Modular Particle System

Stardust is a Modular 3D particle system for After Effects. It has an easy to use node based user interface and ships with a host of presets to create stunning effects.

Purchase

Stardust version 1.6.0 is available now for MacOs and Windows . it is another Free update to all current customers.

 

Introducing a new and exciting feature – Volume Rendering: Create beaוtiful and captivating smoke effects from any particle system setup. Import VDB files from other 3D packages for stunning simulations to control and render with AE’s camera inside your composition for easy and seamless integration with your compositing workflow.

 

Stardust is an innovative Adobe After Effects plug-in for the creation of stunning particle and object based motion graphics and effects. It’s groundbreaking interface allows for combining 3D models, particles, effects and more, all existing and interacting in one shared space, enabling unparalleled integration between powerful tools delivering creative expression never before possible in After Effects. Make your vision come to life using 3D physics, Replica animation engine, 3D Model Library and hundreds of other features. Easily create complex effects using any of the hundreds of shipped presets, or build setups ground up using the modular workflow.

 

  • Volume rendering: Load from VDB files or create from Particles.
  • Refreshed Panel UI: New Nodes design and colors.
  • Physics: Save and Load State – Save Physics initial state.
  • Model: Replicate using Null – Replicate a 3D model using AE Nulls.
  • Physics: Air density – Add animatable air density.
  • Material: Stencil – Added option to set a material as Stencil.
  • Physics: Properties Time sample – Sample physics properties at current time /  particle birth.
  • Models: UV repeat and offset.
  • Stardust Studio: Studio Lights – Add custom lights to Studio Camera.
  • Model: Export OBJ – Export current model as an OBJ file.
  • Particle: Limit rotations – Set particle random rotation to fixed values. e.g. 90 degrees.
  • Emitter: Light size.
  • Graph: Flip.
  • Physics: Turbulence Over life.
  • Aux: Fixed an issue with non visible particles.

 

 

 

 

If you run into any issues or have any questions please send us an email: support@superluminal.tv

Version History:

1.6.0 – Current version  Jul 10, 2020

  • Volume rendering: Load from VDB files or create from Particles.
  • Refreshed Panel UI: New Nodes design and colors.
  • Physics: Save and Load State – Save Physics initial state.
  • Model: Replicate using Null – Replicate a 3D model using AE Nulls.
  • Physics: Air density – Add animatable air density.
  • Material: Stencil – Added option to set a material as Stencil.
  • Physics: Properties Time sample – Sample physics properties at current time /  particle birth.
  • Models: UV repeat and offset.
  • Stardust Studio: Studio Lights – Add custom lights to Studio Camera.
  • Model: Export OBJ – Export current model as an OBJ file.
  • Particle: Limit rotations – Set particle random rotation to fixed values. e.g. 90 degrees.
  • Emitter: Light size.
  • Graph: Flip.
  • Physics: Turbulence Over life.
  • Aux: Fixed an issue with non visible particles.

1.5.0 – Aug 14, 2019

  • Volume workflow –  Create striking looks, meshing particles and 3d models into volumes using the renowned OpenVDB technology. Create complex intersections and manipulations of volumes using Stardust’s highly flexible modular design.
  • 3D Wireframes – New OBJ Emitter options to emit from model edges.
  • Extrude Edges – Extrude Masks and Text Edges to create fine hollow bodies.
  • Transparent material – Affect transparency by surface facing towards or away from the camera, to achieve an X-ray like effect.
  • Transparent material – New option allows to affect the DOF.
  • Normal Map from Bump – Convert bump map (any grayscale image) to a normal map, to easily create procedural materials inside AE.
  • Stardust panel additions 
    • Auto Connect Node – Connect a node between two linked nodes by dragging on top of the connection line until it turns green.
    • Detach – Alt + drag a middle node to disconnect it and have the two surrounding nodes link directly.
    • Multi-Connect – Shift click a connector, and use the green link line to connect to multiple nodes.
    • Right click to create nodes, or group selected nodes.
  • Preview – Fast preview of 3D setups as wireframe / flat / flat shaded.
  • Path Emitters – Emit range: Controls the emit range of the path.
  • Ambient Occlusion  – New option allowing to tint the AO color.
  • Specular – New option to adjust the specular amount.
  • Model Node – New option to normalize scale and align the model to its sides.
  • UV Map – New option to apply planar mapping to a 3D model.
  • Fix – SSAO – fixed an issue with objects near the image border.
  • Fix – Physics – fixed inherited null scale issue.
  • Fix – Physics – fixed an issue with Path manipulator and single models.

1.4.1 –  Apr 07, 2019

  • Fixed an issue of failed render of 32bpc textured particles in windows.
  • Fixed an issue of failed render on some Nvidia  GPUs in Windows.

1.4.0 – Apr 02, 2019

  • 3D Volumetric Lights – Add atmospheric effects to your scene, respecting scene shadows.
  • GPU Circles / Clouds – Vastly accelerated circle and cloud particles render using GPU.
  • Overall performance improvements and workflow streamlining.
  • Mesh smooth – Refine Model meshes.
  • Better DOF. Controlled by the render setting quality.
  • Shadow Catcher Material – Shadows get rendered on an otherwise transparent surface.
  • New Render Outputs – Shadow, Volumetric.
  • Fog – Add volumetric Fog effect to the scene.
  • Offset Emitter Time (Pre-Run) – Time-shift specific emitters to set initial state.
  • OBJ file import – Native OBJ File imported into project for complete project files collection.
  • Reflection – New: Affect distortion by surface normals.
  • Maps – Added: Density property.
  • Replica – Added: Orient to path.
  • Fix – Single model – studio cam.
  • Fix – Layer emitter – skip empty alpha.

1.3.1 – Nov 26, 2018

  • Fixes an issue of failed render when adding image based lighting on some GPUs
  • Misc bug fixes

1.3.0 – Nov 02, 2018

  • 3D Library – Nearly 200 textured 3D models loaded with a single click, parented to a controlling Null layer. The library is available for download from the Preset window.
  • Connect – connect physical particles to each other using various constraint types, for creating Springs and Chains.
  • Planar reflection – Have object reflect off of planes.
  • Model Path Deform – Deform models in 3D space using masks or paths defined with AE lights.
  • Groups – Transform model parts by OBJ groups.
  • Subsurface scattering – Create organic lighting look for surfaces.
  • New Material options  – Refraction , Emissive , Adjust Environment and Reflection .
  • Model node as emitter source – Create emitter source with model node and apply deformers.
  • Speed – Up to 15% faster render.
  • Gloss / Roughness – Inverted for easier import PBR materials.
  • Model node – Added segments to extruded path for better deformation.
  • Model node – Auto load 3D Model material textures on import.
  • Model node – Respect node active state when connected to particle nodes.
  • Particle node – Set ‘Use model’ to either ‘All’ or ‘Random’ for when multiple model nodes are connected.
  • Transform node – Use Null layer for easier transformation control.
  • Physics -Better interactive responsiveness while tweaking physical particles.
  • Physical forces – New spherical type: ‘Particle birth’. used to attract particles to their birth position.
  • Physics forces – New parameter for spherical forces: ‘To distance’. Factors the distance to the influence.
  • Main effect render options – Make environment layer visible in render.
  • Main effect render options -Select ‘Helpers’ render color.
  • Z buffer – 3D models will respect external Z-buffer and obstruction layer.
  • Fixed an issue where normal bump map would give incorrect results.
  • Fixed an issue that may slow render in machines with many cpu cores.

1.2.1 – Sep 03, 2018

  • Fixes a crash related to the Over Life Graphs.
  • Fixes a crash related to Applying Presets.
  • Fixes a crash related to Low Memory.

 

1.2.0 – Jul 11, 2018

  • Create Dynamic and Kinematic particles, to interart and collide with each other.
  • Apply physical forces, Directional, Spherical,Noise and Path.
  • Auto Cache – Automatically update the physical simulation cache on every change in the setup.
  • Flow noise – Create stunning graphics by applying Flow noise to physical particles.
  • Particles collisions – choose between dynamic to collide with all objects, or just with kinematic, such as walls and floors.
  • Physical Presets – complex and stunning animation setups, ready for use in a click.
  • Quality – Easily choose between faster to more precise  simulations.
View all versions history

1.1.4 – Apr 26, 2018

  • 3D Shadow to models
  • Additive transparent Materials
  • New Graph mode – Hold
  • Easily create video walls with Multiple source videos using the new ‘Layer set’ in the source node
  • Environment shadows  – lights affect the Image Based lighting environment
  • Presets can save and load render settings such as environment and motion blur.
  • Model workflow simplified, just add a model node to add a single instance.
  • Model animation simplified, create and parent a model to a 3D null in one click.
  • Motion node – added the option to Orient to path.
  • Presets – save tags and render settings.
  • Misc Bug fixes.

 

1.1.3.1 – Feb 15, 2018

  • Fixes an issue where on some situations the preset window will not open

 

1.1.3 – Feb 08, 2018

  • Deform Node – 3D models
    • Turbulence
    • Bend , Twist, Stretch
    • Sphere
    • Maps
  • Switches – Toggle the buttons on the effects, or from the new Contextual menu (right click) on the panel
    • Visibility – Enable or disable nodes
    • Solo – Enable only solo nodes
    • Shy – Hide Effects from the Effect Control Window, and automatically show when selected on the panel
    • Helpers – Render Stardust Helpers for specific nodes
    • Locate – Locate the Node on the panel
    • Master Switches – Switches on main effect control overall solo, shy and helpers behavior. Additional motion blur switch for quick access
  • Presets Search – Search the Stardust preset library using any keyword or phrase for quick access.
  • Group Node – Collapse and uncollapse the groups in the panel to reduce clutter or expose content.
  • Bevel – Faster and Better 3D Text and Mask Extrude
  • Lock / Unlock Stardust panel to show the selected Stardust Layer
  • Random Texture on 3D particles – Apply a random texture per 3D model.
  • Sphere UV texture mapping
  • OBJ Emitter – New options to Loop, Delay, Flip and more.
  • Maps – New option to offset the map.
  • Bug Fixes

1.1.2  –  Nov 14, 2017

Bug Fixes.

 

1.1.1  –  Nov 08, 2017

Bug Fixes.

 

1.1.0  –  Sep 26, 2017

New :

  • Render 3D models as particle instances.
  • Extrude and Bevel Text and Masks.
  • Create 3D primitives, choose from Cube, Sphere and more.
  • Physical Materials.
  • Ambient Occlusion.
  • Image based lighting.
  • Export Stardust Presets.
  • GPU powered.

Notable Bug Fixes :

  • Fixes an issue where the watermark reappears after restart on some machines.

 

0.9.7  –   Apr 25, 2017

Bug Fixes.

0.9.6  –  Mar 07, 2017

New :

  • Source Node –  New node to create a source, e.g a layer to be used in several particle systems.
  • Replica – Added “Flow” Replica type, that creates flow looking particle replicates.
  • Reflections – Added an environment layer that can reflect off of Rectangular / Textured particles.
  • Obj Surface emitting – Emit particles from the surface of a 3D Model.
  • Textured Particle Use Alpha / Lightness , mix the colour from the particle with the alpha / lightness of the source texture.
  • Maps – Added sample quality and more control options.
  • Noise channel – Use turbulence generated noise on other nodes.
  • Helpers – Added visual cues for some nodes.
  • Presets – Added New Presets for Replica Flow, HUDs, Grid and more.

 

Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed a crash related to Light emitter.
  • Fixed an issue with Air Density mixed with zero speed particles.
  • Fixed an issue with Mask / Text Layer transforms.
  • Fixed an issue with reverse time-remap on layer / comp.
  • Fixed an issue with motion blur and key-frames.
  • Fixed an issue where Line graph would not update after change.
  • Fixed an issue where wrong parameters would be displayed.
  • Cleanup param names.

 

 

 

0.9.5  –  Jan 17, 2017

  • Presets – auto adjust to comp center in any resolution.
  • New Presets – Swooshes, Diagonal, Texturizer and more.
  • Clone Node, a new node for creating independent branches from any point in the flowchart.
  • Replica – new options, including Directional and Diagonal.
  • Replica – texture offset settings.
  • Light emitter –  emits evenly from multiple lights by default.
  • Nodes full name appears in the panel status bar.
  • Splines – added linear corners option.
  • Maps  – added sample time options: ‘On Birth’ / ‘Current frame’.
  • Maps – added control for rotation using source layer.
  • Maps – texture by can be assigned by lightness.
  • Stencil transfer Mode added to to the particle transfer modes.
  • Fixes an issue where duplicating nodes created unexpected results in the panel.
  • Fixes an issue where sometimes deleting nodes caused unexpected results in the panel.
  • Fixes an issue where sometimes adding nodes while the panel is closed would throw an error.
  • Fixes an issue where sometimes when stardust main effect is last in the layer’s effect list, it would cause a crash.
  • Fixes an issue with Twist Free Axis.

 

 

0.9.4  – Dec 26, 2016

  • New Presets:
    •    Fire And Smoke with textured particles. Emit from Text , Mask, 3D Models, Outline and Volume. (Requires Apple ProRes codec)
    •    HUD presets, City, Hexa, Alert and more.
    •    Graphic Element presets.
    •    Over Life presets.
  • OBJ Emitter , added subdivision option of distance.
  • Fixed an issue where on some situations a cancelled frame with textured particles would crash AE.

0.9.3  – Dec 06, 2016

  • OBJ emitter, now is up to 5 times faster with large OBJ files.
  •  Fixed an issue with non standard file and folder name Characters (i.e. non-English file paths)
  •  Fixed a caching issue when setting shading on/off.
  •  Fixed an issue when setting textured Particle layers to stretch.
  •  Fixed an issue reading OBJ normals.
  •  Fixed an issue with Shadow color sometimes not updating.

 

 

0.9.2  –  Nov 11, 2016

  • Fixed an issue where an empty OBJ file would crash AE.
  • Fixed an issue when selecting OBJ sequence with no valid OBJ file would crash AE.

 

 

0.9.1  –  Oct 19, 2016

 

  • Fixed a bug where on some machines it would crash when applied to layer.
  • Fixed conflict with some 3rd party plug-ins.
  • Fixed installer issue with deselecting AE versions.
  • Fixed a bug where on some machines it would crash when applying a preset.

 

0.9  –  Oct 24, 2016

Initial release

 

System Requirements :

Mac OSX 10.9 and later

Windows 7 and later

Adobe After Effects CC 2015.3 and later

1 GB of RAM, 100 MB of hard drive space

OpenGL 3.3 and later

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