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REVIEW - Optical Flares from Video Copilot

I have always had two big problems with After Effects.  First, it cannot extrude elements like text in 3D space.  The 3D is not “real”.  It’s 2D elements in 3D space, and secondly, lights have no volume.  Now, that being said, companies have come up with plug-ins to extrude elements in 3D AE space, and companies have even come up with a way to add volume to our lights, but now we need to take things to the next level with our lighting, and that is with the ability to add realistic lens flares to our lights.  Oh sure, there are plug-in packages that have lens flare effects in them, but I’m talking about photo realistic, J.J. Abrams style lens flares.  The ones that look light lights are really shining into a camera lens.  Well, wait no longer.  Video Co-pilot is here with Optical Flares.  Let’s see if this is work adding to your ever growing plug-in library.

INSTALLATION

The first thing you need to know about Optical Flares (OF) is that there is no demo version of the plug-in, just the full, retail version.  The way things work is once you have purchased the plug-in, you are given access to the Video Copilot website.

You now have access to the downloads for the 32 and 64 bit versions of OF’s for both Mac and Windows.  Also, the download section is where you will get your license code (yes license code) that you will need to put into the OF’s folder in your AE Plug-ins folder.  Video Copilot has allowed you to download licenses for two machines, so it’s pretty much a two for one deal!  All in all, the download and install will take about 10 minutes, and you’ll be up and running in no time.

WHAT YOU GET AND HOW IT WORKS

I figured what better way to show off Optical Flares than have Michele Yamazaki at Toolfarm give us a walkthrough of how easy it is to use.

Now, I do want to mention that that video was done before the recent update to Optical Flares, and in the update we have the below features:

• Added 64-bit support for AE CS5

• New “Unified Interface” with automatic scaling

• Rearrange window panels

• Full-Screen Mode

• 16:9 Guides now visible

• Show BG warning

• No more slide-out panel (Yay!)


This update is free for all Optical Flares users, and for you new purchasers out there, you will only have access to version 1.2 (updated).  Let me just say in closing that Optical Flares is one of the most amazing lighting effects I have seen to date in After Effects, and adds realism to your lighting that until this point, has only been available in 3D applications.  It really is an awesome plug-in.

PROS

- 3D lens flares in 3D space

-The only 3D lens flare plug-in on the market (that’s not a “beta”)

- The absolute best looking flares in any package out there

- renders are lightning quick

- CS5 ready as of this review

-Website has excellent tutorials for Optical Flares.

CONS

-People will be quick to overlook as they already have a “Lens Flare” plug-in

-$25 extra for the “Pro Presets”

-No Demo version

Optical Flares is a one-of-a-kind plug-in, and what it does, it does exceptionally well, and that is photo realistic lens flares for your compositions and if you work with lights in After Effects, you owe it to your clients to pick this up.  You’ll make back your investment on the first job!  Remember, Toolfarm is the official reseller for all Video Copilot products, and you can save yourself 5% on Optical Flares, or any other product Toolfarm sells.  For more information on Optical Flares, you can check it out here.  As always, you can send me an .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow me on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/kpmcauliffe .

FTC Disclosure: I have not been offered any consideration or compensation from either Toolfarm or Video Copilot for the review of this product.  Optical Flares was provided to me as a “Not for Retail” version of the software.

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While I agree that Optical Flares beats all other lens flares filters, it isn’t “a one-of-a-kind plug-in.”

Knoll Lens Flare is still in the same league.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  05/28  at  07:17 AM

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Excepting that KLF doesn’t work directly in 3D space with easy obscuration from 3d layers, etc.  It’s possible to hack it to get there… but out of the box it’s just a great 2d lens flare plugin.
Had a play with Optical Flares recently, loved it.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  05/28  at  08:54 AM

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KLF does have 3D Obscuration with RGB Obscuration, and they released their new functionality before OF came out.

That said OF is preferable—and for 1/3 the price, and OF is available CS5 now. KLF for CS5 is slated for a summer release.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  05/28  at  09:06 AM

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