Boris FX releases Optics 2025
Boris FX has released Optics 2025, the latest version of its software for applying cinematic effects to still images for retouching, illustration or visualization.
The release adds a new AI-based mask-generation system, Particle Brushes for painting effects like fire and water into images, and multi-layer Looks presets.
Making VFX-style effects available to Photoshop and Lightroom users
First released in 2020, Optics is pitched as providing “visual effects for photographers”.
It is a renamed version of Digital Film Tools’ DFT, which Boris FX acquired in 2019, expanded with filters from other Boris FX products. Boris FX discontinued DFT itself in 2021.
It is available as a standalone application, and a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom.
Optics 2025: new AI tech speeds up mask creation
Optics becomes the latest Boris FX application to integrate Mask ML, the AI masking technology recently introduced in roto and tracking tools Silhouette and Mocha Pro.
Users click on objects within a photo to have Optics isolate them automatically, creating a mask that can be used to selectively edit that part of the image.
Other new features: Particle Brushes and Looks presets
Other new features include a set of Particle Brushes, along the lines of those in tools like Flame Painter or Photoshop plugins like ParticleShop.
They can be used to paint effects like fire, water or magical energy directly onto images, and come with over 250 presets.
The release also adds a Looks tab within the Filters window providing access to multi-layer filter and mask presets. Users can export Looks and share them with other artists.
You can find a list of smaller UI and workflow improvements on Boris FX’s blog.
Price and system requirements
Optics 2025 is available as a plugin for Photoshop CC+, Photoshop Elements 2018+ and Lightroom Classic, and as a standalone application for Windows 10+ and macOS 12.0+.
A new perpetual licence costs $149; rental costs $9/month or $99/year. A single licence provides access to both the plugins and the standalone editions.
Read an overview of the new features in Optics 2025 on Boris FX’s blog
Read a full list of new features in Optics 2025 in the release notes
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