Sometime after this post, I joined NewBlueFX (makers of Cartoonr below) to design and promote awesome video plugins! Check out Video Essentials 2, which I helped make.
As much I like Sony Vegas (and I do, very much), it gets the short end of the stick when it comes to plugins. Adobe Premiere Pro has far more, and some older gems like Wax don't work with the newest Vegas 8. To make matters worse, the plugin pages I've found tend to be messy and stale. (I appreciate them… they just haven't been kept up to date. 
)
But no fear! I've done the hard work for you, and if you use Sony Vegas to produce video too, here are 4 handpicked faves, shown in the demo video above.
1. NewBlueFX's Cartoonr
NewBlueFX makes some of the finest plugins on the market — easy to use with a simple, minimal interface, and handy presets to get you sprinting. Cartoonr does exactly what it sounds like, and can also emulate richer watercolor or pastel effects. Also available for other video hosts.
I don't think it's worth the US$250 they claim it is, but their bundle prices are a lot better than buying standalone packs — I'm waiting for their new Video Essentials to be included in their "Entire NewBlueFX Product Line" promo, as that looks sorely tempting.
2. Mike Crash's Bouncing Ball
Ever wanted a transition that literally bounces from cut A to B? This does just that, and you have control over several physical parameters. I used it for the title text in my Totoro tribute vid, and it's a lot of fun!
Mike also has several other staple filters you may find useful.
3. Scott's SMCubes
Simple and effective. This transition divides the scene into a definable number of cubes which spin, then reform. That's the only parameter and I can see this being very gimmicky if overused, but the 3D effect is cheerful eye candy.
Scott also made the SMLuminance transition, which adds twists to the classic crossfade.
4. The Interruptor's Wow & Flutter
This is an audio plugin not strictly for Sony Vegas, but works with all compatible VST hosts. I've seen many films which use digital degradation to look like old-skool film, but what's often missing effecting is the sound, which is awkwardly pristine. Combine this and iZotope Vinyl to achieve warbly audio (like those old VHS tapes) and crackles to boot. Highly recommended for adding character to your shiny recordings.
One advantage Vegas has over most NLEs is its superior audio workflow, evident from its roots as an audio editor. For many more free VST plugins, head to KVR Audio — you may be surprised how many there are compared to video effects.
Got fave plugins I missed? Tell me all about it!
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you a lot!
Though I really tend not to torture video beside color correction and time stretching, it's nice to have something to play with. Premiere just cannot acheive that easyness of editing both video and audio on the same timeline.
@dandellion: I encountered the same probs while trialling Premiere, and I like how easy Sony Vegas can lock to events — it feels so clean and crisp!
Re: time stretching, I wish Twixtor was compatible with Vegas. It looks AWESOME.
Thanks for the links, Torley. I used that Cartoonr on my latest RL nature vid clip. Pretty spiffy.
http://www.vimeo.com/1847554
Here's another free Vegas plugin that creates some really interesting film/coloring effects. It just allows for use of presets and not the actual parameters, but still very handy. Magic Bullet Looks.
http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/categories/color-correction/magic-bullet-looks/
direct link to DL page
http://redgiantemail.com/download_form.cfm?ID=56
@Vlad: Thanks for the pointer! Hm, that's a free version? I only see a price and a trial vers… I'll have to try it out myself!
Thanks for the kind words. Your work is beautiful. One of the best parts of our job at NewBlue is being a small part of an incredible creative community.
We'd love to hear the kinds of effects you'd find useful, Torley, so drop us a line sometime at htp://www.newbluefx.com/contact-us.html.
@Melissa: Thrilled to hear from you! I chatted with Paul too, and now have the whole KAHUNA pack + Video Essentials. Needless to say, a more thorough review is forthcoming… as is further feedback.
thank you very much for the links. they are awesome and i thank the creators too. KC
Thank you very much for posting these!
I'm one of those AMV Makers, you know, anime…And the effects, even though there are alot of them, seem limited to me.
What I've been searching for are a heart transition and a rectangle/square cookie cutter with rounded edges, though I'm pretty sure I'd have to mask that rather than use cookie cutter because I can't seem to find any plugin of the sort.
The heart transition I'm talking about is in this video near the beginning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZboVub7Jw&feature=channel_page
i like to use Adorage, Magic Bullet.
Torley,
You should take a look at the Bororo 3D plug-in as well. From my web site.