Beyond-FX’s Essential Book Guide

The Beyond-FX Essential Book Guide

Welcome to Beyond-FX’s book guide, which highlights the essential texts you need to get started in the VFX industry. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran looking to get back to basics for new inspiration, these well-written books are perfect learning resources. 

Each book has been recommended and hand-picked by the talented team here at Beyond-FX. While you might find that a particular text suits your learning style more, these are all great starting points to build up your collection. Along the way, you’ll get to hear why our artists love these books so much, and you’ll also get a deep dive into what these great guides include. 

‍

Elemental Magic, Vol. 1: The Art Of Special Effects Animation (2009)

‍

Written by animation expert Joseph Gilland, who has previously worked on pictures such as Hercules and Lilo & Stitch in their visual effects departments, Elemental Magic, Vol. 1 is a definitive guide to crafting stunning animated effects in a stylized manner. It’s fantastic, especially for 2D effects. The book is full of incredible illustrations from Gilland, who doesn’t hold back in unlocking the tools to these industry-defining techniques. The step-by-step tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from crafting splashing waves to smokey blazes that billow and fume. 

Rafael Morais, one of our Senior VFX Artists here at Beyond-FX, said: “Elemental Magic is a well-written, easy-to-follow book with lots of excellent drawings to learn from. I consider this to be the bedside table book for VFX. Also, copying the drawings has taught me so much.”

‍

Elemental Magic, Vol. 2: The Technique of Special Effects Animation (2011)

‍

Written once more by Joseph Gilland, the follow-up to Elemental Magic continues to deliver in spades as the animation expert moves his focus away from the art and toward the technique and execution. This is full of fantastic and nuanced illustrations just like the first outing, and provides breakdowns of crucial VFX processes. Magic, wind, explosives, and destruction are just some of the areas of discussion in Gilland’s additional work. Both books are also accompanied by a helpful website, which includes plenty more tips and tricks from the author in his lecture videos. 

One of Beyond-FX’s Senior VFX Artists, Miguel Ortiz, noted that Elemental Magic is “more of a ’how to approach’ book rather than ‘how to draw’ if that makes sense, so it's more about giving you tools to understand how an element behaves in nature, break it down to its core components and then recreate it using those.”

‍

The Unity Shaders Bible (2022)

‍

The Unity Shaders Bible has been described as “a linear explanation of shaders from beginner to advanced.” Primarily written by Game Developer and Technical Artist Fabrizio Espíndola with illustrations and design elements from Art Director Pablo Yeber, the book specifically highlights Unity as a tool and ranges from introductory to much higher experience levels. This is a great book for learning about topics such as ray tracing, sphere tracing, lighting, shadow, and surface. With expansive examples to help you apply the theory to practical situations, The Unity Shaders Bible is for those who want to get serious about the art form. 

‍

The Definitive Guide To Creating Advanced Visual Effects In Unity (2022)

‍

There are plenty of guides out there designed to help you get to grips with Unity. However, none are perhaps more trustworthy than The Definitive Guide To Creating Advanced Visual Effects In Unity, an ebook published by Unity itself. The book is perfect for artists and designers looking to craft real-time VFX and focuses on Unity 2021 LTS version of VFX Graph. This robust text might seem complex at a glance, but is incredibly detailed and gorgeously visualized. Unity has created some great clips that complement the ebook, ensuring you’ll never feel lost when some of the more advanced techniques are discussed. The overview covers every effect you could possibly imagine and is as exhaustive as it is unorthodox! 

‍

League’s VFX Style Guide (2018)

‍

Although it’s definitely advisable to look into purchasing some of these great published works, digital resources can be just as useful. The official League Of Legends VFX Style Guide is an amazing example of developers sharing their knowledge and uploading great content that looks to aid the community. The briefer read is a good insight into the production process for the League Of Legends team. Throughout the guide, gameplay images and behind-the-scenes snapshots help to paint a visual picture of what the book is discussing, allowing you to engage with the guide through a familiar context. 

Nathan Huang, who is one of our Senior II VFX Artists, said: “It showcases how their VFX looks good by utilizing the tactics of Value, Color, Shapes, and Timing with a huge focus on gameplay to avoid visual clutter and readability. I really like the breakdown with examples to showcase what worked and what didn't.”

‍

Toru Yoshida's Style - Anime Effects Creative Works Reference Book (2016)

‍

World-renowned animator Toru Yoshida has a very unique drawing style, which could be applied to your real-time VFX development. The book, Anime Effects Creative Works Reference Book, depicts Yoshida’s visual flare and provides storyboard-like guides which can be accessed by anyone. Although the text is in Japanese, which could be a barrier, the illustrations are so well produced that they transcend languages. Animation books like these provide a greater understanding of the artistic process, covering everything from shape and physics to shading, albeit in a 2D capacity. These lessons are still vital for that continued development. 

‍

Animation Effect Drawing Technique (2019)

‍

Animator Kazunori Ozawa, who has worked on projects such as One Piece and Azur Lane, has created a book that covers 57 different VFX techniques using his years of experience. These realistic effects highlight his approach to drawing and are an excellent alternative way of crafting fire, smoke, destruction, and a whole host of other set pieces. Once again, although the text is written in Japanese, the illustrations provide more than enough context to genuinely learn from Animation Effect Drawing Technique. 

‍

The Animator’s Survival Kit (2009)

‍

The expanded edition of The Animator’s Survival Kit is a must-have for those searching for animation books that might aid in their learning journey. Written by veteran animator Richard E. Williams, who famously worked on titles like The Pink Panther and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, this book is an insight into a truly great mind of the industry. The classical Williams is a fascinating figure who adapted as the animation industry evolved, and this book contains all of his secrets as to how he continued to remain relevant. Artists will find a lot to love about this text, which is perfect for beginners and experts alike. It ultimately highlights the foundation every animator and artist will need to survive. 

‍

Drawn To Life, Vol. I & Vol. II (2009 & 2012)

‍

The Drawn To Life series, crafted by Walt Stanchfield, are animation texts which VFX artists will learn a lot from. The books are heavily influenced by the golden age of Disney animation, of which Stanchfield himself was a part of. The masterclass covers the lessons that moviemaking giants like Tim Burton were taught and although some of these tips may seem outdated on the face of it, in truth, they are timeless. Although the medium continues to change, the principles are still the same. Stanchfield’s work on Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and The Jungle Book is legendary, and artists can take some of that magic and apply it to their work thanks to Drawn To Life. 

‍

The Illusion Of Life: Disney Animation (1997)

‍

Written by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two historically significant animators who were integral to Disney’s growth on screen, The Illusion Of Life is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn from the company’s extensive archives. Thomas and Johnston worked with Walt Disney himself and the book offers a candid insight into the mistakes made throughout their time with the studio and how they progressed from them. This mesmerizing display of creative ingenuity and development is perfect for VFX artists who are looking for an animation bible that covers the core principles of the artform. 

‍

 Imaginative Realism & Color & Light (2009 & 2010)

‍

James Gurney, a fantastical artist whose work has taken him from National Geographic to Dinotopia, has a fundamental understanding of realism which is clear to see across all of his projects. His books, Color & Light and Imaginative Realism, feature so many integral lessons that can be applied to the world of real-time VFX. Artists will feel genuine joy in the illustrations across the text and will find Gurney’s words both insightful and humorous. The first text covers how to paint what doesn’t exist, showing how authenticity can be brought to even the most absurd imagery. The second book dives into the rules for using color and light, providing design tools that are accurate and multi-functional. Gurney’s works are perfect companion pieces and are ideal when read together. 

‍

Light For Visual Artists (2011)

‍

Visual artist Richard Yot, who has worked for massive clients like Disney and the UK’s Channel 4, has written a book solely focused on the ever-difficult art form of lighting. Beginners will have to come to terms with how important lighting is to any effect, and this initial book in a larger series pinpoints the structural lodestar for the industry. Shadows, natural and artificial lighting, reflections, transparency and other such techniques that involve light interaction, are all given the spotlight in Yot’s well-rounded Light For Visual Artists. 

‍

Picture This: How Pictures Work (2016)

‍

Beginners should invest in the expanded edition of Picture This to gain its full value. Illustrator Molly Bang, whose abstract and contemporary work has conquered the children’s publishing industry, uses this text to reexamine how pictures create emotional responses. Using a series of gorgeous visuals, Bang takes geometry and shape and breaks down the structure of her imagery in ways you’ll never have imagined. This is a masterclass in looking at seemingly basic pictures from other angles. That brand new point of view can then be applied to the VFX world in exciting ways.  

Further Guidance 

Did you find anything you wanted to read in our essential guide? Well, make sure to let us know on social media, and share your own book picks with our community. If you’re searching for even more tips and tricks then don’t forget to check out our Level-Up series. Don’t worry if you have any questions or concerns, we’re here to help! Drop us a message in the comments section below. 

Want to stay in touch with our studio as we craft world-class real-time VFX? Follow Beyond-FX on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, & TikTok!

‍