Superluminal Stardust [Purchase]

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Modular Particle System

Stardust is a modular 3D particle system for After Effects. It has an easy to use node based user interface and ships with a ton of presets to create stunning effects quickly and easily.

Highlights

Features

Modular 3D particle system for After Effects.
Node based interface to easily build complex systems in a single 3D space.
Add or replace smart presets in one click.
Replica, a unique tool to replicate particles in many exciting ways.
Countless particle effects for both 3D and 2D looks.
Emitters, Particles, Replica, Forces, Auxiliary Emitters, 3D Models, Text & Mask and Maps.
Space deformers, Sphere, Box, 3d Models, Bend, Twist, Maps, Black Hole.
Splines, animatable as paths and emitters.
Containers to enclose and/or emit particles in a sphere, box or 3D model.

stardust physical particles

PHYSICAL PARTICLES

Particles and Models can interact, collide and affect each other while being affected by forces, allowing for the creation of stunning animation with ease.

stardust

Render 3D Models

Take your particles to a whole new dimension. Render 3D models from OBJ Files, Primitives and Extruded shapes as particles, add some Image Based Lighting, Ambient Occlusion and you got super awesomeness.

Particles

One Tool, in a single 3D space, all on one layer with endless possibilities. It is a full featured particle system with forces, fields, motion blur, DOF and much more.

3D Model Deformers

3D object can now be manipulated using deformers ranging from a simple bend and twist to creating terrains.

Modular

A breakthrough, easy-to-use, node based interface. Start with a preset or create your own nodes. Many emitters, particles and forces can be added, and have them all work in a single 3D space on one layer. This makes it super easy to create simple or complex particle systems to achieve new and exciting results.

Replica

Rethink what a particle system can do! Create beautiful motion graphics by replicating particles in many ways. With Replica you can create unique designs: organic, techy, the options are limitless.

Space Deformers

Spheres, boxes, 3d models, displacement maps and more can be used to push, pull, enclose, color and move particles around. Black hole nodes can be used to attract particles over time.

Smart Presets

The easy-to-use smart preset browser allows you to load an entire setup, node or single parameter with a single click. There are loads of stunning presets to choose from. You can also replace your existing node tree with a preset in one click.

Emit From 3D Models

Particles can be emitted or enclosed along a 3D model's vertices or volume.

Grids

With Stardust's unique and easy-to-use modular workflow grids can be used as a starting point for endless options and dazzling results.

Splines

Defined using After Effect's lights, create 3D lines or particle emitting 3D paths to create looks not easily achieved otherwise.

Text & Mask

Particles can be emitted from live text and masks, either from their volume or edges. Paths can then be trimmed, offset and controlled in many ways to create never seen before effects.

All in One Tool

Because of Stardust's ground-breaking node system, you don't need to use a second layer to achieve complex effects. You can add as many nodes and parameters as you need to a single instance on one layer.

Single 3D space

There are countless benefits to having everything in a single 3D space. Focus on creating!

Tutorial

After Effects CC 2015.3 and later
GPU with OpenGL 3.3 and later is required to render 3D models
1 GB of RAM
100 MB of hard drive space

macOS and Windows

Note: 2 Render Nodes Included in Purchase

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1.3.0 (Current version) - Nov 2, 2018

3D Library – Nearly 200 textured 3D models loaded with a single click, parented to a controlling Null layer. The library is available for download from the Preset window.
Connect – connect physical particles to each other using various constraint types, for creating Springs and Chains.
Planar reflection – Have object reflect off of planes.
Model Path Deform – Deform models in 3D space using masks or paths defined with AE lights.
Groups – Transform model parts by OBJ groups.
Subsurface scattering – Create organic lighting look for surfaces.
New Material options – Refraction , Emissive , Adjust Environment and Reflection .
Model node as emitter source – Create emitter source with model node and apply deformers.
Speed – Up to 15% faster render.
Gloss / Roughness – Inverted for easier import PBR materials.
Model node – Added segments to extruded path for better deformation.
Model node – Auto load 3D Model material textures on import.
Model node – Respect node active state when connected to particle nodes.
Particle node – Set ‘Use model’ to either ‘All’ or ‘Random’ for when multiple model nodes are connected.
Transform node – Use Null layer for easier transformation control.
Physics -Better interactive responsiveness while tweaking physical particles.
Physical forces – New spherical type: ‘Particle birth’. used to attract particles to their birth position.
Physics-forces – New parameter for spherical forces: ‘To distance’. Factors the distance to the influence.
Main effect render options – Make environment layer visible in render.
Main effect render options -Select ‘Helpers’ render color.
Z-buffer – 3D models will respect external Z-buffer and obstruction layer.
Fixed an issue where normal bump map would give incorrect results.
Fixed an issue that may slow render in machines with many CPU cores.

What's new in version 1.2.1? September 3, 2018

Fixes a crash related to the Over Life Graphs.
Fixes a crash related to Applying Presets.
Fixes a crash related to Low Memory.
Fixes a crash related to Replica - Corners.

What's new in version 1.2?

Physical Particles - Make particles and 3D models collide and interact with each other.
Live Update - Turn on Auto Cache to see the current physical simulation state upon any change.
Node Workflow - The physical simulation workflow is completely integrated into After effects so simulation elements can be linked to existing composition layers and lights, and the actual result can be viewed directly in the composition while adjusting the animation.

What's new in version 1.1.4?

New Features:

New features to the 3D render engine, Shadows, Additive 3D Models, Environment shading, and more.
Simplified work with 3D models, add a 3D model to your comp in seconds.
Workflow improvements, Multiple video sources, new graph modes.
More control over particles with Orient over path and more.

In Depth:

3D Shadow to models
Additive transparent Materials
New Graph mode - Hold
Easily create video walls with Multiple source videos using the new ‘Layer set’ in the source node
Environment shadows - lights affect the Image Based lighting environment
Presets can save and load render settings such as environment and motion blur.
Model workflow simplified, just add a model node to add a single instance.
Model animation simplified, create and parent a model to a 3D null in one click.
Motion node - added the option to Orient to path.
Presets - save tags and render settings.
Misc Bug fixes.

What's new in version v1.1.3 - Now with powerful 3D Model Deformer plus many new refinements!

MAC:

New Features:

Deform Node - Deform 3D Models, Apply Turbulence Noise, Bend, Twist, Stretch, Displacement Maps to 3D models.
Group Node - Collect nodes on the panel in groups.
Smart Shy - Hide nodes in the Effect Control Window to reduce clutter, and have them automatically show when clicked on in the panel.
Switches - Fast access for Shy, Solo, Locate, Helpers and more.
Searchable Presets - Easily find a complete setup, or a starting point.
Text and Mask Extrude - Faster and Better Extrude, with new presets to start from.
Stardust Studio Cam - A special camera to examine a single 3D model, for easier texturing and deforming.
New Presets - Fireworks, Extrude Text and more.

In Depth :

Deform Node - 3D models
Turbulence
- Bend , Twist, Stretch
- Sphere
- Maps
Switches - Toggle the buttons on the effects, or from the new Contextual menu (right click) on the panel
- Visibility - Enable or disable nodes
- Solo - Enable only solo nodes
- Shy - Hide Effects from the Effect Control Window, and automatically show when selected on the panel
- Helpers - Render Stardust Helpers for specific nodes
- Locate - Locate the Node on the panel
- Master Switches - Switches on main effect control overall solo, shy and helpers behavior. Additional motion blur switch for quick access
Presets Search - Search the Stardust preset library using any keyword or phrase for quick access.
Group Node - Collapse and uncollapse the groups in the panel to reduce clutter or expose content.
Bevel - Faster and Better 3D Text and Mask Extrude
Lock / Unlock Stardust panel to show the selected Stardust Layer
Random Texture on 3D particles - Apply a random texture per 3D model.
Sphere UV texture mapping
OBJ Emitter - New options to Loop, Delay, Flip and more.
Maps - New option to offset the map.
Bug Fixes

WINDOWS:

New Features :

Deform Node - Deform 3D Models, Apply Turbulence Noise, Bend, Twist, Stretch, Displacement Maps to 3D models.
Group Node - Collect nodes on the panel in groups.
Smart Shy - Hide nodes in the Effect Control Window to reduce clutter, and have them automatically show when clicked on in the panel.
Switches - Fast access for Shy, Solo, Locate, Helpers and more.
Searchable Presets - Easily find a complete setup, or a starting point.
Text and Mask Extrude - Faster and Better Extrude, with new presets to start from.
Stardust Studio Cam - A special camera to examine a single 3D model, for easier texturing and deforming.
New Presets - Fireworks, Extrude Text and more.

In Depth:

Deform Node - 3D models
- Turbulence
- Bend , Twist, Stretch
- Sphere
- Maps
Switches - Toggle the buttons on the effects, or from the new Contextual menu (right click) on the panel
- Visibility - Enable or disable nodes
- Solo - Enable only solo nodes
- Shy - Hide Effects from the Effect Control Window, and automatically show when selected on the panel
- Helpers - Render Stardust Helpers for specific nodes
- Locate - Locate the Node on the panel
- Master Switches - Switches on main effect control overall solo, shy and helpers behavior. Additional motion blur switch for quick access
Presets Search - Search the Stardust preset library using any keyword or phrase for quick access.
Group Node - Collapse and uncollapse the groups in the panel to reduce clutter or expose content.
Bevel - Faster and Better 3D Text and Mask Extrude
Lock / Unlock Stardust panel to show the selected Stardust Layer
Random Texture on 3D particles - Apply a random texture per 3D model.
Sphere UV texture mapping
OBJ Emitter - New options to Loop, Delay, Flip and more.
Maps - New option to offset the map.
Bug Fixes

Superluminal Stardust v1.3

Modular Particle System