At full resolution, all of the simulations look spectacular, even at the default settings. This plugin creates truly accurate representations of glass and crystal objects. When moved over a background image, it really looks like you’re sliding a piece of glass over your video. This is great for magnifying-glass effects, for simulating marbles rolling across the screen, or even for water droplets hitting a surface. However, the best simulation comes in the Triangles module; it creates a shattering stained-glass effect that is just amazing. I’ve tried to do this with other plugins in the past without much luck, but this one really nails it in a very cool way.
Value
I would pay $64 for the Triangles module alone! I can only imagine that this would quickly pay for itself in a post-production facility, since the “wow” factor of blowing up your logo would probably appeal to quite a few clients.
The rest of the modules could be used for creating interesting animated background loops and borders, especially when combined with a blur effect. Since packages of these loops often cost hundreds of dollars, this can be a really simple and cost-effective way to give clients some original backgrounds that haven’t already been used in hundreds of other promo spots.
Finally, this plugin can be used to easily add texture and 3D depth to text. This is a great way to spice up text in presentations or title sequences with AE’s included (if somewhat limited) text plugin, without having to purchase any additional titling software.
Final Comments
LensPro III will probably appeal most to video professionals working in post-production facilities, although it can also be used by indie filmmakers for sprucing up generic title sequences and for creating special-fx shots. However, while LensPro III can definitely produce some dazzling results with the default parameters, making specific changes can be confusing due to the overwhelming number of parameters, and also because of the lack of tutorials or presets. But there are definitely some extraordinarily realistic glass and crystal simulations here that simply cannot be replicated with any other plugins on the market today, and with a price that is hard to beat, LensPro III becomes a “must have” plugin for anyone who uses After Effects extensively.
Ease
of Use
6.5
Depth
of Options
8.0
Performance
7.5
Value
10.0
Overall
Score
8.0
Ryan Graham is the director of Livelihood, a critically acclaimed ultra-low budget zombie comedy. He also runs 37.5 Productions, a post production company specializing in giving a Hollywood sheen to independent films. In his spare time he is the lead guitarist for The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad.
