Sapphire 8

GenArts recently officially released the public beta of Sapphire 8, its collection of VFX plugins that contains a lot of effects and transitions.

The latest version has been updated with new features such as the “Builder” function, which allows users to create their own effects and transitions without having to start from a preset. For this purpose, they will have a nodal workspace where they can stack and connect different Sapphire effects and save their creations as a single plug-in.

Builder also contains an improved preset browser, with which we can access each of the available effects. This browser is based on theme-based navigation, which makes it easy to search at a glance and without having to know the specific name of the plugin.

The Builder feature is available in Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro CC, and in Avid Media Composer.

The new effects are:

• “Grunge“: adds a variety of elements to the image to make it dirty, as well as more complex vignettes or textures. You can choose from several categories (such as cracks, spots, frost, etc.) and then combine or animate them to generate the desired effect.

 

• “LightLeak“: simulates in-camera light filtering with a more subtle effect than a “flare”. It is possible to control both color and light movement.

 

• “DigitalDamage“: This is the modern equivalent of “FilmDamage”, and simulates playback errors, noise, compression errors and other technical problems encountered in the digital image.

 

• “Shake“: has been updated by adding two new modes and more channel parameters that allow color separation while shaking occurs.

 

• “Crosshatch“: Creates a sketchy look by applying a pattern of lines drawn with pencil or chalk.

Sapphire 8 is now available and comes with new purchase options, including an annual license for $499 and a quarterly license for $149 for Adobe systems. You can see all the available options here.