Sapphire 2025.5 adds AI-driven masking via Mocha’s interface. Object Brush ML creates editable splines with a click, trackable via Mocha’s planar tracker. Matte Assist ML generates animated mattes from a single frame. Both tools enable fast, accurate isolation of effects like Glow or Zap—without leaving Sapphire.

VHS Damage: Retro Revival with a Modern Twist

Sapphire 2025 brings back the ’80s with its new VHS Damage effect, meticulously crafted using textures sourced from original tapes. This effect emulates the nostalgic look of analog video, adding authentic wear and tear to your footage.

Lens Flares: Eight New Ways to Shine

The Light & Flares category expands with eight new lens flares, enhancing your lighting effects arsenal. These additions offer more options for creating rays, glows, glints, bokeh effects, streaks, light leaks, and flashbulbs.

Visual Consistency Across Hosts

Sapphire 2025.5 delivers a unified UI overhaul across the Preset Browser, Effect & Transition Builder, and Flare Designer. The redesign includes optimized control grouping, streamlined parameter access, and GPU-accelerated UI responsiveness—enabling faster navigation, effect construction, and real-time flare design within a modernized visual framework.

OpenColorIO Integration

Sapphire 2025 continues to support OpenColorIO (OCIO) for consistent color management across applications. The Flare Designer and Builder applications now feature an OCIO panel, allowing users to manage color output confidently. Additionally, the S_OCIOTransform effect enables the application of OCIO transforms within any host application, bringing OCIO color management to platforms that have yet to adopt the standard.

Pricing and Availability

Sapphire 2025.5 is available through Boris FX. For detailed pricing information and to download a free trial, visit the official Sapphire product page.

Note: Always verify new features in a controlled environment before integrating them into critical projects to ensure compatibility and stability.

The post Sapphire 2025: Now with More Zap, Less Crap first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.