Performance
Some of the effects are real-time and effortlessly borrow computation cycles from your graphics card for previewing and can be viewed without doing a RAM preview. Others, especially those requiring significant image degradation like Pencil Drawing, do require a little render time to view the effect. FXFP is leveraging the Apple FX plug-in architecture for speedy creation, modification and rendering. (This is why they are currently only available for Macs) While FXFP runs quite competently on modest PPC systems, having newer multi-core Intel rigs is not a bad idea. (Of course, having newer equipment is never a bad idea when it comes to render times!)
FXFP includes particle effects, light rays and other sets that you might already have or that even come as stock effects with narrow options. What is outstanding about the FXFP is the level of control users get plus the presets that come with each tool. In fact, many of the plug-ins come with secondary animation in and above what you animate yourself. For example, the Heat tool creates a warmed and shimmering effect to your dynamic or static images.
Value
FXFP’s impact is larger than the sum of its individual 150+ plug-ins. It’s made for the real world and real editors needs. The collection is just flat-out smart and a dream to work with. Noise Industries has done an exquisite job of creating solid, useful plug-ins that include user friendly features that users might not have even realized were important until you begin working with them. The stock plug-in filters, transitions and effects that come with AE, Motion, FCP and FCE are good. Noise Industries has essentially taken those plug-ins and improved them by several magnitudes. For those who enjoy creating sophisticated looks by building unique masks and layered effects, having FXFP will take hours off of your development time. Cap that off with the fact that any settings you customize can be saved and used at your own or another workstation and you have even further time savings.
Not chump change at $399, the quantity, depth and versatility of this set delivers more than you ask for and is totally worth it. The nearest neighbor I could find is the Boris Final Effects Complete which weighs in at $895. Not a perfect comparison feature for feature, but the difference in cost is an eye-opener. If you would prefer to be enabled by your tools, rather than limited by them, FXFP is an excellent buy.
In addition to solid, workhorse effects and transitions, there plenty of sophisticated presentations like this Pop Art filter. Andy Warhol slaved for hours over what you can do in seconds with live footage. All colors and more are editable and can be key framed. Additional presets fast-track users into exploring the tools potential.
Final Comments Noise Industries is truly setting the bar in plug-in management and versatility. While there are other plug-in producers and certainly other excellent products, the level of quality displayed by NI and their development partners in the FX Factory plug-in management software is definitely making Noise Industries the one to beat. Having personally used NI and their development partners products for several years now, the most impressive thing to me is the level of dedication that they expend towards making their users' lives easier. This means help files, tutorials, explanations and product usability.
Combined with reasonable pricing, it’s tough to go wrong. I fully recommend downloading the demos and taking it out for a spin. The only problem you’ll have is trying to fully explore the bounty of excellence at your fingertips within the 15 day trial period.
Ease
of Use
10.0
Depth
of Options
10.0
Performance
10.0
Value
vs. Cost
10.0
Overall Score
10.0
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.
