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AEAfter EffectsPRPremiere Pro

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit

by RE:Vision Effects·VFX

Images © RE:Vision Effects. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

SmoothKit earns its place in the toolfarm library for extending the standard blur and sharpen toolset with edge-aware, channel-selective, and depth-based controls. Version 4.0.3 adds a fix for Apple Silicon users, and the filter set is also bundled in the RE:Vision Effects Effections collections.

What is RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit is a set of blur and sharpening filters for After Effects and Premiere Pro that complement and extend the basic blurs and sharpens usually provided. The emphasis is on precise control without compromising image quality. You can blur without over-softening important features and edges, and soften areas while preserving sharp edges.

Sharpening uses a proprietary technique that significantly reduces the usual ringing artifacts. You can selectively filter the luminance, chrominance, or each of the RGB channels independently. A jaggie-reducing filter helps eliminate staircasing, the median filter produces much less blocky results, and block artifacts in MPEG or other compressed footage can be intelligently reduced.

Compound blur lets optional grayscale images modify blur size on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Directional filtering offers per-pixel direction and strength controls, and splines can control the direction of the blur at each pixel (not available in Premiere Pro). A temporal filter provides multi-frame processing with several modes, and Z-blur uses depth maps for depth-of-field control with an adjustable focal point. SmoothKit is also included in the RE:Vision Effects Effections bundles.

Who is RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit best for?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit is best for artists working in After Effects and Premiere Pro who need finer control over blurring and sharpening, including edge-preserving softening, depth-based Z-blur, and reduction of compression block artifacts.

How much does RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit cost?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Blur and sharpening filter set that complements and extends basic blurs and sharpens
  • Edge-preserving blur that softens areas while keeping sharp edges intact
  • Proprietary sharpening technique that significantly reduces ringing artifacts
  • Selective filtering of luminance, chrominance, or each RGB channel independently
  • Jaggie-reducing filter for staircasing plus a less blocky median filter and intelligent MPEG block-artifact reduction
  • Compound blur using optional grayscale images to modify blur size per pixel
  • Z-blur depth-of-field control using depth maps with an adjustable focal point

Tags

#blur#sharpen#edge preservation#depth of field#After Effects#Premiere Pro#image processing#VFX

Frequently asked questions

Does RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit work with After Effects 2024?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit lists compatibility with Adobe After Effects from CS6 through the CC releases and the 2020, 2021, and 2022-24 versions, so After Effects 2024 is covered. It also supports Premiere Pro across the same range, from CS6 through 2022-24. System requirements match the same OS and hardware needed for the version of After Effects you are running. For confirmation against your exact build and any newer releases, check the developer's page before installing.

Does RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit run on Apple Silicon Macs?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit notes Apple Big Sur support running under Rosetta 2 only now, so on Apple Silicon it operates through Rosetta 2 rather than natively. The changelog also records a fix for Apple Silicon users in version 4.0.3C and earlier work adding support for M1 systems in version 4.0. Beyond that, its system requirements follow the same OS and hardware needed for your version of After Effects. For the current state of native support, refer to the developer's page.

Are the spline blur direction controls available in Premiere Pro?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit's ability to use splines to control the direction of the blur at each pixel is not available in Premiere Pro. On Premiere Pro that spline control is omitted, while other capabilities such as edge-preserving blur, proprietary sharpening, channel-selective filtering, and the median filter remain part of the filter set across both After Effects and Premiere Pro. If spline-driven blur direction is central to your work, run SmoothKit inside After Effects, where the control is offered.

Is RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit free?

RE:Vision Effects SmoothKit is listed as free here, though licensing terms can change over time. The plugin is also included in the RE:Vision Effects Effections bundles, so it may be distributed alongside other tools there. Its changelog references REVisionActivate and various licensing fixes across recent updates, indicating the plugin uses an activation system. For the current cost, licensing details, and whether a bundle purchase applies, check the developer's page before you install rather than assuming the free label is final.

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