special effects

The illusions used film , television, theater and entertainment industries to simulate the imaginary events that are traditionally used in special effects- abbreviations include SFX and SPFX. Special effects are traditionally categorized into the groups of optical and mechanical effects.
 With the appearance of digital film-making tools a greater divide between special effects and visual effects has been recognized, with "visual effects" referring to digital post-production and "special effects" relating to on-set mechanical effects and in-camera optical effects
Optical effects , are techniques in which images or film frames are created photographically, either "in-camera" using multiple exposure, mattes, or the Schüfftan process, or in post-production processes using an optical printer. An optical effect might be used to place actors or sets against a different background.


Mechanical effects (also called practical or physical effects), are usually accomplished during the live-action shooting. This includes the use of mechanized props, scenery, scale models, pyrotechnics and Atmospheric Effects: creating physical wind, rain, fog, snow, clouds etc. Making a car appear to drive by itself, or blowing up a building are examples of mechanical effects. Mechanical effects are often incorporated into set design and makeup. For example, a set may be built with break-away doors or walls to enhance a fight scene, or prosthetic makeup can be used to make an actor look like a monster.

Since the 1990s, computer generated imagery (CGI) has come to the forefront of special effects technologies. CGI gives film-makers greater control, and allows many effects to be accomplished more safely and convincingly – and even, as technology marches on, at lower costs. As a result, many optical and mechanical effects techniques have been superseded by CGI.

I would like to see if their is more advance software that can be programmed free at home so that we can generate effects like the enablement of mist as it is unlikely that there will be many days when this weather is available, so we need to see if we can find it instead. 

Mist effect