- Dehancer OFX:
- Key Features: Comprehensive film emulation suite with dedicated anamorphic tools. Includes lens distortion, bokeh manipulation, flare generation, and aspect ratio adjustments.
- Benefits: Highly realistic and customizable anamorphic simulation, with a wide range of presets and fine-tuning options. Great for creating a subtle or dramatic anamorphic effect.
- Sapphire Builder (Boris FX):
- Key Features: Node-based visual effects system with powerful lens effects, including anamorphic lens distortion, bokeh, and flares.
- Benefits: Offers a high degree of control over every aspect of the anamorphic look, allowing for complex and unique results. Ideal for VFX-heavy projects.
- Magic Bullet Looks (Maxon):
- Key Features: Color grading and looks plugin with lens distortion and anamorphic flare tools. Easy-to-use interface with a wide range of presets.
- Benefits: Quick and efficient way to add an anamorphic touch to your footage, with a focus on ease of use and creative flexibility.
- RE:Lens (RE:Vision Effects):
- Key Features: Lens distortion correction and manipulation plugin. Can be used to simulate anamorphic squeeze and other lens effects.
- Benefits: Precise control over lens distortion, allowing for subtle or dramatic anamorphic effects. Excellent for correcting or modifying existing lens distortions.
- Adobe After Effects/Premiere Pro (Native Effects):
- Key Features: Utilizing the “CC Lens” effect, and basic distortion tools within these programs can allow for a rudimentary anamorphic look.
- Benefits: Readily available for users of the adobe creative suite, and can be used to add simple distortion, and aspect ratio changes.
- Resolve FX (DaVinci Resolve):
- Key Features: DaVinci Resolve’s built in FX suite, offers lens distortion, and blur effects that can be utilized to create a more anamorphic look.
- Benefits: For Resolve users, there is no need to purchase extra plugins, and the integrated workflow is a great benefit.
Conclusion:
Achieving an anamorphic look from Master Prime footage is entirely possible with the right plugins and software. Tools like Dehancer OFX, Sapphire Builder, Magic Bullet Looks, and RE:Lens offer powerful features and benefits, allowing you to emulate the distinctive characteristics of anamorphic lenses. Whether you’re aiming for subtle enhancements or dramatic transformations, these tools provide the creative flexibility to bring your vision to life. While nothing perfectly replaces the organic nature of real anamorphic glass, these digital tools are a very powerful and cost effective alternative.
