Red Giant ships Universe 2.2

Red Giant has released Universe 2.2, the latest update to its online library of effects and transitions for editing and compositing software, adding 11 transitions and updating the VHS and Retrograde effects.

11 new retro-themed transitions, updates to the library’s retro effects
The update has a distinctly retro theme, with new transitions mimicking the look of edits in traditional media, including VHS tape and 16mm film; retuning a cathode ray TV; and switching slides in a projector.

Others mimic the look of early video editing, including ‘classic’ linear, shape and clock wipes and colour mosaics. You can find a full run-down of the 11 new transitions on Red Giant’s blog.

In addition, the two existing effects that have been updated both mimic the look of archive media.

The VHS effect gets new noise samples, VHS-style text, and timecode and function icons; while Retrograde, which mimics the look of 8mm and 16mm film, can now use the original aspect ratio of your footage.

As is becoming customary, Red Giant has created a test short to promote the new tools – the suitably 80s-tastic Hewlogram, starring David Hewlett from Stargate Atlantis – a making-of for which can be found here.

In addition, the update adds support for a new host app, in the shape of Avid’s Media Composer NLE.

Pricing and Availability
Universe 2.2 is available online now. A subscription to the library costs $20 per month, or $99 per year. You can see a list of the versions of the host software packages supported here.

Note: at the time of posting, Red Giant hasn’t added Media Composer to its system requirements page, but according to the blog post, Universe 2.2 should work with Media Composer 8.9 and above.

Read a full list of features in Universe 2.2 on Red Giant’s blog