This image warper instantly transforms video source shots using the colors from the input of an ST/UV map image.
The BCC+ ST MAP filter is a hardware accelerated filter designed with input from the creative team at Sphere Studios in LA, California, and offers image warp transforms based on an ST map input. The ST Map filter can either process ST Map images directly from the host timeline or can import ST Map images from a disc or LAN, which negates the need to disable color management tools in the host to avoid altering the ST Map color, which would in turn alter the resulting warp transform of the target layer.
The filter includes a unique Watch Folder option, which remembers the folder from where an external ST Map was loaded and an optional on-screen meta-data display of the ST Map details.
Quickstart Guide for Using the Filter:
Workflow A: Import an st map image in exr or tiff format from an external disc or NAS directly into the filter
- Apply the ST Map filter directly to the target source layer in your host timeline that you wish to warp. (Or you can apply the filter to a solid / filler layer the size of the external st map and pull up the target layer into the filter.)
- Click on the Select Image button and use the file system navigation controls to select an st map image that you wish to use for warping the filtered source.
Workflow B: Use an st map layer from the host timeline
- In the host, import the st map image that you wish to use for image warping and place this on top of the clip that you wish to warp.
- Apply the ST Map filter directly to the imported st map layer.
- Click on the Target Layer pop-up and select the clip you wish to warp.
Important Note: when using Workflow B, where you are using an ST map from the host timeline, it is essential that you disable color management for the imported ST map exr or tiff image to avoid altering the colors in the ST map, which would in turn have a negative effect on the warped result.
Presets and the FX Editor
The FX Editor provides a convenient way to store and retrieve factory installed and/or user generated filter presets. To select a preset, open the FX Editor interface and pick one from the Presets panel. Click the apply button in the FX Editor to return to the host user interface.
To save a custom preset, click the “Create Custom Preset” icon in the top right corner of the parameter list, next to the filter name, set a name for the new custom preset in the dialog that appears and click done.
Filter Parameters
View: Used to determine the view output from the filter.
- Output: displays the warped result
- ST Map: displays the st map image used for warping
Target Layer: Used to select the source layer for warping when using Workflow B. Displays a list of layers from the host timeline.
Use External ST Map: Enable to use an imported ST Map from disc.
Select ST Map: Used to import an ST Map from disc.
Watch Folder: Used to set a watch folder location for the ST Map image.
Display Map Info: Enable to display on-screen information about the ST Map in use.
Filter: Used to select anti-aliasing method for the warp.
- Bilinear: faster
- Bicubic: better
Edge Mode: Used to fill the edge of the frame with pixels.
- Transparent: Allows the edge of the result to become transparent.
- Repeat: Repeats edge pixels to generate opaque pixels along the edge of the result.
- Reflect: Reflects pixels back into the result to generate opaque pixels along the edge of the result.
- Wrap: Wraps the pixels to generate opaque pixels along the edge of the result.
Pre Crop Target Group
This group includes a set of parameters to crop the warped image.
- Top: Crops from the top.
- Bottom: Crops from the bottom.
- Left: Crops from the left.
- Right: Crops from the right.
Post Transform Group
This group contains a set of parameters that are applied at the end of all other filter processing
- Enable: Use to enable / disable this group
- Position X/Y: Adjusts the position along the X/Y axis.
- Scale: Global scale control.
- Scale X: Scales along the horizontal axis only.
- Scale Y: Scales along the vertical axis only.
GPU Rendering: This popup allows toggles renderer in use for the filter.
- Default: By default the filter will utilize the installed video card and bases the render on the project settings.
- 16 Bit Float: Sets the render to 16 bit float
- 32 Bit Float: Sets the render to 32 bit float
- Disabled: Disables GPU rendering and switches to software rendering.