Impackt
Publisher: Luca Visual FXPlatforms: Mac Only, Final Cut Pro X Only
Description: Plug-in for transition effects between images or clips
MSRP: $49
Expected Release: Available Now
Official Website: Click Here
Examples: Click Here
Demo: Click HereSpecial Discount: N/A
Review Issue: Issue #91 (09/13)
Review By: Mark Bremmer
Final Score: 8.3
As microfilmmakers, we are used to making fast cuts and thoughtful fades between scenes and camera angles. However, if your story telling demands something more evocative and lyrical, then Luca Visual FX Impackt transitions is worth a look.
Just so everything is up-front, this plug in is part of the Noise Industries, FactoryFX plug-in management system and is only for Mac Final Cut Pro 10 in conjunction with FactoryFX v4 or later. If this isn’t your platform or editor of choice, then you can stop reading now.
Impackt Presets.
Ease of Use
Over the years I’ve been very impressed with the common sense controls that Luca Visual FX has for its plug-in offerings and Impackt is no exception. There is a host of presets (templates) that come with the plug-in which forms a nice starting point for any kind of derivative you might have in mind.
This transition package is a quirky mix of digital corruption, organic morphing and channel shifts/movement which makes exploring quite fun. However, as compared to other Luca packages such as Film Leaders, Lo-Fi, or Light Leaks, this package has no specific theme.
Due to the implementation of the FCP plug-in control access, use of this plug-in is simple and familiar to any user of this editor. You know where to look and all controls are at your fingertips.
Impackt Prismatic transition.
Depth of Options
In using anything that Lucas has produced, I’ve never been left thinking, “Man, I wish there was a control for this function…”. The developer has logically organized and labeled things, making intentional effect exploration much more intuitive and directed. Instead of wandering in the effects ‘woods’ lost, you can quickly hone in on directions that you may have in the back of your mind but haven’t brought to your full consciousness yet.
The developers of Impackt have a love of nuance and that is evident across all of their plug-ins. Put another way, the developers are filmmakers first and developers second, so the plug-ins reflect a craftsmanship that will be pleasing to those putting craft in their films.
To wit, I never felt like I had to ‘settle’ for any of the flickers, twists, offsets or any other visual creation of Impackt. Everything was made to be adjusted, blended and crafted. I only say this because some plug-in developers either over simplify, leaving users too few options, or dramatically over segregate options, leaving users with a massive scrolling list of tools. The Luca team makes logical integrations of parameters into bona fide tools you can use.
One sample of digital noise in Impackt.
Performance
Because the effects are sophisticated, the specs recommend at least 1GB of VRAM on your graphics card for your system. Without that minimum spec, life will be slow, jerky and frustrating. Since Impackt’s effects are composited into your output, render time is required this plug-in, as it is with all visual effects plug-ins. FCP does ‘active’ rendering so this shouldn’t be any more of an issue than any other plug-in unless you’ve deactivated dynamic rendering and wait for the export process.
Value
Impackt is cool, but, frankly, I like the focus some of the other offerings from Luca bring to the table. Yes, I’m ‘creative’ but compartmentalizing plug-ins is simply a good way for me to find and select tools to use. Because of the scattered nature of this transition plug, it kind of fits in my ‘also ran’ mental category, which means it may not be a first choice. If you are pro, then $49 is a drop in the bucket and having a backup kit to turn to is always a smart idea. If you are a hobbyist on very limited funds, I don’t know that I’d make this my first choice in transition plug-ins.
Final Comments
I’m not sure where Apple is going with their ‘pro’ grade video editing software. An FCP-only offering kind of surprises me now because I’m not really sure that FCP has the legs to keep running – or at least what legs it has may be arbitrarily cut from underneath it by the Apple overlords. Personally, I’m not investing real heavily in Apple’s video tools because of their capricious ways. And that shifts me professionally to the excellent and capable full Adobe suite – but we all know that Adobe is just another dark lord. Me jaded? Nah.
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Breakdown
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Ease of Use
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9 |
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Depth of Options
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8 |
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Performance
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9 |
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Value vs. Cost
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7 |
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Overall Score |
8.3 |
Mark Bremmer
Mark Bremmer has operated his own commercial studio for over 18 years. He’s been fortunate enough to work for clients like Caterpillar, Colgate, Amana, Hormel Foods, Universal Studios Florida, and The History Channel producing stills, digital mattes and animations. Mark contracts regularly as an art mercenary with production houses that shall remain nameless by written agreements. If you've seen shows like The Voice, The Grammy or the ESPY Awards, then you've also seen some of Mark's day-job work.