You know how we are: we always want more. One item that I was actually surprised wasn’t part of any of the Illuma Glow-type of effects was the ability to target specific colors or values to engage the effects on. Halo, Luminus and Radiance were image wide and would require specific masking tricks to isolate their effects. Things like waterfalls or car highlights can’t be dealt with globally. While you can manage this to a degree using the threshold controls for these effects, in many cases it’s not ideal.
Photogust Control Panel.
Everybody loves the pizza man. While the example above shows unreal effects, the color control of the light rays can create some very subtle affectations. Photogust creates remarkable effects when used for a still camera shot that has an element of the image in constant motion. The origin of the radiating effect is repositionable and can be key framed - like everything else in the effect settings. Original image is top left.
Value
This plug-in is $99. In the video/film editing worlds, that’s chump-change and using the tool on a single assignment or project can recoup your expense. This plug-in is really targeted for users that demand more control than other options give them. The Radiance effect alone, plus the ability to save your own presets, is worth considering this package. The Luminus effect is a close second for a reason. The rest are a bonus.
Radiance Control Panel.
If Illuma has a “hero” effect, this is it. This has control over blur types, RGB threshold, compositing, modulating colors and more that other similar tools only dream of. It is fantastically easy to create believable changes in environment that don’t look fake or contrived. This one has already earned it’s keep in my studio.
Final Comments
If you don’t need or desire the control offered by Illuma and have some similar plug-ins already, you can probably get by without this one - especially until the preview bugs are fixed.
However, as more and more consumer grade video options and software become available, being able to professionally produce something that you can’t with those consumer grade solutions may be important. The last thing you want people looking at your work and thinking is, “Wow, I can do that myself at home!” The control and finesse that this tool offers makes it easier to “hide” your special effects post work so people concentrate on the story you’re telling instead of the effects used to pull it off. It let’s you operate at a “craftsman” level instead of a “video enthusiast” level.
Ease
of Use
8.8
Depth
of Options
8.5
Performance
8.0
Value
8.6
Overall
Score
8.5
Mark Bremmer has operated his own commercial studio for 15 years. He’s been fortunate enough to work for clients like Caterpillar, 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. His production pipeline is Mac-based, with the FCP Studio2 workflow. He loves Shake and Motion. And his family.
