First Look: Optical Flares for Nuke!
March 23rd, 2013

Watch on Vimeo in HD

Us After Effects users have been rolling in Optical Flares for years but now our powerful lens flare plug-in has been built to work directly inside of the compositing application Nuke!

The new plug-in, Optical Flares for Nuke includes many of the same great features as well as some new stuff that connects seamlessly with the node-based workflow.

Of course, getting this plug-in finished has been a massive project that has required major customization, including rebuilding the UI to work on linux and working with Nuke's 3D space. But we extremely thankful The Foundry and those individuals and studios that helped beta test to get this tool production-ready.

In this tutorial I'll demonstrate the basic setup of the plug-in and mostly pretend like I know what I'm doing inside of Nuke.

I think I'll just stick to After Effects tutorials :)

PRICING: Optical Flares for Nuke is going to be $199.95
The Release date is planned for the end next month!

*Since this is a new product, we do not have upgrade pricing from the AE Version but all After Effects presets made with Optical Flares can be exchanged back-and-fourth between the Nuke Version.

Site Licensing: We are taking pre-orders for Site and multi-seat licenses, please email info@videocopilot.net for information!

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
12 years ago
60 Comments
peter
12 years ago
whats going on??? i want optical flares for nuke!!!!!!
Moriel
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, it has been rather quiet on the Optical Flare Nuke side. Even if there are delays, which is quite understandable, could you at least please give us a hint about the timeframe when to expect a release ?

thx
Sven
12 years ago
Hi! I'd like to know the same like Ed on April 13th: is the Nuke-plugin in OpenFX-Standard and thus might it be able to work in the new DaVinci Resolve V.10, which'll be released this autumn and features OpenFX-plugins finanlly? Thanks for your response!
art1113
12 years ago
Andrew stays in radio silence )))
12 years ago
I think star trek is a valid reason why this got delayed (if that is the reason, and seriously amazing job on those credits...i never would have guessed it was done in AE).

all that aside, I really would love to get this up and running, for a few projects. When can i give you my money?!
Hernan
12 years ago
yeah it would be nice to hear some kind of update of what is going on?
Thank You.
12 years ago
Andrew where ??????
today (((((May 28, 2013)))) !!!!
and you say : The Release date is planned for the end next month!(April, 2013)
Roedi
12 years ago
usefull...how can I get it?
Alex
12 years ago
Hey! Any news about the release date?
anoop
12 years ago
hello Andrew....
you and this website are so helpful for animation students like me.
it will so helpfull if u add some more free presets..
Sergio
12 years ago
Any news when this great plugin is coming out for Nuke? It says April, but nope. Can't wait!!!
Stephan Zammit
12 years ago
Hi, earlier on the blog I think you posted that there will be a version 2 of optical flares for after effects. Any news about this? Thanks
Ben Sumner
12 years ago
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I use Nuke primarily, though I still keep AE around. the one plugin I always wish Nuke had was Pro Flares.
sambuev
12 years ago
Nuke industry waits for Optical Flares and Element 3D for Nuke, it would be great when Andrew will release it.
serfior
12 years ago
Agree, please any hint about realese date... Thanks!
Moriel
12 years ago
yes plz, just a hint maybe when it is coming ?
Hernan
12 years ago
agree where is it? please.... I cant wait
Simon
12 years ago
Any News, Andrew? I hope it comes in May, can't wait
Greg Punchatz
12 years ago
I need this now...can I buy a beta version?
Fur
12 years ago
Any news, Andrew? I'm tired of pre-rendering my lens flares in After Effects every day. Can't wait for the Nuke version.
Jens
12 years ago
Awesome news!
I can't believe it's finally coming. Thanks guys!

As for the Nuke vs. AE discussion:
Nuke is the de facto industry standard for compositing, just as AE is for motion gfx design. I used to composite in AE for a long time and it is totally possible to pull off very complex shots but it is cumbersome and tends to get messy and slow very quickly. Nuke is much faster, cleaner, more customisable, better for a collaborative workflow, it has proper color management, the list just goes on and on. If you are serious about compositing work there is no way around Nuke.
Ed
12 years ago
Hey Andrew! Do you think the nuke version of Optical Flares might work with Davinci Resolve v10 now that they announced openFx plugin support?
Chris
12 years ago
I was wondering if you're planning on doing more tutorials on Nuke in the future? Seems to be a powerful software and I'd really love to learn some stuff...
DrJ0nes
12 years ago
I did post a comment but it does not seem as though it has gone up.

So awesome work guys, finally I fully functioning, customisable flare and light effect plug for nuke.

not to sure what people are complaining about, the pricing is awesome even if you do own the AE version.

I do have a couple of questions about pricing and functionality.

first with functionality :

is there a bake function?

does OF require is own renderer / node to rasterize being that it is mentioned that it is integrated into the 3d environment of nuke?

If it does render though the scanline renderer of nuke will it also render though say atomKraft, vRay (when vRay is available for nuke) and renderMan?

if it is also render agnostic does the flare and lighting effects throw light and cast shadows on other objets that might be in the 3d scene,?

I understand that flares are lens effect that occur after the fact but I think it would be cool being that I can see uses beyond just lens flares.

are flares created from there own emitter or can a nuke of atomKraft light be used as the point of origin?

on pricing and licensing :

first off 199$ is a great price for a seat of OF, know the amount of work that goes into these things thank you.

is there site license pricing or a 5 seats for x$ or a 10 seat for x$ and so on?

and lastly how does render farm licensing work re : pricing and licensing?

is node locked and floating licensees available?

cheers guys look forward to getting my hands on a copy to asses if it will fit into our pipe line

once again thank

-DrJ0nes
12 years ago
These are pretty general questions that can be answered with info gathered from the demo video if you know Nuke pretty well, so I figured I could answer 'em for ya (even though obviously I'm not Andrew Kramer).

Anything can be baked by just writing out from where the Flare outputs over a black constant in nuke. Read it, plus it in.

Looks like it doesn't render from the scanline render from the video, all occlusion is based on 3D input into the OF node, not adding the OF into a 3D scene. Therefore it won't throw light or shadow.

In nuke you can fairly simply link anything to any object, without need for extra options, so getting it to stick to an atomKraft light would be just as simple as getting it to stick to a standard Nuke light, axis, or really anything. (again plus'ing in your OF after the scanline/atomKraft render for the effect)
Kat
12 years ago
Will Fusion be next to get Optical Flares? And if so any time line?
I like videocapilot but i don't ave the morning for this market!!!!
Alistair Jake Boszu
12 years ago
Optical Flares for PHOTOSHOP please, that's a cool addition to my graphics!!!! extend your vision and create that plug-in.
Pete
12 years ago
I've been waiting for this for two years now. Very cool.
François
12 years ago
Hi Andrew !! i gave to my bro your website adress because he is working for weta digital and he has to make by himself his own lenseflare for IM3. Just to tell you that he gave your adress to his leads ... and it seems they are surprised about your work !! if it is positive they will buy licenses .. hope it will work !! You just do great work !!! Good Luck !!
Nate Brubaker
12 years ago
Andrew,

I am looking for a college that teaches Nuke & After Effects any suggestions?

Thanks,

Nate
Bobby Hughes
12 years ago
Nate, The DAVE School in Orlando, FL teaches Nuke inside and out. We used to teach After Effects as well but seeing as you can learn AE really quickly and easily (and free) here we focus on Nuke and other specialty software like PFTrack and Mocha to include a strong focus on stereo 3d. Check it out sometime, might be what you're looking for.
12 years ago
Andrew, I noticed a folder under your presets called "Optical" that was not in the first release. Any info on that?
yair
12 years ago
I think the transformers do take time to do the tutorial and you could sell it as a product of dvd as the dvd of the butllet
I hope the answer is favorable position on the creation of 3d max tutorial on creating the robot transformers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgoqPd9PeFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7r5mz9aTlA
jimmy
12 years ago
Hi Andrew !
Your plugin is magic Well i hope you don't stop AE lol
The V2 of Optical Flares come in April too ?
LJ
12 years ago
If Andrew Kramer one day switch from AE to Nuke I'm ready to do same as long he keep making tutorials and cool SFX
The Ultimate wish for me will be that AK and videocopilot team make stand along video editing program. Just imagine possibilities, all that ideas what he wants to have in one program "Afternuke 3D"
The real smithy
12 years ago
Absolutely agree with you there. I'd think that's where he need to go next, build his own fx prog.
Steve
12 years ago
Hey Andrey, I would love for you to open up Nuke like you did After Effects!
Steve
12 years ago
*Andrew
Jason
12 years ago
This is a great addition for nuke users. Just wanted to addd that both Ae and Nuke are capable of creating amazing work and although Nuke seems to be the industry choice for compositing it is very expensive. Ae is much more practical for independent and freelance artist but just as powerful.
Alain
12 years ago
Please hurry before North Korea nukes us !
Matin
12 years ago
Very funny.
Nikolaus
12 years ago
Hey, North Korea cant nuke us... But in last past weeks my instred for Nuke grows up. I think its time for a next step, Andrew. A Beginner-Guide f?r Nuke an some Awesome Tutorials I own OF for AE, but i cant for Nuke without knowing to use it And all my knowledge about AE i learn from here.
12 years ago
I love AE but def have been thinking of trying my hand in Nuke and NukeX since I miss the node composting Combustion used to offer... Is the scripting very different between AE and Nuke for developers? I mean are many of the similar plugins available for Nuke as they are for AE?
tom
12 years ago
Brian, nuke doesn't needs as many plugins as AE needs. But there are Revision, Particular, Saphire, Atomcraft(V-ray making also a version for nuke).
AK it's shame that You don't want to make tutorials for nuke. Your stile is special, and many would like to see ( atleast one or two tutorials a year
Will
12 years ago
Hi Andrew! Nice work! I've got a request, and I'm sure a lot of people would like the same thing. I've always been an After Effects user but I want to learn Nuke as well, can you make more tutorials on it? Thanks!
12 years ago
Man I like this but are you leaving After Effects
Hernan
12 years ago
Hi Andrew finally !!! Thank you! looking forward to it!!!!
12 years ago
FINALLY we'll see some Optical Flares in Hollywood
Daniel Broadway
12 years ago
Awesome, Andrew. I'm learning Nuke, so this will be a nice tool. The flare tool in Nuke is awful. Any idea when we might see a sneak peak at Optical Flares 2 for AE?
Robert
12 years ago
I got the AE Version, can I switch to the Nuke version? Any crossgrade price?
Daluz
12 years ago
Read the post"!!!!!!!
samwelito
12 years ago
Fantastico as always,Andy.
Great.
Problem,sir! Am still asking for the better way to buy your products from here Tanzania-(East Africa) as credit cards are not that much common down here.
Your response should be based on convenience and easy way to buy your products.
Thanks.
12 years ago
OMG> How did you learn NUKE.
Will do some basic Tuts for it .

Thanks
Ivan
12 years ago
Mr. Kramer create a link between the nuke and after effects
Holger Neuhaeuser
12 years ago
Hi Andrew,
will you also port Flares to Eyeon´s Digital Fusion?

Thanks
Holger
abhi
12 years ago
awesome
12 years ago
Hi, Andrew can you add some pages on your website that will contain some Tv ads, film breakdowns and proffesional designers interview (links) who used optical flares, action essentials & Element 3D.
Vinit
12 years ago
IS THERE ANY SOFTWARE FOR VFX THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW??? U R LIKE A MASTER OF ALL THE SOFTWARES IN THE WORLD. I WONDER FROM WHERE YOU ARE GETTING SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ....Love u n ur work
RevelotionFilms
12 years ago
Hi Andrew, This was absolute AWSOME. becuse i have wanted Optical Flares in NUKE. i think this can be realy helpfull and i have a question: What do you have for computer and what do you use to Screen Record?
i am a BIG fan!
Luis Martin
12 years ago
I think he uses a HP Z800, at least is what he shows in the blog show a while ago, Im pretty sure he upgraded by now, and for recording I thinks he may be using Camtasia for the artifacts he get in 3DS max in the fumeFX tutorial.
Imam After FX
12 years ago
Thanks Andrew For Making (O.F) For Nuke Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You..........
si
12 years ago
It seems there are more jobs out there for nuke compositing than after effects :/ would love to learn nuke
12 years ago
This is great Andrew!!!! I love VIDEOCOPILOT...
12 years ago
This is awesome, nuke is the composite software that many vfx house use. But I hate to say that I know very little of it. Is it possible that you do some Nuke tutorial in the future? Thanks Andrew!
Paul
12 years ago
Good!I am studying nuke recent days.Nuke is better when coping with a large amount of video cuts.
PavanRzx
12 years ago
That's awesome Andrew.

Will you be starting any Nuke basic tutorials and advanced one's like After Effects? Would be cool if you did.
Saleem
12 years ago
Me too i want to learn nuke
Avi
12 years ago
I second that-please!!
Luis Martin
12 years ago
What did he just said?????: "I think I?ll just stick to After Effects tutorials" Is there!!! in the video description, read guys, read. he is just expanding for realiability, he is not changings sides.
12 years ago
There are all the beginning Nuke tutorials on The Foundry's website.
Daniel Kyle
12 years ago
So if you have OF already for AE... this will be an additional charge?
Owen
12 years ago
Probably yes, however, you can just render out and add lens flares in AE.
Saleem
12 years ago
Awesome i love nuke <3
Harlem Shake
12 years ago
watch my new samsung galaxy s4 video, made with element 3D and plexus 2.0
12 years ago
Hi, sorry for this discussion.. but tell me please After effects or Nuke Which is easier?..Please I want someone say to me..I will wait
Daniel Kyle
12 years ago
Nuke is way better... just takes a bit to get used to the transition from layers to nodes ..but well worth the frustrations at first...
Harlem Shake
12 years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM351U2xgNE
12 years ago
Did You mean "NO HOPE" for beginner? :
Kyle
12 years ago
Yo MonProductions, both applications are awesome. Choosing which one is "better" really comes down to what you'll be using it for. You could say that Nuke is a little better on the compositing and VFX side, and that After Effects is a little better on the Animation and Design side.
sebastian
12 years ago
I disagree They both do the exact same things(I use both platforms)nuke animates things just as well

however i do prefer nodes over layers for composting a and after effects has a better system for animating
Undo
12 years ago
I've purchased pretty much all VCP plugins over the years. Not offering any sort of crossgrade option is a Great way to treat loyal customers.
Bah, I'll just stick with adding lens flares separately using AE.
MonProduction
12 years ago
Hey!Undo!See this!!!Andrew Cramer has sent a message to you ..Yuppiiiiii :
Rock
12 years ago
@UNDO- Don't try and guilt trip the VC team to give you a lower price. VC is by far the cheapest option for plugins, and tutorials. Their products are so cheap, I am surprised they have stayed in business for this long.

VC Team- Thank you for having such a wonderful site. $200 for a NUKE plugin? Unheard of. Keep up the awesome work, and the great product releases!
12 years ago
Completely agree with 'Rock' here. Thanks for making such awesome plugins so affordable, VCP!
ENA
12 years ago
rock..my sentiments exactly. vcp not only make the most affordable plug-ins, they make the best products...show me another lens flare plug that can hold a candle to O.F...at any price
booshman
12 years ago
@MonProduction The two should not be placed in the same category. Nuke is ideal for compositing, AE is ideal for motion graphics. AE is more intuitive, and Nuke is more powerful. Learn them both!