Four Websites for 3D VFX You Should Check Out

Written by Federico Arculeo

3D VFX Tutor

In the ever-evolving world of visual effects, having access to the right resources can make all the difference to the quality of your projects. Today I’m sharing with you four must-visit websites that offer a wealth of high-quality resources and tools. 

Poly Haven 

Our first destination is Poly Haven. Poly Haven is a valuable resource for Visual Effects Artists and is particularly renowned for its extensive collection of high-quality HDRIs (High Dynamic Range Images). HDRIs play a crucial role in VFX by providing realistic lighting information for 3D scenes, helping to achieve stunning visual effects with accurate reflections and ambient lighting. 

The website offers a full free range of HDRIs capturing various real-world environments. This includes urban landscapes, natural settings, interiors, and more. This variety allows VFX Artists to find the perfect lighting conditions for their specific project requirements. 

In addition to HDRIs, Poly Haven also provides a long list of background pictures with most of the HDRIs listed. 

CG Bookcase 

Moving on to our second stop, CG Bookcase is a go-to resource for Physically Based Rendering (PBR) textures. PBR is essential for achieving photorealistic lighting and materials in VFX and CG Bookcase offers an extensive library of textures at high resolution for free, providing artists with all the essentials to create visually stunning renders. 

PBR textures from CG Bookcase adhere to industry standards, ensuring compatibility with various rendering engines. This makes the textures versatile and easily integrated into different projects, from architectural visualization to gaming environments. 

The site requires no membership or account creation and provides tutorials on how to use PBR textures for both Blender and Unreal. An excellent resource, especially for those just approaching the VFX world. 

ActionVFX 

Our third site is ActionVFX, where practice becomes an art. Practice is key to mastering the art of visual effects, and ActionVFX offers a wide range of assets, including both 2D and 3D elements. But undoubtedly the most valuable resource here is the vast catalogue of practice movies made available by the site. 

ActionVFX practice footage is available in both high and low resolution, carefully shot to maintain quality. To download practice movies, you must register with the site. 

VFX Camera Database 

Our latest addition to the lineup is VFX Camera Database, a unique resource offering real-world camera data for VFX artists. Understanding and replicating real-world camera settings is crucial to achieving seamless integration of VFX elements into live-action footage. 

VFX Camera Database provides complete camera information, including sensor data, focal lengths, and lens models used in various films. This allows VFX Artists to match their virtual cameras to those used during filming, ensuring cohesion as they work through their projects. 

As an additional note, the site also offers a plugin that can be used in Maya, containing the information of all the cameras on the site. This will improve work speed and efficiency for users. 

Watch the handy video tutorial below for more info on these resources!