OT: Fusion Studio

[Shawn Miller]

[Steve Connor] “As powerful as it is, I really can’t see significant numbers of AE or Motion users converting to Fusion”

I don’t know if I completely agree with this. I’ve seen (and know) a lot of folks who use Ae in conjunction with a variety of 3D packages. Many of them use a combination of their 3D package of choice, Ae and Nuke… so I imagine Fusion might just become the default node based compositor for folks who can’t afford Nuke (like me). 🙂

The story might be different for Motion users, I haven’t really seen 3D artists (VFX or Mograph) use it… well, except for Simon maybe. 🙂

Shawn

[Tim Wilson]

So David, you keep coming back to Fusion as one of your greatest topics of interest. Have you downloaded it? If so, what do you think of the nodal approach? Especially for the kind of motion graphics that you do?

If not, why not? 🙂

[David Mathis]

Tim,

Have not downloaded because my Windows laptop has Windows 7 but plan to upgrade.

Nodes are much more flexible, present more ideas but can present challenges. Just like setting up bins or events an your NLE of choice, the node tree must be organized, even more so. Should you or someone else need to go back to the project, a mangled up flowchart serves no useful purpose. It needs to be where anyone can at least understand what is going on under the hood, let alone allow for better troubleshooting.

Sometimes layers are a more appropriate choice. Why use a screwdriver to put a nail in the wall when a hammer is much better?

For processing stills or some basic animation nodes offer much flexibility, just on a single shot basis, like a scene. Great masking tools, color correction and such is why Fusion would be used for some work. For additional animation and timing, Motion is the tool of choice. Screwdriver or hammer?

At least that is the awnser I can think of at this moment.

Oh, looks like Fusion has an awesome particle system. Nearly forgot that one!

[David Mathis]

Not a fan of a pre-comp either but love working with groups. I like to think of them as both a pre-comp and an adjustment layer with more benefits minus some of the headaches. Image masks are better since stacking order is not as important. Not a fan of layers but sometimes they are a more an appropriate choice. Why use a screwdriver to put a nail in the wall when a hammer is much better?

Personally a node based approach is better for a single shot scenario or when working with stills, at least in my opinion. Timing and titles are best done in a layer based environment, hence the analogy above.

When life gives me lemons, there are two ways I look at it: As lemonade or a gas guzzling clunker that could fall apart on me at any moment. I prefer lemonade.

[Eric Santiago]

David Fusion works on Windows 7.

Does for me anyway but on a BOXX tower.

[Marcus Moore]

After it’s available for Mac (presumably sometime after an announcement at NAB) I’ll be keen to try it. Motion has been able to fill my motion graphics needs for almost entirely for the last few years- but I’d like an alternative for more complex compositing. I’d love to see that stuff in Motion, but at this point I’m doubtful Apple are chasing that space.