The S_Zap filter comes from the Emmy award winning Boris FX Sapphire filter set.

Render.

To select a preset, pick one from the Presets window.

The effect is advanced in time.

Selects between 2D and 3D modes.

Creates a zap along a spline.

Creates a three-dimensional zap.

The number of lightning bolts to draw between the Start and End location.

The starting point of the bolts.

Enables Point 1.

First control point.

Enables Point 2.

Second control point.

Enables Point 3.

Third control point.

Enables Point 4.

Fourth control point.

The end point of the bolts

Offsets the End location by a random amount within a circle of this radius. If Bolts is greater than 1, this can be useful to spread out the different End points. For example, you can create multiple radiating bolts by increasing this radius and placing the End point near the Start point.

The width of the lightning bolts.

The amount of random variation in the width of the bolts along their lengths.

Determines how pointed the end of the bolts are. If 0, the entire bolt will have equal width. If 1, the bolts will thin out along their entire length for a pointed end. If it is .5, the bolts will start thinning out half way between the start and end points.

Used to initialize the random number generator. The actual seed value is not significant, but different seeds produce different random lightning bolts and the same value should give a repeatable result.

Scales the amount of wrinkles in the bolts. Decrease for straighter, smoother bolts or increase for more kinky bolts.

Similar to Wrinkle Amp but affects the general path of the bolt. If decreased, the bolt will stay closer to the line between the Start and End points. If increased, it can wander further away from this line. This differs from the Wrinkle Amp parameter in that it can be used to make straighter bolts while still keeping the wrinkles at the detailed level.

Scales the number of additional bolts that branch from the main bolt. Set this to 0 for basic bolts with no extra branches.

The maximum angle of the random branches relative to the bolt they are branching off of. If this is 0, the branches will be more lined up with the main bolt. With larger values, the branches will be more perpendicular to the main bolt.

The scaled length of the branches relative to the distance between the Start and End points.

Scales the brightness of the glow applied to the lightning.

The color of the glow applied to the lightning.

The width of the glow applied to the lightning.

The relative red width of the glow.

The relative green width of the glow.

The relative blue width of the glow.

Scales the brightness of the lightning bolts.

The color of the lightning. If you want to keep the lightning bolt itself bright white, you can still affect the perceived color by adjusting the Glow Color instead.

The offset from the start point to begin drawing the bolts. This can be useful for animating a lightning strike.

The length of the bolts beginning at Start Offset. If less than 1, the bolts will not be drawn all the way from start to end.

Scales the brightness of the image before combining with the lightning. If 0, the result will contain only the lightning over black.

Determines how the lightning and glow are combined with the image.

Performs a blend function which can help prevent overly bright results.

Adds the lightning to the image. This gives brighter glows over light backgrounds.

Renders the lightning over black.

Atmosphere gives the effect of the lightning shining through a dusty atmosphere and picking up light or getting shadowed. This parameter adjusts the amount, or amplitude of the atmospheric effect. 0 creates smoother lightning while higher values provide a more dirty look.

Controls the spatial frequency of the atmospheric noise. Turn this up higher to get finer details or turn down for broader overall variation.

Controls the amount of fine detail in the atmosphere simulation. Decrease to get smoother atmosphere or increase for a more crunchy, grainy look.

Used to initialize the random number generator for the atmospheric noise. The actual seed value is not significant, but different seeds produce different results and the same value should give a repeatable result.

Selects what the effect will output.

Shows the normal lightning result over the background.

Shows a depth map of the lightning which can be used for compositing or to control other effects.

Rotates the lightning left or right about a vertical axis.

Rotates the lightning up or down about a horizontal axis. You can use Swivel and Tilt together to rotate about arbitrary diagonal axes.

Zooms in or out on the lightning.

Fades out the glow on more distant parts of the lightning.

Enables/disables the on-screen control for displaying the spline.

Enables/disables the on-screen control for adjusting the Vary Endpoint parameter.