anelo vs. Manual VFX Workflows
Manual stereo conversion in compositing tools like Nuke, After Effects, or Fusion gives artists per-frame control over depth and stereo output. anelo automates the same pipeline with AI-driven depth estimation and batch processing. The trade-off is artistic control versus speed and cost at scale.
Feature comparison
| Feature | anelo | Manual Workflows |
|---|---|---|
| Depth estimation | Automated per-pixel depth from AI models (Depth Anything V2, MiDaS, ZoeDepth). Runs at native resolution. | Manual rotoscoping and depth painting. Full artistic control per frame, but labor-intensive. |
| Stereo warping | Automated warp with edge-aware inpainting for disocclusion fill. Comfort-checked disparity. | Per-frame artist-directed warping with hand-painted fill. Highest possible quality for hero shots. |
| Temporal consistency | Configurable temporal smoothing built into depth estimation. Scene-cut aware. | Depends on artist skill and shot-tracking methodology. Manual fixes for flicker. |
| Batch processing | Full episodes or seasons processed overnight without supervision. | Per-shot artist assignment. A single episode can take weeks of artist time. |
| Quality scoring | Automated preflight scores every frame. Risky frames flagged before processing. | Manual QA pass after processing. Issues discovered late in the pipeline. |
| Artistic control | Configurable parameters (baseline, convergence, comfort limits) but no per-frame manual override. | Full per-pixel artistic control. Depth can be hand-adjusted for creative effect. |
| Learning curve | Recipe-based presets. Minimal training required for standard workflows. | Requires deep knowledge of compositing, stereo math, and years of practice. |
| Privacy | Desktop processing — footage never leaves your machine. Built-in metadata scanning. | Depends on studio/freelancer data handling. Footage often shared via cloud. |
Depth estimation
anelo
Automated per-pixel depth from AI models (Depth Anything V2, MiDaS, ZoeDepth). Runs at native resolution.
Manual Workflows
Manual rotoscoping and depth painting. Full artistic control per frame, but labor-intensive.
Stereo warping
anelo
Automated warp with edge-aware inpainting for disocclusion fill. Comfort-checked disparity.
Manual Workflows
Per-frame artist-directed warping with hand-painted fill. Highest possible quality for hero shots.
Temporal consistency
anelo
Configurable temporal smoothing built into depth estimation. Scene-cut aware.
Manual Workflows
Depends on artist skill and shot-tracking methodology. Manual fixes for flicker.
Batch processing
anelo
Full episodes or seasons processed overnight without supervision.
Manual Workflows
Per-shot artist assignment. A single episode can take weeks of artist time.
Quality scoring
anelo
Automated preflight scores every frame. Risky frames flagged before processing.
Manual Workflows
Manual QA pass after processing. Issues discovered late in the pipeline.
Artistic control
anelo
Configurable parameters (baseline, convergence, comfort limits) but no per-frame manual override.
Manual Workflows
Full per-pixel artistic control. Depth can be hand-adjusted for creative effect.
Learning curve
anelo
Recipe-based presets. Minimal training required for standard workflows.
Manual Workflows
Requires deep knowledge of compositing, stereo math, and years of practice.
Privacy
anelo
Desktop processing — footage never leaves your machine. Built-in metadata scanning.
Manual Workflows
Depends on studio/freelancer data handling. Footage often shared via cloud.
Cost
anelo
Free (desktop) / $10/mo (Pro)
No per-minute billing. Unlimited processing on your GPU.
Manual Workflows
$100–500/finished minute (freelance) or $35K–92K/min (studio)
Source: Hollywood Reporter, fxguide, ZipRecruiter compositing rates.
Time
anelo
~8 minutes per hour of 4K content
Automated batch on RTX 4090. No supervision required.
Manual Workflows
0.5–3 minutes of finished output per 8-hour work day
Per artist, depending on complexity and quality requirements.
Quality & control
anelo
Consistent model-based depth with configurable parameters. Quality is predictable and repeatable across hundreds of clips.
Manual Workflows
The highest possible quality for individual hero shots. Hand-painted depth and stereo can exceed any automated approach on a per-frame basis.
The honest take: Manual conversion still wins for VFX hero shots, single-frame marketing stills, and content where per-pixel artistic direction matters. anelo wins for volume, consistency, and any scenario where cost or turnaround makes manual conversion impractical.
Privacy & security
anelo
Local processing by default. No cloud upload required. Metadata scanning and redaction built in.
Manual Workflows
Varies by studio or freelancer. Cloud collaboration tools may expose footage. NDA enforcement depends on the vendor relationship.
Try it yourself.
Desktop processing is free. See how the output compares on your own footage.