Motion Graphics & VideoEdit
Motion graphics tools, inspiration, AE / Fusion learning, and video editing. Stock footage lives in §1 Assets.
Motion Graphics: YouTube Channels
Motion design learning channels.
- Ben Marriott. After Effects and motion design.
Motion Graphics: Courses
Structured motion graphics courses.
After Effects: Learning & Templates
AE expressions, templates, and workflow resources.
- Jitter Templates. Free motion graphics templates.
- Top 5 Expressions (graymachine). Essential AE expressions.
Fusion (DaVinci Resolve): Learning
Fusion references and EXR workflow.
- Multichannel EXR (Fusion forum). Multichannel EXR workflow in Fusion.
- Split EXR in Fusion. Split EXR in Fusion guide.
- VFXPedia. Reference wiki for Fusion.
Motion Graphics: Inspiration
Showcases, style frames, title sequences, ad references.
| Software | Description | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friction | Free open-source motion graphics and 2D vector animation. After Effects-style workflow. See also: Software Reference → 2D & Animation Software |
Open Source | Open Source · AE-alt | Open-source motion graphics |
| Natron (community fork) | Free open-source node compositor, Nuke-like. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Open Source | Node-based · Nuke-like | Indie VFX compositing |
| TOOLL3 | Graph-based procedural real-time motion graphics for live performance or rendering. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Open Source | Real-Time · Procedural |
Related:
- Ads of the World. Advertising reference.
- AEJuice Freemium. Free and premium motion presets, transitions, and effects packs installable directly via a panel inside After Effects.
- After Effects Facebook Group. Join the After Effects community on Facebook.
- Animation Nodes (GitHub). A node-based visual scripting system designed for motion graphics in Blender.
- Animation Nodes (site). A node based visual scripting system designed for motion graphics in Blender.
- Art of Style Frame. Style frame showcase.
- Art of the Title. Title sequence deep dives.
- Behance Motion. Motion design gallery.
- Commotion. Blender add-on for motion graphics.
- Eyecannndy. Visual effects and motion inspiration.
- Film Grab. Film frame reference.
- Flim AI Freemium. Film frame search engine.
- Houdini 2 AE. Tool for exporting camera and locators from Houdini to After Effects.
- John Berube. Motion design portfolio and resources.
- Mobox Graphics. Offers in-depth After Effects tutorials, especially in the field of motion design.
- Motionographer. Motion design showcase.
- nexrender. Data-driven render automation for After Effects.
- Opening Titles (Vimeo). Title sequence collection.
- PlayPhrase.me Freemium. Phrase-based film clip search.
- RailCut Paid. Multi-track clip editing directly in After Effects with NLE-style tools like ripple edit, rolling edit, slip, and slide.
- React UMG. A React renderer for Unreal Motion Graphics with Unreal.js.
- Reddit - r/AfterEffects. The After Effects subreddit for community discussions and sharing.
- Rubberhose 2 Paid. Shape-layer-based IK limb rigging system for fast character animation with one-click rig creation.
- ShotDeck Paid. Film shot reference database.
- Stash Magazine Freemium. Motion design and animation showcase.
- Trapcode Suite Paid. A set of 3D motion graphics and visual effects plugins for After Effects.
Motion Graphics: Tools & Utilities
MG-specific tools and utilities.
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effekseer | Real-time VFX editor and runtime. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Open Source | Real-time VFX · Games | Game VFX particles | |
| MadMapper | Projection mapping software. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Paid | Projection Mapping · Live | Projection mapping | |
| Magic Animator | Web-based animation creator. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Freemium | Web · Quick Anim | Quick animated graphics | |
| Mocha Pro | Boris FX planar tracker for VFX. Roto, object removal, screen replacement, lens distortion. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software, Tools, Pipeline & Utilities → Matchmoving & Camera Tracking |
$48/mo or $325/yr; perpetual from $765 | Paid | Industry Standard · Planar Tracking | Planar tracking, roto, screen replacement |
| Red Giant Complete | Maxon-owned VFX/motion suite. Trapcode, Magic Bullet, VFX Suite, Universe. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
$85/mo or $639/yr | Paid | Plugin Suite · Motion Graphics | Motion graphics and VFX in AE/Premiere/Resolve |
| Resolume | Live visuals and VJ software. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Paid | VJ · Live Visuals | VJ, live visuals | |
| TouchDesigner | Node-based real-time visual programming for interactive media, installations, and live visuals. See also: Software Reference → VFX & Compositing Software |
Freemium | Real-time · Node-based | Interactive installations, live visuals, projection mapping |
Related:
- Caddis Paid. Motion design app with layer timeline and node compositing.
- Element 3D Paid. A 3D plugin for After Effects that allows you to import and animate 3D models.
- Jitter Freemium. Browser-based collaborative motion design tool.
- Lottielab Freemium. Editor for Lottie animations targeting apps and websites.
- Nukepedia Lens Engine. Lens simulation gizmo for Nuke.
- Nw Wrld. Experimental motion tool.
- PixelCrash Paid. Creative motion and visual tools.
- Plate Paid. WebGPU motion design tool running in the browser, with macOS and Windows builds.
Video Editing: Courses
Editing-specific courses.
2D & Animation Software
Also in Software Reference → 2D & Animation Software
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aseprite | Pixel art editor with animation tools (source on GitHub). | Open Source | Pixel Art · Sprite Animation | Pixel art, sprite animation, game assets | |
| Autograph | USD-based motion graphics, compositing, and VFX (After Effects alternative). Free for individuals incl. commercial use. Originally Left Angle, now Maxon. | Free | USD · Free Commercial | 2D/3D motion design and compositing | |
| Cavalry | Procedural 2D motion design (After Effects alternative). Free tier available. | Freemium | Procedural · Data-Driven | Data-driven motion graphics | |
| Clip Studio Paint | Industry-standard illustration and comics with animation timeline. | Paid | Manga · Frame-by-Frame | Manga, illustration, frame-by-frame animation | |
| Clipnote Studio | Simple animation software! | Free | 2D Anim · Free | Frame-by-frame 2D animation | |
| DragonBones | Open source 2D skeletal animation. Flash-origin workflow, runtimes for multiple engines. | Open Source | Open Source · 2D Skeletal | 2D skeletal animation (OSS) | |
| Friction | Free open-source motion graphics and 2D vector animation. After Effects-style workflow. | Open Source | Open Source · AE-alt | Open-source motion graphics | |
| GraphicsGale | Pixel art and sprite animation tool (free). | Free | Pixel Art · Free | Pixel art/sprite animation | |
| Krita | Free open-source digital painting. Brush engine, animation, HDR. | Open Source | Digital Painting · Animation | Digital painting, concept art, 2D animation | |
| LibreSprite | LibreSprite is an open source fork of Aseprite. | Open Source | |||
| Lightcube | Pixel art editor for Windows w/ PSD, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF support. | Paid | Windows · PSD Support | Windows pixel art w/ PSD | |
| Memao Sprite Sheet Creator | Build your own pixel characters using ready-made art. Customize and export in seconds for any project. | Paid | Pixel Art · Sprites | Pixel character sprite sheets | |
| Moho (Smith Micro) | 2D vector and bone-rigged animation. | Paid | Bone Rigging · Vector Animation | Character animation, motion graphics | |
| OpenToonz | Studio Ghibli's animation engine, open-sourced. | Open Source | Ghibli Pipeline · Traditional 2D | Traditional 2D animation | |
| Pencil2D | Free lightweight 2D animation. | Open Source | Lightweight · Hand-drawn | Simple hand-drawn animation | |
| Pickle | Pixel art editor. | Paid | Pixel Art · Editor | Pixel art editing | |
| Pixa.Pics | Browser pixel-art tool w/ vectorization. | Freemium | Browser · Vectorization | Browser pixel art | |
| Pixel Composer (itch.io) | Node-based 2D VFX and compositing for pixel art. | Paid | Node-based · Pixel VFX | Pixel art effects, game VFX | |
| Pixelator | Turn any image into pixel art. | Paid | Image→Pixel · Conversion | Image→pixel art | |
| Pixelorama | Free pixel art editor (made in Godot). | Open Source | Pixel Art · Godot-built | Pixel art for games | |
| PixelOver | Convert artwork to pixel art with animation, bone rigging, and pixel-perfect transforms. | ~$20 (free demo) | Paid | Artwork→Pixel · Rigging | Artwork → pixel art conversion |
| Pixen (GitHub) | Pixel Art Editor for OSX | Open Source | |||
| Pixen (site) | Paid, works on macOS and iOS. Superb OS integration, create pixel art on a tablet using pressure-sensitive drawing. | Paid | |||
| Pro Motion | Paid with trial, works on Windows. Advanced features tailored to creating pixel art for games. | Paid | |||
| Procreate | IPad painting app. Procreate Dreams for animation. | Paid | iPad-native · Storyboarding | Mobile illustration, storyboards | |
| PyxelEdit | Pixel art editor for tilesets, levels, animations. | Paid | Tilesets · Pixel Art | Pixel art tilesets/levels | |
| Rebelle 8 Pro | Natural-media painting app simulating real watercolor, oil, acrylic, ink with fluid dynamics. | Paid | Natural Media · Watercolor Sim | Realistic traditional-media digital painting | |
| REXPaint | Free ASCII art editor with layers, animation, and palette tools. Built for roguelike and terminal art. | Free | ASCII Art · Roguelike | ASCII art, roguelike mockups | |
| Rive | Interactive animation for apps and web. | Freemium | Interactive · UI Animation | UI animation, interactive graphics | |
| Spine (Esoteric Software) | 2D skeletal animation w/ mesh deformation, IK, skins/attachments. Runtimes for Unity/Unreal/Godot/web. Used on Cult of the Lamb, Return to Monkey Island, Tinykin. | Paid | Skeletal · Game Runtimes | Skeletal 2D animation for games | |
| SpriteMancer | 2D VFX and sprite animation. | Paid | 2D VFX · Sprites | 2D game VFX | |
| Spriter Pro | Modern tool for sprite animation (2D bone rigging). | Paid | Sprite Animation · Paid | 2D sprite animation | |
| Synfig Studio | Free open-source 2D vector animation. | Open Source | Vector · Cutout | Cutout/bone animation | |
| Tahoma2D | 2D and stop-motion animation (OpenToonz fork w/ modernized UI and features). | Open Source | OpenToonz Fork · Stop Motion | 2D / stop motion | |
| TexturePacker | Sprite sheet packing, multi-engine export. | Paid | Sprite Sheets · Multi-Engine | Sprite sheet packing | |
| Toon Boom Harmony | Professional 2D animation (studio standard). | Paid | Studio Standard · TV Animation | TV animation, feature film | |
| Toon Boom Storyboard Pro | Industry-standard storyboarding software. | Paid | Storyboarding · Animatics | Pre-production, animatics |
Video Editing Software
Also in Software Reference → Video Editing Software
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Compressor | Encoding and delivery companion app for Final Cut Pro. | $49.99 perpetual | Paid | FCP Encode · Mac | FCP encode/deliver |
| Apple Motion | Motion graphics app and FCP template authoring tool from Apple. | $49.99 perpetual | Paid | FCP Companion · Mac | FCP motion graphics + titles |
| Avid Media Composer | Long-standing film/TV finishing NLE. Standard for collaborative editorial in features and broadcast post. | From $23.99/mo (Ultimate $79.99/mo) | Paid | Industry Standard · Film/TV | Film and TV editorial |
| Avidemux | Simple OSS cut/filter/encode tool. Not a full NLE. | Open Source | Open Source · Utility | Quick cuts + reencodes | |
| CapCut Desktop | ByteDance's free desktop/mobile editor, dominant in social workflows. | Freemium | Free · Social-first | Social/short-form editing | |
| Clipchamp | Microsoft's browser editor bundled with Windows 11. | Freemium | Bundled w/ Windows · Browser | Quick Windows editing | |
| DaVinci Resolve | Free professional editing, color grading, Fusion, Fairlight audio. | Freemium | Free Pro · Full Post Pipeline | Color grading, editing, full post pipeline | |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | Paid Resolve with neural engine, advanced noise reduction, HDR grading, and multi-user collaboration. | $295 perpetual | Paid | Pro Tier · One-time Buy | Full pro post pipeline w/ collaboration |
| Descript | Transcript-driven video and podcast editor. Edits by editing the text. | Free / $15/mo Creator / $30/mo Pro | Freemium | Transcript Edit · Podcast | Podcast and talking-head editing |
| Filmora | Wondershare beginner-friendly editor; watermarked free tier. | ~$80/yr | Freemium | Beginner · Templates | Beginner editing |
| Final Cut Pro | Apple-native NLE with magnetic timeline. | Paid | Mac-only · Magnetic Timeline | Mac-based editing | |
| GoZen | Free open-source video editor built with Godot (alpha). | Open Source | Godot-built · Alpha | Lightweight editing, Godot integration | |
| HitFilm | Artlist-owned editor + VFX combo. Free tier plus Pro paid version. | Free / $7.99/mo Pro | Freemium | Editor + VFX · Free Tier | Editor + VFX in one app |
| iMovie | Apple's free consumer editor for macOS and iOS/iPadOS. | Free | Free · Apple | Consumer Mac/iOS editing | |
| Kdenlive | Free open-source NLE. | Open Source | Open Source · Cross-Platform | Linux/cross-platform editing | |
| Lightworks | Pro NLE with free tier (1080p export) and paid Pro/Create tiers. Used on feature films historically. | Free / $9.99/mo Create / $23.99/mo Pro | Freemium | Free Tier · Pro NLE | Pro NLE on a budget |
| OBS | Software designed for capturing, compositing, encoding, recording, and streaming video content efficiently. | Open Source | Capture · Open Source | Screen capture and streaming | |
| OpenShot | Award-winning free and open-source video editor for Linux, Mac, and Windows. | Open Source | Open Source · Beginner-Friendly | Cross-platform beginner editing | |
| Premiere Elements | One-time-purchase consumer Premiere variant. | ~$99 perpetual | Paid | One-time Buy · Consumer | Consumer Adobe editing without subscription |
| Premiere Pro | Industry-standard NLE from Adobe. | Paid | Industry Standard · Adobe Suite | Broadcast, film editing | |
| Shotcut | Free open-source video editor. | Open Source | Lightweight · Beginner-Friendly | Quick edits, beginners | |
| VEED | Browser editor with auto-subtitles, AI tools, and screen recording. | Free / $12/mo Lite / $24/mo Pro | Freemium | Browser · Auto-Subs | Browser-based quick edits + subtitles |
| Vegas Movie Studio | Consumer/prosumer Vegas variant for hobbyist editing. | ~$79 perpetual | Paid | Consumer · Windows | Hobbyist Windows editing |
| Vegas Pro | Magix Windows NLE with track-based timeline, HDR, and AI-assisted tools. | From $19.99/mo (perpetual $599) | Paid | Windows Pro NLE · Track-based | Windows-only pro editing |
| VSDC Free Video Editor | Windows non-linear editor, free + Pro tier. | Freemium | Free · Windows | Free Windows editing |
Audio Software
Also in Software Reference → Audio Software
| Software | Description | Pricing | License | Tags | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ableton Live | Session and arrangement DAW. Standard for electronic music and live performance. | Intro $99 / Standard $439 / Suite $749 | Paid | Electronic Std · Live | Electronic music + live |
| Adobe Audition | Professional audio workstation. | Paid | Audio Restoration · Adobe Suite | Podcast, sound design, restoration | |
| Ardour | OSS multitrack DAW. | Open Source | Open Source · GPL | Free multitrack DAW | |
| Audacity | Free open-source audio editor and recorder. | Open Source | Open Source · Recording | Voice recording, SFX editing, podcast | |
| Bfxr | Retro and chiptune SFX generator (browser and desktop). | Open Source | Retro/8-bit · Generator | 8-bit game sound effects | |
| Bitwig Studio | DAW with deep modular Grid synthesis engine. | Paid | Modular Grid · Cross-Platform | Modular DAW | |
| Cakewalk by BandLab | Full Sonar successor, free on Windows. | Free | Free · Windows | Free Windows DAW | |
| Cubase | Steinberg DAW with strong MIDI and scoring. | Paid | Steinberg · MIDI/Scoring | MIDI/scoring DAW | |
| Dolby Atmos Renderer | Reference Dolby Atmos production renderer. | Paid | Atmos · Reference | Reference Atmos production | |
| FabFilter Pro Suite | Pro EQ, compressor, reverb, and limiter plugins (Pro-Q, Pro-L). | Paid | Pro Plugins · Mixing | Pro mixing/mastering plugins | |
| Fairlight | Professional audio built into DaVinci Resolve. | Freemium | Film Post · Free with Resolve | Film audio post, Foley | |
| FL Studio | Pattern-based DAW with lifetime free updates. | From $99 | Paid | Lifetime Updates · Pattern DAW | Pattern-based production |
| Flux Spat Revolution | IRCAM-derived object-based spatializer for immersive mixing. | Paid | IRCAM · Spatial | Object-based spatial mixing | |
| FMOD | Industry-standard adaptive audio. Free for indie <$200k. | Freemium | Industry Standard · Indie-Free | Adaptive game audio | |
| FotoSketcher | Windows freeware that converts photos to sketch, painting, and pastel renders. Batchable. | Free | Freeware · Photo Stylize | Quick stylize batches | |
| GameSynth (Tsugi) | Node-based procedural SFX generator for games. | Paid | Procedural SFX · Games | Procedural game SFX | |
| iZotope RX | Industry-standard audio restoration suite. | From $399 | Paid | Audio Repair · Industry Std | Audio repair/restoration |
| Krotos | Performance-driven foley and monster vox plugins (Reformer, Dehumaniser). | Paid | Foley · Creature Vox | Foley + creature sound | |
| LMMS | Free FL-style DAW, cross-platform. | Open Source | Open Source · FL-style | Free FL-style production | |
| Logic Pro | Apple pro DAW for macOS and iPad. | $199.99 perpetual (Mac) / $4.99/mo (iPad) | Paid | Apple · macOS | macOS pro DAW |
| Max/MSP (Cycling '74) | Visual patcher for audio, MIDI, and video (Jitter). | Paid | Visual Patcher · Cycling 74 | Pro visual DSP/multimedia | |
| Pro Tools | Industry standard for post-production audio mixing and finishing. | From $9.99/mo (Studio $34.99/mo, Ultimate $99/mo) | Paid | Industry Standard · Post Mixing | Audio post mixing/finishing |
| Pure Data (Pd) | Open-source visual programming environment for audio, MIDI, and multimedia. | Open Source | Visual DSP · BSD | Visual DSP patching | |
| Reaper | Full DAW with $60 personal license. | $60 personal license | Paid | Full DAW · Affordable | Music production, sound design |
| Sonic Pi | Code-based music livecoding environment, education-friendly. | Open Source | Livecoding · Education | Livecoding music education | |
| Sound Particles | CGI-style 3D sound design with thousands of simultaneous sources. Big in immersive/film audio. | Paid | 3D Sound · Immersive | 3D sound design | |
| Soundly | Desktop SFX platform with curated library and local library management. | Free tier (3000+ sounds), Pro $14.99/mo | Freemium | SFX Library · Desktop | SFX browsing, sound library management |
| Steam Audio | Physics-based spatial audio by Valve. Free. | Free | Spatial Audio · Valve Free | Spatial game audio | |
| Strudel | Browser TidalCycles port (JS). | Open Source | Browser · Tidal Port | Browser pattern livecoding | |
| Studio One | PreSonus drag-flow DAW. | Paid | PreSonus · Drag Workflow | Modern drag-flow DAW | |
| SuperCollider | Server-based audio synthesis and livecoding language. | Open Source | Livecoding · GPL | Algorithmic synthesis + livecoding | |
| TidalCycles | Haskell-based pattern livecoding for algoraves. | Open Source | Algoraves · Pattern | Pattern-based livecoding | |
| VCV Rack | Open-source Eurorack modular synthesizer emulator. Free core; paid Pro and premium modules. | Free core / $149 Pro | Open Source | Modular Synth · Eurorack | Software modular synthesis |
| Wavewright | Modular music sandbox inspired by analog synthesizers (Early Access). | Free | Modular Synth · Early Access | Sound design, music experimentation | |
| Wwise | AAA audio middleware with free tier. | Freemium | AAA · Free Tier | AAA game audio |