Aspiring visual effects (VFX) artists are often left wondering how they can constantly keep upskilling themselves without spending a lot of money on it. Thankfully, the internet has made it easier to access a wide range of online VFX courses that can suit the budget and skill level of everyone.
As someone who has always been fascinated by the art of VFX, I know how important it is to access quality resources to help you take your skills to the next level.
That’s why we’ve put together a catalog of the top 10online VFX courses – both free and paid that you can take advantage of right now.
These resources are designed to help you achieve your goals and pursue your passion for VFX, from courses on specific software programs to comprehensive masterclasses on VFX theory. Here are our top 3 picks for the best VFX courses online –
- VFX: Complete Houdini Bootcamp (Udemy)
- Visual Effects Courses and Training (LinkedIn Learning)
- VFX Compositing with After Effects: The Complete Edition
10-Must Try Online VFX Courses
1. Complete Houdini FX 19 Bootcamp [Udemy – Paid]
An ideal course for beginners who are looking to enter the game development space, Houdini is a VFX software used by game studios use in visual effects and 3D animations. It allows you to craft high-quality game elements such as water, fire, sand, and explosions.
This best-selling online VFX course on Udemy carefully analyzes the different components of a game pertaining to visual graphics.Upon completion, you will be equipped to create your own elements on game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
Rating – 4.6
Duration – 19 Hours; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Available in 6 different languages, including French, Italian, and English
- No prior knowledge required
- 21 articles and 37 downloadable resources available
- Lifetime access to content
- Can be accessed on Mobile and TV
2. Visual Effects Courses and Training Courses [LinkedIn Learning – Free]
The list of free VFX courses on LinkedIn Learning is never ending and provides a lot of value to those who are always looking to stay ahead of the curve in the VFX industry. From beginner to advanced level, any individual can learn from this free VFX online course; there is something to learn for everyone. You will find classes that cover the usage of software such as Photoshop, Maya, Cinema 4D, HitFilm, Mocha, SynthEyes, MatchNover, CameraTracker, and Houdini.
Upon completion, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the different facets of visual effects, which you can use to boost your career.
Rating – 4.5 and above
Duration – Variable
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Tutorials are well-structured and straightforward
- Designed for individuals across all skill levels
- Free access to all classes for 1 month
- Using panoramic photos to optimize motion graphics and visual effects
3. VFX Compositing with After Effects: The Complete Edition [Udemy – Paid]
This short but super productive course uses the Adobe After Effects software to explain concepts around post-production visual effects in live-action films. Reviews suggest that technical concepts such as compositing and the different techniques of compositing are explained in an easy-to-understand way.
It also features 3 live-action films as test shots that you can simultaneously work on while following the course as a guide to deepen your understanding of compositing.
Rating – 4.0
Duration – 2 hours; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Lifetime access to content
- One article and 6 downloadable resources are available
- Can be accessed on Mobile and TV
- Access to three live-action films as test shots
4. Creating a Short Film: 09 VFX Environments [LinkedIn Learning – Paid]
This online VFX course is designed by veteran filmmaker Chad Perkins and focuses on concepts around making a short film. It involves everything from the brainstorming stage to the opening night. This chapter focuses on visual effects and details on how to use key tools like Mocha Pro and After Effects to craft a compelling world for your short film.
This visual effects course discusses concepts such as the basics of compositing and keying, navigating through Mocha Proand After Effects, and creating a CG scenery.
Rating – 4.5
Duration – 7h 12m; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Project file available to work on
- It can be accessed on a tablet and phone
- Working with different visual effects software
- Topics are supplemented with practical examples
5. After Effects CC: Beginner’s Guide to VFX Visual Effects [Udemy – Paid]
This comprehensive VFX course is ideal for beginners and offers an in-depth guide to mastering each aspect of visual effects. A lot of emphases is given to exploring the ins and outs of the key concepts in VFX, and each of them is accompanied by practical examples. It will help you gain the relevant skills to work with different types of visual effects in After Effects software.
Additionally, it also talks about the various techniques you can adopt to create the most compelling visual terrain.
Although this course is for all levels of visual effects learners, you also need to have a basic understanding and working knowledge of animations in After Effects software.
Rating – 4.5
Duration – 4.5 hours; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Features 13 downloadable resources and 14 articles
- It can be accessed on TV and mobile
- Lifetime access to content
- Gaining proficiency in After Effects software
6. VFX Keying: Master Course [LinkedIn Learning – Paid]
Every visual effects artist must master the blue-screen and the green-screen keying as they are the core principals of VFX compositing. This highly-rated online VFX course on LinkedIn Learning is a 12-hour-long comprehensive deep-dive into the subject of keying, and it covers almost every facet of this particular concept.
You will be following along with the NUKE software for visual effects and topics such as Keying workflow, processing of green screen, working with different types of keys, and spill suppression; everything will be covered in this detailed course.
Rating – 4.9
Duration – 12 Hours; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Unlimited access to the library of content
- Different keying techniques
- An extensive review of a blue screen, green screen, luma, and saturation keys
7. Online Visual Effects Classes [SkillShare – Free]
These online free VFX courses on SkillShare are exceptional for upskilling yourself and creating the best quality visual effects to stand out among your peers. The classes on this platform will help you get better at skills like graphic design, film production, 2D & 3D animation, motion graphics, Adobe After Effects, and more.
The instructors are all experienced and effortlessly take you through the various courses.
Rating – 4.5 and above
Duration – Variable
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Offers deep insights into 3D modeling
- Opportunity to learn from industry experts
- Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
8. Unity VFX Graph – Magic Effects – Intermediate Level[unityassets4free]
If you are an aspiring VFX artist and want to know everything about making short films, soap operas, or even advertisements, hop on to Udemy and browse their list of VFX courses. The platform has a huge catalog of courses of varying durations, and you will get a chance to learn about various concepts such as Adobe Premier, graphics design, motion graphics, 3D modeling, different techniques of compositing, working on Unreal Engine, and more.
The platform offers a 30-day trial period where you can try your hand at the different facets of visual effects and see what works best for you.
Rating – 4.4 and above
Duration – Variable
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Instructors are highly experienced professionals
- An in-depth guide on visual effects
- Work on AAA cinematic arts
- Applicable for everyone – beginners to advanced
9. VFX Techniques: Creating Particle Effects [LinkedIn Learning – Paid]
Creating practical particle effects is one of the most important parts of working with visual effects, and getting them right is paramount in getting your audience hooked to your visual media. If you want to take a quick crash course on creating particle effects for creating realistic scenarios with smoke, fog, fire, and explosions, then this is the VFX course for you.
The course is designed by Lee Lanier and takes the students through creating magical effects, as seen in movies like Harry Potter. Lee also talks about developing particles with Adobe After Effect’s built-in plugins to teach you how to adjust your character’s appearance and how to craft the ideal magical setting with the right color schemes.
Rating – 4.6
Duration – 2hrs 50 minutes; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Features a project file that students can work on
- It can be accessed on tablets as well as phones
- Offers free trial of one month
10. Fundamentals of VFX [Udemy – Paid]
This is another VFX course that is ideal for beginners. However, it opens up the world of visual effects for those who are looking to kickstart their career in this field. It covers complex techniques such as deep compositing, planar tracking, 3D camera projections, image-based lighting systems, and node-based compositing.
Finishing this course will help you gain a considerable headstart and will leave you with a comprehensive understanding of how visual effects are created.
Rating – 4.5
Duration – 3 hours; Self-paced
Certificate – Yes
Highlights:
- Lifetime access to content
- 13 resources available to download
- It can be accessed on mobile as well as on TV
- No pre-requisites other than an interest in Film/visual effects industry
How Do I Get My First VFX Job?
As with any occupation, it is essential to get a relevant degree/course certificate post which you could pursue an internship where you can work on your skills as a VFX artist. Alternatively, you could also pursue freelancing and network with other professionals in the industry to find any work that falls in your ballpark. Once you reach a point where your portfolio looks strong, you can then start applying for jobs.
Conclusion
Learning VFX can be an incredibly rewarding and exciting experience, and many fantastic free VFX courses are available online to help you get started or continue honing your skills.
As you’ve gone through this list, there is no shortage of courses for learning visual effects. We hope our list of 10 must-try VFX courses online, both paid and free, helped you gain clarity on what you’re looking for and sets you on the course to creating stunning visual effects!
Remember, learning any new skill requires time, patience, and dedication, but you have already crossed half the hurdle with the right resources and a willingness to learn. Good luck!
