![Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial : Fantasy Fireflies [Boids Particle System] @DarkfallBlender](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pnTs3PD2fBE/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded September 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial. We will be creating a fantasy style shot similar to something we have done previously. This time, we will be using a Live Action Shot instead of a fully CG environment.
We will be using the Boids Physics Type for our Particle System and with a few tweaks we can achieve something really cool. Once you are happy with the Motion you can Bake and move on to Compositing.
For some added Variation and Interest, we add a keyframe for the strength value for each of the "Fireflies" and then add a Modifier to make the Light Flicker.
Using the Graph editor, not only can get get a cool flickering effect but with a simple adjustment we can get a whole bunch of variations.
You can then Render out a PNG image sequence then composite it all together in post or just continue on and add your final touches.
If you make something awesome with the Boids be sure to post a link in the comments below or post a link in our Facebook Group.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial and as always thanks for watching.
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender
Video: pixabay.com/en/videos/sunset-lake-woman-landscape-water-17932
In this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial. We will be creating a fantasy style shot similar to something we have done previously. This time, we will be using a Live Action Shot instead of a fully CG environment.
We will be using the Boids Physics Type for our Particle System and with a few tweaks we can achieve something really cool. Once you are happy with the Motion you can Bake and move on to Compositing.
For some added Variation and Interest, we add a keyframe for the strength value for each of the "Fireflies" and then add a Modifier to make the Light Flicker.
Using the Graph editor, not only can get get a cool flickering effect but with a simple adjustment we can get a whole bunch of variations.
You can then Render out a PNG image sequence then composite it all together in post or just continue on and add your final touches.
If you make something awesome with the Boids be sure to post a link in the comments below or post a link in our Facebook Group.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial and as always thanks for watching.
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender
Video: pixabay.com/en/videos/sunset-lake-woman-landscape-water-17932
![Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial : Fantasy Fireflies [Boids Particle System]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pnTs3PD2fBE/mqdefault.jpg "Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial : Fantasy Fireflies [Boids Particle System]
In this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial. We will be creating a fantasy style shot similar to something we have done previously. This time, we will be using a Live Action Shot instead of a fully CG environment.
We will be using the Boids Physics Type for our Particle System and with a few tweaks we can achieve something really cool. Once you are happy with the Motion you can Bake and move on to Compositing.
For some added Variation and Interest, we add a keyframe for the strength value for each of the Fireflies and then add a Modifier to make the Light Flicker.
Using the Graph editor, not only can get get a cool flickering effect but with a simple adjustment we can get a whole bunch of variations.
You can then Render out a PNG image sequence then composite it all together in post or just continue on and add your final touches.
If you make something awesome with the Boids be sure to post a link in the comments below or post a link in our Facebook Group.
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial and as always thanks for watching.
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender
Video: https://pixabay.com/en/videos/sunset-lake-woman-landscape-water-17932/")
![[Review] Gadget Discovery Club](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q1oV1YUkLhM/mqdefault.jpg "[Review] Gadget Discovery Club
This week we will be reviewing the Monthly Subscription Box by the Gadget Discovery Club. (Thanks to the guys at the Gadget Discovery Club for sending us this box to review!)
Monthly subscription boxes are certainly fun but there are so many out there it becomes hard to choose just one. (I will be reviewing more Subscription boxes in the future so be sure to comment with your suggestions!).
Also be sure to check out our Blog post here: https://darkfallblender.blogspot.com/2019/04/monthly-subscription-box-review-gadget.html")
![Blender Compositing Tutorial: How to turn People into Ghosts [VFX]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r7wcTpswywk/mqdefault.jpg "Blender Compositing Tutorial: How to turn People into Ghosts [VFX]
In this weeks Blender Compositing VFX Tutorialwe will be turning someone into a Ghostly Companion in How to turn people into ghosts using Blender 2.8 (this effect can also be done in Blender 2.79).
First we will create a Mask around the person we wish to turn into a Ghost. I recommend taking more time with the masking then I did, your shots look much cleaner with better Masks.
Then in the compositing, we can save time by Appending a Super Node that we created previously.
Though if you have not created a Super Node you can either check out our previous blog post here, or follow along in the Video where we create a quick Super Node to add a fake background (in place of the ghost).
Then with the help of a couple of mix nodes we can add our Ghostly Companion.
When downloading clips like this, its often hard to get something perfect (Though if you do want to use this clip, you can find the link in the blog post).
For example, we could also replicate the missing part of the man (that being, part of his right shoulder, his neck and some parts of his ears).
If I was creating this shot for myself and had direction over the scene. I would prefer to shoot the man on the bench, alone. Then shoot the woman in front of a Green screen.
This would ensure that we see all of the man through the ghost.
We could recreate most of the man in the Node Editor, and a couple of masks. We would need to add a fake body, neck and ears, before the Ghost effect. From the tests I tried, they looked okay but I hope you guys get the idea and are able to find use for this effect.
If you do create something be sure to post a link in our Facebook group!.
I hope you found this Blender VFX Tutorial helpful and happy compositing!
Links-
Blog Post: https://darkfallblender.blogspot.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender")
![Blender Compositing Tutorial : Robot Eyes [VFX]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rHqC5iQRrHc/mqdefault.jpg "Blender Compositing Tutorial : Robot Eyes [VFX]
In this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial, we will be recreating a familiar VFX Tutorial, Robot Eyes.
Be sure to check out our latest Add-on, The Darkfall VFX Addon.. Its a free add-on that contains 8 different effects and the Sci fi Eyes, is one of them.. Check out the blog page here: http://bit.ly/2kB5XYt
Keen viewers of my channel will already be aware of the Robot Eyes Tutorial we have done previously. Since there are many changes from 2.79 to 2.8, I thought it would be interesting to recreate this VFX shot within Blender 2.8.
We will utilize the new VFX workspace (which helps optimize our workflow), though you can always create your own Workspace.
First we will track our footage and though some things have changed, it feels very similar to 2.79. I did have some trouble though, I couldnt find the option to Show Search Size. We can see (and change) the search size as a Value but there was no representation on screen.
Now maybe I am missing something (If I am please be sure to let me know in the comments) or this could be a bug but many of you know, I like to use that option a lot.
We then use the Masking section and then rotoscope the eye (and more importantly the blink). We did a tutorial on Masking. If you are having trouble with masking, be sure to check it out.
Now we are ready for compositing our tracking information to the 3D Scene. This can be done with the click of a single button. Though when I tried this the first time, I encountered a bug. (When you add the tracks to the 3D scene. If your Markers do not move when you play through the timeline, simply move to a random point on the timeline then press Ctrl + Z. Your Markers should now move).
Remember, 2.8 is in Beta and some bugs will occur. So if you encounter this bug or another, be sure to report it.
Then in the 3D scene, we can add an Image as Plain and add the Robot Eye Texture. If you want to use the same image, you can download it (CC-0) Link below.
Then we need to change a couple of settings to make the Alpha Transparency work (it would be nice to make these changes as we import the image but it take only a couple of seconds to make the changes).
Duplicate your plain and Parent each of them to the Trackers and now we can move on to the Compositing section.
For the compositing, we look at adding the Robot Eyes to the Live Action Footage we have been working with. I decided to brighten the Whites of the eyes to add some more Surrealism to the shot (Though having robot eyes may be surreal enough?). As we do this we create some pretty useful custom Masks.
I also wanted to add a nice shadow on the eye to add depth and to try and make the shot look more realistic (since in the real world, the top eyelid would naturally cast a shadow on to the eye).
Then we can finish it off with some glare, glow and color grading. I took some screenshots of my node set-up. I tired to tidy things up and make it look cleaner.
Check out our blog for the Node Set-up.
So, I hope you found this Blender Compositing VFX Tutorial helpful!. If you did be sure to give it a Like! and as always,
Thanks for watching..
Links -
Blog Post: https://goo.gl/LAKUzT
Facebook Group: https://goo.gl/dWrabg
Robot Eye Image: https://goo.gl/ziaMQi")
![Blender Python Tutorial : Add-on Creation - Insta-Mist [learn python for beginners]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/raFIWnMnXRo/mqdefault.jpg "Blender Python Tutorial : Add-on Creation - Insta-Mist [learn python for beginners]
In this Blender Python Scripting Tutorial, we will be creating a new add-on which will help speed up our workflow when working with Mist.
As Artists, we often repeat the same process over and over (such as adding mist) and though its not a complex task, it is rather time consuming. With the help of a little python code we can take the hassle out of adding Mist.
Looking to learn Python for beginners? You are in the right place. Be sure to check out the Scripting Playlist!.
I wanted to show how easy it was to create a simple Add-on that speeds up the process quickly. Each of us use Blender for different reasons but its always a good idea to improve your workflow by creating personalized tools like the Insta-Mist.
Not only will we enable the Mist Pass, Enable the Viewport Display in the camera settings, adding the Mist Options to our newly created panel but we will also arrange the compositor for this whole effect to work. So the next time we want to add Mist to our Renders we can simply press a button and let the add-on do the hard work for us.
We will only need a Panel and an Operator, though to make it look better, I later added a sub panel (if you want to know how to add a sub panel be sure to check out our scripting playlist).
If you want to download the Starting Template script or the finished Add-on you can download them for free (links in blog post).
I hope you find this tool and/or This Blender Python Tutorial helpful and as always, Thanks for watching!
Links:
Blog Post: https://darkfallblender.blogspot.com/2020/10/blender-python-tutorial-insta-mist-add.html
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkfallStudios
Download Blender: https://www.blender.org/download/
blender 2.90 scripting python Tutorial, learn python for beginners
#b3d #darkfall #learnpython #python")
![Blender 2.8: VFX Nodes (Version 1.5) [Addon]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/riAbkGuZC4g/mqdefault.jpg "Blender 2.8: VFX Nodes (Version 1.5) [Addon]
Download Version 1.5 here: http://bit.ly/2kB5XYt
In this video we will be looking at the new addition to the Tools Section in this weeks update.
We now have the 2D Planar Tool and the Subsurface Skin Node. The 2D Planar tool is a great way to add some visual interest to the actor just by using a couple of Tracks, a Mask and an Image (or movie).
We also have the option for a drop shadow to make the effect look as though it goes deeper or closer to the surface of the face. You only need 4 tracking markers for the 2D Planar to work (though in this video there are far too many). Its important to make sure your 4 tracking markers dont move away from each other. They should stay the same distance from each other through out the movie clip.. If they move away from each other (like they do on the example video) it will stretch the Mask and the 2D Planar. For the most part this looks rubbish but in some examples it actually doesnt look that bad. It can give the impression of the skin moving and stretching.
So keep this in mind when recording your own footage. Keep the Markers Pretty small but Clearly visible and make sure they move together.
The Other Option we have is the Subsurface Skin Node. Its very similar to the 2D Planar tool, only it does not have the Drop shadow.
We did a tutorial a while back in regards to the Subsurface effect though I think this node will now help speed up that process.
I hope you find these tools helpful, and if you have any suggestions of requests, be sure to let us know in the comments below!..
The Example video I used was from Hollywood Camera Work and you can check them out here: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/tracking-plates.html
VFX Nodes Version 1.4: https://youtu.be/Mc_9wEgB3tw
VFX Nodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtLHTf5bnylOFg7S2dlTP0w8FMyrssiX
Leather Texture: https://www.textures.com/download/leather0109/106582?q=leather
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkfallStudios
Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/darkfallblender")
![[3D Printing] Angel and Demon from Suzanne (Blender)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rl3g52I0uTk/mqdefault.jpg "[3D Printing] Angel and Demon from Suzanne (Blender)
In this Video we will be doing another Suzanne Print.
This time we will be turning the Blender Mascot Suzanne into an Angel and Demon. Then exporting them as STLs and print them out. With a little clean up and some paint (though my bad paint job should be excused) I think they turned out pretty well.
With these two new additions It seems I am starting a collection. I have some more Ideas I would like to do and if you guys have any suggestions, feel free to post a comment below.
As always, you can download this .blend file (make adjustments if you want then you can export your models) or you can download the finished STLs. (Links below)
Hopefully you enjoyed this video or at the very least found it helpful!.
Thanks for watching!
Links:
Angel and Demon (.blend) - https://www.blendswap.com/blends/view/93296
Suzanne Angel (STL) -
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3359918
Suzanne Demon (STL) - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3359936
Facebook Group - www.facebook.com/group/darkfallblender
Songs:
A Relivation by Jeremy Blake
Stardrive by Jeremy Blake")
![Blender Python Tutorial: The REDO Operator [learn python for beginners]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sL1qvAKx8SE/mqdefault.jpg "Blender Python Tutorial: The REDO Operator [learn python for beginners]
In this Blender Python Tutorial, we will be taking a look at how we can add the Redo Function to our add-ons.. *Spoiler Alert* - Its super easy!.. Looking to learn Python for beginners? You are in the right place. Be sure to check out the Scripting Playlist!.
The Redo Operator Panel is a fantastic little addition to any add-on, it gives the user more control of the Operator (after Execution). For this example I will be using a Template Panel and Operator. You can find the Template script in our blog here: https://darkfallblender.blogspot.com/2021/03/blender-python-tutorial-redo-operator.html
I add a cube and change the location (though this could be any function or action you want). Then by adding some BL info in the operator we can add our Redo Panel. Once we have it working we can then make it look better by turning the Operator into a Pop-up Dialog Box (which is something we covered in a previous video). We can also make it look pretty by defining the draw method (again something we covered in a previous video) Be sure to check out the scripting playlist.
I hope you find this Blender Python Tutorial helpful and I hope you guys are enjoying the series so far!. As always, thanks for watching!..")
