FAST AND EASY TO USE 3D PARTICLES

Particle Illusion is a powerful particle generator that gives users instant access to 3D particles. Available as a free standalone application.

Quickly create photorealistic particle effects to use for motion graphics, visual effects, titles, and lower thirds. View gallery

 

Particle Illusion is a powerful particle generator that gives users instant access to 3D particles. Available as a free standalone application.

Quickly create photorealistic particle effects to use for motion graphics, visual effects, titles, and lower thirds. View gallery

 

Advanced Features

  • New! Particle Trails and Particle Lines Enhancements
  • New! Updated Gradient Editor and Gradient Presets
  • Node workflow improvements: solo, notes, context menus
  • 3D Models as emitters, plus 3D Widgets
  • Fluid Dynamics, Forces and 3D Deflectors
  • Lines and Turbulence, including new Force Turbulence
  • Extensive preset library, including multi-object “Scenes”
  • Motion blur, depth of field
  • ProRes & H.264 output, Native Apple ARM support and more!

Advanced Features

  • New! Particle Trails and Particle Lines Enhancements
  • New! Updated Gradient Editor and Gradient Presets
  • Node workflow improvements: solo, notes, context menus
  • 3D Models as emitters, plus 3D Widgets
  • Fluid Dynamics, Forces and 3D Deflectors
  • Lines and Turbulence, including new Force Turbulence
  • Extensive preset library, including multi-object “Scenes”
  • Motion blur, depth of field
  • ProRes & H.264 output, Native Apple ARM support and more!

New! Boris FX Hub

Meet the Boris FX Hub. It's your home for downloading, installing, and licensing Boris FX tools. Get ready for a seamless, user-friendly experience.

  • Dive into free trials for any of our products
  • Easily install and license the Boris FX Suite or select software
  • Activate or deactivate licenses without the fuss
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest versions of our products
  • Direct connections to dedicated training and support

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WHAT'S NEW

WHAT'S NEW

Particle Trails and Lines Enhancements

Draw particle trails as a new “lines” option, adding new life to almost any particle simulation! Other new line features allow you to fade the ends, vary thickness with particle size, and more.

 

Particle Trails and Lines Enhancements

Draw particle trails as a new “lines” option, adding new life to almost any particle simulation! Other new line features allow you to fade the ends, vary thickness with particle size, and more.

 

Updated Gradient Editor and Presets

The gradient editor has been greatly improved, with new “flip” and “space” actions, full undo/redo, even a random gradient generator! Add to that new color and alpha gradient presets, and your particle color workflow just got a whole lot more fun!

 

Updated Gradient Editor and Presets

The gradient editor has been greatly improved, with new “flip” and “space” actions, full undo/redo, even a random gradient generator! Add to that new color and alpha gradient presets, and your particle color workflow just got a whole lot more fun!

 

Deflector and Force Improvements

Deflectors and Forces are important particle “influencers”, and they’ve both gotten updates in 2023.5:

  • Deflectors are now 3D – rotate them, set their depth, and animate in 3D space!
  • Improved reliability of Deflectors: no more “leaking” at the corners, or unexpectedly wild bounces!
  • Forces now include “Direction Turbulence”, which allows you to add organic motion to your particles even without fluid dynamics!

 

Deflector and Force Improvements

Deflectors and Forces are important particle “influencers”, and they’ve both gotten updates in 2023.5:

  • Deflectors are now 3D – rotate them, set their depth, and animate in 3D space!
  • Improved reliability of Deflectors: no more “leaking” at the corners, or unexpectedly wild bounces!
  • Forces now include “Direction Turbulence”, which allows you to add organic motion to your particles even without fluid dynamics!

 

Easier to Use

The Controls View (parameter list) has been redesigned, with related parameters grouped together in labeled sections. Plus version 2023 introduces parameter “de-emphasis”, which causes parameters that have no effect on the output to dim, helping you to focus on what’s important!

 

Easier to Use

The Controls View (parameter list) has been redesigned, with related parameters grouped together in labeled sections. Plus version 2023 introduces parameter “de-emphasis”, which causes parameters that have no effect on the output to dim, helping you to focus on what’s important!

 

3D Models as Emitters

Working with emitters and other objects in 3D has just become easier with 3D widgets.

 

3D Models as Emitters

Working with emitters and other objects in 3D has just become easier with 3D widgets.

 

3D Widgets

Use either C4D or OBJ files as particle emitters with various emission options, including the ability to draw the model wireframe for fresh new looks. Several immediately useful models are included, along with exciting presets that utilize them.

 

Position, rotate, and scale objects directly in the stage in a more intuitive process, resulting in a more streamlined workflow.

3D Widgets

Use either C4D or OBJ files as particle emitters with various emission options, including the ability to draw the model wireframe for fresh new looks. Several immediately useful models are included, along with exciting presets that utilize them.

 

Position, rotate, and scale objects directly in the stage in a more intuitive process, resulting in a more streamlined workflow.

FEATURES

FEATURES

Fluid Dynamics

Fluid Dynamics allows you to transform any existing emitter into a complex animation that flows and swirls just like in the real world — or create your own custom animation. Includes 20+ new presets designed by the pros

Work in 3D

Work with emitters, forces, and deflectors in 3D using the integrated camera to navigate through generated particle fields using position, pan, and orbit camera modes. Includes depth of field and motion blur.

Fluid Dynamics

Fluid Dynamics allows you to transform any existing emitter into a complex animation that flows and swirls just like in the real world — or create your own custom animation. Includes 20+ new presets designed by the pros

Work in 3D

Work with emitters, forces, and deflectors in 3D using the integrated camera to navigate through generated particle fields using position, pan, and orbit camera modes. Includes depth of field and motion blur.

Forces and Deflectors

Force objects make it easy to add force fields that create complex movement or can attract or repel particles. The result? Even more interesting, realistic particles — from swirling chaos to controlled flows. Force objects also provide Fluid Dynamics.

 

Need particles to bounce off a logo? Simulate interaction with your footage or graphics using easy-to-use Deflector objects.

Lines and Turbulence

Connect your particles together with lines! Join particles to parent emitters, birth position, or even to other particles to create fresh new geometric mograph looks.

 

Turbulence varies the position and size of particles through auto-evolving, organic noise fields. Think subtle wave-like motion, wild particle scatters, or anything in between.

Forces and Deflectors

Force objects make it easy to add force fields that create complex movement or can attract or repel particles. The result? Even more interesting, realistic particles — from swirling chaos to controlled flows. Force objects also provide Fluid Dynamics.

 

Need particles to bounce off a logo? Simulate interaction with your footage or graphics using easy-to-use Deflector objects.

Lines and Turbulence

Connect your particles together with lines! Join particles to parent emitters, birth position, or even to other particles to create fresh new geometric mograph looks.

 

Turbulence varies the position and size of particles through auto-evolving, organic noise fields. Think subtle wave-like motion, wild particle scatters, or anything in between.

Easy Preset-Driven Workflow

Particle Illusion comes with thousands of preset emitters (via a separate free installer). An integrated search makes it easy to zero in on the effect you’re looking for, and the live preview lets you click and drag to see how it will move.

Use as-is or adjust the position, shape, life, number size, etc. by scrubbing values in the control panel. Create new presets too by saving any adjusted emitter back into your custom emitter library.

Easy Preset-Driven Workflow

Particle Illusion comes with thousands of preset emitters (via a separate free installer). An integrated search makes it easy to zero in on the effect you’re looking for, and the live preview lets you click and drag to see how it will move.

Use as-is or adjust the position, shape, life, number size, etc. by scrubbing values in the control panel. Create new presets too by saving any adjusted emitter back into your custom emitter library.

Node-based Navigation

Particle Illusion lets you create extremely complex effects, but the Node View makes it easier than ever to work with and customize them. Simply select an emitter or particle node and see the corresponding parameters display in the Controls View.

Node-based Navigation

Particle Illusion lets you create extremely complex effects, but the Node View makes it easier than ever to work with and customize them. Simply select an emitter or particle node and see the corresponding parameters display in the Controls View.

Direct Rendering

Render quickly and easily to ProRes or H.264. Include alpha channel, resize the output, force motion blur, and more.

Direct Rendering

Render quickly and easily to ProRes or H.264. Include alpha channel, resize the output, force motion blur, and more.

FREE

Particle Illusion is a completely free standalone application that receives regular updates- and always will be.

FREE

Particle Illusion is a completely free standalone application that receives regular updates- and always will be.

FREE TRAINING

FREE TRAINING

Mograph experts John Dickinson and Ben Brownlee team up to deliver a comprehensive training series.
Go from beginner to pro in no time with 25 bite-sized tutorials. 

Mograph experts John Dickinson and Ben Brownlee team up to deliver a comprehensive training series. Go from beginner to pro in no time with 25 bite-sized tutorials. 

Getting Started with Particle Illusion - Training series

What You'll Learn

What You'll Learn

  • How to install the product & get started quickly
  • Get to know the interface and parameter controls
  • How to use presets and emitters
  • Intro to 3D particle features
  • Intro to Turbulence and Lines options
  • Intro to Fluid Dynamics
  • And tons more!
  • How to install the product & get started quickly
  • Get to know the interface and parameter controls
  • How to use presets and emitters
  • Intro to 3D particle features
  • Intro to Turbulence and Lines options
  • Intro to Fluid Dynamics
  • And tons more!

UPGRADE TO THE PLUGIN

UPGRADE TO THE PLUGIN

Want to do even more with Particle Illusion? Purchasing the paid plugin gives you powerful additional features.

Want to do even more with Particle Illusion? Purchasing the paid plugin gives you powerful additional features.

Mocha Motion Tracking

The integration of Mocha’s Academy Award-winning planar tracking and masking tools inside the Particle Illusion plugin means no keyframing! Both the particle emitter position and the position of the world (camera) can be driven independently or together using Mocha’s tracking data. Let Mocha do the work to lock your particle effects into your shot.

 

Also, use Mocha or the integrated PixelChooser to mask where the particles appear.

Mocha Motion Tracking

The integration of Mocha’s Academy Award-winning planar tracking and masking tools inside the Particle Illusion plugin means no keyframing! Both the particle emitter position and the position of the world (camera) can be driven independently or together using Mocha’s tracking data. Let Mocha do the work to lock your particle effects into your shot.

 

Also, use Mocha or the integrated PixelChooser to mask where the particles appear.

Compositing Options

Besides being able to view your source footage inside Particle Illusion, back in the host you’ll have a variety of compositing options including blending modes and basic color correction — the tools you need to better integrate your particles into your shot or motion graphics project.

Compositing Options

Besides being able to view your source footage inside Particle Illusion, back in the host you’ll have a variety of compositing options including blending modes and basic color correction — the tools you need to better integrate your particles into your shot or motion graphics project.

Particle Parameters

Although jumping into Particle Illusion lets you modify any aspect of your particle effects, sometimes you just need to tweak the number of particles, their size, or other basic properties. The host-level particle parameters allow you to do this at the host level. Plus your host’s own parameter tools are available: keyframing, expressions, etc., whatever your host supports.

 

There’s also a built-in Glow because particles with glow are almost always better!

Particle Parameters

Although jumping into Particle Illusion lets you modify any aspect of your particle effects, sometimes you just need to tweak the number of particles, their size, or other basic properties. The host-level particle parameters allow you to do this at the host level. Plus your host’s own parameter tools are available: keyframing, expressions, etc., whatever your host supports.

 

There’s also a built-in Glow because particles with glow are almost always better!

After Effects Integration


Use After Effects paths and text as animation paths for emitters or emission sources, link emitters to 3D layers and lights, or use the AE camera inside Particle Illusion.

After Effects Integration


Use After Effects paths and text as animation paths for emitters or emission sources, link emitters to 3D layers and lights, or use the AE camera inside Particle Illusion.

Beat Reactor

Drive particle properties from audio using the integrated Beat Reactor. Set up frequency ranges and configure them to modify any of the host-level particle parameters: velocity, number of particles, size, etc., resulting in particle effects perfectly in-sync with the music!

Beat Reactor

Drive particle properties from audio using the integrated Beat Reactor. Set up frequency ranges and configure them to modify any of the host-level particle parameters: velocity, number of particles, size, etc., resulting in particle effects perfectly in-sync with the music!

FLEXIBLE PRICING

GALLERY

GALLERY

TECH SPECS

TECH SPECS

Product:    

Requirements:

Particle Illusion 2024

macOS:  10.14 or higher

Windows: Windows 8 & 10 & 11

Product:    

Particle Illusion 2024

Requirements:   

macOS:  10.14 or higher

Windows: Windows 8 & 10 & 11

Recommended Hardware:   

Processor: 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU with four or more cores

Memory: 8 GB or more

Disk: High-speed disk array or SSD storage

Graphics Card: Most modern graphics cards from ATI, Nvidia, and Intel are supported. View the full list

Recommended Hardware:   

Processor: 64-bit Intel or AMD CPU with four or more cores

Memory: 8 GB or more

Disk: High-speed disk array or SSD storage

Graphics Card: Most modern graphics cards from ATI, Nvidia, and Intel are supported. View the full list

SUPPORT

Please refer to the Particle Illusion Forum and Particle Illusion FAQ to ask questions and find answers to any technical challenges. There is also a large online training library that covers the most common questions and issues.

 

If you have purchased the full Continuum suite (which includes Particle Illusion as a plugin) and have a valid Boris FX Upgrade and Support contract, you are entitled to email support. All questions, concerns, and issues can be resolved by filling out a support request.

 

Any customer who has purchased Particle Illusion as a Premium Filter or as part of the Continuum Particles Unit is entitled to email support only. All questions, concerns, and issues can be resolved by filling out a support request.

 

The Particle Illusion Standalone application is not eligible for email or phone support.

SUPPORT

Please refer to the Particle Illusion Forum and Particle Illusion FAQ to ask questions and find answers to any technical challenges. There is also a large online training library that covers the most common questions and issues.

 

If you have purchased the full Continuum suite (which includes Particle Illusion as a plugin) and have a valid Boris FX Upgrade and Support contract, you are entitled to email support. All questions, concerns, and issues can be resolved by filling out a support request.

 

Any customer who has purchased Particle Illusion as a Premium Filter or as part of the Continuum Particles Unit is entitled to email support only. All questions, concerns, and issues can be resolved by filling out a support request.

The Particle Illusion Standalone application is not eligible for email or phone support.