VFX Basics: Moving from After Effects to Nuke

Name: VFX Basics: Moving from After Effects to Nuke
Rating: 4.4 (373 reviews)

Step-by-step guide to transitioning your visual effects compositing skills from After Effects to Nuke.

Created byVicki Lau

Last updated 2/2022

English

What you'll learn

Know what, when and how to navigate and use basic nodes in Nuke
Understand the functional differences between After Effects and Nuke
Translate compositing skills from After Effects to do compositing with industry software Nuke

Course content

4 sections • 16 lectures • 1h 17m total length

Who am I and Who are you?1:49
Introduction to the instructor as well as an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your aspirations in visual effects (or film), to the community. Learn why the instructor is qualified and the best option to be guiding you through your visual effects compositing learning journey.
The 5Ws and 1H of Nuke4:05
An interesting overview on the 5Ws and 1H of Nuke, covering Nuke's entire existence and purpose using an elementary set of questions: what, where, when, who, why and how. Learn why now is a good time to get started on Nuke and node-based compositing in general.
Nuke Software2:26
Nuke is only one of the many software available for accomplishing this task of compositing. There are many other options out there which will be explored in this class. In this course, we will focus on the one used by many visual effects studios today - Nuke - for our compositing needs. After Effects will also be covered to assist those who are transitioning from After Effects.
After Effects to Nuke Basics

Interface Basics10:32
For users new to the node-based interface of the Nuke software, this lesson covers the interface basics, including how to navigate in Nuke, available tools and nodes, as well as where to find what in this node-based compositing software. If you are a seasoned Nuke user, feel free to skip this class.
Structure: Layers to Nodes10:45
Beginning with the fundamental differences between After Effects and Nuke, this lesson covers how After Effects and Nuke structures their layouts and method of compositing in their respective interfaces, helping you to transition from layers (After Effects) to nodes (Nuke).
Work Space: Hierarchy to Web6:04
Another major difference between the two software is how it works to create a final outcome or composite; this lesson covers how After Effects and Nuke's working system differs which affects how artists perform their tasks, helping you to transition from a hierarchical style of compositing (After Effects) to a more rhizomatic, web-like format (Nuke).
VFX: Effects Panel to Node Types4:32
Understand how After Effects' famous "Effects & Presets" panel is translated into Nuke, such that you can easily and quickly skip the fumbling around and go straight to creating magic in Nuke's interface. This lesson covers how After Effects and Nuke structures their access to effects and methods of creating them, helping you to transition from the Effects Panel (After Effects) to using specific node types (Nuke).
VFX: Basic Effects to Basic Nodes7:10
Moving on from understanding where to find your effects, this lesson covers some of the most basic effects in both After Effects and Nuke and how you can go about finding and using them in your composites in both interfaces, helping you to transition from basic effects applied on layers (After Effects) to basic effect nodes (Nuke).
Organization: Precomps to Backdrops8:44
Organization is key in any good working composite. This important lesson covers how After Effects' and Nuke's interfaces allow you to organize and structure your file or working composite with their available tools or methods of organization, helping you to transition from traditional precomps of layers (After Effects) to a visual backdropping of nodes (Nuke).
Export: Render Queue to Write Node8:22
Nothing is ever seen without it being rendered! This lesson covers how to render out any composition from After Effects and Nuke as well as how each software structures their rendering processes and steps for the fellow artist, helping you to transition from the Render Queue (After Effects) to the Write node (Nuke).
SHOT TRYOUT: Nuke this!1:13
Now that you've followed along, it is time to put your skills to the test with this new shot to try. Once again, post in the Q&A board if you have any questions or go back to previous lessons in order to figure out how to solve the shot.
SHOT TRYOUT

Nuke Best Practices for the Beginner2:09
A summary of all the points, tips and tricks of starting out with the Nuke software we have covered so far, including a take-away sheet that summarizes the lessons and best practices learned about the Nuke software for the pure novice.
The War between After Effects & Nuke3:21
A summary of the differences between After Effects and Nuke in the visual effects world and what the visual effects studios truly believe and think of the two software, including the pros and cons of both After Effects and Nuke, and how this affects you as a compositor.
The Thing about Nuke1:57
Ending on a conclusive note, we will touch on some discussion points of using Nuke for compositing and the effective ways to use Nuke in your own personal projects, including how to use the Nuke software in smart ways and for interesting projects.
Moving from Beginner to Nuke Artist0:33
Well done! Picking up Nuke from After Effects (or even from scratch) can be tricky work. For more in this series, stay tuned for future courses where we cover other kinds of similar software, best practices and cheats in the visual effects world.
After Effects to Nuke Summary

Requirements

Passion and Good Follow-Through
Adobe After Effects CC
The Foundry Nuke (non-commercial/ commercial version)

Description

If you want to learn how to use industry-standard software, Nuke, to create fancy visual effects (VFX) shots, but you don't even know how to bring in your files - then you're looking at the right course. This beginner course will help you get a head start with Nuke's interface or even help you transition your compositing skills from After Effects - either way, you are introduced to the intimate details of Nuke.

Learn that Other Compositing Tool to Grow as a VFX Artist.

Learn by working through a revamped version of our very own Filmtorial® where we work on a commissioned piece of art for David from Prometheus (2012).

Why This Course?

Taught by a real professional in the visual effects and film industry who worked on actual Hollywood blockbusters
Step-by-step guide with a practical and hands-on mini project to work on
In-depth exploration into the differences and similarities across the two software
Networking and open collaboration opportunities with instructor and students
Participate in a new e-learning movement and style of learning by being a part of a story as student characters

Empower yourself by picking up the tool used by 80% of the Visual Effects Industry.

You will Learn How:

To use the Nuke interface from scratch
To use and apply basic nodes and effects from After Effects in Nuke
To comfortably prepare work files, composite and render your work in Nuke

The best part of it all - this course is utterly and ridiculously FREE.

Who this course is for:

Film students and graduates interested in visual effects post-production
Students who want to transition from After Effects compositing to node-based compositing software Nuke
NOT for existing advanced or seasoned Nuke users

VFX Basics: Moving from After Effects to Nuke

What you'll learn

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Course content

After Effects to Nuke Basics3 lectures • 8min

After Effects to Nuke Practices8 lectures • 57min

After Effects to Nuke Summary4 lectures • 8min

BONUS1 lecture • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: