Boris FX Optics is now available as a plugin to popular photo editing platforms, Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinity Photo. The 2026.5 release bolsters its host plugin support (previously available exclusively in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom), pays homage to photography’s analog roots, and adds an advanced color mixer tool. One license gives users access to all supported hosts and the standalone version.
“Optics 2026.5 is a love letter to photographers. This release leans heavily on a desire to flip pre-existing tools into new frontiers using good old-fashioned engineering and crafting,” says Renée Robyn, Boris FX Optics product manager. “Between the analog effects of S_FilmBurn, the new background options with S_Grunge, the Gilded Paw Looks Collection (all with handmade elements), and the new Color Mixer tool, we built this version to help artists stand out, save time, and take their images to exciting new places.”
“What I love most about Optics is that there are so many tools to choose from. There are always new techniques, effects, and possibilities waiting to be discovered,” notes Bella Kotak, award-winning photographer and Optics featured artist of the year. “Even after all this time, I still find myself stumbling across things I hadn’t considered before. If you’re a photographer looking for ideas, inspiration, or simply a new way to bring a little magic to your work, I’d encourage you to try Optics and see where it takes you.”
Highlighted Features
Optics 2026.5 adds three new host applications to its growing plugin offering. The toolkit seamlessly integrates with Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinity Photo, allowing users to stay within their preferred photo editing applications.
“After 35 years behind the lens, I still get excited when technology genuinely moves the needle — and Optics native support in Capture One does exactly that,” states Troy Miller, landscape photographer. “This is the kind of workflow acceleration that changes how you shoot and edit. No more interrupting your creative flow — the corrections are right there, fast and seamless, exactly where the work happens.”
S_Grunge adds hand-painted, high-resolution stamp presets (oil paint, chalk, ink, sponge, splatters, florals, and damask) that transform portrait photography backgrounds. A seed slider allows users to create infinite variations on the look, size, and color of stamps. The texture generator features 60+ presets with options to customize each element.
“One of my favorite features in Optics 2026.5 is the update to S_Grunge. It’s incredibly useful when creating custom backdrops,” remarks photographer/retoucher Pratik Naik. “A handful of source textures can produce thousands of distinct variations, making it easy to build backgrounds that feel organic, original, and tailored to a specific image. It’s one of those features that turns a few simple assets into a virtually limitless creative tool!”
S_FilmBurn is a new filter that recreates the unpredictable beauty of overexposed analog film. The filter, built from high-resolution scans of damaged celluloids, features a deep toolset and flexible controls. Elements include light leaks, lens flares, natural film grain, perforation ghosts, and burnt sprockets.
Particle Illusion adds new handmade particle sprites designed specifically with photographers in mind. Improved animations and better camera control make it easier to add sparkles, smoke, fire, sci-fi, and magical elements to photos. Users can also export cinemagraphs at various frame rates, unlike previous versions.
Face Mask ML adds two new automatic segmentation options (nose and neck). The AI-driven masking tool, which also includes eye, lip, and skin segmentations, allows users to quickly perform targeted retouching and selective color adjustments without hand-drawing masks.
Color Mixer is a simple, slider-based tool that lets users precisely modify photo colors using hue, saturation, and luma channels. It’s available in Optics Essentials, Landscapes, and Portrait filter categories.
An updated version of Sapphire includes new and refined creative looks favored by artists working on top film and streaming projects. Additions are S_FilmBurn, enhanced S_Grunge presets, 8 new pro lens flares, and a variety of curated presets.
The Borders category adds new tintype and wet plate textures created using traditional techniques. The handcrafted frames include ten new presets. Users can easily adjust individual border elements to create their own.
The Optics 2026.5 release also introduces the Gilded Paw Looks Collection. The new pack features ten Looks that transform digital photos into Victorian portraits using tintype, wet plate, and antique studio photography techniques. The Gilded Paw Looks Collection is on sale for a limited time ($24.95, regularly $49.95). (Please note: Users must have access to Optics 2026.5 to access the collection.)
Pricing
Optics is available as a low-cost subscription ($9/month or $99/year), a perpetual license ($149), or an upgrade & support plan ($49/year) on Windows and macOS platforms. A single license gives photographers access to all supported plugins and the standalone application.
Customers on active Optics, Boris FX Suite, or Vegas Pro Ultimate subscriptions, or on an Optics upgrade & support plan, receive the new 2026.5 release as a complimentary update. Learn more about Boris FX Optics.
Media Assets
- Optics 2026.5 Branding Toolkit (logos & imagery)
- Optics 2026.5: What’s New (video)
- Optics 2026.5: Perfectly Imperfect Film Burns (video)
- Optics 2026.5: Stop Retiring Your Favorite Backdrops (video)
About Boris FX
Boris FX develops creative plugins and applications powered by AI-driven technologies. Its Academy and Emmy Award-winning products are trusted by over one million broadcast, film, audio, and streaming professionals worldwide. The product family is anchored by the Boris FX Suite, a bundle of the company’s core VFX, audio, and photography tools. The full lineup includes visual effects products (Sapphire, Continuum, Mocha Pro, Particle Illusion, Silhouette, and SynthEyes); video editing software (Vegas Pro); professional audio tools (Sequoia, Samplitude, Sound Forge, CrumplePop, Acid Pro, and Music Studio); and cinematic photography tools (Optics).
The company’s success lies in its ability to tightly integrate with industry-leading partners, including Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Avid, Blackmagic Design, and Foundry. Founded in 1995.
