Blackmagic Forum

Hi,
I'm pretty new to Fusion. I used After Effects and Natron before.

I'm a 3d Artist and I work mostly in Max with Vray.
So I need Fusion for editing CG renderings.

Everything's working pretty well. I can use mattes and re-comp the beauty.

The only problem I still have is to get the lens effects right.
Glow works pretty good and is easy to use.
Hotspot, although I don't like the fact that I have to animate it or track the footage, works pretty well.
But how do you guys use the highlight node?
It seems to be outdated. Its threshold only works from 0-1
it flickers pretty often. And its options are very basic.. I for example miss the ability to insert a custom image for the star. Is there a better way? A macro or a fuse you'd recommend?
And how to create chromatic aberration?

Thanks for any help.

For chromatic aberration, if you have Reactor, download the MT_GlitchTools macro collection. There's a chromatic aberration macro in there. The default settings are pretty strong because it's intended to really munge up a video source, so you'll want to back it off a bit.

For better lens flares, Michael Vorberg put together a nice kit: https://gumroad.com/l/FuFlares

I've only used the Highlight tool once or twice. To get around its limited thresholds, use a BrightnessContrast to Gain down until only the highlights you want are in the thresholded range. Turn off Merge Over so that you get just the flare and Merge it back onto the image yourself.

You could also look into the Convolve Fuse, which was posted here somewhere. It may be useful.

and there is also the "lens sim kit"

https://gumroad.com/l/NJTC

Woah didn't stumble over Reactor yet.
What a treasure chest
I'll have alot fun with it.
And much thanks to both of you for your tips regarding my question!
I'll buy both addons. Thanks alot!