+1

I did a Google search, "hitfilm 3 express vs hitfilm pro" in hopes to find out what the differences are and found nothing.

I wonder what the differences are and what one might wish they had that the express version does not include.

Or

What does the 'pro' version give me that the express version does not?

I would like to see a side by side comparison.

Also, I have some kind of Hitfilm version that was included with Vegas. What does that consists of vs the Express version? Vs. the pro version?

Too many unanswered questions for me to decide on what I want to do.

Their website is 100% unhelpful!

Scroll to the bottom of this page:

https://hitfilm.com/store/hitfilm-3-express

Yes, it is free, but apparently the only way to qualify for the free download is to "share" the offer on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Reddit. If you don't have an account on any of those social media outlets then it's not free. Or, at least, I couldn't find a way to bypass the social media requirement.

I guess I'll have to make do with Express 2...

UPDATE: I emailed the folks at HitFilm and they said that all you have to do is close the window that pops up after selecting any of the Social Media options. You then enter a name / email address / password and they send you a download link. I've just downloaded a copy for myself.

Thanks HitFilm for the great product -- especially a great FREE product :-)

one limitation I found is no 4K project template, just 1920x1080. and I could not enter a custom 4k size. not a huge deal

None of the restrictions bothered me except for the lack of 16-bit compositing. When your are working with dark scenes and images with alpha channels, this is a real deal-breaker. I might play around with it out of curiosity, but I will stick with After Effects CS6 to do my real work.

Peter

VidMus, if you already have HitFilm 3 Pro edition, you can ignore this version.
But as for me who don't have it..., I love this :), at least extending the capability on what can you still do from Sony Vegas without too much complexity, where you can 'send' clip from Vegas' timeline to Hitfilm 3 instantly, edit/composite, save, get back... done.

Set

They just published a blog of 'why' they do this....
http://hitfilm.com/blog/hf-3-express-out-now/

Thanks all!

From what I see in the links, it looks like one can individually purchase the 'packs' they need at full price each or pay a reduced price and get them all with an upgrade to the 'pro' version plus some extra functionality.

Kind-of makes sense, they give away the basic express and then let you either pay for what you only need or get the entire thing.

I guess a person can order new 'packs' as they come out in the future.

Serve them mashed potatoes and a little bit of veggies and get them hungry for the main meal. And if the little meal is enough, then they are happy.

Anyway, that is what this looks like to me. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I just read the blog, looks like I am correct in my previous post.

I really like what they are doing!

I need to get the express version and see if I need the pro version or not. I can always save my pennies and get the pro version later on. Version 100 that is, LOL!

I was getting ready to install HF3 Express to see whether its 3D compositing and model import capabilities have improved since version 2, but was surprised to learn that to do so would require a $99 purchase of an add-on module. Then I viewed a tutorial and saw that the HF start screen is actually a portal to their online module shopping site. I personally find this utterly tasteless and unprofessional. At least companies like Red Giant have a separate utility that you can run for upgrades and other purchases. I remember over a decade ago when I used Pinnacle Studio and had to deal with effects that were "padlocked", which could be activated with a credit card. That left a really bad taste in my mouth and ever since that experience, I have hated this sort of unlock-as-you-go software. I have now added Hitfilm to this list.

Peter

I didn't get in to HF2 Express. Did it offer the 3d compositing & model import? According to the HF3E page it does support 3d compositing.

TheHappyFriar, looks like you need to purchase additional $99.99 if you want to be able to import 3D models.
This is how Hitfilm 3 Express edition works..., you purchase additional add-ons as necessary, or if you want complete, just go with Pro package.

I don't do action films where I will use Muzzle Flashes or doing Scifi lasers alike, so those packs are not needed for me...

What I'm wondering is if HF2 Express offered model import. If it didn't then I wouldn't expect 3 to.

HF2 express did have at least one thing that HF3 express does not. The electricity/lightning generator. There may be others.

As I remember, in HF2 express you could not add any features like you can with HF 3 express.

Hey, it's free.

Nothing's really free, Peter.

Reinstalled my HF2Express. Differences in effects are (remember, comparing express versions here):
*HF3 has a lot more "generated" FX
*HF3 removes most of the lights & flares
*HF3 removes particles bloodspray/gunfire/lightning, adds rain on screen
*HF3 adds unsharpen
*HF3 adds more stylize FX
*HF3 removed the "time displayment" temporal FX
*HF3 adds some video cleanup stuff
*HF3 adds more warp FX
*HF3 adds some 2D effect presets & removes one.
*HF3 removes ALL gunfire presets (3D)
*HF3 has an empty "particle simulator" folder to presets. HF2 has none.
*HF3 has a lot more film look presets.

From the looks of it, HF2 express has more FX, a lot more FX, but HF3 has a couple new fx. No model stuff that I saw in HF2.

From the "Portal Combat" viewing I was under the impression you could do the whole movie in nothing but HF3 Express, so maybe the gun stuff is in there and it's not in the FX listing. But HF2 Express, no buying extra stuff. What you got was it.

...so maybe the gun stuff is in there and it's not in the FX listing

By the tutorial, they used stock footage from guns for the muzzle flashes and smoke effects.

Well, I backed-up my boot drive (Most Important!), I downloaded it, installed it and tried it.

So far, I am 1% impressed. The rain drops were kind-of fun to watch.

Whatever, I can see why it is free...

I think you are missing a point here.
You are not the target of the application.
Imagine, you are a teenager with little or no money, starting to play with movies. What would be your editor/compositor choice a week ago, fitting your budget?
Marcin

Oh come on now.... most users here say no pro uses wacky FX, transitions that aren't cuts or fades. Users say that there's better options then the Vegas plugins for what you want to do.

This edits, does compositing, and doesn't have any of those things a pro wouldn't use. From the "everything does stuff better then Vegas" argument some users post about, they could ditch Vegas and use this instead and life would be better. :)

So far, I am 1% impressed...Whatever, I can see why it is free...

Well tracking the muzzle of a gun through a scene and compositing a multiple layer item and lighting effects, onto the tracking to make the muzzle flash look like it was actually there.

To me, impressive enough for something free.

I'll never fault someone for not putting so much in a free version that many would not purchase the full $300 version. For compositing and 2D tracking your golden.