Autograph vs Terragen

Autograph is a free Windows and macOS application combining motion graphics, visual effects and compositing, and 2D and 3D projects. Motion tools include a shape engine, motion paths, animated text, and animation for SVG and PSD files. A relative definition system lets one composition render in multiple formats. Compositing supports GPU-optimized effects, OpenFX plugins, Shadertoy, multi-channel EXR, Photoshop layers, and ProRes, with ACES and OCIO color workflows. The application includes rotoscoping plus 2D and planar tracking. Its 3D environment uses Pixar OpenUSD and Filament for real-time physically based rendering. Integrations include Universe and Red Giant OFX tools with a license, and OpenFX plugins from RE:Vision Effects, BorisFX, and Digital Anarchy. Maxon states that individuals and commercial teams can use Autograph free, without output limits or time restrictions. Some features from previous versions are temporarily unavailable while development continues. Cineversity training and a support center are available.

Terragen builds, renders, and animates natural environments for landscape visualization, visual effects, and artistic work. It creates procedural and heightfield terrain, can use real-world terrain data, and adds details such as cliffs and overhangs. Its spherical planetary atmosphere model includes volumetric clouds and fog, multiple scattering, and global illumination. The hybrid renderer combines micropolygon rendering and ray tracing, with support for anti-aliasing, motion blur, depth of field, and render elements. Nearly every project parameter can be animated, and image sequences can be rendered through the interface or command line. Terragen imports 3D objects and camera data, exports terrain as heightfields or geometry in formats including TER, EXR, LWO, OBJ, and FBX, and handles camera data in FBX, Nuke CHAN, and Maya MOV formats. It can also generate HDR environments for lighting in other renderers. Windows and macOS are supported, with Linux render-node support. The free edition is for non-commercial use or 30 days of commercial evaluation, with still renders limited to 1280 × 900. Professional subscriptions start at $10 a month.