Load and use Lustre Sparks plugins from the Effects menu. You can load up to six plugins at a time.

Each plugin has various parameters that you set to create the desired effect. Apply the effect to the whole shot, or an area of a shot defined by a secondary. You can animate the effect to make it change over time. You can also create an effect using a single or multiple plugins on the same shot. The order of the plugin in the menu will affect the final result, as they are processed sequentially starting with the plugin at the top of the menu and continuing down.

To load a plugin and create an effect:

1. In the Storyboard, select the shot to which you want to apply the effect.
2. From the Main menu, click Effects to display the Effects menu.
3. Enable Plugin Setup.

   A list of the available plugins is displayed.

   
   

   (a) Blank plugin buttons  

4. Click the blank button in which to load the plugin.
5. Select a plugin from the Available plugins list.

   The plugin is loaded and its name appears on the selected button. The plugin parameters appear to the right of the button.

   
   

   TipYou can also replace a loaded plugin with another by loading the second plugin into the button used by the first. In this case, the settings of the replaced plugin are deleted.
6. Set the parameters as needed.

   The parameters are applied to the entire shot and the image is dynamically updated to reflect the changes.

7. If you wish, modify the effect by repeating the previous steps on the shot with other plugins.

To apply an effect to an area defined by a secondary:

1. In the Storyboard, navigate to the shot you are applying the effect on.
2. Create one or more secondaries for the shot to which you want to add an effect.
3. In the Main menu, click Effects to display the Effects menu.
4. Select a blank plugin button and choose a plugin from the Available plugins list.
5. Select a secondary layer that corresponds to the secondary you want to use:
   • Right-click the Secondary slider to display the calculator and enter the number of the secondary layer.
   • Click and drag within the Secondary slider to select the secondary layer.
   NoteThe Field Zoom plugin does not allow you to select a secondary layer.

   
   

6. Enable the Use Secondary Mask button.

   The plugin is applied to the area defined in the secondary layer.

7. Set the parameters as needed.

To animate an effect:

1. Place the positioner on the frame where you want the effect to start.
2. Enable AutoK.

   The AutoK button turns yellow.

   
   

3. In the Main menu, click Effects to display the Effects menu.
4. Make sure the plugin you want to animate is selected.

   The plugin name on the button is highlighted and italicized and its parameters appear to the right of the buttons.

   
   

5. Set one or more of the parameters.

   As soon as you change a parameter, a blue line in the Shot timebar appears indicating a keyframe.

6. Move the positioner to the next frame where you want to set another keyframe and adjust one or more of the parameters. Continue to add keyframes as needed.