HitFilm Ultimate Review

[budwzr]

It seems that FXHome has finally got their act together with HitFilm Ultimate. The older product was just too clunky and dated.

I wanted to get Boris Continuum Complete for Vegas, but after several e-mails asking for a discount, even a small one would be OK, they don't even respond, so I'm about to take the plunge with HitFilm. I downloaded the trial just now.

Does anyone here have any comments on HitFilm Ultimate?

[TreeTops]

No comments but it looks interesting. Can you post your experience with it when you get the time?

[leghorn]

fxhome.com shows that there's a 10% discount on all FXHome software...

[budwzr]

Sure, so far I've been testing the particle generator, and it's really incredible. It's TOTALLY customizable and true 3D with cameras, shadows reflections, whatever. I'm really impressed. Just that feature alone is worth the money, for me.

I don't know about AE, but you can mix different particles too. My wife's gonna kill me, but I gotta have it.

P.S. "Bah Fongool" Boris!

[budwzr]

I did this right now as a test, just to get an idea: (click the 720p version)

[poisondeathray]

http://hitfilm.com/ultimate

Wow this looks fantastic for the price. Looks like a good alternative to After Effects

(AE's 2 built in particle generators aren't that great IMO, you need a 3rd party one, Trapcode Particular, which when purchased alone is almost the price of hitfilm ultimate!)

Post a little review when you have a chance budwzr

[budwzr]

OK, sure. I already paid for it, that's how good it is. You know me, I'm a cheap bastard, and I would never plunk down $300+ unless I am sure.

I'm glad Boris didn't give me a discount, or I'd be stuck with just a friggin plugin for $600.

It has Motion Tracking too, which is the other big feature I wanted, but I haven't tried it yet.

[poisondeathray]

Yes, that's the key point, this is an entire framework, not a suite of plugins

I know it's pretty new, but there are some nice tutorials up already (probably more on youtube)
http://hitfilm.com/video-tutorials

Community & forum support are what makes programs like AE, blender, shine. They have established user bases with 100,000's of users. If you have problems it's easy to ask questions. If this takes off, that's what is import for this to grow

When you play with it some more:

1) How is format support? Can you just load up different types of inputs? or just standard ones

2) Export options? (compression offered, still images only etc...) , or does it offer system loaded codecs , etc.. ?

3) 3rd party plugin support? Is it like OFX host, where 3rd party vendors can easily develop plugins ?

[budwzr]

HitFilm is a redo of their VisionLab product which I've been eyeing and trying for a couple years, and there's already a huge user base established for THAT product, so I suspect they will all upgrade and come over to the new forum.

Point is, this a completely revamped iteration of an already well established product.

I'll check the codec support, but I plan to use Vegas to exchange in and out of HitFilm using 720p AVC so it doesn't matter to me about codecs.

Another thing I like is the UI is very light and done in XML (I guess), and looks GREAT.

[poisondeathray]

but I plan to use Vegas to exchange in and out of HitFilm using 720p AVC so it doesn't matter to me about codecs.

Usually not a good idea for FX work. The AVC vegas uses is chroma subsampled 4:2:0, and it's lossy . Usually for any FX work, you want to stay in RGB , unsubsampled 4:4:4 +/- alpha , so 4:4:4:4 RGBA, using uncompressed or lossless compression. So color edges get blocky and your composites look less realistic.

Most people use 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF's or PNG images, but I was wondering if it supported other formats. e.g. can you load normal "videos" into it ? like AVCHD or XDCAM for example

[budwzr]

Most people use 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF's or PNG images, but I was wondering if it supported other formats. e.g. can you load normal "videos" into it ? like AVCHD or XDCAM for example

Yeah, but I'm exporting with alphatrans to use in Vegas.




Velocity, orientation, speed changes and there's a LOT more settings. All are keyframeable.

[budwzr]

Whew!, them Apple boys, with their FCPX, are probably kicking themselves in the shins. They just barely got an entry level $49 editor for $300 and it's defunct already.

[TreeTops]

Budwzr...How hard would this be to do? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_M1MlWkV0M&feature=player_embedded

This is a vid of lightning strikes between two people.

[poisondeathray]

Budwzr...How hard would this be to do? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_M1MlWkV0M&feature=player_embedded

This is a vid of lightning strikes between two people.

If you look on the tutorial page, there are video tutorials of that same project. I think they include project files as well

[budwzr]

I don't know. Haven't tried it.

Having too much fun with the particleGen.

[TreeTops]

Thanks both. I found the tut's.

[budwzr]

They dropped the price to $319



WTF!!! I paid $359 a week ago!!!!! I have an email in to sales for an adjustment.

[budwzr]

Well, looks like I'm out 40 sheckels. No reply from sales. I hate when that happens, that's why I'm usually the last one in on a deal.

Maybe I can barter for a credit to use on something else, but they don't really have anything else.

[budwzr]

Looks like HitFilm is a hit. SCS sent me an e-mail with a NewBlue 50% off deal on their Video Essentials line. The problem is, this is the same old tired lineup.

Bye-Bye NewBlue, hellooooo HitFilm, hehehe.

[PowerFalcon]

HitFilm is a After Effects / Compositor replacement ? For that price is it a steel ?

[budwzr]

Hell yeah, homefrog.

[PowerFalcon]

HomeFrog What would you rate Hitfilm over After Effects ? Does it have blend modes like After Effects ? Are you using it ?

[budwzr]

I have a couple (small) paying gigs going, and I had to take my annual vacation, so I haven't got into it that deep yet. It DOES have a learning curve, and some of the terminology is different too.

What's a "blend mode"?

My main reason for getting it is the particle gen, which is really nice, and the tracking capabilities. It has a real slick way to motion track.

I took two small projects just to get out of my office and stretch my legs, but as usual, they became an albatross around my neck. I don't need the money, but if I tell them to F-off they might take me to small claims court, hahaha. But anyway, I'm dying to get back into HitFilm and play around.

Did you try the trial?

[poisondeathray]

What's a "blend mode"?

He means compositing modes, similar to photoshop, like "add", "multiply", "overlay", "stencil alpha" etc.... I'm pretty sure it would have them

[budwzr]

Yeah, probably does. Don't know what they call it though. That's the hardest part, is figuring out what they mean by certain terminology.

I know it has some robust 3D capabilities too. The 3D space is the real deal.

[PowerFalcon]

This is excellent news, maybe I finally found an affordable compositor that can make me money but won't hurt the bank. After trying the trial if I like, I'll get the ultimate version. They have renamed what you would typically find in a Adobe product, not surprising, what is surprising is not having to pay $1200 for a product then $1000 in plug-ins, After Effects.

[budwzr]

Better hurry, the Jan 20% off sale ends soon. (unless they have a new one in Feb). I only got 10%. Had to pay like $359.

[budwzr]

This is excellent news, maybe I finally found an affordable compositor that can make me money but won't hurt the bank.

Don't forget to take care of your Homefrog that hooked you up!

[branch]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdv0v_of1tg

Check out that Nebula - sold me

[budwzr]

Did you get it?