Instructions

 

1. Preparing a project and applying an effect

Before using the plugins you have to start After Effects or Premiere, add your images, animations and videos to your project, create a new composition and drag at least one image or video object to the timeline/composition window. In After Effects activate the appropriate object on the time line and select an item from the Plugin Galaxy sub menu of the Effect menu. In Adobe Premiere drag an item from the Video Effects/Plugin Galaxy folder of the Effects panel and drop it on a clip in the Timeline window.

 

2. Adjusting the effect settings

 

The controls and parameters of each plugin are displayed in the Effect Controls window. There are different control types:

Here are detailed explanations of the different controls:

Options at the top

The left arrow at the top panel lets you hide or display the controls of this plugin. If you click on the plugin name and press the Del key, you can remove the plugin again. Clicking the Reset label resets all control values to their initial state. The About button will display information about the plugin.

Effect drop down menu

If a drop down menu is present, you can use it for selecting different effects that each plugin contains.

Center Coordinate

Some plugins will allow you to set a coordinate for influencing the effect. Please notice that sometimes you have to activate one or two check boxes to take for control of the way the coordinate controls the effect. These check boxes can be named "Circular", "Angulate" or "Radiate".

Clicking the cross button will let you place a coordinate on the preview window. Clicking the right of the button will let you manually enter coordinates. In After Effects you can also change the coordinate by dragging the symbol in the preview window to your preferred position.

Sliders

There are be up to eight sliders for adjusting the filter effect. You can move the slider knob with the mouse, or you can enter numerical values by clicking on the value displayed in the middle above the slider.

Check boxes

Some plugins have up to three check boxes to activate alternative effect variations or a preview coordinate effect or apply a color effect.

Color Control

Clicking on the colored box will display a color dialog for selecting a color. Clicking on the eye dropper button lets you pick a color from the preview window.

 

3.1. Animating an effect in After Effects

Setting key frames with different effect values lets you create animations. Plugin Galaxy interpolates the value between the key frames to create smooth animated effects.

Click on the stop watch icon left of the control name that you want to key frame (In older versions of After Effects it is necessary to hold down the Alt key and click on the control name). You can do that either in the In the Effect Controls panel or the composition window.

In the composition window move the current-time marker in the time line to a point in time where you want to add a key frame. Then change the control value in the Effect Controls panel (or the composition window itself) to set a key frame.

You can do the same at other positions in the time line or with other effect controls. Please consult the After Effects manual for learning more about key framing.

 

3.2. Animating an effect in Premiere Pro

Setting key frames for different effect controls lets you create animations. Plugin Galaxy interpolates the value between the key frames to create smooth animated effects.

First of all click on the stop watch icon left of a control name in the Effect Controls panel. Then click on the time ruler at the top of the Effect Control window to to set the position of the edit line. Adjust the control value to set the key frame.

Do the same again for creating more key frames. Please consult the Premiere manual for learning more about key framing.