QC Plugins from fxfactory

stefansch's picture

Hello!

I hope, that somebody can answer me the following question:

I am using QC to render simple videos with QuartzCrystal, which is a great tool by the way :-)

Now I came across fxfactory and saw some amazing effects. As I don't want to use something like After Effects (I am more than happy with QC), I wonder if it possible to use these plugins (for instance motype) directly in QC.

I already downloaded the trial version but it looks like, that I can't open these ".qtz effects" directly in QC.

So: if I buy plugins (such as motype), will I be able to use them directly in QC?

Thanks Stefan

cybero's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Quote:

I wonder if it possible to use these plugins (for instance motype) directly in QC.

No.

Quote:

So: if I buy plugins (such as motype), will I be able to use them directly in QC?

No.

You can make plugins from your own compositions though, if you buy FxFactory, though I think it tends to go for 32 bit QC at present, [ http://www.noiseindustries.com/downloads/misc/FxFactoryHelp/plugindevelo... ] I may be wrong though , do double check elsewhere.

Then that plugin becomes good for Motion Final Cut and After FX, kind of not what you where looking for, as Quartz Crystal requires a composition that you can utilise in it and not wrap as a plugin, of course, you could well find that the composition that is intended as a plugin to be, can be placed into Crystal and then rendered offline.

Just hazarding a guess there •~ Give it a try. Experiment, but motype probably falls into the category of plugin based upon a prior version of QC that the XML property list base of will not necessarily load up right. Or it's been effectively encrypted / obscured when being wrapped to be a plugin, so won't be plain text readable like most of the QC files you have as Developer examples from Apple and on this list.

Just my guess.

Never tried that in Crystal though, so I might be wrong on some points.

stefansch's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Thanks for your reply!

Within the effect-bundles, I can see compositions, which seem to be somehow encrypted (as you mentioned) - so they don't open in QC.

It looks like, that these effects are done purely in QC by using standard patches and ones provided by fxfactory (NI ...) as I don't see any other plugins.

I was hoping, that I could use some of them (after buying of course) outside AE, Motion ...

While searching the forum, I found that topic

http://kineme.net/Discussion/Tutorials/RequestExplosion

And if I understood "cwright" correctly, it should(!) be possible to the effects within QC...

So I am somehow confused ... or is the trial just different to the full version?

Thanks again! Stefan

cybero's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

What once was true is not now true, like version circa 23-8-2009, not same version circa 2010 [ unless I'm very, very much mistaken ].

You are not confused, aren't you ? •~

see

http://www.noiseindustries.com/downloads/misc/FxFactoryHelp/pluginmanage...

&

http://developer.apple.com/appleapplications/fxplugsdk.html

for more detailed , serious information.

The trial is not exactly different from the full version, other than being time limited for the trial period items and in demo mode for other items .

fxplug plugins aren't going to work in Quartz Composer, even though, with FxFactory , Quartz Composer files can be made into plugins.

However, before your compositions become fx wrapped, they can be used in Quartz Composer, called upon in other QC comps and even used in Quartz Crystal. [that's regardless of using the trial or the full registered version].

vade's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Ok. So. I work for NI. We don't really have a policy on discussing this but here are the facts.

When you buy a product, it is designed to work within the Host, ie, AE, FCP, Motion. The product is not designed to work in QC, regardless of what you and others think ;)

Our products are built on custom Core Image units we write, and custom QC plugins we write.

The products are encrypted QTZ comps. We don't want you to see 'our source code' because thats bad for business and good for competition, and lessens our value.

You can use the QC Plugins and the Core Image units in your own comps and most will run realtime, because we let you.

You can make your own plugins for FCP/AE/Motion by using FX Factory Pro. You can use the Plugins we provide to help with Host integration, or use them in other host apps like VDMX, CoGe, whatever. Thats a bonus, is not supported, and we wont help you if you have issues. In other words, you are on your own if you use any QC plugins in any capacity outside of FX Factory Pro / Host integration.

You cannot edit products even with Pro (at least, not all of them, Im not sure if some partners make products that are free and or unencrypted, maybe? - but chances are not).

NI frowns upon distributing the QC plugins, (in fact, re-distributing them and or using them in your own product outside of FX Factory is a license violation). The QC plugins do not need to be licensed, but, we ask if you use them and not the Host plugins, please at least purchase FX Factory Pro to show support.

Is that helpful?

vade's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Most of (all, I think?) of our custom plugins are 64 bit compatible. That whole AE 10 being 64 bit thing... I run QC in 64 bit and have no issues with our plugins when testing and developing products.

stefansch's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

First of all thanks for your responses!

I absolutely understand, that QCs are being encrypted -that's your IP and I would do the same!

My point was not to just grab some stuff here and there for free (or to replicate the functionality) - I just saw a possibility to save time by buying "effects or generators".

If I recap correctly:

  • some NI plugins/patches/filter can be used outside - so here is no question about buying at least fxfactory, if they being used - that's more than fair

  • effects/generator such as "motools" are basically "fxplugs" and can not be used within QC because it simply doesn't know about that plugin "standard"

  • So if I like a certain "effect/generator", I have to replicate the functionality myself with standard patches or with the ones, which provided as part of fxfactory (the ones, which can be used in QC).

Is that correct?

Thanks Stefan

cybero's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Quote:

Is that helpful?

Yes, I should think so ... :-).

cybero's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

That's correct, you've got it. & if you create an effect you can make it into a plugin for supported fxpack hosts & if you program plugins using the QC plugin SDK you can use those in QC, but you won't necessarily need the use FxFactory to do that.

vade's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Pretty much got it. :).

stefansch's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

One last question: why is it, that fxplug is not supported from QC? Is it simply because it's not Apple's intend? As these plugins will use published inputs/outputs, it would be like using a QC plugin ...

vade's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Because it's not intended for realtime use.

mattgolsen's picture
Re: QC Plugins from fxfactory

Has NI considered making QC versions of any of their plugins to sell? I'd love to support more QC developers.

I have money! Take it from me! :)