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INDEX 02: 3D Apps: Animation, Special Effects (VFX) and Compositing

  • Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

    • HERE WE HAVE our complete list of macOS Animation, Special Effects (VFX) and Compositing apps. This is actually the strongest list or 3D macOS category, likely due to this segment’s relationship to film and video editing, a historically strong market for the macOS platform.

    On this list, we have included all the major 3D pro packages like Maya, Cinema 4D, LightWave and Houdini—those all fully cross-platform for macOS support. And of course, we have listed here Pixar’s RenderMan. Some of these tools are also listed under other category lists, like Cinema 4D under AEC, as that tool is highly used in that industry segment. Tools in this list also include compositing solutions used in visual effects with films.

    There are so many superb software packages for the Mac platform in the areas of animation, visual effects, and compositors; it is hard to select three notable solutions because there are many more than that. If you are here reading this you likely have already heard of the big names like Autodesk Maya, Maxon’s Cinema 4D, Houdini and NUKE. So let’s focus on notable solutions you may not know about yet.

    Some Notable Animation, VFX and Compositing Apps

    A lot of macOS based 3D professionals are well aware of tools like Maya and After Effects, even if those toolsets are not in their industry sectors. They are some of the bigger names in the industry. One superb software solution is Fusion 9 by Blackmagic Design, one of the larger companies in the film and TV broadcast industries. Blackmagic actually makes a tone of hardware, including the things you would see in a live TV studio. They also make professional cameras. And—importantly—they make the Blackmagic eGPU Thunderbolt 3 external GPU case for enhancing graphics performance on hardware like the MacBook Pro.

    The Foundry’s modo is an award-winning mac-native 3D application that was once featured during a Steve Jobs keynote. modo has one of the most beautiful and professional user-interfaces on the planet of any software anywhere. The package continues to gain strengths across modeling, animation, rendering and more.

    01 – Fusion 9 is the latest from Blackmagic Design, a leading 3D compositor and special effects package.

    02 – modo by The Foundry is more than a very versatile modeler. It is actually a complete 3D package like Maya.

    03 – An image from the upcoming Houdini 17, a complete pro 3D package that has been mac native for years now.

    Houdini has been mac-native for many many years now. When Houdini came to macOS users it really felt as those the whole of the animation and VFX industry was mostly supportive of the Apple platform. Houdini has recently added the ultra-fast Redshift renderer to its arsenal. Houdini 17 is on its way.

     

    INDEX 02: 3D Apps: Animation, Special Effects (VFX) and Compositing

    We have over 32 macOS native 3d applications in this list. We will add to it when we learn of new ones.

     

    Growing This List

    Have we missed a key software package you use or make that should be on this list? If so please email us at info@architosh.com and tell us about it.

    We will be sure to add it to the list at the next update AND we will give you a complimentary annual subscription to Architosh INSIDER premium membership.

    series index page: Mac 3D App Guides for AEC/CAID/VFX and Animation industries. 

    Architosh will be reviewing and updating all our App Lists on a regular basis. See the dates below.

    Listing of Updates by Date

    7 Oct 2018 — Creation Date

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