<p>You could try the HitFilm Express 4, they have the sci-fi pack (25usd) which contains the VFX you want and specific tutorials for lightsaber (<a href="https://hitfilm.com/express/the-force" rel="nofollow">https://hitfilm.com/express/the-force</a>) and it works on mac :)
Link: <a href="https://hitfilm.com/store/hitfilm-4-express" rel="nofollow">https://hitfilm.com/store/hitfilm-4-express</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-19T00:29:23.720Z
They have a free tutorial where you don't need to buy any plugin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf0e9Ngx8KE
neves
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-29T17:01:32.363Z
2016-05-29T17:01:32.363Z
Alexandre Sapata Carbonell
<p>Video Copilot has an interesting plugin, Saber, that's free. It requires some manual tracking on the lightsabers and most likely some masking / roto, but it's a great solution that works with After Effects CS5.5 and up on Mac and PC:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2016/03/new-plug-in-saber-now-available-100-free/" rel="nofollow">http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2016/03/new-plug-in-saber-now-available-100-free/</a></p>

<p><div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/reSXGxkyr0k?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p>EDIT: I assumed because you mentioned Adobe CC, you had an older version of After Effects. That doesn't seem to be the case. Regardless, this might help another person who's looking for an answer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T12:12:05.873Z
2016-06-29T12:12:05.873Z
Parker Young
<p>MotionVFX makes an <a href="https://www.motionvfx.com/mplugs-83.html" rel="nofollow">excellent saber plugin</a> for Motion. Not as wallet-friendly as the FxFactory version, but probably somewhat more versatile.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-30T14:26:09.187Z
2016-03-30T14:26:09.187Z
snomsnomsnom
<p>You could use Nuke. It's certainly capable of the effect you want. However, it may be very difficult to use as it's a fairly complex program.</p>

<p>It may be easier to use something like <a href="http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/motion/" rel="nofollow">Apple's Motion</a>. (It's relatively cheap at $49.) A quick way to get the effect would be to draw a line where you want the light saber to be using the line tool, then add a Bloom or Glow filter over it. You should be able to track the ends of your stand-in saber (if you have one), and pin the ends of the line to those points. (Or, for another $20, you could download the <a href="https://fxfactory.com/info/index.php?product=saberblade" rel="nofollow">Sabre Blade</a> plug-in from FxFactory.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-30T03:27:38.457Z
2016-03-30T03:27:38.457Z
user1118321
<p>I'm interested in creating lightsaber effects with a Macintosh on home videos with my children.</p>

<p>What is the best low cost software for recreating this effect today? I don't have Adobe CC, and have no desire to subscribe to it, nor do I have Final Cut Pro X.</p>

<p>Does iMovie support this effect? Are there any good free or cheap rotoscoping or canned effect programs to accomplish this?</p>

<p>Edited to add: "Would the free (non-commercial) edition of Nuke for Macintosh" be a good solution? (I discovered it after asking.)</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<effects><mac><special-effects>
Best low cost software for lightsaber effect on a macintosh?
sikorsky
# Best low cost software for lightsaber effect on a macintosh?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-29)

I'm interested in creating lightsaber effects with a Macintosh on home videos with my children.

What is the best low cost software for recreating this effect today? I don't have Adobe CC, and have no desire to subscribe to it, nor do I have Final Cut Pro X.

Does iMovie support this effect? Are there any good free or cheap rotoscoping or canned effect programs to accomplish this?

Edited to add: "Would the free (non-commercial) edition of Nuke for Macintosh" be a good solution? (I discovered it after asking.)

Thank you.

**Tags:** effects, mac, special-effects


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-29. Score: 1

You could try the HitFilm Express 4, they have the sci-fi pack (25usd) which contains the VFX you want and specific tutorials for lightsaber (<https://hitfilm.com/express/the-force>) and it works on mac :)
Link: <https://hitfilm.com/store/hitfilm-4-express>

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: They have a free tutorial where you don't need to buy any plugin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf0e9Ngx8KE  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-29. Score: 0

Video Copilot has an interesting plugin, Saber, that's free. It requires some manual tracking on the lightsabers and most likely some masking / roto, but it's a great solution that works with After Effects CS5.5 and up on Mac and PC:

<http://www.videocopilot.net/blog/2016/03/new-plug-in-saber-now-available-100-free/>

EDIT: I assumed because you mentioned Adobe CC, you had an older version of After Effects. That doesn't seem to be the case. Regardless, this might help another person who's looking for an answer.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-03-30. Score: 0

MotionVFX makes an [excellent saber plugin](https://www.motionvfx.com/mplugs-83.html) for Motion. Not as wallet-friendly as the FxFactory version, but probably somewhat more versatile.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2016-03-30. Score: 0

You could use Nuke. It's certainly capable of the effect you want. However, it may be very difficult to use as it's a fairly complex program.

It may be easier to use something like [Apple's Motion](http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/motion/). (It's relatively cheap at $49.) A quick way to get the effect would be to draw a line where you want the light saber to be using the line tool, then add a Bloom or Glow filter over it. You should be able to track the ends of your stand-in saber (if you have one), and pin the ends of the line to those points. (Or, for another $20, you could download the [Sabre Blade](https://fxfactory.com/info/index.php?product=saberblade) plug-in from FxFactory.)


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