Lens Flare use in Movie Studio 18 Platinum

Jacob-Hilliard wrote on 10/19/2021, 10:31 AM

I have used Movie Studio 13 Platinum for years, a Sony product. In that product I could change a lens flare position by clicking and dragging the flare on the screen. I am now using Movie Studio 18 Platinum. In am using a Windows 10 OS.

While I am aware that this Movie Studio 18 Platinum is a different engine and a way different program then the old one, it seems like I'm missing something with lens flare position in 18. Is there any way to move lens flares besides entering the coordinate numbers for the position? This seems like a bit of a clunky way to move them.

My other question is regarding the rotation of the flare point and the rings. In 13 I could rotate the flare to give it different angles and perspectives. But I don't see a way to do that in 18. Again, I'm aware that this is a different program. I just figured that being marketed as 18 it would be at least a little better than 13 lol.

Thanks for the help!

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 10/20/2021, 6:57 AM

@Jacob-Hilliard

Hi Jacob and welcome to the user to user forum for Magix applications.

Unfortunately I see no way to do this. It would impossible as the key framing to that is missing. Meaning there is no way to make the effect dynamic in any way.

shutterstock.com do a ton of lens flare effects but they are not cheap.

Ray.

browj2 wrote on 10/20/2021, 8:46 AM

@Jacob-Hilliard

Hi Jacob,

For lens flare, click in the X or Y box and drag up or down while holding down the left mouse button or use the mouse wheel. These apply to almost all numbers boxes in effects. For rotation, use the X and Y in turn to do a rotation, that is all that you can do.

John CB

CubeAce wrote on 10/20/2021, 9:46 AM

@browj2

Hi John.

Thanks for that. I didn't realize the X position went from -0.50 (left) to 0,50 (right) and that the corresponding bottom lens flare moved in the opposite direction to the top one. I assumed (wrongly) that the lower lens flare would go off screen.

I've just had a rough play with it myself and it is really hard to pull off a convincing lens flare, which I haven't manged yet.

Thank you for the information.

You should do a tutorial.

Ray.

browj2 wrote on 10/20/2021, 8:29 PM

@CubeAce

Hi Ray,

Years ago, Magix bundled the plugin Red Giant Knoll Light Factory EZ with MEP or VPX which is quite good at lens flares. However, since it was an EZ version, it could not be keyframed. I had already received a full version plugin with another nle, so I was rather dismayed to see this stunted version with MEP. Still am.

Lens flares are not something that I use, so no tutorial planned.

John CB

CubeAce wrote on 10/21/2021, 1:20 AM

@browj2

Hi John.

That must have been in the really early days of its development as that plugin in now hugely expensive.

I must admit I go out of my way not to get lens flare when shooting although I'm fond of enhancing light streaks in some shots. To each their own though. 😎.

Still, thanks for the information. I had never realised before that those number boxes sometimes produce movement I didn't expect to see. Certainly no rotation effect from a side movement.

Ray.