* Video effects mixer Image Filter Effect
* Plugin for Lightwave 3D 5.0 and 5.5
* Code and Design (C) Copyright 1998 by Kevin Phillips,
                                        T42 Creative Designs

*
* SGI Version Kindly compiled by Marvin Landis
*

Introduction:
-------------
The Video Effects Mixer allows you to add controlled mixing of 4 different effects with your rendered animation by using a control object in your scene.

I've decided to release this version as freeware.  Note that it still needs work, but I'm finding less and less time to do this and want to get onto new plugin projects!


Installing the Plugin:
----------------------
Installing the plugin is a piece of cake!  Simply select the OPTIONS button at the top of the screen, and click on the button ADD PLUGIN.

Find and select the file VMIXER_F.P and click OK.  Lightwave should tell you that 2 plugins were successfully installed.

Load up your animation scene.

Select the EFFECTS button, then the IMAGE PROCESSING Tab.  In the Image Filter selection list, look for the filter name T42_VIDMIXER and select it.



Setting up the Plugin:
----------------------
Click on the OPTIONS button next to the plugin to set up the parameters for the plugin.  To successfully use this plugin, you WILL need a control object in your scene... This can be achieved by simply adding a NULL object to your scene.

The settings in the panel are as follows:

	Grain Height/Width:	Because some of the effects (later)
				have a 'grainy' effect, this simply
				sets the size of a rectangular grain
				in pixels.

	Control Object:		Lists all objects in the scene. You *MUST*
				select a control object for this plugin to
				work.

	Fade Using:		You can mix the effect using the SCALE or
				world COORD'S of the control object.

	Fade On:		The mix effect is based on the value of
				one of the Axis.

	Divide Value:		Default of 1 means that the mix is based on
				values from 0 (No Effect) to 1.0 (100% 					effect).  If you want to change this scale,
				say wanting a scale of 10 to be 100% then
				set this value to 10 to calculate the right
				percentage.

	Allow Negatives:	By default, if the scale/coordinates go below
				0, the effect never goes below 0 percent.

				By selecting Yes, the negative values become
				the same as the positive. (ie. -0.5 is the
				same as 0.5)

	Fade Using:		Select from 1 of four effects:

				* Static - Produces a 'Video Static' effect
					   Great for 'View Screens', etc...

				* RGB    - Fade to an RGB value.  Can easily
					   create your own Fade outs, etc...

				* B&W 	 - Experimental: converts the render
					   to a black and white film effect
					   complete with Film Grain and all
					   Sorts of other effects...

				* Negatv - Simply inverts all the colours of
					   the image. Could be used to
					   produce wierd 'Xray' effects, etc


The B&W FILM Effect Settings:
-----------------------------
B&W FILM Effect produces (or attempts to) an old-style feel to your renders.
While it produces a fairly neat effect, its nowhere near perfect - Primarily the dust and scratches need work as they are currently very 'fake'.

The Effects you can select from with the B&W Film Effect are as follows:

	Clean/Old'n'Dusty:	Select whether you want specs and lines
				in your black and white effect or not!
				Dusty also produces the odd brightness
				fluctuation in the animation.

				Both settings produce a film grain.

	Sprocket Jump:		Makes the occasional frame slip up by
				4 pixels randomly.

	Whiteout:		Boosts the brightness to produce a
				'Washed-out' effect to the image.

	Sepia:			Converts the grey image to Sepia brown.

	Vignette:		Produces a Vignette edge to the image

	Out-of-Focus:		Experimental: Not correct, but makes a rather
				strange 'shadow' effect to the image...

	Focal Displacement:	How many pixels to displace the 					'out-of-focus' shadow by.


Disclaimer:
-----------
vmixer_f.p is a freeware plugin.  Freeware implies that you may use this plugin for personal use. 
If you plan on using this plugin in commercial projects, please give credit somewhere in your work and notify the author.  Note that freeware means that you have been granted permission to use this plugin - You do not own the plugin - The plugin still remains the property of the Author.

This plugin has been fully tested with Lightwave 3D 5.5 and should work with Version 5.0 as well, though please be aware that you may not hold the Author responsible for any error, damage or monetary loss caused by the use of this software.

You use this plugin at your own risk.