A 360 camera creates an equirectangular image that is hard to see in its regular form. Editing tools offer some kind of “VR view” so that you can see the video footage in a similar way that you’d see it on a VR headset. Adding titles and special video effects is challenging and the resources for learning how to manipulate this footage are scarce or just outdated, because the methods of working with 360 video are new and ever-changing.
360 Equirectangular Footage Taken with an Insta360 OneX Camera (lut applied)
I created a video tutorial that demonstrates how to work with 360 footage in Premiere Pro, add titles and utilize After Effects for more enhanced video treatments and motion graphics.
I also created a video that demonstrates how to use After Effects and its VR tool called the VR Comp Editor. I chose to demonstrate how to add multiple VR edits and apply 3D Camera Tracking to just a specific region of the footage.
The Adobe tools that allow you to manipulate VR footage work well, but I also recommend exploring Mocha Pro’s VR/360 features. Removing a moving dolly or adding a corner pin VR effect to footage is much easier and can be more accurate than using After Effects alone.
I understand that this is the tip of the iceberg, but I chose to create a few videos that I found less coverage for when editing 360 video in Premiere Pro and adding effects using After Effects. Hope this is useful and helps!
I believe all of the video editing tools mentioned in this article are fantastic. Some have better features than others, while some lack certain capabilities, but you can create amazing work with any of them if you know how to use them effectively. Pick the one you like and run with it. I have detailed these options, but this is not an exhaustive list. All of them include trials or free versions, so you can download and test them if you’d like.
Avid Media Composer is supposedly the choice for many feature films and TV productions. You can buy a subscription today for $259 per year. Available on PC or Mac.
Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve has both free and paid versions. The free version has some limitations, while the pro version costs $295 and includes a full suite of software for effects, color grading, audio, and more. Available on PC or Mac.
Apple Final Cut Pro is a polished editor with many solid, modern features. Available for Mac only at around $299.
Adobe Premiere Pro can be purchased as a standalone subscription or as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes flagship tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and many more apps. Prices range from $19.99 to $59.99 per month, depending on whether you are a student, teacher, or individual. Available on PC or Mac.
Vegas Pro is still around and looks pretty solid. It’s PC-only and not free, but costs just $199.
I have taught Avid Media Composer, was certified in Final Cut Pro back in the day, but now I primarily teach Premiere Pro. It is the most popular video editing tool that organizations seek training for. I really love DaVinci Resolve, but if I were starting out, I’d personally go with Premiere Pro since it comes with Creative Cloud, which most organizations need to purchase anyway.
I often get asked about mobile video apps like CapCut (which now has a desktop version as well), and I like those too, but they aren’t really viable in professional environments where you’re working with real cameras instead of a phone. I’m not hating on mobile devices—I love capturing candid shots with my iPhone during professional gigs. However, if you show up with a giant Alexa cinema camera with a DJI gimbal, people tend to act unnatural (or even scared). Just keep in mind that shooting in poorly lit environments will produce subpar or even unusable footage on a phone. If you’re shooting with your phone, try the Blackmagic Camera (for iPhone and Android). It’s better than your default camera app and allows you to easily use your phone as a pro device.
In my opinion, getting comfortable with a pro editing tool—like those mentioned in this article—is essential. Mobile apps are fleeting and don’t offer much in terms of longevity. Take the time to learn a professional tool, and you’ll be able to edit anything. If you’re on a tight budget, the free version of DaVinci Resolve is a great choice, but be mindful of its limitations. I appreciate the affordability and ingenuity of Blackmagic Design.
If you need additional apps like Photoshop, After Effects, and others, Premiere Pro is the best option since it comes as part of an all-in-one Creative Cloud subscription.
If you’re curious about which NLE video editing tool was used on a particular movie or show, you can look it up on Wikipedia—it usually lists the software used. I find it fascinating that some directors insist on specific software. Robert Rodriguez prefers Avid Media Composer, while David Fincher swears by Premiere Pro, and so on—at least, that’s what I’ve heard.
