Natron test
Added 2020-04-07 11:19:34 +0000 UTCAfter Effects is quick and easy, but there's a few times I've bumped into "oh you can't do that" and generally it's bogged down with lots of ancient effects and VFX stuff I'll never use. The layer's can be limiting too. Adobe's just shit now anyway, why are people still using their software? They're the next Nero.
Like anyone else who may have searched "After Effects alternative" or "compositing software", I bumped into Natron. It's open-source, and node-based (like Nuke). I did a little test with the Linux version (which I lost) and it seems to cover everything I need for compositing animation, and has some amazing "optical" effects that I like to emulate (although I'm trying to be more reserved with that now). Anyway, here's a test I did on the Windows version which likes to crash and render dud frames quite often.
I understand "open-source" means the community can maintain and improve a piece of software, but when you don't have a huge community, this just means a program with real potential is just left in an equivalent of "early access" state. I would rather a few ten thousand people pay $100 to fund updates, than it stay broken yet free. More developers need to really, really follow the Cockos/REAPER approach to digital download software commerce.
Still, I've really liked the results I've had playing with Natron and can easily integrate my scanned drawings and Clip Studio Paint EX approach with it (theoretically). If I have to dual-boot or emulate Linux just to have a more stable version of Natron, so be it.
"You can drive this baby for miles!"
"Ooooh...I'll give you five quid."
