Sapphire 9

GenArts has just released Sapphire 9, the latest update of their visual effects plugin collection. This time it has been the shortest time between releases (v8 was released in December 2014), which means free updates and support for existing users.

New effects and tools

• BokehLights: generates out-of-focus light patterns with the possibility of animations in scale and time.

• NightSky: allows you to create astronomically accurate star fields by indicating the specific date, time and location.

• Aurora: produces patterns similar to the Aurora Borealis effect but with more modern, abstract and subtle looks.

• InfiniteZoom: creates a hypnotic and infinite spiral effect.

• CutToDissolve: is a transition that replaces a cut with a chained one, generating the lost frames by means of optical flow.

• RepairFrames: Repairs damage such as dead pixels or noise automatically.

Improvements in the Builder tool

GenArts has also decided to increase the power of this tool with multiple transition nodes and animation curves, giving greater freedom in creating custom effects.

More blending modes and possibilities for working with alphas have been added, as well as animation graphics in all S_Effect parameters. In addition, many transitions can now be combined in the S_Transition.