GenArts has released version 3 of its Sapphire Plug-ins for the Avid AVX architecture. The new version includes several new features to help editors working on Avid Media Composer, Symphony or NewsCutter systems to enhance their content with powerful visual effects tools.
GenArts has added 36 new effects, dozens of improvements to existing effects and expanded options. These additions allow for deeper integration and support for Avid solutions and give the Avid community even more stunning visual effects and simplified processes. For example, many Avid editors previously built transitions using a series of Sapphire effects that have now been reworked into 13 new single-step, drag and drop Transitions. There are also new innovative effects such as TVDamage, which simulates various artifacts of television broadcast and display such as static, ghosting and interference, and Technicolor 2Strip and 3Strip, which give the look of 1930-1955 Technicolor film. Other new practical additions include Deband, which removes banding artifacts from a clip by diffusing pixels across the banded areas while keeping the original edges intact.
Key new features in Sapphire Plug-ins v3 for Avid:
-- 36 new effects including: TVDamage, Deband, WarpCornerPin, GradientMulti, Shape, Technicolor2Strip, Technicolor3Strip, BlurDirectional, ZDefocus, ZBlur, ZGlow, Swish3D, TVChannelChange, WipePlasma, WipePointalize, WipeWeave, WipeMoire, DissolveLensFlare, DissolveEdgeRays, DissolveGlint, DissolveGlintRainbow, DissolveDefocus, DissolveTiles, DissolveDistort, TextureFlux, TextureLoops, TextureNeurons, TextureTiles, TileScramble, Convolve, ConvolveComp, ZConvolve, Light3D, TriTone, QuadTone, ShowBadColors-- New enhancements and options including 15 new LensFlares, Improved Glares and revamped RackDefocus.-- Support for Windows Vista and 64bit systems-- Supports promotion of previous Sapphire versions to v3
For a detailed list of new features visit the GenArts website at http://www.genarts.com/sapphire3-avx-whats-new.html.
As with all GenArts products, version 3 offers quick and easy application of high quality, organic effects to Avid sequences, an easy to use interface with on-screen control widgets for efficient workflow, single click application of effects to titles and keys, seamless transition of effects from offline to online Avid systems, compatibility with any resolution setting, multiple options and parameters that can be adjusted and animated to create an unlimited range of unique results, online hyper-linked documentation, and RGBA support for all Avid editing products.
Sapphire Plug-ins version 3 for Avid can be purchased directly from GenArts or through their worldwide channel of Avid Authorized resellers. Pricing for Sapphire 3 is: $1,800 for Avid Media Composer Software-only; $2,800 for Symphony, Media Composer, NewsCutter or DS Assist; and $4,800 for DS or DS/Symphony. Existing version 2 customers qualify for special upgrade pricing of $600, $900 and $1,600, respectively. A free trial of the software is available online at www.genarts.com.
