RE:Vision Effects has released SmoothKit, a set of plugins for compositing programs dedicated to smoothing imagery that combines user-directed controls and feature-sensitive methods. SmoothKit's emphasis is precise control of the filtering process. It has the ability, for example, to smooth out the skin in someone's face without eliminating the details of the hair that hangs in front of the face. In addition to "effects", the SmoothKit toolset can be used to reduce image defects (such as jagged edges, image noise or DV-compression artifacts) in a much more intelligent manner.
The set of plugins is being offered at an introductory price of $134.95 until April 5. Check out SmoothKit's gallery to see some impressive examples.

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Features of SmoothKit:

* Selectively filter the luminance, or the chrominance, or each of the RGB channels independently
* Limit how much each pixel is allowed to change via a "Maximum Deviation" control
* Scale filters on a pixel-by-pixel basis by specifying optional greyscale images
* Reduce or eliminate staircasing by using the jaggie-reducing filter (especially useful in frames that have been reconstructed from fields)
* Intelligently reduce block artifacts (for example, DV or MPEG compressed footage)
* Clean up noisy images without blurring over edges, which can be very useful for keying and tracking tasks
* Soften areas without blurring important features
* Directionally filter images with per-pixel direction and strength controls
* Time blend sequences using the multi-frame (temporal) filter with several processing modes

SmoothKit is a plug-in set of After Effects compatible plugins for use in Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere 6.0, Apple Final Cut Pro, Discreet combustion and Pinnacle Commotion. SmoothKit supports 8 and 16 bits per channel.

SmoothKit is available immediately and through April 5, 2002 SmoothKit will be offered at an introductory price of $134.95. After April 5, SmoothKit will be priced at $169.95.

Visit RE:Vision Effects for more.