Boris FX Announces Autumn Launch of Prestigious Visual Effects Plug-ins
Boris FX, a leading developer of visual effects and motion graphics software, has announced the release of Sapphire 2022 and Continuum 2022. These updates bring a host of new features and improvements aimed at boosting visual effects, efficiency, and AI integration.
Sapphire 2022: Focus on Creative Controls and Presets
Sapphire 2022 introduces several key updates, including new effects and enhancements to existing ones. While specific details about the 2022 version are not extensively documented, the latest Sapphire releases such as Sapphire 2023 and 2024 have seen the addition of new lighting effects like 18 new lens flares and advanced presets in the Effect Builder [1].
Some of the notable features in Sapphire 2022 include:
- Resolution-independent, non-destructive, and 32-bit image support.
- Adobe Multi-Frame Rendering and native Apple M1 support.
- An improved PixelChooser, featuring full GPU-processing and a user-friendly interface, has been added to all BCC+ effects.
- The cinematography toolkit (BCC+ effects) includes integrated Mocha tracking.
- Sapphire 2022 now offers 3,000 presets and a nodal-based effects compositor.
- The new Sapphire ColorFuse effect provides cinematic colour grades.
- Sapphire's UltraZap effect now includes Mocha splines for greater artistic control.
- Boris FX has made Adobe Photoshop available as a host application for free to all users.
Continuum 2022: AI-Powered Tools and Workflow Improvements
Continuum 2022 takes a significant leap forward with the introduction of AI-driven tools and workflow improvements. Notable additions include:
- The AI-driven DeNoise ML image restoration effect, enabling fast correction of imperfect footage.
- Integration with Stability AI to create custom sprites inside Particle Illusion, enhancing particle effect creation.
- Improved rotoscoping workflows supported by machine learning nodes for matte assistance and time warping (though these are cited for Silhouette 2024, they reflect the broad Boris FX AI integration strategy across products) [1].
Continuum 2022 also offers over 20 professionally designed presets for fluid dynamics, six speedy blur effects with 80 presets, and more fully GPU-accelerated effects (BCC+). It supports native Apple M1 for zippier workflows and offers dramatic speed gains across all host applications, with up to 5x speed increases.
Continuum 2022 introduces fluid dynamics to Particle Illusion for organic 3D particle motion. It also offers 50 optical glass texture gobo presets and 60 movie/TV-inspired colour grade presets within the cinematography toolkit (BCC+ effects).
A Symphony of Creativity and AI
Together, Sapphire 2022 and Continuum 2022 enhance creative flexibility. Continuum focuses more on AI-assisted noise reduction and particle customization, while Sapphire continues its tradition of high-quality stylized lighting and lens flare effects.
Continuum is available as a plugin with various subscription, upgrade, support, and permanent license options. Host application support includes Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, and OFX workflows such as Blackmagic Resolve, Foundry's Nuke, and VEGAS Pro. The software is compatible with macOS and Windows operating systems.
[1] - Source for further reading
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or promotion of any specific product or service. The information provided is based on publicly available data and should be verified independently for accuracy and applicability.
Technology is integral to the updates in Sapphire 2022 and Continuum 2022, as both feature improvements like Adobe Multi-Frame Rendering, native Apple M1 support, and full GPU-processing, showcasing advancements in computing and visual effects.
The new Sapphire 2022 releases AI-powered tools such as the Sapphire ColorFuse effect for cinematic color grades and the UltraZap effect with Mocha splines, demonstrating the fusion of technology and artistic control.
