The Illuma offering is split into five categories: Halo, Lightracer, Luminus, Photogust, Radiance. Several of these effects are most remarkable when used with brightly lighted subjects with darker backgrounds or light sources against dark backgrounds.
I know, I know, I just said earlier that the controls use standard terminology. However, the effect names only “sort-of” do that. So, let’s explain a little further:
Halo: Now this one is common sense: glowing halos. Duh. Works best with dark backgrounds and light sources or small bright areas. Can be used with interesting results in full light images, however. What is very, very nice about this Halo as opposed to other Halo-type tools is that Illuma let’s you also vary the halo types.
Lightracer: Their description = “simulates phosphorescence” My description = simulates rasterized line screens common to CRT displays. That said, this tool has some way cool applications for very stylized looks that don’t even resemble CRT TV. I definitely enjoy this one the most of the five - at least for unreal effects.
Luminus: Glow--but “glow” on steroids. You can control both light and dark glows on the same image.
Photogust: I can’t tell you for sure but this one seems to take its name from (or at least tip its hat to) the Photoshop® filters Wind Blast and Wind Gust. It allows for control over radial blurring with accentuated streaks but with the ability to control where in the frame the effect propagates from. This is most excellent when used with stationery shots that have an element with continuous movement in one direction.
Radiance: Luminus on steroids. In addition to the capabilities of Luminus you can also control blurring methods, composite modes and yet have independent control over tonal range and intensity for each color. This one is awesome.
Everyone needs inspiration. Even as an experienced professional, do you get stuck on new assignments, staring at tool options and thinking, “Where do I begin? Calgon®, take me away.” The Illuma tool set has a Randomizer. Click the button and it auto-generates some looks that you can use as a starting point for exploration or development. (And it’s simpler to setup than AE CS3’s Brainstorm feature.)
Depth of Options
Let’s come back and examine where the rubber hits the road. For those who not only are inclined to play but also to read, there is excellent documentation of each option for every tool via an online users manual.
Halo: Changing halo shape is a very welcome feature. It’s different than merely changing its size, a feature that is possible with most other plug-ins. With this unique option you can set your desired parameters and then not touch them while changing the halo shape. The options for this are numbered 1-5, with no descriptions. You just decide if you like what you see. Now here is a nice combination of options; you can not only change the density (think opaqueness) of the halo, brightness, range, blur and the size, but also an overall control that globally mixes the effect with the original imagery.
