Video Co-Pilot OPTICAL FLARES DO NOT APPEAR

I just installed Video Co-pilot's optical flares plug in. I create a solid as instructed, then go to effects to add my optical flare. However once I have selected the effect, it does not appear over the solid. I am able to adjust all the properties but I can't see the actual lens flare within the composition. I know several other people have had problems with this but know one seems to know the answer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Cal

sure thing

Yes when I click options I am able to edit all the flares, select presets, etc. Checking and unchecking Use GPU unfortunately makes no difference.