Quick VFX Workflow

A guide for generating VFX IDs, adding them to a tracker, then doing the VFX turnovers.

This is a free article about VFX Tracking Workflow via Google Sheets as well as a blanket method of turning over for VFX.

For a more in-depth and updated method, we recommend checking out the full Concise AE Guide (More info & Purchase) which includes a more functional VFX tracker than demonstrated in these videos.

A. Auto-Assigning VFX IDs

First up, we look at how to Auto-Assign VFX IDs to your timeline. This will allow you to completely avoid the tedious task of manually typing in VFX IDs.

To use the above Google Sheet, Open It -> click File -> Make a Copy (do not request Edit permissions please, you can use the Copy you've just made).

B. Adding VFX IDs to a VFX Tracker

Next, I'll show you how to add the Timecode, VFX IDs, and Work Order/Comments to a Google Sheets tracker. This will avoid the slow, painful task of manually entering all the data. 

Note: If you're using Filemaker for tracking VFX, then you can export Google Sheet the values from "VFX Sheet Marker Converter" sheet File -> Download -> .csv and import them into Filemaker.

C. Burning-in VFX IDs to Reference Video for VFX Vendors

Now we're going to make a Reference Video for your VFX Vendors with Timecode and VFX ID burned into picture. For this process, we'll be using the free Shift-E Tools by Evan Schiff EDL-to-Subcaps generator.