Suppose you've decided to dive headfirst into the waters of digital compositing, but Nuke demands nearly $5,000 for a license, and using After Effects forces you into the Creative Cloud sandbox. The landscape isn't easy for someone just starting out, yet the open source world always has something to offer, and in this case, it's Natron, a software focused on node-based compositing. It has good support for alternative operating systems, and we can even use it in portable mode, without installing it.
All roads point to Adobe; there's no denying it. Photo editing? Photoshop. Vector graphics? Illustrator. Video editing? Premiere Pro. But if there's one thing we can say with certainty, it's that users love to put up resistance. There are plenty of reasons (starting with a draconian implementation of its “software as a service” model) to keep a healthy distance from Adobe, and the open source world welcomes us with open arms. Just look at what GIMP and Blender have achieved to see the potential of that “rebellion”.
What about digital compositing? Well, Adobe has After Effects... which costs 290 euros per year. A very reputable alternative is Nuke... which is reflected in the $5,000 they ask for its license. The conflict is evident. How can an enthusiast take their first steps if the main market references demand “professional prices”? Once again, the turn to open source could be the answer, and there we find Natron.
Now, I say “could” because Natron's situation isn't perfect, to say the least. Its last update dates back to July 2018, followed by a cascade of Release Candidates that never seem to reach a stable phase. The problems are obvious: there's a lack of developers and funding. Creating something as ambitious as Natron isn't an economical process, and all those issues are reflected in delayed updates and missing features. However, that doesn't mean Natron is impossible to use. The number of tutorials available is significant, and some of the demos posted on YouTube look fabulous:
In short, Natron is a digital compositing alternative, and it's also a commitment. If you expect an immediate solution on the level of Nuke or After Effects, you'll be disappointed, but with patience, dedication, and a pinch of luck, you should be able to achieve a good command of the software. Natron has builds compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, as well as plugins and scripts to extend its functionality. Download the program along with one of its samples, and get started.
Official website and download: Click here
