I am just tinkering with some short home videos shot with my XL2. I have captured with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate version 11. I have not used the software much so I just trying to learn some basics.

Currently I can not get the "soften" effect to work.

I captured to an .AVI file and after the edits I am making another .AVI

However, the shots post the soften look the exact same.

While I am in the edit mode and play the effect back, should it display the change before I create the movie?

I check my 10 plus version, selected the soften filter, and a slider came up to adjust. Seems to work for me.

If blend is slid all the way left, you won't get any effect. Slide it right to increase blend with until full right gives the full blur effect. You can still adjust blur level at top slider.

I tried sliding both bars all the way to the right and stll the same effect.

I re-installed it and all is well.

I was going to suggest a reinstall.... okay...