If you need to find software with extended 3D features, a node-based engine, digital VFX compositing and animated graphics support, take a closer look at the best Natron alternatives. On this list, you will find open-source, professional programs that meet all the recent requirements and allow you to create visual effects. They will come in handy for studios, artists, and developers.
Natron is a free, open-source, cross-platform compositing software. However, it has limited 3D support. Besides, you might face some issues with integrated plugins.
It might be difficult to find group nodes created by the community without extra skills. This is why many people use other third-party software. In this article, I will tell you more about the available Natron alternatives so that you could find a solution that suits your budget and needs.
After analyzing the market, I have hand-picked the best professional solutions that have free trials versions or can be used for non-commercial purposes. They are based on smart engines, have advanced tracking options, support pro-level GPU rendering and compositing, which accounts for their high effectiveness.
On this list, you will find professional programs that support compositing, VFX creation, 3D and video editing as well as advanced VR effects. All of them have basic versions with limited functionality. Besides, pricey programs have trial versions.
Blender is an open-source program for 3D projects that is considered to be the best motion graphics software. It was developed by thousands of experts that specialize in visual effects. This software has a powerful toolkit for modeling, rendering, compositing, animation, motion tracking, and video editing.
You can use it for creating blockbusters, games, or animated graphics with amazing visual effects. It supports 3D and 2D animation and has modeling, rigging, simulation, rendering, and compositing tools.
Main Features of Blender:
Unlike other similar software, Blender remains free of charge regardless of the purpose you are using it. Thanks to regular updates, community support, and huge repositories, Blender receives many donations. A team of developers updates it with new features. They use API Blender for writing Python scripts, adjusting settings, and creating specialized tools for future versions.
NUKE is a powerful digital compositing, video-editing, and node-based processing software for visual effect creation, 3D, drawing, and animated graphics. Being mostly used for post-production, it supports various resolutions and allows you to solve many tasks quickly. It can easily beat its competitors in terms of functionality. Natron’s developers are believed to have copied many NUKE features.
Main Features of NUKE:
NUKE has created a variety of solutions for industry professionals. This software can be used at every stage of the animation pipeline, which makes it the best Natron alternative at this price range. You need to purchase NUKE Studio to seamlessly combine visual effects, use a video-editing scale and various post-processing features. However, you can use all the packages for free for non-commercial purposes.
After Effects is one of the best hybrid animation software for animated graphics, compositing, and digital visual effects.
Adobe has developed this software to help users create an intro, transitions, and cinema frames. With it, you can remove objects from clips and apply natural phenomena effects. It’s widely used in post-production.
Main Features of After Effects:
This program has a speedy performance thanks to the JavaScript engine. With it, you can create high-quality opening video frames and audio visualizations. You can open your object in After Effects and make it move in a 3D space. Start your project from scratch or use the available presets.
Similarly to other Natron alternatives, this powerful animated graphic software is used for creating and editing video credits, 2D and 3D visual effects and compositing. It is a part of a post-production Final Cut Pro X suite.
With Motion, you can create cinema credits in 2D and 3D, add smooth transitions, and real-time realistic effects. You can create animated graphics using the available templates and adjust their settings to your liking.
Main Features of Apple Motion:
Motion allows you to use a huge collection of third-party plugins. You can upload plugins for tracking and 3D object creation or use thousands of customizable templates with stunning transitions, titles, and effects. Use it for free after downloading a free trial version of Final Cut X Pro.
Blackmagic Fusion is widely used in post-production for visual effect creation and digital compositing. With its advanced tools, you can create movies and ads. It has a node-based UI, which gives you full control over each element. You can use a 3D workspace to work on your projects, create and visualize frames, add 3D models to 2D frames, and edit graphics.
Main Features of Fusion 17:
If you don’t need unlimited or remote rendering or other advanced features, you can take a closer look at DaVinci Resolve 17 which is pretty similar to Fusion. This is a popular free software for adding visual effects, video editing, animated graphics, color correction, and audio post-production.
This advanced software is perfect for adding 3D visual effects, finishing, and color correction. You will get the latest version of the software, full support, updates, licenses, and extensions. Flame comes with pro-level 3D compositing and video-editing tools. It has a quick performance, advanced graphic and color correction features, etc.
Main Features of Autodesk Flame:
If you don’t need to use the Flame version with extended functionality, you can install a more affordable Flare version that will help you streamline your VFX workflow. Unlike some other Natron alternatives, this node-based compositing software has collaborative features. Besides, you can use the Smoke version for creating video effects and using a variety of VFX editing tools.
Here, you will find anything that you need for editing videos, 3D compositing, adding subtitles and visual effects. This is a perfect option for professional animators and beginners alike. There is no need to switch from video editing to VFX software.
HitFilm Pro is one of the best movie trailer makers since it has all the tools you need for compositing and animation creation. You can use its powerful rendering and texturing tools to create realistic 3D models.
Main Features of HitFilm Pro:
If you are still wondering what software to choose, Ignite Pro has a collection of 190 professional plugins for After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc. You can experiment with more than 565 visual effects, presets and 360-degree filters without paying a dime.
