The Visual Effects Society published the Fourth Edition of its VES Handbook of Visual Effects, available for pre-order now with an official release date of December 18, 2025 from Routledge.
New topics - The handbook adds dedicated chapters on AI in visual effects, NeRFs and 3D Gaussian splatting, virtual production best practices, real-time game engines for motion capture and previs, and immersive AR/VR experiences
Expanded authorship - Features 95 VFX experts including 30 new contributors, all with Academy Award, Emmy, or VES Award credentials and decades of hands-on production experience
Updated classics - Original authors refreshed chapters on previs, AR/VR filmmaking, ACES color management, digital intermediate workflows, cameras, and matte painting to reflect current production realities
Scope - Executive Director Nancy Ward describes it as covering "everything from bidding to camera work to the latest advances in CG workflows"
The handbook's inclusion of AI and neural rendering techniques like NeRFs signals their transition from experimental tools to codified production practices. For anyone building a VFX reference library or onboarding new team members, this is the industry-standard guide.
