Element: Single Poly

The Single Poly element is appropriately named since it generates a single polygon shape.

Position

Sets the location of the Single Poly element. The position is always along a line that passes through both the center of the image and the light source. Alternately, you can click inside the Preview Window and reposition the element with the cursor crosshair.

A value of 1 sets the element at a light source. A value of 0 sets the element in the center of the composition frame. A value of -1 sets the element on the opposite side of the frame from the light source.

Brightness

Sets the brightness of the Single Poly. High values make the element brighter. Low values make the element less bright and more transparent.

Scale

Sets the size of the Single Poly. High values make the element larger.

Softness

Softness softens and blurs the polygon. The higher Softness is set, the more the softness extends and creates a soft ‘sphere’ of light.

At left, Brightness set high, Softness at 0, Sides at 16, Center Fade off.
In middle, Brightness set low, Softness at 30, Sides at 6, Center Fade off.
At right, Brightness set medium, Softness at 50, Sides at 5, Center Fade checkbox on, Center Fade at 40.

Angle

Sets the angle of the polygon by rotating the shape. Essentially, Angle decides where the points of the polygon sit. High values rotate to the right. Low values rotate to the left.

Center Face checkbox

Turned off by default. Checkmarking this option activates the Center Fade parameter.

Center Fade

Sets the degree to which the polygon varies in Brightness value as it moves from the center of shape to the edge. The Center Fade is affected by how the Brightness parameter is set. Higher Brightness gives more opportunity for a fade to occur.

Sides

Sets the number of sides for the polygon. The default is 5 for a five-sided shape. Setting the value to its maximum of 16 creates a sphere.

Anamorphic checkbox

Use this to create a wide elliptical element or a circular elliptical element. Turned on by default. When the checkbox is checkmarked, the Single Poly is elliptical. This simulates a common aspect of using anamorphic lenses in cinematography in which light reflections in the lens appear elliptical. When the checkbox is off, the element is round, since light reflections appear round in spherical cinematography.

Color

Sets the color of the Single Poly. Default color is orange.