Top 5 Free Video Effects Plugins Luca Visual FX Random Text. Powered by FX Factory, this Matrix-like random text plugin is the perfect tool to use in your next technological thriller. Luca Visual FX Random Text generates random text to use in creative ways over clips.
In this post we get our hands dirty with Luca Visual FX, special effects and filters for video editors. See how to use these VFX in your editing projects!
Top 5 Free Video Effects Plugins Luca Visual FX Random Text Powered by, this Matrix-like random text plugin is the perfect tool to use in your next technological thriller. Luca Visual FX Random Text generates random text to use in creative ways over clips.
Light Leaks is a cool and brand new plugin-solution brought to you by Luca Visual Fx. For the first time the creation of this unique effect is facilitated by a plugin rather than stock footage.
Luca Visual FX founder, Luca Bonomo, is an award winning videographer and editor with a variety of broadcast credits, including Channel 4, BBC, and Davis Films (Samuel Hadida). He has also worked for a variety of artists/song writers, including Mika, Grammy(R) award-winner Imogen Heap, and more. FxFactory is a visual effects platform.
Luca Visual FX is a London based visual effects company created by filmmakers and video editors. They’ve recently celebrated their third year in the plugins/VFX business, making effects for Final Cut Pro X, Apple Motion, Premiere Pro and After Effects (prices range from $29 to $79). The Luca Visual FX product line includes overlays and transitions, with new effects packs created every few months.
Be sure to snag several Freeibie effects on the Luca Visual FX site, including a random text generator.
In this post, we’ll get our hands dirty with Luca Visual FX, experimenting with several of their plugins and how to install them. Good info for video editors exploring filters and effects options for their video projects!
This post is an objective look at Luca Visual FX and is no way sponsored or endorsed by that brand.
FX Factory
The Luca FX Plugins are accessed from FX Factory. FX Factory is a free app (basically a plugins hub) that gives you access to plugins from a variety of companies. You download FX Factory and then download the third party plugins from there. You can download a plugin and try it first (watermark) before purchasing.
Light Leaks
Luca Visual FX’s Light Leaks is a plugin for creating color washes and transitions. To use them as a color wash in After Effects add the Light Leaks effect to an adjustment layer in Soft Light Mode (Layer > New Layer > Adjustment Layer).
What I like about Light Leaks is I can quickly get a different look by switching to another of the 15 presets. This is quicker than auditioning clips and having to swap them out. You have the ability to customize each Preset, and if your not sure how something works, check the Online Help by clicking on the Luca FX icon.
To use Light Leaks as a flash transition, apply it to a black solid (use Screen or Add blend mode to isolate just the effect). I increased the exposure in the Stylization section so that the flash is bright enough to hide the cut.
I prefer to do my VFX work in After Effects (over using Premiere Pro or FCP), as I can add randomness with expressions and add masks to customize a look.
Check out the light leaks in action:
Light Kit
Light Kit is a collection of 7 effects & 2 Transitions. They are used to create “light effects” (Flicker) or “stylized looks” (Stylizer).
I used the Stylizer Preset “True Highlights Sepia” to create a warm, nostalgic look. Like most of the other Luca Plugins, you have the ability to customize presets and save them as your own custom presets for future use.
I used “Regional Light” on some footage from a music venue that was too dark. This lets you quickly “relight” footage”. You can apply it to the clip or to an adjustment layer (Premiere Pro, After Effects).
Original:
With ‘Regional Light’ Applied:
Lo-Fi Look ($29)
Default setting:
The Lo-Fi Look gives you a vintage/grunge look that you can customize. I applied the effect to an adjustment layer in Premiere Pro, so I could adjust the opacity or change the Blend Mode. You adjust the effect in the “Effect Controls” panel:
I turned on Looping so I could play the clip while adjusting the settings. This will give you instant feedback and makes it easier to create the custom look you want (I added the Loop button to my Program Monitor using the Button Editor).
Original Clip:
Modified Lo-Fi Look:
You have 12 Custom Presets, 11 Gradient Presets, and Vintage Frame controls to really customize the look you want, and you can save your own Presets.
Overall the Luca FX plugins offer a lot for a small price. You can try the plugins before you buy, as they all have trial (watermarked) versions.
To purchase any of these effects packs visit LucaVisualFX or keep up with them on Facebook or Twitter.
Luca Visual Fx
Build up your post production library with the the best free plugins and filters for AE!
Take your After Effects work to the next level with these free plugins and filters. From color presets to advanced lighting and 3D tracking, these free AE effects can enhance your projects and save you time. Let’s dig in…
3DCG – Normality & Atlas
Normalityis a free lighting and shading plugin for After Effects. No longer supported by the developer, but packed with a set of professional features. DOWNLOAD
Normality in Action (from 3DCG)
Atlas is a free tone-mapping/HDR plugin for After Effects – bring out loads of detail in your video footage. DOWNLOAD
Atlas in Action (from 3DCG)
Digital Anarchy’s Ugly Box
Make your talent uglier! Most editors try to smooth out skin and make talent better looking. Ugly Box is a free After Effects plugin does the exact opposite. Great for Halloween or zombie related content. From the makers of the popular skin smoothing software, Beauty Box. Although free, you will need to register your info to DOWNLOAD
Noise Industries Free AE Plugins
When you install FXFactory by Noise Industries (free) you’ll have access to several free After Effects plugins. You can get more info and download each of these AE plugins here. Note: FXFactory is only supported by Mac/OSX. Let’s highlight a few of these AE effects:
Swish pans are a popular choice for transitions in television programs. Andy’s Swish Transitions brings this effect into AE and won’t cost you a dime:
Pan and Zoom is another FXFactory based After Effects plugin. This effect simplifies the process of creating a slideshow or giving your photos/videos the classic “Ken Burns” effects. Add motion to your images/video in After Effects without having to create keyframes:
CoverFlux 2 is a neat After Effects plugin that allows you to quickly create a coverflow style slideshow – perfect for showcasing images or creating a highlight video. You may recognize the coverflow look from iTunes or Mac OSX Finder:
Create unique effects with the Random Text generator from Luca Visual FX. This free AE plugin is ideal for sci-fi or business projects that require a high tech feel:
Copy Image Plugin for AE
Copy Image is a simple utility plugin that allows you to copy the current composition as a flattened image. By using Copy Image you can paste a ‘screenshot’ of your AE comp in another application (like Photoshop) without having to export out a still image and reopening in another app. DOWNLOAD
VFX Bro: Camera Shake and Camera Shake Pro
Our friend Aaron at VFXBro.com has created several free After Effects plugins for manipulating your footage.
Real Camera Shake is a preset that can add realistic camera movement to your still video shots. This is ideal for footage that requires a handheld look but may not have been shot that way. Real Camera Shake Pro applies similar effect but to a virtual camera inside of After Effects. DOWNLOAD both here.
Real Camera Shake:
Video Fx Plugins
Real Camera Shake Pro:
Coremelt EQ Animator and Plugin Pack
Coremelt makes industry leading plugins for After Effects and video editing apps. Luckily, they give away two products FREE.
VeeYou is an After Effects plugin that reacts to audio in your project. Apply these EQ, VU, analog dials and waveform generators to an audio layer in AE. Watch as the visuals react to the sound. DOWNLOAD
CoremeltFREE is an effects bundle of 39 free plugins for After Effects (also works with FCP, FCPX and Premiere Pro). Included in the pack are color effects, dynamic transitions and filters. See the full list of effects here or DOWNLOAD here.
VideoCopilot Free AE Presets
Aside from being a fantastic online training resource, Andrew Kramer from VideoCopilot.net has made available 15 free After Effects presets. Among the presets are film grains, day for night color preset, a reflection plugin (great for logos) and a tool for better controlling the AE 3D camera. Big bonus: with each of these AE presets you can also view a video tutorial on how to use them. Head over to VideoCopilot to check them out and DOWNLOAD.
AEFlame: Free Fractal Plugin for AE
Aescripts.com is a great resource for the latest After Effects tools. The following plugin, AE Flame, alows you to create beautiful fractal images in AE. DOWNLOAD
Cineblur’s Instagram Plugin
Premiumbeat blogger Brent Pierce created a set of AE color filters that mimic the looks popularized by Instagram. With one-click you can apply these looks to your video – great for experimenting with your footage. DOWNLOAD
Digital Typewriter Text Preset
Download Luca Visual Fx For Free Online
If you’re working on a project with futuristic or Internet-related content this free After Effects plugin may come in handy. Typominal creates a ‘digital typewriter’ look, characteristic of Apple’s Terminal or MS-DOS. See our previous post on this AE plugin or go here to DOWNLOAD.