Natron | The FREE VFX Software that's Comparable to After Effects

This is a brief introduction to Natron, a visual effects compositing software that's heavily based on the industry standard and is open source (meaning it's free)! Then a very basic explanation of how it works.
Try Natron for Free here:
natrongithub.github.io/
Head to my channel or this playlist for a FREE COURSE on how to learn and use Natron:
• Learn Natron Compositing
#AfterEffects #Natron #VFX #Compositing
Natron Series Course Outline:
Ep1: Introduction and GUI overview
- Node Menu and side menu
- Top menu
- Invisible Setting node
- User settings (shift + s)
- Node graph
- Viewer
- Nodes being a tools/settings container
Ep2: Key framing
- Keyframe state on and off and note expressions
- Using the viewer timeline and dope sheet to spot keyframes
- Animate a colour wheel to bounce
- Using the curve editor
Ep3: Tracking
- Tracker node
- Point track
- Copying track to transform node
- 4 point track and corner pin
- Linked vs unlinked
- Using corner pins to do quick roto
Ep4: Channels and Premultiplication
- RGB
- Alpha channel
- Premultiplication
Ep5: The Merge node
- Quick explanation of A over B
- Over, under, max, screen, mask, stencil, difference, minus
- How to see the math for the others
Ep6: Marker removal
- Paint clean frame
- Transform offset
- Corner pin
- Switch matte
Ep7: Basic Compositing
- Text Element
- Apply corner pin
- Make cast shadow
Ep8: Rendering
- Movie files vs image sequences
- Common file types; exr, mov
- Render settings: channels, path, hash, frame range, unpremultiplied
- Babying the render
- Checking the render
My socials:
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Twitch: / pro_hazza
TikTok: harry_chrisp
Twitter: / harry_chrisp
Other KZbin: kzbin.info/door/gJ2...
Website: harrychrisp.com/

[@ayneSFilms]

Professionally working with nuke and fusion on daily basis, and been using natron for personal projects about a year. Can say it’s very capable.

[@HarryChrisp]

Yea I completely agree

[@flighttkrunker]

Hey! I was wondering which one I should choose among the 3, what's your opinion? I already have a bit of experience with Fusion but I'm looking into other free softwares.

[@ayneSFilms]

@@flighttkrunker I personally use fusion for most of my work since it’s more comfortable for my workflow. I guess it depends on yours.

[@HarryChrisp]

Hey@@flighttkrunker I'm making videos on Natron because it comes naturally to me from my nuke knowledge but it seems very likely to me that out of the free software's Fusions might be the best. I recommend Natron because of it's similarities to Nuke and Nuke being the overall best software, it just costs an arm and a leg. I'm going to give Fusion a proper go so will be better able to answer that question soon.

[@flighttkrunker]

@@ayneSFilms Appreciate the response! I'll probably stick with Fusion as well in that case.

[@SeleDreams]

If you could make a tutorial series that would be very cool

[@HarryChrisp]

I might just do that actually! Thanks for the idea!

[@HarryChrisp]

Have done this now :) it's all live on the channel

[@pipeliner8969]

great, thank you for showcasing Natron, it deserves far more attention and support!

[@apestogetherstrong341]

I liked the fast pace introductory part of the review. Imagine if tutorials were like that

[@HarryChrisp]

Thanks! Yea there are two types of tutorials in my view, follow along ones (which have to be slower like beginner tuts) and more show and tell type tuts that give a more top level overview on the process and don’t go into specific details. That second one can be much faster passed

[@thatmisbah]

bro you are a life saver. thanks for making videos of natron...and keep going you are doing a good job ...

[@HarryChrisp]

Thank you, glad you're finding them useful! More to come!

[@soupnuu2539]

thanks for the heads up ,, hope your channel grows

[@HarryChrisp]

Thanks! Me too haha

[@HubertKnoblauch3DContentOnline]

Amazing. Never knew that

[@Clicksandclacks]

Nice work. Your so underrated!

[@HarryChrisp]

Thanks so much! :)

[@Drawingb]

This looks like a really good intro, though quite a bit advanced than my use. I think I might enjoy learning some of this. :)

[@HarryChrisp]

Thanks! If you’re interested; I’ve got a tutorial series running through some basic principles of Natron

[@_mrcrypt]

Thank you. That helped a lot =D

[@HarryChrisp]

You’re welcome 😊

[@arasantoonstest]

Nice work man

[@HarryChrisp]

Cheers!

[@arasantoonstest]

@@HarryChrisp 🤗

[@Mihimal]

Does Natron support JSON Files like After Effects do?

[@knight5970]

Bro, carry on your tutorials i am learning too much in less time from you.

[@HarryChrisp]

Will do! I’m filming more today

[@knight5970]

@@HarryChrisp waiting for your videos thanks for making tutorials

[@TheDTVOfficial]

I can use natron to create stinger transitions in obs right?

[@HarryChrisp]

yes you can, I made my stinger in Natron. It’s very specific on the write settings but Natron can natively write webm files. I’ll include it in my Natron series that I’ll make this month so stick around for more specific instructions if you want

[@nicolebry1120]

This video really gives off the nuke vibes. Digging the demo this far, it feels so familiar!

[@HarryChrisp]

Yea it's great how similar they are!

[@eveninfinity1687]

Hey, can I create glowing saber light animation around text or images in natron?

[@HarryChrisp]

Yes you can. Ad a blur to the text and grade it whatever colour you want to glow to be then merge the text back over. Repeat that 3 or 4 times with a different amount in the blur node

[@eveninfinity1687]

@@HarryChrisp please provide tutorials on natron!

[@HarryChrisp]

@@eveninfinity1687 will do! I recorded a bunch today, will start uploading them sometime in the next 4 days

[@12kenbutsuri]

Very modular!

[@asphaltandtacos]

I wish Natron could be back in development as it has a nice interface. Fusion can be somewhat clunky

[@hansbrackhaus8017]

Would it have hurt you to say "how" you were drawing the roto shape around the bird? I am using the latest version as of today, and I could not simply draw the shape like you did. I had to connect the node to the viewer. Did you change some settings for that?

[@HarryChrisp]

Hey Hans, no need to change settings; to use a roto node just view your image, make the roto node (no need to plug it into anything yet), draw your shape while viewing your image then plug it in last. I’ve gone into much more detail on Natron in my tutorial series if you’re interested: kzbin.info/aero/PL0cgxKlfaX1ul0v7ZrrBe9Vjq2O0JJuyw

[@hansbrackhaus8017]

@@HarryChrisp Thanks, I'll check em out. That said, it seems that there IS a setting that is required, at least in natron 2.4.3 Preferences->Viewer->Only display overlays for the viewer render part. That one seems to be enabled by default, and disabling it then allows the user to interact with any node that is open in the right hand panel. Edit: In other words: I got mad at you for almost nothing. My apologies, the devs are to blame :P

[@oscarfilms9375]

Great tutorial thank you. Can you plz address the issue where the red banner appears because the read node is not a png, jpeg sequence and will not write correctly? How do you change it to a png jpeg sequence? Thanks!!

[@HarryChrisp]

Thank you! Yes I explain that in the first part of my tutorial series here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIWkoXuefddogrc 5:55 specifically

[@oscarfilms9375]

@@HarryChrisp oh boy thank you much will watch now!!!

[@HarryChrisp]

@@oscarfilms9375 happy to help!

[@oscarfilms9375]

@@HarryChrisp one more thing, at 6:20 you address the topic at hand, but is there a specific way to do this with vlc? I found one other tutorial on how to convert but it seems a bit longer than i expected. Is there a shorter way? Thanks once again!

[@HarryChrisp]

@@oscarfilms9375 yes you’ll need to write/convert/export the file out as a exr or jpeg or png sequence. You can do this with the write node in Natron or the export function on most editing softwares. I have Natron video on rendering coming shortly

[@jmm1233]

point to show how better Natron is to AE , you have an absolute ton of plugins opensource free when install both openfx and g'mic , from plugins like shadertoy to the all the update bleeding effects of g'mic , also openEXR and openImageio so work with adding blender projects in tracking matte and masks too

[@samduss4193]

mm new here so my understanding is that from plugin update it is able to follow a little cause i heard that dev is discontinue.

[@memenmarwan8262]

Thanks dude

[@HarryChrisp]

You're very welcome! :)

[@darviniusb]

I wonder why does the blender foundation not adopt Natron ? This is exactly the missing link for free open source compositing pipeline. We have everything else except a capable opensource compositing software alternative to the old giants like Fusion and Nuke.

[@HarryChrisp]

That would be awesome if they did!

[@dieutam1204]

i thought the same

[@ericlotze7724]

I really hope blender improves their NLVE and all that, granted i think they are focusing on animation "what they are good at" and whatnot, but with their resources i bet they can get to it eventually!

[@pipeliner8969]

there was disscussions about this in Natrons and Blenders forum. There are huge differences in the architecture of the software so you are now able to adopt one into the other. But I agree, it would be so much better if they join forces in any way.

[@wallacesousuke1433]

Eww screw Blender

[@RoySATX]

First time seeing any of your content and the first 2min had me thinking it would also be my last, especially considering the title states a near-complete falsehood. But damn, the remaining 8min packed in a wealth of information and did so in a straightforward, no-nonsense, manner that neither insulted my intelligence nor wasted my time. Thanks. Still, though, you might reconsider the title.

[@HarryChrisp]

Glad you enjoyed it in the end! To be honest with you; I do find titles challenging. Do you have any suggestions that might be more suitable?

[@RafaelMarchesin]

Cheguei ao canal hoje. Não tenho muito domínio no inglês, mas você fala com tanta tranquilidade que não tive nenhum problema em acompanhar o vídeo. Parabéns pelo tutorial! Já estou seguindo o canal e já vou assistir aos próximos, vídeos.

[@YAZEN_17]

Nice🔥 + u need to have mic and fix the lighting.... Search for lighting tutorials it will fix all you're problems like reduce the lighting in the background and some cool stuff + Keep going

[@HarryChrisp]

I’m redoing my whole office setup at the moment and will build a lighting setup in and start using a better camera etc etc. huge video quality improvements coming... audio is a different beast tho

[@calebjohnston_youtube]

Is it good enough for vfx/cgi such as marvel? (Doctor strange shields, portals, anything in that range)

[@HarryChrisp]

Yes and no; the magic effects in marvel movies are created using multiple software (Houdini, Maya and Katana (sometimes) and Nuke). Natron is the closest software to nuke but it is less capable. You could still do much of the comp work on those types of effects in Natron but it would be more like a stepping stone to get to nuke. Filmriot will show you some cheaper ways to do those effects, all in After Effects, and Natron will be able to do those as well.

[@calebjohnston_youtube]

@@HarryChrisp Thanks a lot for the replies. I'll look into filmriots channel a bit more.

[@calebjohnston_youtube]

@@HarryChrispMaybe you could do a video about comping in stock footage (FootageCrate style effects) in Natron. Might help for what I'm looking for.

[@adrianwolff2007]

if natron and nuke are alike, can i follow the nuke tutorial videos for learning natron?

[@HarryChrisp]

Yes to a large extent. Nuke has more nodes and capabilities than natron but for most 2d workflows you could follow a nuke tutorial with Natron. I’ve never been tough how to use Natron I just picked it up straight away with my nuke knowledge

[@adrianwolff2007]

@@HarryChrisp thank you for the reply.

[@Gilotopia]

Is there any free layer based effects software?

[@HarryChrisp]

Have you looked at Hitfilm? I haven't looked at it in a while but I know it used to be free (not 100% sure if it's layer based but I think it is). I would recommend giving node based a good go too because it's actually a simpler way of working. I'll have some clearer more detailed tutorials shortly :)

[@ayneSFilms]

Once you’ll understand nodes, you’ll never look back at layers)))) I’ve used ae for about 5 years and then discovered fusion. Was a bit difficult to learn since it had little to none tutorials at the time. Eventually figured it out and never touched ae again other than helping friends troubleshooting their projects. Id say nodes are a better route if you work with 3D, or need a lot of iterations/versions very fast.

[@spydergs07]

Coming from AE, after switching to Fusion, I never care to deal with layers again.

[@turinhorse]

Can Natron open and edit After Effects files?

[@HarryChrisp]

No, they’re very different types of compositors

[@vr8066]

Thx usefull

[@real_ZYPH3R]

I have this one problem with it, there's these green lines on the viewer and I can't remove them

[@HarryChrisp]

Sounds like a random bug. Do the lines remain present when you render the to image to disk?

[@real_ZYPH3R]

@@HarryChrisp yea, pretty much

[@HarryChrisp]

@@real_ZYPH3R you could try reinstalling. Otherwise, asking for help in the Natron discord is probably your best bet. I think the link is on their website or if you can’t find it I’ll have a look when I’m at my computer

[@real_ZYPH3R]

@@HarryChrisp ok, thx :)

[@leadfootnick4x4]

Good video

[@HarryChrisp]

[@thanosmoon3892]

Wait you don’t have a thousand subs? HOW

[@craigsparks1442]

it crashes if you use it on windows... on Linux however it has no issues

[@HarryChrisp]

Ah yea I haven’t tried it on Linux. Makes sense that it would be more stable because, I’d assume, it was written and tested on Linux

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

JEAS

[@thierrymuller6380]

Natron 2.4 has just been released.

[@HarryChrisp]

Awesome! I’ll check it out when I get my computer setup again

[@keithyakouboff8755]

Informative, but might have been more so if you went a little slower :) I know, next time I'll slow its playback down.

[@mrdugdug101]

What do you think? Natron or blender???

[@HarryChrisp]

I think they're both good, Natron more for 2d comping and Blender for 3d. Natron has no 3d capabilities. I've heard Blender has some comp workflows but I haven't used it. Last time I used blender was in 2012 haha

[@mrdugdug101]

@@HarryChrisp Thanks for your valuable explanation,🤍

[@damian_madmansnest]

For compositing, Natron of course. Blender compositor is unfit for the purpose.

[@user-bi4sr2rw7b]

hmmmmm i'll try this.....

[@ardlnkx]

Kdenlive or natron?

[@HarryChrisp]

Isn't kdenlive an editing software primarily? If so the two would probably go quite well together, but I haven't used kdenlive before

[@Manyfests]

Both. Kdenlive for basic editing (things Premiere Pro would do). Natron for VFX, complex color issues and animation.

[@FidelEmilioSusanaJimenez]

😍😍😍😍

[@HarryChrisp]

☺️

[@Minahilkhan]

love from pakistan keep it up

[@HarryChrisp]

Thanks ❤️ more on the way! I’m just in the process of shifting house at the moment which is why I’ve temporarily stopped uploading but I’ll be up and running again real soon!

[@VFXGOBINDA]

Sir ap aap mujhe class de sakti ho

[@Dave102693]

I just wish this had layers instead of nodes. I suck with nodes in node-based software.

[@HarryChrisp]

It’s a tricky thing to get your head around at first but it will click and all make sense. Trust me, node based is much more powerful than layer based

[@udontknowme2980]

Plz make the tutorial, that would be cool

[@HarryChrisp]

Done! Made a whole series on learning Natron, you can check out the playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PL0cgxKlfaX1ul0v7ZrrBe9Vjq2O0JJuyw

[@udontknowme2980]

@@HarryChrisp awesome!! Thank you

[@awesomewinter3103]

Stability issues? As if AE doesn't have those, haha

[@HarryChrisp]

Yea I’ve since started to learn fusion and realised I might have been a bit harsh on Natron haha. Nuke seems to be the most stable by far

[@MoonKnight_AE]

The Video is really cool but I recommend You to use a microphone

[@HarryChrisp]

What’s a microphone?

[@ekamrandhawa9630]

@@HarryChrisp It's a very small phone. Maybe bigger than my pp. :)

[@msteria2]

good video but to fast for me to understand try slow down and explain it in more details

[@speedcuber-diary]

I just want to make amv on linux 😅

[@danielkrajnik3817]

1:35 yes, it is. And knowing Foundry I'm amazed they haven't sued them for some copyright violation O_O

[@HarryChrisp]

Yea true! As far as I know it’s because Natron is open source and therefore free which makes it immune to suing

[@danielkrajnik3817]

@@HarryChrisp still they are quite clearly copying Foundry's work, even if it's just a stupid GUI. I don't think it's a big deal, but AFAIK this could be 'legally binding' (even open-source)

[@HarryChrisp]

@@danielkrajnik3817 possibly... hopefully not! I guess even if Natron gets sued my download will hopefully keep working haha

[@danielkrajnik3817]

@@HarryChrisp fingers crossed, that would be silly really. But even then Natron team could just reskin the design, that shouldn't be "too" difficult.

[@TwistedLiquid]

I don't understand this video. It's it a comparison or is it a tutorial? How is this software comparable to after effects?

[@HarryChrisp]

It’s neither; it’s an introduction to Natron. It seems to me that Natron is quite unknown so I thought I’d put some effort into sharing it for all those who might benefit from knowing about it.

[@HarryMcKenzieTV]

hey harry. what's up

[@HarryChrisp]

Hey Harry, nothing much just having a relaxed weekend. How are you?

[@joelmativet3647]

Works better in a GNU/Linux distro like Ubuntu or Mint, for exemple..!!

[@dhemanth01]

doesn't it just takes 2 steps to do in after effects ?

[@HarryChrisp]

Do what?

[@xanzuls]

no

[@peteralfieri6200]

I know it's been a while since you posted this video, can you do a tutorial on how to make a movie pre-roll with Natron, like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6vMd6qeqdZrftk ? Thx in advance.

[@roofoofighter]

That’s a lot of work just to place one image on top of another. Layers are so much easier and simpler. We need an open source layer based compositor like AE!

[@HarryChrisp]

One merge node to do the standard over is hardly a lot of work. The more steps that are open to the user means more control over the result.

[@yawphanta_57flix]

Make a beginners tutorial boss man

[@HarryChrisp]

I have! First video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIWkoXuefddogrc

[@SaranshDhar]

Is Natron optimised for M1 chip please reply??

[@HarryChrisp]

Not sure, you could try asking in the Natron discord

[@SaranshDhar]

@@HarryChrisp can you give their server link because I didn't found any it will be very helpful 😀

[@HarryChrisp]

@@SaranshDhar discord.gg/PbaXSQWS

[@SaranshDhar]

@@HarryChrisp thanks for your help😀😀

[@HarryChrisp]

@@SaranshDhar no worries, good luck! 😊

[@panthergaming9472]

are we have to pay 😁

[@wuda-io]

Maybe you not click every milisecond and move the cursor insanely. It stresses to watch and you can do it slower and chilled out. Thanks

[@alichoudhary9156]

Me wondering what is he talking about

[@HarryChrisp]

Free software :)

[@azymighthh6835]

why your colour if flat .. please colour grade or at least use some LUT.

[@mortarmopp3919]

Good thing that wasn't a tutorial.

[@---xv3zf]

I prefer pirating latest version of Adobe

[@moviemusicmash4899]

yo didnt show the bird flying across the sky. Boooooooo

[@LordOfThunderUK]

Thanks for the video, just came upon this software, I am not impress with your teaching skills, you talk and act as if you were working by yourself. That in itself is not bad but really awful for the new viewers. Calm down and take your time.

[@HarryChrisp]

Hahaha Merry Christmas to you too 🖤

[@cena13nation]

BAD AUDIO MATE, WASTED!!!!

[@HarryChrisp]

CHEERS MATE!!!!

[@notyourtypicalengieer]

Node based editing is not cool , layer based editing is good and easy to work with .. 🙏