Free Trial Download: Sapphire Edge by GenArts for Final Cut Pro and Sony Vegas.

[jodymichelle]

Instantly Transform Your Footage with Sapphire Edge by GenArts
Free Trial Download - Try It Now!
Innovative Features
* Over 350 pre-built looks you can preview in real-time on your footage.
* Streamlined parameters help reduce design complexity and production time.
* Monthly downloads of new presets keep your library of looks fresh.
Sapphire Edge Reviews
Larry Jordan said Sapphire Edge's hundreds of presets allow you to, "spend less time tweaking and more time getting productive work done." Read Larry's review of Sapphire Edge here.
Andy Coon of FCPProducer said "GenArts knocks it out of the park with Sapphire Edge plugin for Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Express, Apple Motion and Sony Vegas Pro." Read Andy's review of Sapphire Edge here.
Download Your Free Trial Today!

 

[Kim Welch]

Sapphire has since become part of Boris FX, and it's still widely used for glows, lens flares and stylized looks in editing and finishing. Free trials are a great way for students to test tools like this before committing.

A word of advice on effects plugins: use them to support the story, and build your own looks rather than relying only on presets. What plugins or effects do you use most in your edits?