1 Types of noise and grain

Noise and grain are not the same thing, although they are often used interchangeably. Noise is a random variation of color or brightness in an image, while grain is a specific type of noise that mimics the appearance of film or photographic emulsion. Noise and grain can be categorized into different types, such as monochromatic, color, film, digital, or procedural. Each type has its own characteristics and uses, depending on the effect you want to achieve.

2 Noise and grain tools

There are many tools and plugins that can help you add noise and grain effects to your animation, both in 2D and 3D. Some of the most common ones are After Effects, Photoshop, Blender, Cinema 4D, and Substance Painter. Each tool has its own settings and parameters that allow you to control the amount, size, shape, color, and distribution of noise and grain. You can also use masks, layers, blending modes, and filters to fine-tune and customize your effects.

3 Noise and grain preview

One of the challenges of using noise and grain effects is that they can be hard to see and evaluate on your screen, especially if you work at a low resolution or zoom level. To test and preview noise and grain effects in animation, you need to consider some factors, such as the final output format, the viewing distance, the screen size, and the compression quality. A good practice is to render a sample frame or a short clip at the highest resolution and quality possible, and view it on different devices and screens. You can also use a histogram or a waveform monitor to check the contrast and brightness levels of your image.

4 Noise and grain tips

When it comes to using noise and grain effects in animation, it's important to use them sparingly and subtly. A little bit of noise and grain can go a long way to enhance the texture and detail of your animation. Additionally, noise and grain can help create contrast and depth in your animation, as well as match the style and mood you're trying to achieve. For example, film grain can give a nostalgic or retro feel, while digital noise can create a futuristic or glitchy feel.

5 Noise and grain examples

To give you an idea of how noise and grain effects can be used in animation, here are some examples of amazing animations that employ noise and grain in different ways. Disney’s Paperman cleverly combines 2D and 3D techniques with noise and grain to create a stylized, realistic look that resembles hand-drawn animation. Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse uses noise and grain to render a comic book style that is vibrant, dynamic, and full of expression. The Witness, an episode of the anthology series Love, Death & Robots, utilizes noise and grain to craft a gritty cyberpunk world that is dark, violent, and mysterious.