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# Using a Sparks Plug-in

A Sparks plug-in functions in the same way as other commands or modules. Before using a Sparks plug-in, you will have to load it. After loading the plug-ins, you can replace them if all the Sparks buttons are already in use.

To load a Sparks plug-in, do one of the following:

1. From the Tools menu, select the Plugins tab and then click one of the Sparks buttons.
2. Or, from ConnectFX, select the Sparks node and drag it into the schematic.
3. Or, from the Timeline, select a clip and add a Sparks Timeline FX to it.

   Once you have loaded a Sparks plug-in using one of these methods, the Sparks file browser will appear.

   NoteAn L on a Sparks button indicates that you can load a Sparks plug-in. An E on a Sparks button indicates that there are settings for the plug-in. An S on a Sparks button indicates that you can enter the module using the same media from the previous session.
4. Navigate to usr/discreet/sparks.

   You can also load Sparks from usr//discreet/<product home>/sparks.

5. Select a Sparks plug-in.

   You are returned to your previous location. The name of the Sparks plug-in now appears on the selected button, however the L indicating that you can load a Sparks plug-in no longer appears.

   To exit the Sparks plug-in file browser without loading a plug-in, click the Exit Sparks Browser button.

To use Sparks plug-ins from the Tools menu, do the following:

1. Click a loaded Sparks button.

   The Sparks controls, if any, appear.

2. Enter the parameter values for the selected Sparks plug-in.
3. Select the source clips and the destination reel.

   The processed clip appears in the destination reel.

To use Sparks plug-ins from ConnectFX, do the following:

1. Select the Sparks node from the node bin and drag it into the schematic.

   The Sparks Plug-in file browser appears.

2. Select a plug-in.

   You are returned to the schematic and a Sparks node corresponding to the plug-in that you selected now appears in the schematic.

3. Double-click the Sparks node to access and adjust the settings for the Sparks node.

To use Sparks plug-ins from the Timeline, do the following:

1. Select a clip on the Timeline.
2. Click the FX button and add a Sparks Timeline FX to the clip.
3. Click the Sparks button to enter the Sparks Plug-in file browser.
4. Select a Sparks Plug-in.

   You are returned to the Timeline.

   The Sparks button in the Effects pipeline now appears with the name of the plug-in that you selected, and it's settings, if any, are available in the quick menu. You can also double-click the Sparks button to enter the full editor, if the Sparks Plug-in has additional settings.

If you want to load a new Sparks plug-in, but all the Sparks buttons are already in use, you can replace an existing Sparks plug-in with the new one. This can be done from the Tools menu, ConnectFXor the Timeline.

To replace a Sparks plug-in, do the following:

1. Press Alt and click the existing Sparks button.

   The Sparks file browser appears.

2. Navigate to usr/discreet/sparks or usr//discreet/<product home>/sparks and select a Sparks plug-in.

   You are returned to your previous location, and the name of the new Sparks plug-in appears on the selected button.