Top 15 gifts to buy for VFX Artists

The 3DArt team has selected some essential tools and books that every VFX artist must have, so I hope you like this article if you have any suggestions or questions, please get in touch with us using the chat below or write us an email directly.

The VFX artist or digital compositor is one of the most important figures behind the scenes of your favorite movies and series. Their task is to transform ideas, and concepts into reality, with computer graphics they give life to the final scenes of a film, the work they do is so important that creating it can be very expensive and very hard, here is a selection of gifts with the opportunity to give them a truly meaningful gift.

It’s not easy to find gifts that are “cool” for VFX artists, so today we want to share our roundup of the 15 best gifts to make a good impression with.

Gift n. 1
Chrome Ball + Grey Ball 360 cam

Let’s start with the first gift, the one most coveted by every VFX artist, digital compositor, and VFX supervisor, namely the Chrome Ball. Chrome and Gray Ball are the tools to always have on every set of special effects, useful for recreating the HDRI lighting of scenes to be composited in the post, and the perfect tool for recreating CG lighting in digital scenes.

Maoping VFX HDRI Chrome Ball + Grey Ball 360 Cam for HDRI Lighting

Gift n. 2
ColorChecker

The second gift is another essential tool for any VFX artist or colorist, who works closely with the scenes on set, the Color Checker is a fundamental tool in calibrating color on set to CG in the post, definitely, this gift will be much appreciated.

ColorChecker Passport Video (CCPPV)

Gift n. 3
The VES Handbook of Visual Effects

The award-winning VES Handbook of Visual Effects remains the most comprehensive guide to visual effects techniques and best practices available today that every VFX artist must have. This new edition has been updated to include the latest industry-standard techniques, technologies, and workflows for the ever-changing world of visual effects.

The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures 3rd Edition

Gift n. 4
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Bluetooth

This is the best tool I work with, I would never be without it, not even for a second, perfect for working on complex VFX scenes and digital compositing scenes. For artists and creative professionals alike, Wacom Intuos Pro is the perfect choice for any workflow. Whether you’re painting and drawing or digital compositing, this pen-like interface gives you a rich relationship between your hands and the computer screen. Intuos Pro’s intuitive design adds new dimensions to matte painting tasks, allowing you to achieve the best results.

Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Bluetooth Graphics Drawing Tablet

Gift n. 5
TourBox NEO, Video Photo Editing Controller

TourBox NEO is an editing console designed to speed up work on video editing scenes and timeline projects, whether it’s video editing or digital compositing, this tool is very useful for those who work for many hours on complex timelines.

TourBox NEO, Video Photo Editing Controller, Custom Shortcut Keyboard

Gift n. 6
Green Screen Blue Green

Here too a gift, always appreciated for those who work and study digital compositing, in fact, “cropping” the green-screen and blue screen is one of the basic exercises of a compositor, this technique is still used in classic sets, and this portable green screen is very convenient to use quickly on small sets.

Collapsible Chromakey Backdrop with 8.5ft/2.6m Stand, 2-in-1 Reversible Green Screen Blue Green

Gift n. 7
Motion Capture Guide

Do you want to be the next Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings? Or Zoe Saldana in Avatar? How about Seth MacFarlane in Ted? Or do you want to star in video games like Fortnite, Call of Duty or Halo?

If so, this book will tell you everything you need to know about motion capture acting.

Performing for Motion Capture: A Guide for Practitioners

Gift n. 8
Monitor Stand

This is another one that enters the top 10 of very useful tools for a VFX Artist, and therefore a gift!
Working from home this year, I recently installed this mount as a workstation upgrade for my dual monitors. This amazing tool has allowed me to save desk space and improve my posture during long days of work in front of the computer. I definitely recommend it as a gift to give to anyone who doesn’t own it yet.

Huanuo Dual Monitor Stand

Gift n. 9
The Filmmaker’s Guide to Visual Effects

If you want to have a total picture of how to work on 3D, 2D and 2.5D; understand the various trades of the VFX departments ranging from aset to compositing, in this guide you will find the essential concepts on photorealism, parallax, roto and extraction; become familiar with the most common formats used in VFX, their role in filmmaking, and learn how to effectively plan the cost and complexity of VFX shooting.

The Filmmaker’s Guide to Visual Effects: The Art and Techniques of VFX for Directors, Producers, Editors and Cinematographers 1st Edition

Gift n. 10
Tracking Markers

Among the tools of a VFX artist a Tracking Marker cannot be missing, this model is perfect to be used in your scenes to be tracked. Even if this technique is a bit old school, this marker still has its charm, to have absolutely among the tools of a vfx artist or on your desk.

Professional Grade Tracking Markers 95mm

Gift n. 11
Set of 3 – Star Wars Original Classics Movie 24×36 Poster

Star Wars cannot be missing in the top 15 of the most appreciated gifts by VFX Artists, ILM studio creators of Star Wars special effects are one of the cornerstones of what Computer Graphics and VFX have been, therefore always a super appreciated gift.

Star Wars Original Classics Movie Poster

Gift n. 12
Green Chromakey Bodysuit

This green chromakey bodysuit is the perfect complement to your next VFX scene.
This bodysuit is the right gift to give to a VFX artist, perfect both for a VFX set 😉 and in normal everyday life.

Green Chromakey Bodysuit Unisex Spandex Stretch Adult Costume Zentai Disappearing Man for Photo Video Effect

Gift n. 13
Ergonomic Mouse Wireless

We recommend this mouse for people like us who work long hours in front of the computer. It is an ergonomically and scientifically designed mouse, encouraging you to work in the correct positions for your wrist and arm. The “handshake” position, for example, allows for smoother movement and less overall effort while avoiding tendonitis pain.

Ergonomic Mouse Wireless, 2.4G USB Vertical Gaming Mouse with 3 Adjustable DPI 800/1600/3200 Levels 6 Buttons Design for Computer, Laptop, PC, MacBook

Gift n. 14
Artist Glove for Graphics Drawing Tablet

This gadget is very popular, as well as giving a “fashion” touch ;), it reduces the friction between the hand and the surface of the tablet and prevents accidental touching of the touch screen. If you are on a budget and want to give a useful gadget as a gift, the glove is great ;).

Artist Glove for Graphics Drawing Tablet

Gift n. 15
Desktop Punching Bag antistress

For those who work many hours on the computer like us, working on complex scenes with tight job deliveries in delivery is very stressful, so here is the solution for you, with this stress reliever you can vent your frustration.

Desktop Punching Bag with clamp