Performance
Like all particle effects, whether from PM or not, this takes some render time, but nothing extended or “rush-deadline” compromising. The most “expensive” effects are, as you’d expect, particles with alpha masks that scale, have color changes, and have alpha changes over time. But since these are transitions, even those are not a huge deal.
The text presets are wildly variable containing anything from silly floating hearts that screams "wedding video" to ominous cinematic types of looks. This collection of images is not progressive and shows various presets in mid-transition. In the broadest terms, these particle effects fall into glow-y, sparkle-y and starry. Inside of those categories, the emotive looks span festive to scary. Precise particle controls provides users with excellent tools for complete customization - including using your own particle sprites.
Value
We’re back to the chaos v.s. control thing here. At $99, this is one of the more expensive single function plug-ins available for AE and FCP - but it provides for great control over chaos. I totally suggest downloading the demo and taking it for a spin. While expensive for what it does, PM lets users concentrate on the final visual presentation instead of trying to figure out how to generate the effect in the first place. This plug-in provides for programmable sophistication and is very smart and easy to use.
Despite its cost, like most plug-ins, this pays for itself in a single use. If you like the controlled chaos of sophisticated particle transitions that PM provides you, it is completely worth the price of admission.
Final Comments Movie credit rolls are the icing on the cake for films. Attention to detail on text during the credits is like having polished shoes during a job interview - it shows you care about the whole package. Yes, the story and the cinematography are the heroes. And we like to think that viewers are smart enough to realize that and overlook simply fading in and out the names of our films stakeholders. But, when comparisons happen and recollections are made, paying attention to little details as nuances never hurts.
Ease
of Use
9.8
Depth
of Options
8.5
Performance
9.9
Value
vs. Cost
9.0
Overall Score
9.3
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.
