Visual effects (VFX) bring impossible worlds to life and enhance stories in ways that would be difficult or dangerous to achieve on set. Modern filmmakers rely on a suite of specialised programs, each designed for a specific stage of the post‑production pipeline. Below is a tour of the most common categories.

3D modelling, animation & simulation

Maya is one of the most widely used 3D packages in film, television and game development. It offers tools for modelling, texturing, rigging and dynamic simulations, and has been recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its impact on the industry. Houdini specialises in procedural workflows and generates convincing smoke, fire, water and destruction; its realistic physics simulations have made it an industry standard for natural phenomena, earning an Academy Award of Merit for its developer SideFX. For sculpting highly detailed creatures and costumes, ZBrush provides digital clay tools used on films like Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, and it too has been recognised with an Academy Award for technical achievement. General‑purpose 3D packages such as 3ds Max and Cinema 4D are also staples of feature work; they handle modeling, rigging, texturing and animation, with Cinema 4D prized for its easy integration into motion graphics pipelines.

Compositing & tracking

After 3D renders are finished, artists composite layers together, match them to live‑action plates and remove green screens. Nuke is the dominant node‑based compositor; studios like Walt Disney and DreamWorks rely on its procedural workflow to build complex effects shots. For 3D tracking, 3DEqualizer is the industry standard; it accurately reconstructs camera motion from live‑action footage and has earned a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy. When planar tracking or object removal is required, Mocha Pro excels with its planar tracker and rotoscoping tools, making it indispensable for stabilising shots and replacing elements.

Motion graphics & finishing

After Effects bridges editing and VFX by combining compositing, animation and graphic design; it integrates tightly with Premiere Pro, enabling motion titles and visual effects within a familiar timeline. In the finishing stage, artists use paint and texturing tools to polish assets: Photoshop remains the go‑to for matte painting and texture creation, while Substance Painter paints realistic materials directly onto 3D models. Each of these applications plays a role in conjuring the seamless visuals audiences have come to expect.

The best results often come from combining multiple tools, with teams passing assets between departments. Understanding the strengths of each program will help you choose the right tool for the job and collaborate effectively with other artists.