: While primarily for energy beams, this free plugin from the same creators as Optical Flares is often used to create custom light effects and glowing highlights .
While the industry-standard Optical Flares plugin by Video Copilot is a paid product typically retailing for around $124.95, there are several high-quality free alternatives and methods to achieve a professional lens flare look in After Effects . Top Free Alternatives Free Optical Flares After Effects
: Using photographic elements of actual lens flares to avoid a "procedural" or fake look . : While primarily for energy beams, this free
: Elements like iris rings or light flashes that change size or intensity automatically as the flare moves off-screen . : Elements like iris rings or light flashes
: A comprehensive free tool that includes 50 unique lens flares . It features a clean interface, 4K support, and fully customizable elements like reflections and scale .
These tutorials provide step-by-step guidance on creating and installing lens flares for After Effects: