Boris FX Optics 2026.5 Update: New Plugin Support, AI Editing Tools, Film Burn Effects, and More

POSTED 25th OF Jun, 2026, Posted by Summer Magdaraog

Boris FX has released Optics 2026.5, introducing broader plugin compatibility, new analog film effects, AI-powered portrait editing improvements, expanded creative tools, and workflow enhancements for photographers and digital artists.

One of the biggest updates is expanded plugin support for Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinity Photo, allowing users to apply Optics effects directly inside more editing applications. The release also introduces the new S_FilmBurn filter, an advanced Color Mixer, enhanced Face ML masking, updated Particle Illusion effects, additional S_Grunge presets, and new handcrafted borders inspired by classic photographic processes.

Whether you're editing portraits, landscapes, composites, or creative photography projects, Optics 2026.5 adds new tools designed to improve both efficiency and creative flexibility.

What's New in Boris FX Optics 2026.5?

Here's a quick overview of the new features included in this release:

New plugin support for Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinity Photo
New S_FilmBurn filter for realistic analog film burn effects
Expanded S_Grunge texture generator with more than 60 presets
Improved Face ML masking with Nose and Neck segmentation
Updated UpRes ML model for more accurate AI image enlargement
New Color Mixer tool with hue, saturation, and luma controls
Updated Particle Illusion with new particle sprites and export improvements
New Sapphire filters, lens flares, and artist-designed presets
Additional handcrafted tintype and wet plate border presets

Expanded Plugin Support for Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinity Photo

Optics 2026.5 expands its plugin compatibility by adding support for:

Apple Photos
Capture One
Affinity Photo

Previously, photographers primarily accessed Optics through Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. With this update, users working in additional editing applications can now apply Optics filters without leaving their preferred workflow.

One Optics license includes access to the standalone application as well as all supported plugin host applications, so separate licenses are not required for each supported editor.

Why this matters

Photographers can stay inside their existing editing workflow instead of exporting images between multiple applications, helping reduce interruptions during editing.

S_FilmBurn Adds Authentic Analog Film Burn Effects

One of the headline additions in Optics 2026.5 is S_FilmBurn, a new filter designed to recreate the look of damaged analog film.

Rather than relying on simple overlays, S_FilmBurn is built from high-resolution scans of real overexposed film, producing more natural and varied results.

The filter includes adjustable elements such as:

Light leaks
Lens flares
Natural film grain
Film perforation ghosts
Burnt sprockets
Leader film artifacts

Users can create anything from subtle vintage imperfections to dramatic film burn effects while maintaining full control over the final look.

Best for

S_FilmBurn is well suited for photographers creating vintage portraits, editorial imagery, album artwork, cinematic photography, social media content, and other projects that benefit from authentic analog aesthetics.

S_Grunge Introduces More Handcrafted Background Textures

The S_Grunge filter receives a major update with additional handcrafted texture elements designed to create custom photographic backgrounds.

New texture styles include:

Oil paint
Chalk
Ink
Sponge
Paint splatters
Floral patterns
Damask designs

The update also adds:

More than 60 built-in presets
High-resolution handmade texture stamps
A Seed Slider for generating unique variations
Individual controls for texture placement and color customization

Why it matters

Instead of relying on physical backdrops or stock textures, photographers can generate custom backgrounds directly inside Optics, making it easier to create portraits and composites with a distinctive visual style.

Boris FX Optics 2026.5: Enhanced S_Grunge Presets, photo credit Matt Stagliano

Particle Illusion Adds New Effects for Photography

Optics 2026.5 updates Particle Illusion with new particle emitters created specifically for photography workflows.

The update includes:

Improved animation performance
Better camera controls
New handcrafted particle sprites
More than 30 additional presets
Expanded frame rate options for cinemagraph exports

Common uses

The updated particle library can be used to add effects such as:

Dust
Smoke
Fire
Snow
Rain
Sparkles
Magical effects
Atmospheric lighting

These additions make it easier to create dynamic still images and cinemagraphs without manually compositing multiple assets.

Boris FX Optics 2026.5: Updated Particle Illusion, photo credit Renee Robyn

Face ML Improves AI Portrait Masking

Portrait photographers gain more precise masking with updates to Face ML, Optics' AI-powered facial segmentation tool.

The latest release introduces automatic detection for:

Nose (new)
Neck (new)

Existing segmentation options include:

Skin
Eyes
Eyebrows
Lips
Mouth
Teeth
Beard

Instead of manually painting masks, Face ML automatically separates facial regions into editable selections.

Why it matters

This allows photographers to perform targeted skin retouching, eye enhancements, lip adjustments, selective color grading, and other portrait edits more efficiently.

Updated UpRes ML Produces More Accurate Enlargements

Optics 2026.5 also includes improvements to the UpRes ML model.

The updated AI model delivers more accurate image enlargement while preserving fine image details, making it useful when preparing photos for high-resolution exports, printing, or cropping.

New Color Mixer Gives More Precise Color Control

Optics introduces a brand-new Color Mixer tool for targeted color adjustments.

Instead of applying global color corrections, Color Mixer allows users to modify individual colors using:

Hue
Saturation
Luma

The tool features:

Simple slider-based controls
16 built-in presets
Availability within the Essentials, Landscapes, and Portrait filter categories

Why photographers will use it

Color Mixer makes it easier to refine skin tones, enhance skies, adjust foliage, correct unwanted color casts, and create stylized color grades without affecting the entire image.

Boris FX Optics 2026.5: New Color Mixer tool, photo credit Renee Robyn

Sapphire Adds New Creative Effects

The included Sapphire update expands the creative toolkit with additional cinematic effects.

New additions include:

S_FilmBurn
Enhanced S_Grunge presets
Eight professional lens flares
Artist-designed creative presets

These additions provide photographers with more options for creating stylized and cinematic photo edits directly within Optics.

New Handcrafted Tintype and Wet Plate Borders

Optics 2026.5 expands its border library with handcrafted presets inspired by traditional photographic techniques.

The update includes:

More than 10 new border presets
Tintype-inspired textures
Wet plate borders
Adjustable border elements
Fully customizable frame designs

These borders help recreate classic photographic aesthetics while remaining flexible enough for modern editing workflows.

Supported Host Applications

With the 2026.5 release, Boris FX Optics supports editing across multiple applications, including:

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Apple Photos
Capture One
Affinity Photo

A single Optics license includes both the standalone application and all supported plugin host applications.

Should You Upgrade to Boris FX Optics 2026.5?

Optics 2026.5 is a worthwhile upgrade if you:

Edit photos in Apple Photos, Capture One, or Affinity Photo
Create vintage or cinematic photography using analog-inspired effects
Regularly retouch portraits using AI-assisted masking
Want more precise color adjustments
Design custom textured backgrounds
Add atmospheric effects such as dust, smoke, sparkles, or rain to photographs
Need improved AI image enlargement for high-resolution output

The combination of expanded plugin compatibility, AI improvements, creative filters, and workflow enhancements makes Optics 2026.5 a practical update for photographers, retouchers, and digital artists.

Get Boris FX Optics from Motion Media

Looking to upgrade to Boris FX Optics 2026.5 or purchase a new license?

Motion Media is an authorized Boris FX reseller, providing genuine Boris FX licenses for photographers, creative professionals, production studios, educators, and businesses.

Whether you're adding Optics to your creative toolkit or upgrading to the latest release, our team can help you choose the right licensing option for your workflow.

Contact Motion Media today to request a quote or learn more about Boris FX Optics.