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AEAfter Effects

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro

by Rowbyte·VFX

Images © Rowbyte. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Fast Bokeh Pro stands out for keeping render performance near-constant regardless of blur amount, since its speed depends on image size rather than the blur radius.

What is Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro?

Fast Bokeh Pro creates smooth depth of field bokeh blur in After Effects using a depth map layer. Because its performance depends on the image size rather than the amount of blur applied, render times stay near-constant no matter how large the blur — the plug-in is blur radius independent. It also handles edges to avoid hard edges and halos as much as possible, though limits remain since it has no information about objects occluded in the render.

You can choose between a Gaussian aperture for faster results or a Spherical aperture for higher quality, and the spherical mode stays radius independent as well. Controls cover blur radius, the depth map layer, depth map inversion, focus distance, and an Intensity Boost useful for large blur radii and transparent images. A Focus Point parameter lets you set focus depth with a point instead of entering it manually. 32-bit color is supported and recommended for the best quality.

Version 2 adds custom image bokeh shapes, Zone Control, and GPU acceleration built on Metal and Compute. Fast Bokeh Pro is also available for OpenFX in DaVinci Resolve and Fusion. A demo video is available.

Who is Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro best for?

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro is best for creating smooth depth of field bokeh blur in After Effects from a depth map, with near-constant render times regardless of blur amount.

How much does Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro cost?

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Blur radius independent: performance depends on image size, not the amount of blur applied, for near-constant render performance.
  • Edge handling that avoids hard edges and halos as much as possible, with limits where objects are occluded in the render.
  • Aperture Type choice of Gaussian (faster) or Spherical (high quality), with the spherical mode staying radius independent.
  • Depth map controls: Depth Map Layer, Invert Depth Map, and Focus Distance, with an Intensity Boost for large blur radii and transparent images.
  • Focus Point parameter to set focus depth using a point rather than entering it manually.
  • 32-bit color (32 bpc) supported and recommended for the best quality.
  • Version 2 adds custom image bokeh shapes, Zone Control, and GPU acceleration using Metal/Compute.

Tags

#After Effects#bokeh#depth of field#lens blur#depth map#Rowbyte#OpenFX#GPU acceleration

Frequently asked questions

What After Effects versions does Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro support?

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro runs on After Effects CS6 and the Creative Cloud releases, with listed compatibility from CC 2014 through 2024, covering CC, CC 2015, CC 2015.3, CC 2017, CC 2018, CC 2019, and the 2020 to 2024 versions. On the system side it targets macOS 10.8 and above or Windows 7 and above, and it has been tested with CC 2017, CC 2018, and CC 2019. For the best results, use depth maps without anti-aliasing.

What do the Pro features in Fast Bokeh Pro require?

Fast Bokeh Pro reserves its Spherical Aperture Bokeh Blur and Quick Focus Point parameters as Pro features, and these require the plug-in to be registered with a license code. Without registration a watermark appears, but only when you actually use the Pro features — the rest of the plug-in works without it. The Gaussian aperture mode and the core depth map controls are available whether or not the plug-in is registered.

Can Fast Bokeh Pro run in DaVinci Resolve or Fusion?

Fast Bokeh Pro is also available for OpenFX, which covers DaVinci Resolve and Fusion. The initial OpenFX release arrived in 2022 with feature parity with the After Effects version, so its controls and behaviour match the After Effects plug-in, including the Gaussian and Spherical aperture modes and the depth map controls. A later update fixed a popup window issue in Resolve. For the current OpenFX download and any host-specific details, check the developer's page.

How do I apply Fast Bokeh Pro in After Effects?

Fast Bokeh Pro is applied from the Effects menu under Effects > Rowbyte > Fast Bokeh. From there you set the Blur Radius, assign a Depth Map Layer, and adjust the Focus Distance, with an option to Invert the Depth Map so foreground and background read correctly. You pick the Aperture Type — Gaussian for speed or Spherical for higher quality — and can use the Focus Point parameter to set focus depth instead of entering it manually. Intensity Boost helps with large blur radii and transparent images.

Is Fast Bokeh Pro free?

Fast Bokeh Pro is listed as free here, though its licensing is worth checking directly. Some capabilities are gated as Pro features: the Spherical Aperture Bokeh Blur and Quick Focus Point parameters need the plug-in registered with a license code. A watermark appears when those Pro features are used without registration, and it shows only in that case. The Gaussian aperture mode and the core depth map controls work whether or not the plug-in is registered. For current licensing terms and registration details, check the developer's page.

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