The Best Depth Of Field Plugins For After Effects

Depth of field (DOF) refers to the range within a photograph or video where objects appear acceptably sharp and in focus. It is a critical aspect of visual storytelling, guiding the viewer’s attention to specific elements within a scene while creating a sense of depth and realism. In Adobe After Effects, achieving precise and photorealistic DOF effects can be challenging using native tools alone, as they often lack important features and rendering quality. Fortunately, several plugins have been developed to enhance After Effects’ capabilities in this area. Below we’ve featured a detailed list of the best depth of field plugins available for After Effects.

1. DOF PRO (Depth Of Field Generator PRO)

DOF PRO (Depth of field Generator Pro) is widely regarded as the industry leader in photorealistic depth of field effects for Adobe After Effects. Backed by over two decades of research and development since its first release in 2005, DOF PRO offers unparalleled control and sophistication in simulating depth of field as a post-process effect. Its features include chromatic and achromatic aberration, focal plane bokeh differentiation, astigmatism, optical vignetting, and support for custom aperture maps, and much, much more. It has a huge visual effects market dominance as it can easily match live-action plates using it’s sophisticated range of features. Additionally, DOF PRO has become an industry leader for 3D architectural visualization and rendering. It is often preferrable to render without depth of field and apply it as a post-production pass so that clients have flexibility over the amount. Many of these advanced capabilities aren’t found in any other depth of field plugin making DOF PRO the top choice for professional artists looking to achieve highly realistic DOF effects. ​

DOF PRO also has the benefit of being available as a Photoshop plugin. DOF PRO was actually designed initially for Photoshop and it was later ported to After Effects, supporting it’s range of features. As a results, many studios have adopted both platforms so as to be able to achieve the same result from multiple apps, and across various industries. Make sure to check out the user galleries to see DOF PRO in action.

2. Frischluft Lenscare

Frischluft Lenscare is a plugin suite designed to move depth of field and out-of-focus generation to post-production, offering high-quality camera blurs with the flexibility of 2D post-processing. It includes two main components: ‘Depth of Field,’ which generates DOF effects using a depth buffer, and ‘Out of Focus,’ a fast version that works without depth information, creating a blur with a constant radius over the entire image. Lenscare is known for its speed and quality, providing realistic results that match real optical devices closely. ​

3. Boris FX Sapphire

Boris FX Sapphire is a comprehensive suite of visual effects plugins for After Effects. It includes ‘S_ZDefocus,’ a tool that simulates depth of field effects using depth maps. Sapphire’s high-quality rendering and extensive customization options make it a valuable asset for artists seeking to add realistic DOF effects to their compositions.​

4. Rowbyte Fast Bokeh Pro

Fast Bokeh Pro is a plugin developed by Rowbyte that focuses on creating depth of field and bokeh effects quickly and efficiently. It utilizes a depth map to generate realistic blurs and offers controls for bokeh shape, edge softness, and highlight boosting. Its GPU acceleration ensures smooth performance, making it suitable for high-resolution projects.​

Conclusion

Incorporating depth of field effects into your After Effects projects can significantly enhance the realism of your work, often applying a cinematic aesthetic. The plugins listed above offer a range of options, from dedicated DOF tools like DOF PRO and Frischluft Lenscare to versatile suites like Fast Bokeh Pro. Selecting the right plugin depends on your specific project requirements, desired level of control, and budget. By leveraging these tools, you can achieve professional and cinematic depth of field effects that elevate the quality of your visual content.​

Richard Rosenman Advertising & Design develops develops cutting-edge software, tools and services for the creative industry, including Photoshop plugins, After Effects plugins, stock footage, and tutoring for 3D artists, designers and animators. Be sure to check out our extensive list of software tools for all your animation, design and visual effects needs.