Using a Sparks Plug-in

A Sparks plug-in functions in the same way as other commands or modules. Before using a Sparks plug-in, you have to load it. After loading the plug-ins, you can replace them if all the Sparks buttons are already in use.

Loading and Replacing Sparks Plug-ins

To load a Sparks plug-in:

1. Do one of:
   • From the Tools menu, select the Plugins tab and then click one of the Sparks buttons.
   • In Batch or Batch FX, select the Sparks node and drag it into the schematic.
   • In the Timeline, select a clip and add a Sparks Timeline FX to it.
2. Once a plug-in is loaded, the Sparks file browser appears. Sparks buttons are labelled as follows:
   • L: the plug-in can be loaded.
   • E: the plug-in has settings.
   • S: you can enter the module using the same media from the previous session. Navigate to opt/Autodesk/sparks.
   You can also load Sparks from opt/Autodesk/<product home>/sparks.
3. Select a plug-in. You are returned to your previous location. The name of the plug-in appears on the selected button.

To replace a Sparks plug-in:

1. Press Alt and click the existing Sparks button.
2. In the Sparks file browser navigate to opt/Autodesk/sparks or opt/Autodesk/<product home>/sparks and select a Sparks plug-in. You are returned to your previous location, and the name of the new plug-in appears on the selected button.

Using Sparks in Batch or Batch FX

Two Sparks nodes are available:

• Sparks node: plug-ins are loaded via the Sparks file browser. The number of inputs and bit depth that a Sparks node accepts depends on the Sparks plug-in. A Sparks node has light grey source tabs, since each Sparks plug-in varies in the type of clip it uses. When working with a Sparks plug-in, missing media in front clips set to No Media can be converted into black frames while they are in use. When missing media is output from this node, it returns to a No Media state, regardless of whether it was set to display differently in the node. If the error message "SPARK IS NOT SUPPORTED" appears, contact the company that developed the Sparks plug-in for information on obtaining a compatible version.
• Sparks Load node: multiple Sparks nodes can be populated at the same time into a destination bin. Populating a bin with predefined Sparks nodes saves time since you do not have to access the Sparks browser each time you want to use one of the preloaded Sparks. Unlike the Sparks node, the Sparks Load node itself cannot be dragged to the schematic; only the predefined node populated into a bin can be dragged to the schematic. To create a predefined Sparks node in a bin:
  1. Drag the Sparks Load node on top of any tab in the ALL Tools bin except the ALL Nodes tab.
  2. In the Sparks Plug-in file browser that appears, select one or many plug-in or select multiple plug-ins.
  3. Click load.
  The selected Sparks are created as their own nodes in the destination bin. To use one, drag it from the destination bin to the schematic. You do not have to re-enter the Sparks browser to load a Sparks if you preloaded it into a bin.