ProVideo Coalition.com: Themed Channel | Editing & Post by Kevin P McAuliffe: REVIEW

As I sit in the hallways of the Editing and Post blog, I can shout and hear the echo of my voice, as this blog hasn’t been treated the way it should, so I have decided that I’m going to step up, and make this your source for all software, hardware and plug-in news, reviews and tutorials. One thing I also want to do in each article is give you a video of exactly how the specific software or hardware works, because as the expression goes, the proof is in the pudding! Today, we’re going to take a look at Red Giant Software’s (RGS) Holomatrix. Released a little while ago, Holomatrix is not just what it might sound like. Read on, and you’ll see what I mean.

The installation of RGS’ Holomatrix is pretty standard fare. One thing you will notice right off the bat (if you choose to buy or download the free demo) is that it is only available for Adobe’s After Effects. I’ll get into that a little more in the next section. Needless to say, you will be up and running with Holomatrix in about five minutes.

Holomatrix is a bit of a strange beast. From everything you will read about it, it seems like a straightforward plug-in for After Effects (CS3/4), but there is more to it than initially meets the eye. The first thing that I want to point out about it, is that it is not just designed to create holograms. It is also capable of creating the look of digital signs, as well as bad TV images, so it’s not just a one trick pony. Once installed, you will immediately drop a clip into your composition and head over to the effects drop down, only to get a little confused, as there is no “Holomatrix” under the RGS heading. That’s because Holomatrix is not used in the way that normal plug-ins are used. First, you will find the Holomatrix “effect” located under the “Window” drop down, all the way at the bottom. Holomatrix is actually a script, expressions, effects and an actual effect combined into one. What does that mean for you, besides the fact that there will probably never be a version for Apple’s Motion? Nothing really, but it is going to lead to an interesting composition. Let me show you what I mean:

One thing I will say about the “extensive” amount of work that goes into making up one effect, is that they preview and render relatively quickly considering what goes into one effect.

Each preset in Holomatrix is made up of a very complex set of precomps, effects and in some cases expressions that create excellent looking holograms, digital displays and bad TV effects, and hopefully you won’t have to dig into the precomps to alter anything (even though you shouldn’t have to). I will say this, though, if you are looking for a great Hologram/Bad TV/Digital Display/Computer display look, you’ve found the best one right here, and $99 isn’t that bad.

PROS

- Probably the best “Bad/Altered TV” look you will find

- For 29 presets and a huge selection of alterable parameters, $99 is very reasonable.

- An “Update List” button for your presets means more are on the way, and are hopefully free!

CONS

- Seems like a lot of “work” for a single effect

- No Motion version……ever (unless they add scripts, expressions, etc)

If you don’t have a plug-in that does a “Bad TV” effect, or one that you’re not happy with, you need to check out Red Giant Software’s Holomatrix, as it is one of the best ones I’ve seen on the market. You can download a free demo of Holomatrix by clicking 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 .