Two weeks ago Red Giant Software announced version 2 of its Trapcode Particular and ToonIt plug-ins for Adobe After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Avid. ToonIt 2 is shipping; Particular 2 will ship this summer. Sean Safreed gave me a demo of both at Red Giant Software’s booth today.

ToonIt’s now in the position of competing with the native Cartoon effect in After Effects Creative Suite 4. So as one way to go beyond simple “cartoonification,” ToonIt 2 features new “natural media” effects such as simulated airbrush, bristle paint, gouache, and scratch board styles. There are also about 50 new presets, as well as a randomization button for settings, to give one’s creative process a kickstart.

Particular 2 seems to have been given a more complete overhaul. The particle system is now fully 3D, meaning that within After Effects, particles can cast shadows on each other, for instance. Safreed told me that outsideof true 3D animation applications, particle systems are going to be 2D effects that just look 3D. So for most compositors and editors, Particular 2 will represent the first chance for most compositors and editors to create particle effects in true 3D space. Particular’s engine has also been enhanced to handle between-frame motion better, so explosions and other particle effects look smoother.

There’s also a a new particle type called a Streaklet, which Safreed likened to the effect of shooting a light with a camera with a long exposure time.

Also, something to look out for this summer from Red Giant Software: New versions of Magic Bullet Colorista and Looks.