if it will give me the basic 3 motion simulation – rotary, spiral and radial).
Hello Robert, thanks for the support! I haven’t messed with creating galaxies/controls yet but there’s this really awesome project by Mocarg on VH that does this very well. It’s $15 dollars but well worth it, you can learn a lot more for this project file than from me in a nutshell: Realistic Galaxy by Mocarg
You are able to easily control the rotary, spiral, radial, etc. Also, if you need any help modifying the project, contact Mocarg via his profile on VideoHive too, he’s really nice about it!
I have just been to Mocarg’s page on VH. Thank you very much for this direction, it is indeed what I had in mind. My paper and project intends to explore the scientific accuracy of these galactic phenomena and will contain a few controversial (in the cosmology world) parameters of exactly these motions. I can now feel that is worthwhile to learn AE specifically for this project; so you gave me exactly the info I needed. Thank you again! Merry Christmas! I hope to join you in the New Year (that is, join the advanced learner tutorials audience!) once I have gained enough basic experience. All the best, Robert.
I’m glad you got what you needed, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Also, if you’d like to learn After Effects, keep revisiting the site as I’ll have tons of more AE tutorials
I’m also starting a AE101 series for beginners, stay tuned!
I have to answer the same when somebody ask me again… thanks
Anytime! Thanks for your support
Good explanation.thank u.
Thank you for your kind feedback!
im just wondering, what product (refering to your future product such as plug-in, presets, royalty free footages and all stuff like that) could your site can come up to?… im just expressing my expectations=) Because im starting to love this whole thing (your site,im spreading the word,hope that helps)=D ive downloaded your color correction presets, now i dont have to buy vcp’s film magic pro=) very helpful=)
Thanks man, I’m glad you like the Dojo Packs! I’m currently not focusing on products so much but when we release products, expect them to be great!