particle generator plug-ins for Vegas
 

Hi, do you use a particle generator to create special fx - like WAX which is a plug-in, or perhaps a stand-alone one, like WONDERTOUCH? I just need to create stars, explosions - not sophisticated, so dont want to fork out for After Effects.

Any recommendations appreciated.

(I dont think VASST do one, do they?)

tHANKS.

Well... The only one I know about which is a stand alone application, is what you have written, Wondertoutch's Particle Illusion. I use it sometimes, There is already complete sets of stars, explosions... you just have to render them out from PI so you can use them in Vegas...

If you want it easier, go to websites like iStockphoto, where you can buy motions of stars, explosions and so on. You buy graphics that are royalty free. Easy way if you dont have time to learn softwares. The prices are varible.... SD motions are cheaper, HD motions, more expensive...

There is a particle generator in Boris Red for Vegas ( http://www.borisfx.com/product/red/t..._particles.php ), but if you aren't keen on going the AE route I suspect you'll feel the same about Boris!

I agree with Kim about PI, although even that has a learning curve (but nowhere near as steep as AE).

You might also look at the low cost products from FXhome. I haven't used them but they seem to do what you want at a good price. http://fxhome.com/effectslab/pro/ is probably the one you would be in terested in at $149.

Particle Illusion is one of the best software values I've ever used.
It can do very subtle effects as well as the obvious "Rah Rah" stuff.
Beautiful, realistic "steam" on food shoots is a perfect example. That alone has paid for it many times over. Learning curve is pretty light as well, and you can save your custom FX (emitters) in a library.
Free monthly emitters from Wondertouch are an additional bonus.
No, I don't work for them, but I'm sure glad I discovered this program a few years back. :)

Hope this helps,
Ken

Thanks for pointers
 

Thanks all - I will check all these out - the libaries for PI seem real neat , many of them are exactly what I need.

I thought SE version would be fine but apparently you cant render 1440 x 1080 unless your desktop is sized at that? The full version allows 1440 x 1080 render but is much more pricy of course.

i tried PI previously but I had difficulty importing m2t into PI for editing. I needed to cover to avi to generate the particles b4 rendering to something else to put it back onto Vegas timeline. Its quite a pain so i gave up on it. PI itself is a nice app thou. U can check out digital juice as they have 50% offers at times and not too long ago PI was on offer.

I use a lot of stuff from www.detonationfilms.com

I download some free stuff and bought a couple of their DVDs. For explosions and blood they work out pretty good. I have a fight scene and blood flies out of the guys mouth. Looks good and easy to do.

I have PI3 as well but seldom use it although it is a great product. I just need to take more time with it.