Working with the BCC Film Damage Filter
Film Damage simulates the appearance of old Þlm stock. You can add scratches, grain
particles, hair or Þbers, and dirt, dust, or water spots. Film Damage also allows you to
simulate camera shake and a ßickering image.
Hair
Scratch
Dirt
The BCC Film Damage Þlter includes
extensive parameters for you to
customize. You may need to scroll down
to see them all. The illustration at right
does not show all the parameters.
General Controls Parameter Group
At times, you may want to view your clip without
the effect that you’ve applied. The Bypass Effect
checkbox lets you view the source footage without
the effect. When the Bypass Effect checkbox is
selected, it turns pink. When you applied a BCC
effect to an Avid title or matte, enabling the Bypass
Effect checkbox does not display the original title
unÞltered, but rather displays the nested Graphic
Fill of the matte key.
Bypass Effect is a parameter change;
selecting the Bypass Effect checkbox will
unrender a rendered effect. To bypass a
rendered effect without unrendering, step
into the effect in the Avid timeline to see
the unaffected video.
Selecting the Safe Colors checkbox enables an NTSC/PAL color-safe Þlter that allows only
colors that are safe for broadcast. BCC allows RGB values across the full 0-255 range. When
this checkbox is selected, the RGB values are limited to the NTSC/PAL safe range of 16-235.
The Draft Mode checkbox allows you to preview your effect in a Draft Mode to speed
previews. This is especially useful for effects with multiple track inputs. Deselect this option
before rendering your effect.
The Apply to Title-Matte checkbox allows you to apply BCC Þlters to titles created in Avid’s
Title tool. To apply an effect to a title, drag the effect onto the title (you do not have to
Option-drag) and select the Apply to Title-Matte checkbox.
The Invert Matte checkbox allows you to invert any matte created by your effect. This is
useful when you work with imported images.
The Layer Opacity slider sets the opacity of the Þlter layer, which allows you to fade effects.
When Apply to Title-Matte checkbox is selected, Layer Opacity affects the graphic Þll layer,
which allows you to fade titles.
The Field Render menu sets the rendering optimization for BCC. For most Þlters, you can
use the default of Speed Optimized. For effects that include edging or DVE moves, you may
want to use Quality Optimized. Quality Optimized takes more time to render, but will
generally correct any problems with jitter or rough edges on effects.
Geometrics Parameter Group
The controls in the Geometrics parameter group allow you to add basic DVE moves to any
Þlter.
The Geometrics parameter group includes the following controls.
Selecting the Enable Geometrics checkbox allows you to use the parameters to reposition a
track. When this checkbox is deselected, the other parameters have no affect.
Position X and Position Y adjust the horizontal and vertical location of the track.
Scale X and Scale Y change the size of the image along the X and Y axis, respectively. These
parameters scale as percentages of the image’s original width and height. Thus, a Scale X
value of 200 produces an image twice as wide as the original. Select the Lock Scale checkbox
to keep the Scale X and Y values in proportion.
Tumble, Spin, and Rotate change the image’s perspective along the X, Y, and Z axes
respectively. Tumble, Spin, and Rotate can animate over values greater than 360° in order to
make the shape complete more than one full revolution.
Tumble
Spin
Rotate
The Crop controls crop the edges of the image. Left Crop, Top Crop, Right Crop, and Bottom
Crop determine the width, in pixels, of the cropped area on each edge of the image.
For the Crop controls refer to the sides of the original image before it is
transformed in 3D space. For example, if you tumble an image 180° so that it
appears upside-down, cropping the Top affects the top of the original image,
which is actually the bottom of the tumbled image.
The Blend control soften the edges of the image by reducing their opacity. The Blend
parameter determines the width, in pixels, of the transparent band on each edge of the
image. These values are unaffected by the Crop values, allowing you to soften the edges of
an uncropped image.
Drop Shadow Parameter Group
The controls in the Drop Shadow parameter group allow you to add an animatable drop
shadow to an effect.
The Drop Shadow parameter group includes the following controls.
The Enable Drop Shadow checkbox turns the shadow on and off. If this checkbox is not
selected, the other parameters have no affect.
Source Opacity sets the opacity of the source. You can use this parameter to fade in a title or
other source, without fading in the shadow.
Distance sets the distance (in pixels) between the shadow and the image.
Intensity sets the opacity of the drop shadow, and is scaled as a percentage. At a value of
100, the shadow is completely opaque. Lower Intensity values allow the background image
to be seen through the shadow. At a value of 0, the shadow is completely invisible.
Softness controls the softness of the edges of the shadows. A setting of 0 produces a sharply
deÞned shadow with hard edges. Increasing Softness produces shadows with softer edges.
Angle sets the direction of the drop shadow. A setting of 0° places the shadow to the right
of the image; a setting of 90° places it directly below the image.
Shadow Color sets the color of the shadow.
If the source image is opaque, selecting the Opaque Source checkbox can speed rendering
and previews. If your source is partially transparent, deselect this option for best
results.Color Parameter Group
These controls tint the image and allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, and
saturation.
Tint Color sets the color that tints the image.
Tint Amount adjusts the amount of the Tint Color that is applied to the image. At a value of
0, the Tint Color has no affect. At a Tint Amount value of 100, the image is fully tinted with
the selected color. Intermediate values produce a partially tinted image.
Tint Amount=0
Tint Amount=50
Tint Amount=100
Brightness adjusts the brightness of the image. Increasing the Brightness setting pushes
colors toward white, and decreasing the setting pushes colors toward black.
Contrast adjusts the contrast of the image. Increasing the Contrast setting pushes colors
toward pure colors, and decreasing the setting pushes colors toward 50% gray.
Saturation adjusts the intensity of each color’s hue in the image. Negative values remove
color from the image, and positive values add color to the image.
Flicker Parameter Group
These controls allow you add a ßicker to the effect, so the brightness of the image varies
constantly from frame to frame.
Select the Flicker On checkbox to add ßicker to the effect. Leave this option deselected to
maintain the brightness of the image. If this option is deselected, the other parameters in this
section have no affect.
Flicker Amount adjusts the amount of ßicker applied to the effect. Higher values produce
more pronounced variations in the brightness of the image.
Flicker Speed determines how quickly the brightness of the image changes. Higher values
cause the brightness to change more quickly, producing rapid ßickering.
The Brightness Clamp checkbox limits the amount of variation in brightness. When this
option is selected, extreme variations in brightness are excluded, so the image is never solid
black or solid white.
Shake Parameter Group
The Shake parameters move the image slightly from side to side and up and down,
simulating a shaking camera.
Select the Shake On checkbox to add Shake to the effect. If this option is deselected, the other
parameters in this section have no affect.
Shake X and Shake Y control the amount that the image displaces along the X and Y axis as
it shakes. Higher values move the image more.
Shake Speed determines how quickly the image moves as the shake is applied. Higher
values produce faster movement.
The Edge Type menu determines how the Þlter produces new edges on the image as it
shakes. For example, suppose the image is shaking vertically. As the image moves toward
the top of the frame, the bottom edge of the image is raised above the bottom edge of the
frame. The Edge Type setting determines how the Þlter creates pixels to Þll the space
between the bottom of the image and the bottom of the frame.
•
•
•
Mirror produces a mirror image copy of the pixels adjacent to the edge.
Black produces a solid black bar on the edge of the image.
Transparent leaves the space transparent, revealing the layers below.
•
Smear repeats the pixels on the edge of the image, producing a smeared effect.
Edge Type=Mirror
Edge Type=Black
Edge Type=Smear
The Position Clamp checkbox limits the position variation so the image never moves fully
offscreen.
Grain Parameter Group
The grain parameters create noise which simulates the appearance of grain particles in the
emulsion of movie Þlm.
Select the Grain On checkbox to add grain to the effect. If this option is deselected, the other
parameters in this section have no affect.
When the Monochromatic checkbox is selected, the Red Amount, Green Amount, and Blue
Amount settings add luma noise to each color channel, creating a grayscale grain effect.
When this checkbox is deselected, the Amount settings add colored noise to each color
channel.
Red Amount, Green Amount, and Blue Amount adjust the amount of grain added to each
respective color channel.
Red Grain Size, Green Grain Size, and Blue Grain Size set the size of the grains in each
respective color channel.
Dirt Parameter Group
The dirt parameters create spots which simulate dust, dirt, and water spots on Þlm.
Select the Dirt On checkbox to add dirt spots to the effect. If this option is deselected, the
other parameters in this section have no affect.
Dirt Density sets the number of dirt spots in the effect. Higher values add more spots.
Dirt Random Seed determines which value is input to the random number generator used
by the Þlter. Adjust this value when you like the overall effect but want to adjust the random
conÞguration of the dirt spots.
Min Dirt Radius and Max Dirt Radius adjust the size of the dirt spots by setting a range of
possible radius values for the spots. The spots created cannot have radii smaller than the
Min Dirt Radius or larger than the Max Dirt Radius value.
Dirt Complexity adjusts the complexity of the dirt spots in the image. Lower values produce
spots with smoother edges and simpler shapes. Higher values produce more complex
shapes with irregular edges.
Dirt Complexity=1
Dirt Complexity=10
Dirt Complexity=20
Dirt Gradient adjusts the opacities of the centers of the dirt spots in relation to the edges of
the spots. At a value of 0, the centers of the spots are fully transparent. Higher values
increase the opacity of the centers. When Dirt Gradient is 20, the centers use the same
opacity value as the edges.
The opacity of the edges of the spots is controlled by Min Dirt Opacity and Max Dirt Opacity.
These parameters set a range of opacities which are used to create the spots.
Dirt Black Point and the Dirt White Point set the two colors used for the dirt spots.
Hair Parameter Group
These controls create short lines which simulate hair or another Þbrous material on the Þlm.
Select the Hair On checkbox to add hair to the effect. If this option is deselected, the other
parameters in this section have no affect.
Hair Density determines the number of hairs in the effect. Higher values add more hairs.
Hair Random Seed determines which value is input to the random number generator used
by the Þlter. Adjust this value when you like the overall effect but want to adjust the random
conÞguration of the hairs.
Hair Thickness adjusts the thickness of the hair lines. Higher values produce thicker lines.
Hair Thickness=0.25
Hair Thickness=1.0
Hair Length adjusts the vertical length of the pieces of hair.
Hair Width adjusts the horizontal length of the pieces of hair. This value does not affect the
thickness of the hair lines themselves.
Hair Width=10
Hair Width=25
Hair Width=50
The opacity of the hair lines is controlled by Min Hair Opacity and Max Hair Opacity. These
parameters set a range of opacities which are used to create the hair lines.
Scratches Parameter Group
These parameters create vertical lines in the image which simulate scratches in the emulsion
of Þlm.
Select the Scratches On checkbox to add scratches to the effect. If this option is deselected,
the other parameters in this section have no affect.
Scratch Density sets the number of scratches in the effect. Higher values add more scratches.
Scratch Density=10
Scratch Density=25
Scratch Density=50
As the effect progresses, each scratch line moves around horizontally for a period of time,
the disappears. Min Lifetime sets the minimum amount of time a scratch can remain
onscreen, and Max Lifetime sets the maximum amount of time.
Scratch Random Seed determines which value is input to the random number generator
used by the Þlter. Adjust this value when you like the overall effect but want to adjust the
random conÞguration of the scratch lines.
Scratch Width adjusts the thickness of the scratch lines. Higher values produce thicker lines.
The opacity of the scratch lines is controlled by Min Scratch Opacity and Max Scratch
Opacity. These parameters set a range of opacities which are used to create the scratch lines.
Scratch Speed adjusts the rate at which scratches move horizontally. Increasing positive
values move the scratches faster. Decreasing negative values slow the scratches.
Scratch Black Point and the Scratch White Point set the two colors used for the scratch spots.
PixelChooser Intensity controls the intensity of the PixelChooser. At the default setting of
100, the control is ignored. Reducing PixelChooser Intensity increases the number of pixels
that are chosen. At 0, all pixels are chosen, which means the PixelChooser has no affect. At
negative values, pixels that were partially chosen move towards an unchosen state; a value
of –100 inverts the PixelChooser.
PixelChooser Parameter Group
The PixelChooser is included in many Boris Þlters and provides several methods to
selectively Þlter an image. You can use the PixelChooser to create a matte between Þltered
and unÞltered pixels, either by specifying a geometric region or by using the image’s luma
or color information.
See the individual PixelChooser Þlter for more detailed information on the
PixelChooser controls.