Skip to content
AEAfter EffectsDVRDaVinci ResolvePRPremiere Pro

Zoetrope Halo Bender

by Zoetrope Software (FxFactory)·Color Grading

Images © Zoetrope Software (FxFactory). Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Halo Bender stands out in the toolfarm library for taking an object-based approach to color effects, using positionable HALO rings rather than conventional color correction controls.

What is Zoetrope Halo Bender?

Zoetrope Halo Bender is an organic color effects engine built around a pair of HALO objects—colorizer rings you position over your video. Each HALO object can be refracted into related component hues, giving your image variation and nuance. The objects can be positioned, scaled, and rotated in space, and all parameters can be keyframed for dynamic movement. You might set up a leak-style look traveling from one side of the frame to the other, or a gradient-style wash.

Halo Bender ships with a preset system and included presets to get started, plus you can save your own looks to reuse and share. It comes as two plugins—an Effect and a Generator—that share the same presets: the Generator offers flexibility with compositing, while the Effect gives the fastest results. Both are OpenGL accelerated, leveraging native MacOSX graphics.

The plugin requires Noise Industries FxFactory, a free download, and runs in After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, and Motion on Apple Silicon and Intel processors.

Who is Zoetrope Halo Bender best for?

Zoetrope Halo Bender is best for animating color washes, light leaks, and vignettes over video footage.

How much does Zoetrope Halo Bender cost?

Zoetrope Halo Bender is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Dual HALO objects—colorizer rings you position over your video
  • Each HALO object can be refracted into related component hues
  • HALO objects can be positioned, scaled, and rotated in space, with keyframeable parameters
  • Preset system with included presets, plus the ability to save and share your own looks
  • Includes both an Effect plugin for fastest results and a Generator for compositing flexibility, sharing the same presets
  • OpenGL accelerated, leveraging native MacOSX graphics

Tags

#color effects#color washes#light leaks#vignettes#presets#FxFactory#colorizer

Frequently asked questions

Does Zoetrope Halo Bender work in DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro?

Zoetrope Halo Bender works in After Effects, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, and also in Final Cut Pro X and Motion. It runs on both Apple Silicon and Intel processors. The plugin requires Noise Industries FxFactory to run, offered as a free download. For updated system requirements, refer to the FxFactory page. FxFactory Pro is a paid version that shares the same system requirements as the free version, so either edition covers the underlying requirements for the host applications listed.

Does Zoetrope Halo Bender require FxFactory to run?

Zoetrope Halo Bender requires Noise Industries FxFactory, which is available as a free download. FxFactory acts as the host environment for the plugin across the supported applications, including After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, and Motion. There is also FxFactory Pro, a paid version that carries the same system requirements as the free version. For current system requirements, refer to the FxFactory page, since those details are maintained there.

Does Zoetrope Halo Bender run on Apple Silicon Macs?

Zoetrope Halo Bender runs on Macs with both Apple Silicon and Intel processors. It is OpenGL accelerated and leverages native MacOSX graphics. The plugin operates through Noise Industries FxFactory, a free download, inside applications including After Effects, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, and Motion. For the most current system requirements tied to your setup, check the FxFactory page, where those details are kept up to date.

Is Zoetrope Halo Bender free?

Zoetrope Halo Bender is listed as free in this catalog. It does require Noise Industries FxFactory to run, which is itself a free download; a paid FxFactory Pro version also exists with the same system requirements. For current licensing details and any conditions around the plugin, refer to the developer's page. Pricing and availability can change over time, so the developer's page is the best place to confirm before you commit.

What's the difference between the Halo Bender Effect and Generator plugins?

Zoetrope Halo Bender includes two plugins: an Effect and a Generator, and both share the same presets. The Generator gives you the greatest flexibility with compositing, while the Effect delivers the fastest results. You can pick whichever fits your workflow and still draw from the same set of looks, so switching between them doesn't mean rebuilding your presets. Both plugins are OpenGL accelerated and leverage native MacOSX graphics.

Alternatives to Zoetrope Halo Bender

Also in Color Grading for After Effects.

Similar plugins