EFX Render Elements Plugin Suite

What It Does

The EFX Render Elements Plugin Suite works with render passes from 3D applications to solve common compositing problems. It reads ZDepth, ID, and velocity pass data to modify shots after rendering, handling tasks like object selection, edge cleanup, and depth-based compositing. Useful for motion graphics artists working with Cinema 4D, Blender, or other 3D software who need to refine their After Effects comps without going back to the 3D app.

Key Features

The suite includes 13 plugins:

ID Select. Isolates objects based on their object ID, velocity, or ZDepth pass. Instead of manually masking, you reference the pass and the plugin generates the selection.

ID Blur. Blurs a layer while respecting object boundaries. Standard Gaussian blur bleeds across edges; this reads the ID pass and stops the blur at the boundary between objects.

Shadow Fix. Corrects the common 1-pixel gap that appears between objects and their shadow passes. This artifact shows up frequently in 3D renders and this plugin patches it automatically.

Z-Depth Compose. Layers two elements using their ZDepth passes to determine which is in front. Composites them correctly even when they overlap in screen space.

Z-Depth Cut. Creates a depth-based wipe through a scene, revealing layers from back to front or the reverse.

Alpha Streaks. Removes edge artifacts that appear in render pass workflows, particularly the fringing or streaking on alpha channels.

Other plugins in the suite handle velocity-based selection, shadow projection onto CG geometry, and edge blurring for ID passes.

Who It’s For

Intended for compositors working with 3D render passes. If you regularly integrate Cinema 4D or other 3D renders into After Effects, this suite addresses the technical problems that come up when working with passes: misaligned shadows, blurring that crosses object boundaries, or needing to select an object after the fact. Also useful for VFX artists doing depth compositing or manipulating footage based on spatial data.

Pricing

Pay-what-you-want pricing. The suggested price is $49.99 for a single-user license. If you previously purchased the standalone Z-Depth Tools ($14.99), you receive a discount equal to that amount when upgrading to the full suite. Two plugins from this suite are also available separately as a free download (EFX Render Elements Free), which includes ID Select and ID Edge Blur if you want to test the workflow before committing.