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DECEMBER 23, 2003 First Look: Trapcode Lux
Lux also gives you the ability to determine how the start position of the light looks. By adjusting the Start Distance, you can create an angular point for a spot light, or a softbox source.   It is the Reach control that points out the first problem with this effect. Since Lux is an effect applied to a layer, it renders over all the layers below it. If the reach amount is too great, the light cone will appear to penetrate the layer it is being cast on.  Trapcode addresses this problem by creating controls for Reach Layers. With this activated, you can choose a 3D layer in your Composition and Lux will tell the light cone of the lights to stop rendering when it hits that layer.  Even better, Lux can even control lights that move behind other layers. This is controlled with the Lux General controls. Here you can render lights based on the name of the light layer.  By creating multiple instances of Lux layers in your composition, you can then use this layer naming convention to have lights that move behind layers react naturally. The main drawback I have right now with Lux is in this last area. Instead of only having the option of rendering lights named Anything, Front, or Back, I would also like an option to put in my own light name. This would allow for even greater control of what lights render and which ones do not. Another problem for the volumetric purist is the inability for Lux to create volumetric shadows. For example, if you have an object in your scene with a Lux light behind it, and if the cone angle for the light is larger than the shape of the object in the scene, the volumetric light should be broken up. In the just released version, this doesn't happen. While not a huge problem, it could cause some comments like, "This looks really really good, I love it, but for some reason - I don't know why - it looks like something is off". While the composition will be a big go, fixing this problem will make Lux even more valuable. The final problem is the total lack of breaking up the volumetric light. I have offered a temporary solution in the Bonus Tutorial below.
Other than that, this is a very cool plug-in. Just like the other plug-ins Trapcode has released, Lux is veryeasy to understand, easy use, inexpensive, and most importantly – it is valuable. If your clients are asking you for a little extra “oomph” in their next project, try adding Lux, they’ll love the results. I give Lux a Strong Buy recommendation. Until February 1, 2004, Lux sells for $129.00 US. After that, it goes up to the regular price of $169.00 US. For more information on Lux, visit Trapcode’s website (www.trapcode.com). BONUS TUTORIAL One of the other shortcomings of Lux is that the light cones do not have the ability to render a broken up pattern. Instead the light cone rendered assumes that the volumetric particles are all uniform. While you are still able to render out dramatic looking effects, a true smoke filled room, or fog would have some break up in it. Here’s a temporary solution. To the layer that you apply Lux, also apply the Fractal Noise effect. Make sure Fractal Noise is added after Lux. Animate Offset Turbulence, and set the Blending Mode to Screen or Add. Because the Lux layer is a 2D layer, moving the camera around the scene will definitely show the problems with this fix, but for now, it is a solution.  When not working deep in the labs of the DMN Central Division testing the latest and greatest software/hardware products Stephen Schleicher can be found at the local university teaching a few courses on video and web production. He can be reached at schleicher@mindspring.com. You can also visit him on the web at www.mindspring.com/~schleicherRelated sites: • Animation Artist • Animation Supplement • AV Video • Broadcast Newsroom • Content Mastering • Corporate Media News • Creative Mac • Design Supplement • Digital Animators • Digital Post Production • Digital Producer • Digital Video Editing • Mac Supplement • Siggraph News • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
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