Best Visual Effects (VFX) Software for DaVinci Resolve

Sapphire plug-ins enable the creation of breathtaking organic aesthetics that surpass the capabilities of any built-in effect tools provided by host applications. Among the prominent features are more than 270 effects and over 3000 presets, a robust effect and transition builder, alongside integrated tracking and masking powered by the award-winning Mocha software. The exceptional image quality, control, and rapid rendering speed of Sapphire contribute to significant time efficiency, allowing creators to concentrate on what truly matters: making an impactful impression that keeps viewers engaged. Mac users will be thrilled with the arrival of Metal GPU acceleration in Sapphire 2021, which enhances over 60 effects. With Metal acceleration, dramatic improvements in speed are possible; for instance, S_Rays can render more than four times faster compared to CPU-only processing. Although performance can fluctuate based on the specifications of the GPU, host application, operating system version, and specific Sapphire effects, Sapphire 2021 with Metal acceleration typically achieves rendering speeds that are 20% quicker than when using CPU alone, making it an essential tool for professionals aiming to elevate their work. This makes Sapphire an indispensable asset in the toolkit of any creative professional.

Silhouette, an award-winning VFX tool recognized by both the Academy and Emmy Awards, is a top-tier, GPU-accelerated compositing software that offers unparalleled non-destructive paint and roto capabilities tailored for feature films and visual effects teams. Since its inception in 2005, Silhouette has played a crucial role in the production of some of Hollywood’s most iconic film and television projects, such as Avatar, Black Panther, and Stranger Things, among others. It is proudly endorsed by the Netflix Post Technology Alliance in the VFX category, positioning itself as the go-to artist tool for Roto, Paint, and Tracking. The latest release, Silhouette 2020.5, transcends conventional roto and cleanup methods, providing a professional stereoscopic-enabled node-based compositing environment with an impressive array of 146 nodes specifically crafted for various finishing tasks. Available as a standalone application for macOS, Windows, and Linux, Silhouette also offers flexible floating license options for enterprises. Additionally, the introduction of the new Silhouette Paint plug-in enhances the functionality of the paint tools, which are now seamlessly integrated into a multi-host plug-in compatible with Adobe and OFX platforms, and is provided free of charge to all owners of Silhouette 2020. This advancement underscores Silhouette's commitment to evolving and meeting the dynamic needs of visual effects professionals in the industry.

Mocha Pro is an acclaimed software solution recognized globally for its capabilities in planar tracking, rotoscoping, and object removal. Integral to the workflows of visual effects and post-production, it has garnered prestigious accolades such as Academy and Emmy Awards for its significant impact on the film and television sectors. Recently, Mocha Pro has been employed in blockbuster hits like The Mandalorian, Stranger Things, and Avengers: Endgame, among others. The latest advancement in Mocha introduces PowerMesh, which features an innovative sub-planar tracking engine designed for visual effects, rotoscoping, and stabilization. This new technology allows for tracking on warped surfaces while maintaining precision, effortlessly handling complex organic shapes even through occlusions and blurs, all within Mocha’s user-friendly layer-based interface. It is not only easy to use but also quicker than many traditional optical flow methods. Users can apply it to source files for authentic match moves, transform data into AE Nulls to enhance motion graphics, render a mesh for stabilized or reversed plates in compositing, and even export dense tracking data for compatibility with other applications, further expanding its versatility and utility in modern visual effects production.