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OpenFX (API)
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<h2 id="history">History</h2> <ul><li>UPDATE: Current version is 1.5 as of December 2024</li></ul> <p>OpenFX was first announced on Feb 10, 2004 <a href="/facts/The_Foundry_Visionmongers/cfnnoWxg">The Foundry Visionmongers</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> </p><p>The OpenFX specification was written so that a plugin supporting the latest version of the API may be implemented to be compatible with a host implementing an earlier version. </p> <ol><li>OpenFX 1.0<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> was released in 2006.</li> <li>OpenFX 1.1<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> was released in 2007.</li> <li>OpenFX 1.2<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> was released in 2010.</li> <li>OpenFX 1.3<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> was released in 2012.</li> <li>OpenFX 1.4<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> was released in 2015.</li> <li>OpenFX 1.5<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> was released in 2024.</li></ol> <h2 id="hosts">Hosts</h2> <h3>Free and open source hosts</h3> <ul><li><a href="https://buttleofx.wordpress.com/">ButtleOFX</a> (for Linux, open source, <a href="/facts/GNU_Lesser_General_Public_License/AXwkz9x3">LGPL</a> license, alpha status, unmaintained)</li> <li><a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/kaliscope/">Kaliscope</a> (scanner controller/batch conversion tool based on OpenFX host and plugins, open source, <a href="/facts/GNU_General_Public_License/S75KhLSX">GPL</a> 3 license)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Natron_(software)/yb5aT7aJ">Natron</a> for macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Windows (open source, <a href="/facts/GNU_General_Public_License/S75KhLSX">GPL</a> license)</li> <li>Ramen compositor (<a href="/facts/Common_Development_and_Distribution_License/f1gcKWVz">CDDL</a> 1.0 license, never officially released, but source code is available<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a>)</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/shuttleofx/ShuttleOFX">ShuttleOFX</a> (online OpenFX platform, open source, <a href="/facts/GNU_Lesser_General_Public_License/AXwkz9x3">LGPL</a> license)</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/tuttleofx/TuttleOFX">TuttleOFX</a> (command-line OpenFX host and plugins, open source, <a href="/facts/GNU_Lesser_General_Public_License/AXwkz9x3">LGPL</a> license)</li></ul> <h3>Commercial hosts</h3> <ul><li><a href="http://www.filmlight.ltd.uk/products/baselight/overview_bl.php">Baselight</a> (from version 2.2) by FilmLight</li> <li><a href="http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/catalystedit">Catalyst Edit</a> by <a href="/facts/Sony_Creative_Software/GKFDMph2">Sony Creative Software</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/DaVinci_Resolve/AHb0y0bq">DaVinci Resolve</a> (from version 10), by <a href="/facts/Blackmagic_Design/83GhYcsC">Blackmagic Design</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hs-art.com/index.php/solutions/dustbusterplus">DustBuster+</a> (from version 4.5), by <a href="http://www.hs-art.com/">HS-ART</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dvs.de/products/video-systems/clipster.html">DVS Clipster</a> by <a href="/facts/Digital_Video_Systems/Cyqat4AU">DVS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.grassvalley.com/products/edius_pro_8/plug-ins#openfx_plug-ins">EDIUS Pro</a> (from version 8.1, by OFX-bridge plugin from NewBlueFX), by <a href="/facts/Grass_Valley_(company)/ehRye4Q0">Grass Valley</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Blackmagic_Fusion/SYD7qp3j">Fusion</a> (from version 4.04), by <a href="/facts/Blackmagic_Design/83GhYcsC">Blackmagic Design</a> (formerly by eyeon)</li> <li><a href="https://hitfilm.com/">HitFilm</a> (from version 3 Pro) by <a href="https://fxhome.com/">FXhome</a></li> <li>Mistika (from version 6.5.35) and <a href="http://www.sgo.es/mamba-fx/">Mamba FX</a> by <a href="http://www.sgo.es/">SGO</a></li> <li><a href="https://idtvision.com/products/software/motion-studio/">Motion Studio</a> by IDT Vision</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140108190553/http://www.digitalvision.tv/products/nucoda_color_grading/">Nucoda Film Master</a> (from version 2011.2.058) by <a href="http://www.digitalvision.tv/">Digital Vision</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Nuke_(software)/60htq9oq">Nuke</a> (from version 4.5), by <a href="/facts/The_Foundry_Visionmongers/cfnnoWxg">Foundry</a></li> <li>Piranha by Interactivefx</li> <li>Quantel Rio by <a href="/facts/Snell_Limited/PgssvhkV">SAM</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.assimilateinc.com/products/scratch">SCRATCH</a> (from version 6.1), by <a href="http://www.assimilateinc.com/">Assimilate</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.newbluefx.com/titling">Titler Pro 4</a> by NewBlueFX</li> <li><a href="/facts/Toon_Boom_Animation/6hD2b4IY">Toon Boom Harmony</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vegas_Pro/Y6vcD4H6">Vegas Pro</a> (from version 10), by <a href="/facts/Magix_Software_GmbH/zxIJL5pm">Magix Software GmbH</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Vegas_Movie_Studio/NCsvpsk8">Vegas Movie Studio</a> (Platinum edition and above), by <a href="/facts/Magix_Software_GmbH/zxIJL5pm">Magix Software GmbH</a></li></ul> <p>Discontinued: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Autodesk_Toxik/Evc2WcES">Autodesk Toxik</a> (from version 2009) (included with <a href="/facts/Autodesk_Maya/0WC3BKPd">Maya</a>)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Avid_DS/7EcKpCso">Avid DS</a> (from version 10.3)</li> <li>Bones by Thomson/<a href="/facts/Technicolor_SA/gw0LfI7V">Technicolor</a></li> <li>MATRIX Compositing by Chrome Imaging</li> <li><a href="/facts/Shake_(software)/F1mRBheu">Shake</a> by Apple</li></ul> <h2 id="openfx-plug-ins">OpenFX plug-ins</h2> <h3>Free and open source plugins</h3> <ul><li>The official <a href="https://github.com/ofxa/openfx">OpenFX SDK</a> (BSD license) contain sample plugins, programmed using the standard C API, or a C++ wrapper.</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/NatronGitHub/openfx-arena">openfx-arena</a> is a set of visual effects plugins, mainly based on <a href="/facts/ImageMagick/sIC3ycHo">ImageMagick</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/MrKepzie/openfx-io">openfx-io</a> is a set of plugins for reading or writing image and video files (using <a href="/facts/OpenImageIO/g8730Q5j">OpenImageIO</a> and <a href="/facts/FFmpeg/85yf3kHI">FFmpeg</a>), and for color management (using OpenColorIO).</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/devernay/openfx-misc">openfx-misc</a> is a collection of essential plugins, which provide many basic compositing tools, such as filters, geometric transforms, and color transforms. Commercial OpenFX hosts usually provide their own versions of these plugins.</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/tuttleofx/TuttleOFX">TuttleOFX</a> provides many plug-ins, especially for <a href="/facts/Color_grading/ehfY30XI">color grading</a>, usable in most OpenFX hosts.</li> <li>INK green/blue screen keyer and ChannelMath by <a href="http://casanico.com">casanico.com</a></li> <li>TalentTracker by <a href="https://www.mut1ny.com/tt">Mut1ny.com</a></li></ul> <h3>Commercial plug-ins</h3> <ul><li>Beauty Box Video by digital anarchy</li> <li><a href="http://www.colorsymmetry.com">Color Symmetry</a></li> <li>Composite Suite Pro, Film Stocks, Rays, reFine, zMatte, Tiffen DFX by <a href="http://www.digitalfilmtools.com/">Digital Film Tools</a></li> <li>DE:Flicker, DE:Noise, RE:Match, Twixtor and ReelSmart Motion Blur by RE:Vision Effects</li> <li><a href="https://www.dehancer.com/shop/video/davinci_resolve">Dehancer OFX plugin for DaVinci Resolve</a> by Dehancer</li> <li>Film Convert for OFX<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> by Rubber Monkey Software</li> <li><a href="https://www.dualheights.se/genifect">Genifect</a> by <a href="https://www.dualheights.se">Dual Heights Software</a></li> <li><a href="https://hitfilm.com/ignite">HitFilm Ignite</a> by <a href="https://fxhome.com/">FXhome</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.alphaplugins.com/products/products.php?menu=get_prod_id&p_menustate=&prod_id=32">HDR Enhanced</a> by <a href="https://www.alphaplugins.com">AlphaPlugins</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.frischluft.com/lenscare">Lenscare and Flair</a> by <a href="http://www.frischluft.com">frischluft</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.motivacg.com/realperception-ofx/">RealPerception</a> by <a href="https://www.motivacg.com">Motiva</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.neatvideo.com/">Neat Video</a> by ABSoft</li> <li>NewBlueFX plugins (including Titler Pro 3)</li> <li><a href="/facts/Primatte_chromakey_technology/0BcfFEYc">Primatte</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> by <a href="/facts/Photron/xzfht1u2">Photron</a>/<a href="/facts/Imagica/5Xm6BJkE">Imagica</a></li> <li>Red Giant Universe and Magic Bullet (in version 12.1, Looks, Film, Cosmo and Mojo are OpenFX plugins) by Red Giant Software</li> <li>Sapphire Visual Effects OFX and Monsters GT VFX Plugins OFX by <a href="/facts/GenArts%2c_Inc./tduuv6DF">GenArts</a></li> <li>White balance, exposure and color matching by <a href="http://www.fbmn-software.com/">FBmn Software</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.invizipro.com/invizigrain">InviziGrain</a> by InviziPro</li></ul> <h2 id="extensions">Extensions</h2> <p>OpenFX' <i>suite</i>-based design enables one to easily introduce new sets of entry points, in order to cover other applications while still relying on the same core dynamic plug-in mechanism. A notable example is OpenMfx, an API based on OpenFX but meant to define procedural effects on <a href="/facts/Polygon_mesh/6WLD80ER">3D meshes</a> rather than 2D images.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> A host that supports the Image Effects API does not necessarily support the Mesh Effect API, and vice versa, but both support the same core plug-in mechanism and basic suites like the <i>Property Suite</i> or the <i>Parameter Suite</i>. OpenMfx is an initiative independent from The Open Effects Association, led by Élie Michel since 2019.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="documentation">Documentation</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/">The OFX Image Effects API</a> is the official reference.</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/ofxa/openfx/blob/master/Documentation/old_doc/Guide/ofxProgrammingGuide.adoc">The OFX Programming Guide for Image Effects</a> by Bruno Nicoletti.</li> <li><a href="https://github.com/MrKepzie/Natron/wiki/OpenFX-plugin-programming-guide-%28Basic-introduction%29">OpenFX plugin programming guide</a>, based on the <a href="https://github.com/ofxa/openfx">C++ Support library</a>.</li> <li><a href="https://openmesheffect.org/">OpenMfx documentation</a>, an OFX Mesh Effects API, including the API reference as well as a C++ Support library and some tutorials.</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://openeffects.org/">The Open Effects Association</a></li> <li><a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/">Home page of the project</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"OpenFX Visual Effects Plug-in Support Grows". Digital Video Editing. Retrieved 31 August 2016. <a href="http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2004/02_feb/news/foundry0210.htm" target="_blank">http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/2004/02_feb/news/foundry0210.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"The OFX Image Effect Plug-in API, 1.0, Programming Reference". OpenFX. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.0/ofxProgrammingReference.html" target="_blank">http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.0/ofxProgrammingReference.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"The OFX Image Effect Plug-in API, 1.1, Programming Reference". OpenFX. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.1/ofxProgrammingReference.html" target="_blank">http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.1/ofxProgrammingReference.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"The OFX Image Effect Plug-in API, 1.2, Programming Reference". OpenFX. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.2/ofxProgrammingReference.html" target="_blank">http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.2/ofxProgrammingReference.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"The OFX Image Effect Plug-in API, 1.3, Programming Reference". OpenFX. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.3/ofxProgrammingReference.html" target="_blank">http://openfx.sourceforge.net/Documentation/1.3/ofxProgrammingReference.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"The Open Effects Association Releases Version 1.4". OpenFX. Retrieved 28 October 2015. <a href="http://openeffects.org/news_items/the-open-effects-association-releases-version-1-4" target="_blank">http://openeffects.org/news_items/the-open-effects-association-releases-version-1-4</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"New OpenFX 1.5 Release Streamlines Workflows and Creative Applications". OpenFX. Retrieved 2 December 2024. <a href="https://openeffects.org/new-openfx-1-5-release-streamlines-workflows-and-creative-applications/" target="_blank">https://openeffects.org/new-openfx-1-5-release-streamlines-workflows-and-creative-applications/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Original RamenHDR sourcecode". GitHub. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="https://github.com/nacht/Ramen" target="_blank">https://github.com/nacht/Ramen</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Film Convert home page". Film Convert. Retrieved 13 August 2015. <a href="http://www.filmconvert.com" target="_blank">http://www.filmconvert.com</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Primatte for OFX". Primatte. Retrieved 10 June 2015. <a href="http://www.primatte.com/content.cfm?n=product-film-ofx" target="_blank">http://www.primatte.com/content.cfm?n=product-film-ofx</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Michel, Élie. "OpenMfx documentation". openmesheffect.org. Retrieved 2021-08-25. <a href="https://openmesheffect.org/" target="_blank">https://openmesheffect.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Initial commit · eliemichel/OpenMfx@ab2eef6". GitHub. Retrieved 2021-08-25. <a href="https://github.com/eliemichel/OpenMfx/commit/ab2eef6d43688214f0367cd14a6c8214ca7fa86c" target="_blank">https://github.com/eliemichel/OpenMfx/commit/ab2eef6d43688214f0367cd14a6c8214ca7fa86c</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>