Have you ever struggled to get VFX elements to blend seamlessly into your scene? The key to pro-level compositing isn’t just lighting or effects—it’s understanding color spaces.

In our latest video, Sam breaks down how color spaces impact your composite and why ACES (Academy Color Encoding System) is a game-changer for standardizing colors across different assets.

Why Color Spaces Matter

Cameras, monitors, and software all interpret colors differently. If you’re using footage from multiple sources, mismatched color spaces can cause assets to look completely out of place. That’s where ACES comes in—it acts as a universal translator, ensuring all your elements exist in a consistent color space.

To understand this a little deeper, you can check out our blog on linear and logarithmic color spaces.

How ACES Works in Compositing

ACES uses input and output transforms to standardize footage:

• Input Transform – Converts your footage’s original color space into ACES.
• Output Transform – Converts ACES footage back into the final deliverable color space.

The best part? All major compositing software, including After Effects and Nuke, have the ACES workflow system built-in. You can preview your composite in your final delivery format while still working with high-quality data.

🔥 Pro Tip: After Effects doesn’t have a built-in transform for DRAGONcolor2 / REDgamma4 assets. Check out our other blog to learn how to set it up properly.

Setting Up ACES in After Effects

1. Change Project Settings

• Go to File > Project Settings > Color and switch to OCIO Color Managed.

2. Set the Footage Input Color Space

• Right-click footage → Interpret Footage > Main > Color tab
• Select the correct input transform (e.g., REDWideGamutRGB / REDLog3G10).

3. Blend Different Color Spaces Seamlessly

• When working with multiple assets (e.g., Rec.709, DRAGONcolor2), use the correct transforms to unify their look.

4. Render in the Original Color Space

• When exporting, set the Output Color Space to match your footage for easier grading.

Why ActionVFX Assets Are Built for ACES

At ActionVFX, we provide assets in multiple color spaces—Rec.709, Linear, ACEScg, DRAGONcolor2, and more—so you can get the best data for your composite. We even list the color space on each product page, making it easy to match your workflow.

🔥 Pro Tip: Always check an asset’s color space before starting your composite. Otherwise, Sam might show up at your house to fix your input transform himself. (You’ve been warned.)

Watch the Full Video for a Hands-On Walkthrough

Sam walks through ACES setup in After Effects, including how to interpret footage, apply helpful LUTs, and ensure every asset blends perfectly. He even shares a trick for copying and applying Interpret Footage settings across multiple assets.

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