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DVRDaVinci Resolve

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX

by Rowbyte·VFX

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

Why we like it

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX sits at rank 39 in the toolfarm library. It earns its place for keeping render performance tied to image size rather than blur amount, so results stay fast even at large blur radii, and for handling object edges to limit hard edges and halos.

What is Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX is a Rowbyte plug-in for DaVinci Resolve and other OpenFX hosts that produces depth-of-field bokeh blur from a depth map. Its performance depends on image size rather than the amount of blur applied, so render times stay near constant as the blur radius changes.

The plug-in creates a smooth Gaussian-like blur or spherical and polygonal iris shapes such as hexagon, pentagon and octagon, and supports custom image bokeh shapes. Object boundaries are expanded to avoid hard edges and halos as much as possible. Version 2 adds Zone Control for splitting a scene into zones that blur separately, along with anamorphic bokeh through iris aspect ratio, highlights adjustment, 32 bpc color and a linear color working space.

It's designed and tested with Fusion Studio 17 and above and runs on macOS and Windows. GPU acceleration is optional and built on Metal 2 on macOS and GL 4.3 on Windows.

Who is Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX best for?

Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX is best for adding depth-of-field bokeh blur to footage in DaVinci Resolve and other OpenFX hosts using a depth map.

How much does Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX cost?

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

Key features

  • Blur radius independent: render performance depends on image size rather than the amount of blur, staying near constant
  • Gaussian-like, spherical and polygonal (hexagon, pentagon, octagon) iris-shaped bokeh blur, with a Polygonal HQ option for best quality
  • Custom image bokeh shapes
  • Zone Control for splitting a scene into zones that blur separately
  • Edge handling that expands object boundaries to avoid hard edges and halos as much as possible
  • Anamorphic bokeh via iris aspect ratio, highlights brightness and saturation adjustment, 32 bpc color and linear color working space
  • Optional GPU acceleration built on Metal 2 (macOS) and GL 4.3 (Windows)

Tags

#bokeh#depth of field#lens blur#depth map#OpenFX#DaVinci Resolve#GPU acceleration#Rowbyte

Frequently asked questions

Which DaVinci Resolve versions does Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX support?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX lists compatibility with DaVinci Resolve 19, 18, 17 and 16. Beyond Resolve, it's an OpenFX plug-in designed and tested with Fusion Studio 17 and above. For other OpenFX host applications, the developer suggests installing the trial to confirm it works in your setup, and reaching out if the host has issues with the plug-in. Depth maps without anti-aliasing are recommended for best results.

Does Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX need a GPU?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX does not require a GPU, since GPU acceleration is optional. When you do enable it, the acceleration is built on modern compute technologies, so a recent GPU supporting Metal 2 on macOS or GL 4.3 on Windows is required for GPU rendering. The plug-in isn't reliant on the host application's native GPU render pipeline. Without GPU acceleration it still runs, and its blur-radius-independent design keeps render performance tied to image size.

Is there a Linux version of Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX currently supports macOS and Windows only, with no Linux version available. On both supported platforms it's designed and tested with Fusion Studio 17 and above, and lists compatibility with DaVinci Resolve 19, 18, 17 and 16. If you want GPU acceleration, a recent GPU that supports Metal 2 on macOS or GL 4.3 on Windows is required.

Is Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX free?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX is listed as free here in the catalog. Licensing and pricing can change, so check the developer's page for current terms. A trial is available to install so you can confirm the plug-in works properly in your OpenFX host application before committing. If your host application has trouble running it, the developer asks that you let them know.

How does Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX differ from the After Effects version?

Fast Bokeh Pro for OpenFX is almost identical to the After Effects version. The differences are that the OpenFX build can't pick the focus depth using a Point picker, and it has no Iris or Zone Preview in the Effect Controls. For documentation, the developer points to the After Effects version's docs, since the two are otherwise the same in function.

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