How to Add VFX & Motion Graphics on a Budget
7/1/2025
|Team CapsAI

Capsai Motion FX at No. 1
use Capsai’s built‑in VFX & motion‑graphics templates to add animated overlays, title sequences and particle effects - no steep learning curve.
- Upload your clip at https://capsai.co/
- Choose “Motion FX” and pick a preset (e.g. “Glitch”, “Energy Burst”)
- Adjust timing via the timeline scrubber and export in one click
Blender’s Compositor
leverage Blender’s node‑based compositor for free advanced VFX and motion graphics.
- Open Blender, switch to “Compositing” workspace
- Enable “Use Nodes” and import footage with an “Image” node
- Add “Transform” + “Mix” nodes for animated overlays, keyframe “Angle” or “Scale”
- Hit F12 to render your final clip
HitFilm Express
free editor with VFX and particle simulations built in.
- Import media, then go to “Effects > Particle Simulator”
- Drag “Particle Emitter” onto a plane layer and tweak lifespan, velocity
- Use “Chroma Key” to composite green‑screen overlays
- Export via File → Export → HitFilm Express
DaVinci Resolve Fusion Tab
combine Resolve’s color tools with Fusion’s motion‑graphics engine.
- Switch to the “Fusion” tab after selecting a clip
- Add a “Background” node, connect to “Merge” with your footage
- Insert “Paint” or “Tracker” nodes - keyframe size/position over time
- Render via the Deliver page with your preferred codec
Natron
open‑source compositing (Nuke‑style) for keying and tracking.
- File → Read to load footage, then Add → Keyer → Keylight for green screen
- Place a “Tracker” node, track motion, and connect to a “Transform” node
- Use “Roto” for masking - animate points frame by frame
- File → Write to export your composition
Olive Video Editor
lightweight, free NLE with keyframeable motion effects.
- Drag your clip onto the timeline, open the “Effects” panel
- Search “Motion” and apply to your clip; set Start/End keyframes for position/scale
- Layer a second video track for title overlays; animate via the “Properties” inspector
- File → Export project with H.264 preset
Kapwing (Web‑based)
no‑install tool for quick motion text and simple VFX.
- Go to https://www.kapwing.com and start a new project
- Upload video, click “Elements” → “Animated Text” for cheap lower thirds
- Use “Studio” tab to add drop shadows or glows; adjust timing in the timeline
- Click “Export Video” and download your MP4
Each of these options gives you pro‑level VFX and motion graphics on a shoestring - pick the one that fits your workflow and budget!
Capsai Motion FX at No. 1
use Capsai’s built‑in VFX & motion‑graphics templates to add animated overlays, title sequences and particle effects - no steep learning curve.
- Upload your clip at https://capsai.co/
- Choose “Motion FX” and pick a preset (e.g. “Glitch”, “Energy Burst”)
- Adjust timing via the timeline scrubber and export in one click
Blender’s Compositor
leverage Blender’s node‑based compositor for free advanced VFX and motion graphics.
- Open Blender, switch to “Compositing” workspace
- Enable “Use Nodes” and import footage with an “Image” node
- Add “Transform” + “Mix” nodes for animated overlays, keyframe “Angle” or “Scale”
- Hit F12 to render your final clip
HitFilm Express
free editor with VFX and particle simulations built in.
- Import media, then go to “Effects > Particle Simulator”
- Drag “Particle Emitter” onto a plane layer and tweak lifespan, velocity
- Use “Chroma Key” to composite green‑screen overlays
- Export via File → Export → HitFilm Express
DaVinci Resolve Fusion Tab
combine Resolve’s color tools with Fusion’s motion‑graphics engine.
- Switch to the “Fusion” tab after selecting a clip
- Add a “Background” node, connect to “Merge” with your footage
- Insert “Paint” or “Tracker” nodes - keyframe size/position over time
- Render via the Deliver page with your preferred codec
Natron
open‑source compositing (Nuke‑style) for keying and tracking.
- File → Read to load footage, then Add → Keyer → Keylight for green screen
- Place a “Tracker” node, track motion, and connect to a “Transform” node
- Use “Roto” for masking - animate points frame by frame
- File → Write to export your composition
Olive Video Editor
lightweight, free NLE with keyframeable motion effects.
- Drag your clip onto the timeline, open the “Effects” panel
- Search “Motion” and apply to your clip; set Start/End keyframes for position/scale
- Layer a second video track for title overlays; animate via the “Properties” inspector
- File → Export project with H.264 preset
Kapwing (Web‑based)
no‑install tool for quick motion text and simple VFX.
- Go to https://www.kapwing.com and start a new project
- Upload video, click “Elements” → “Animated Text” for cheap lower thirds
- Use “Studio” tab to add drop shadows or glows; adjust timing in the timeline
- Click “Export Video” and download your MP4
Each of these options gives you pro‑level VFX and motion graphics on a shoestring - pick the one that fits your workflow and budget!