BCC+ Depth of Field

Category: BCC Optical Diffusion

Effect Name: BCC+ Depth of Field

The BCC+ Depth of Field filter, part of the BCC Optical Diffusion category, simulates depth of field by isolating and blurring only a portion of the image. The amount of blurring is directly proportionate to the luminance of the matte settings, a gradient or an input image.

Working with the Filter

FX Editor and Presets

• Use the FX Editor to load or save presets for reuse.
• To load a preset: Open the FX Editor, select a preset from the Presets panel, and click Apply to return to the host application.
• To save a custom preset: While in the FX Editor, click the Create Custom Preset icon in the parameter list, enter a preset name, and click Done. Additionally, a custom preset can be saved from the main menu bar by selecting File->Save Preset.
• To import custom presets from another drive: While in the FX Editor, select File->Import Preset from the main menu bar.

Effect Controls

Mocha Mask and Track

Continuum effects include integrated masking and matte tools that allow you to restrict the effect to specific regions of the image.

• Mocha masks: used to create custom spline masks. Mocha also includes Matte Assist ML and Matte Refine ML, which use machine learning to generate and track masks.
• Pixel Chooser: used to generate geometric shapes, gradients, or mattes based on channel, luma, or color-based selections. Additionally, an AI depth map generator, and an AI-powered face detection model allow for precise control of masks and mattes.

For more information, see Mocha and Pixel Chooser.

Compare Mode

The Compare Mode is used to view the filtered result alongside the original source layer. Several split-screen and side-by-side display options are available.

For more information, see Compare Mode.

• View Sets the viewer to display different aspects of the filter.
  • Output: Displays the final result of the effect.
  • Depth: Displays the depth map.
  • Depth: Selects the source for the selective blur effect.
  • Matte: Use a matte for the depth source.
  • Grad: Use a gradient for the depth source.
  • Input: Use an image as the depth source. This is useful for 3D programs which render out depth mattes.
  • Blur X: Sets the blur along the x-axis.
  • Blur Y: Sets the blur along the y-axis.
  • Blur Gang: Links the Blur Y and Blur Y parameters together.

  Important Workflow Considerations

  Depending on the host, there are different workflows that need to be considered. It is important to use the correct workflow for your host to achieve the best results.

  • After Effects / Premiere Pro
    • Step 1: Select Input from the depth menu.
    • Step 2: Select the layer track you wish to use from the Input Selector.
    • Final Cut Pro X / Motion
      • Step 1: Select Input from the depth menu.
      • Step 2: Select the drop zone to the right of the Depth Input parameter and select the clip to be used.
      • Media Composer
        • Step 1: Place images on two adjacent video tracks.
        • Step 2: Apply the Depth of Field filter to the upper track of the two adjacent tracks.
        • Step 3: Select Input from the depth menu.
        • Step 4: The track below the one that you added Depth of Field to is used as the depth source.
        • OFX Hosts
          • Step 1: Assign the image to be used as the depth source.
          • Step 2: Select Input from the depth menu.
          • Step 3: The assigned input will now be used as the depth source.

          Note: Using an image as the depth source is only available in OFX hosts that support auxiliary inputs. Consult the host documentation for instructions on how to assign a source input as this will vary by host.

          Grad Group

          Depth of Field can optionally use a gradient that limits where the filter is applied. Grad is the transition area that goes from the blurred portion to the original image. Its direction, corners and size can be adjusted.

          • Enable: Enables / disables the grad.
          • Type: Sets the direction of the grad.
          • Top-to-bottom: The direction of the grad is from top to bottom.
          • Bottom-to-top: The direction of the grad is from bottom to top.
          • Left-to-right: The direction of the grad is from left to right.
          • Right-to-left: The direction of the grad is from right to left.
          • Horizontal Strip: Horizontal strip grad.
          • Vertical Strip: Vertical strip grad.
          • Size: Sets the size of the grad.
          • Angle: Sets the angle of the grad.

          Matte Group

          A matte can be used to create the depth of field effect. Go to the Matte section of Common Filter Controls to see how the Matte controls work.

          • Position: Sets the values to be adjusted.
          • Range: Determines the range of values to be used for the matte. A higher Range value considers more values.
          • Blur: Sets the matte blur.
          • Invert: Inverts the matte.
          • GPU Rendering:Specifies how the effect is rendered.
            • Default: Uses product-wide default of 16 bit half-float GPU rendering.
            • 16 Bit Float: Manually force 16 bit half-float GPU rendering.
            • 32 Bit Float: Manually force 32 bit full-float GPU rendering.
            • Disabled: Forces CPU rendering.