Should you use LAYERS or NODES for VFX? (Complete Analysis)

Your support is appreciated! / inlightvfx
In the world of Visual Effects, there are two types of software that artists use to composite VFX shots: layer-based software, and node-based software. To compare the two, we'll use After Effects (layers) and Nuke (nodes). We'll create the same VFX shot in each program and compare both workflows. So when your next VFX project comes along, you'll be able to choose between layers or nodes with confidence!
Intro Sequence Credits ►
Visuals: Rejin Chamandy @potatocop2122 + Sunay Rai
Vocals & Mix: Mario/Kairie Cazares @marioCazares @actually_peppers
InLightVFX ►
Instagram: / inlightvfx​
Twitter: / inlightvfx
#vfx #aftereffects #nuke
CC Credits: shorturl.at/drtxD

[@InLightVFX]

Hey everyone! I put out a bonus video for any patrons where I show some past projects I've worked on and discuss how I chose After Effects or Nuke for the compositing (since I use both). You can check it out and become a patron here, thanks! www.patreon.com/posts/after-effects-or-85927423

[@bUildYT]

ok so as a conclusion: use davinci resolve :) u have ur normal layer editing and with one click u r in fusion to adjust one layer with nodes, all advantages combined in one software!

[@JaKlaro]

​@@bUildYTright, he even works with davinci too xD But Nuke is the industrie standard, and the edit page is not meant for visual effects in davinci

[@The_Daliban]

4:38 i see you chose AE to animate the graphics(: Great video, piece of art, really

[@InLightVFX]

@@The_Daliban haha good catch. And thank you

[@The_Daliban]

@@InLightVFX i do the same. Premiere for quick edits AE for easy animation Davinci for grading I haven’t used Nuke so far and am not familiar. The problem with Davinci fot me was, the nodetree is on a horizontal window which makes it cumbersome to move around, when the structure grows. Gonna have a look at nuke👍🏻 45 a month seems very ok

[@vinhdo1609]

comes on guys. you guys must appreciate this intro and video. he put massive effort on making every single video

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you! This one especially was a loooot of work! Not only from me but from those other guys listed in the description. Thanks for noticing :)

[@ArnoCilliers]

found this channel for the first time just now as a reference from 'chocofur', I'm only getting into motion graphics for the first time now and find this guy 'InLightVFX' really informative and useful. Hope I can support this channel some day when I start making something with my skills. Until then, I just wan to say thank you, thank you very much for the professional content.

[@smortonmedia]

@@InLightVFX I was so into it, I want a whole music video on layers and nodes, plz and thankyou, haha

[@AndreAdvocate]

Naw this intro was beyond fire. There is no way possible that anyone that actually knows what layers and nodes are. Would listen to that intro and not watch this video.

[@orcanimal]

Fusion is probably the most underrated Compositor. It's Node-based and has got almost everything Nuke's got + really good tracking + really good color & depth map simulation due to being part of Davinci Resolve. Plus - it's right there in Davinci so you can edit + composite VFX in the same program.

[@sotomonte_]

I love fusion and I agree, it's really good, but it does not have everything Nuke's got

[@orcanimal]

@@sotomonte_ Right. *Almost

[@KrunoslavStifter]

Yeah, and cost of Nuke alone makes it out of reach for many who don't have the budget for it. And for the price Fusion really has a lot to offer. Especially when pared with Davinci Resolve and reactor. Funny but I see latest version of Fusion 18.5 has added layers to the nodes, giving us a begging of some kind of hybrid.

[@nonamedpleb]

and isnt fusion free when bundled with resolve?

[@sotomonte_]

@@nonamedpleb Yes but there are some important nodes that aren't included in the free version. But you pay once and you get updates for ever so even the paid version is amazing

[@Jan-jf4th]

it hurts my soul that this video does not have more views, it is the demand on the topic because the video is amazingly done.

[@marioCazares]

The intro video is insane! It's so visually stunning! Also every video you do is so pristine and well communicated

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks, Mario! You really helped bring that intro song to life in an incredible way - thanks for your help!

[@Jaredvic]

I couldn’t imagine comping anything other than a KZbin video with layers. Anything in production needs to be nodes

[@TomSidProductions]

At my uni almost everyone uses layers in Ae, only a few of use use nodes with fusion (uni doesn't have nuke in the labs sadly)

[@KrunoslavStifter]

While nodes have a steeper learning curve and are generally more flexible, they are not always needed and something like After Effects has so many scripts, plug ins and other third party stuff added to it that it can do a lot of things without nodes for many users. And for those who are comfortable with it, its time saved. That being said, nodes are part of Nuke, Fusion and most 3D and dedicated VFX programs for a reason. The flexibility, parametric nature and complexity of tasks can make layers reach their useful limit very fast. But not all projects need such complexity. So best to pick the best tool for the job.

[@AK00500]

This is the best video I have ever seen explaining difference in working same project with Nuke and AfterEffects.The videos I earlier tried was waste of time and from this video I understand nuke and love to work in it for the first time..... great work bro❤

[@JohnMervinChocolateThunder]

James Bond intro is unironically a banger

[@o_cirion]

This intro really caught me offguard. Awesome video!

[@RHStevens1986]

I have been an after effects user for about 22 years and this is the best explanation of layers vs. nodes I've ever seen. I've been hesitant about nodes for a long time, and this has explained it to me in a way that makes me feel like without familiarity with a specific software, I could figure it out.

[@ohgodpleasehelpme4337]

Holy smokes the Production designs. Remember when you still used Phone in a sock as a microphone? 😂😂

[@InLightVFX]

Those were the good old days :)

[@michaelfae]

I did not...and I say again...I DID NOT...expect such a banger intro!!!!! And the video did not disappoint either...instant follow!

[@InLightVFX]

Haha, happy to provide the unexpected :) Thanks for subscribing.

[@BrunoReisVideo]

Fusion being a part of DaVinci Resolve really minimizes the "editing" advantages of layer based compositing

[@InLightVFX]

That's true, it's definitely nice to have both the compositing tab and editing tab right by each other.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

Patrick Stirling sent me. Thanks for that very thorough video. Your production value is insane, seriously.

[@AyushKumar-ow6lv]

the content quality is just mind blowing

[@MCJamZam]

I can't even begin to imagine much effort must've gone into this. As both a VFX artist and musician myself I can appreciate both parts of this on a technical level, but even just the creative part, script writing etc is seriously impressive. Very very well done on breaking down a complex topic into a very digestible and enjoyable video.

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you for your kind words, I really apprecaite it.

[@tpaprince9856]

that's some top notch intro right there

[@JaKlaro]

Wow the intro, I want a full song on spotify xd

[@JaKlaro]

..you uploaded it nice :)

[@andy-mendez]

this music is heavenly

[@peppersiegel7636]

Wow, This is a superhuman amount of production quality. Awesome work.

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks!

[@he.smile_]

I was ready to watch the next James Bond movie after that intro 🔥

[@chrisjpndala7576]

A well executed intro 😂😂

[@InLightVFX]

That was the inspiration!

[@kien9350]

He make an MV intro for this video. EPIC!

[@xanzuls]

Jaw dropping quality and beautifully executed. For compositing, once you go nodes, there's no going back, using layers would feel like going back to times before wheels were invented lol. For mograph, it might be a different story depending on the software. And that's the reason why pretty much every VFX studios working in movies from the dawn of VFX has been using nodes based software. It all started with Flame then Shake, Fusion, Nuke etc.

[@prynxu]

Awesome intro and very well explained

[@Vishnu97here]

I can't believe this.. 😭🥺 I'm getting all these informations for free.. ❣️ thank u bro.. You are tye best teacher 😇

[@TechMayor]

A lot of us probably came into this section to see how others appreciate this master piece ❤

[@viper-fx]

I gave this video a like just for the intro alone.

[@falloukd9]

You are a good teacher and should create a course!

[@jaym2267]

It took me until the patreon plug to realize this video only had 5k views. Criminally Underrated.

[@BurzowySzczurek]

The song at the start is awesome. I rewatched it few times. It's also a good way to hook people up for a video.

[@poppinfamm]

damn that intro was sick along with the precise and no b.s review with any time waste.

[@rano12321]

This is like the best compositing related video I've ever seen. And yes, I agree as well, once you go nodes especially for VFX, there's no going back.

[@user-us3lc1og7v]

As a davinci user this is win- win😁

[@TechnicallyTrent]

Amazing video! I like layers for image based work, but I've really started to appreciate nodes for dynamic work like video (DaVinci Resolve) and materials (Blender).

[@InLightVFX]

Well put, I definitely agree. Thanks, Trent!

[@MaximoJoshua]

Great video! I couldn't' help but think "doesn't resolve just give you both?" you do have a timeline (cut and edit), and you have nodes (fusion), so you can see your actual video in either style. I know nuke is a bit more feature rich, but i haven't run into its limitations yet.

[@FalconWingz88]

best VFX channel to date

[@feresoththedamned2688]

as much as i HATE Adobe after effects as a program, i am stuck with it, since my main works is motion graphics...

[@MoonAnime]

Here for the intro, stayed for the explanations and lesson.

[@Chivoyage]

We need more views on this video!

[@maotao2441]

I clicked like before I watch the content because of your intro, really awesome

[@apurboa4738]

Great video with amazing explanation, Liked*

[@CinemaZiggy]

Intro was absolutely insane!

[@ASKVFX]

I've wanted to make a video like this for years but never could organize the information effectively. You knocked it out of the park! Amazing work dude! Some of the best informative VFX content I've seen on KZbin! Excellent execution.

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks, Chris! I have definitely watched and learned from your videos before so thank you for the stuff you've put out there as well!

[@lkhan5279]

i just saw the first glimps of the intro and Subscribed 🤩

[@nicofilmin]

wtf bro, your videos are Hollywood movies, congratulations you are a beast

[@MikeRock25]

This is the most brilliant way ive seen someone explain layers vs nodes, OMG man, Excellent work.

[@lubaka8269]

Nodes all the way! And I must acknowledge, brilliant work on the intro! 👏👏👏

[@digicraft4259]

Really really helpful. you put so much efforts.. hats off.

[@ZeriaaZombiePro]

Great video man, you deserve lots of support on your channel. Quality content and well structured video concepts. Keep up the amazing work :)

[@Zocress]

After Effects is great for 2D Animation- and motion graphic compositing. Nuke is great for 3D animation- and VFX compositing.

[@ptrsncreative]

would you say that Resolve either is or is working towards being a marriage between the two thanks to their implementation of fusion?

[@yonick]

I was kinda scared of nodes before and didn't really even want to understand them, because of how complex it looked from above. This really helped me to get a nice overview about the differences, basic workflow and I have a new opinion!

[@boogss.j.3206]

Ive been using AE for 12 years and recently switched to davinci fusion for compositing. I only go back to AE when theres heavy motion graphics involved because It's easier to do with layers (well, for me)

[@yehonataniiii]

Thanks for the awesome video! I was stuck with an AE project where the track mattes didn't behave as I wanted them to. Thanks to the explanation of the render order I solved it!

[@InLightVFX]

You are most welcome, glad it helped!

[@marcosarroca]

First time stumbling onto your channel. That intro alone made me subscribe.

[@kushagrarajpatel5058]

Bro you are a true teacher 😊

[@seeqret]

The intro is banger, wow

[@bUildYT]

ok so as a conclusion: use davinci resolve :) u have ur normal layer editing and with one click u r in fusion to adjust one layer with nodes, all advantages combined in one software!

[@donghary4009]

So much effort on explain in easy way. So appreciate !!! Hope you health and happy

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you very much!

[@GraphicDesignNY]

Relevant, detailed information, clearly and entertainingly presented. Well done. If only social media offered more of this instead of the trash that is prevalent.

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you :) Yes, the almighty algorithm has the final say!

[@BECHEEKHA]

Thank you❤

[@CrossfeetGaming]

I used to work with layers in AE. But now, ever since switching to Davinci Resolve Fusion, I have since loved using nodes and prefer it now.

[@mk-ou5si]

what do you do?

[@CrossfeetGaming]

@@mk-ou5si youtube. I got through film school using AE.

[@gopikrishna.rajmohan]

man you help a lot, i know nothing about nuke but in this relating to AE these all make sense .thanks a lot

[@InLightVFX]

Sure things, my pleasure!

[@Netloader]

Premium content and knowledge on YT that's very helpful, useful and easy to understand, that's all to be said. Please keep creating videos with this unique quality.

[@dogflirt]

Damn bro - You KILLED this video. SO much useful info.. and had me crackin up 😂 - Well done y'all!! 🔥🔥✌🖤

[@InLightVFX]

Thank you :)

[@syedmehdiabbas4651]

That's an amazing intro bro

[@PeeJ_ENT]

This video is a great explanation comparing the two methods, finally a good video to recommend to my friends who criticize a node workflow

[@InLightVFX]

Happy to provide some ammunition :)

[@sanat_majumdar]

that intro ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@tyler.t.seaman]

This is a fantastic video! I lol'ed IRL at that intro song. Very well done, my friend!

[@sebastian_trzaska]

By far the most concise, clear and objective comparison of nodes vs layers that I've seen!

[@The_Daliban]

Ok i'm at 4:39 and was already wondering how long this takes. A month is insane and one can tell. This is put together so well

[@gharkefukrey1391]

Great work bro❤

[@Exilleron]

Absolutely fantastic Intro to this theme. Thank you for that big smile on my face! :) Saying hello from Germany. Good luck with your VFX!

[@iamnimish]

love the intro video & obviously the song. Thanks for sharing this knowledge!

[@alexgamingtv7118]

Thank you very much! Really high quality content!

[@m.g.r_ks4991]

The Best of the Best! Execution for a youtube Video. hats of for the Time & Effort.

[@progressSH]

Phenomenal video, I love how much work was put into this, the clean voice & camera work, the smooth editing and your honesty! Lovely channel, will recommend!

[@markiavelli]

Love the breakdown! Great Work!

[@OrbitaeFilms]

Awesome video! Keep up the awesome work! 🔥

[@fernandobricenoo]

This is an amazing way to explain both softwares, thank you

[@DreamJacob]

Amazing video! and great intro

[@vortexdigital19]

Dude the intro is dope yow

[@aurkosengupta8974]

a great intro and a great video. Layers and nodes, which way will you go. :)

[@VFXDobleC]

Great intro ! ❤. I go for nodes (Fusion ❤)

[@mugicreative5496]

Like yooooooooo, respect the intro, the time, effort and skill put in, dalm....

[@augustino0]

This video is super top notch. Great visual and explanations.

[@aijingwu7682]

Pretty cool!thank u for your sharing!

Very interesting subject, you've said it all! I agree !

You just don't get enough recognition man, your videos are soy helpful, well witten and easy to understand. Thank you so much

[@InLightVFX]

Thanks so much!

[@Nova1784]

One of the best explanation videos I've seen in a while. Great job! Love the intro.👍

[@yuryruban]

Awesome job!

[@kurtlindner]

Great breakdown!

[@christianthea1059]

amazing video, and the intro is stunning, love it!

[@fun4youalltime612]

you make my day!

[@nikolaykirchev9672]

With all the objective arguments you made I almost forgot NODES ARE SUPREME!!!!!!!!!!!! great vid!

[@huskiilove]

This is the best explanation of node's I have seen. As a long term AE user I was hesitant to jump into nodes but this so much more sense now. Thankyou

[@InLightVFX]

Give 'em a try! They're fun!

[@bram_gunst]

Insane video!

[@MissaelKaban]

really premium content, well prepared video, and amazing intro..love it

[@senthilkr1970]

I am used to work on layer based (AE) and finding it very difficult to migrate to node based. The difference is well explained. Great video. This is the one that truely compares the advantages and disadvantages of both the work flows. Very well done. Thank you

[@InLightVFX]

No problem! Take your time as you learn nodes, you will get there! Just be persistent and patient.

[@stephencolor2010]

Absolutely world class stuff. 👏