2-D graphics suggestions?

londoner wrote on 6/19/2002, 3:15 PM

I have a couple of needs:

1. Being able to draw a line over a still image (a map). I want the drawing of the line to be seen. One way I could do this is to apply a wipe to a still image of the line and add it to the map image. However, ideally I'd like a package that outputs the completed animation as an AVI for use in Vegas. Any suggestions?

2. More advanced captions - nothing too flashy, just a semi-transparent coloured background with some text on it. What caption generation programs do people use?

I'm not a graphics designer, so suggestions based on this fact are appreciated.

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 6/19/2002, 4:56 PM

You can somewhat accomplish both of these within Vegas. The line on the map can be created by using two pictures of the map, one with and one without the line, then moving a mask to uncover the image with the line. I posted an example earlier. http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=96260

For the semi-transparent backgrounds behind captions, you can use Vegas' text media tool and set the background transparency there. You can use pan/crop to have the background cover only a portion of the screen.

Tyler.Durden wrote on 6/19/2002, 5:24 PM

For the line, the fast and dirty way is the wipe... the more expensive ways include purchasing After Effects or Boris etc.... somewhere inbetween might be using a segmented line (or footprints, dots/dashes, etc.) and creating a path by rotoscoping a sequence of images.

Segments are easier 'cause they don't need to be smooth frame-by-frame scoped... 10-15 frames per image maybe. I'd do it in photoshop with each layer being another footprint, and save copies as a numbered sequence, each with another element. VV will import them as a sequence easily.

As for titles India Pro is a little pricey, but folks like it... Pinnacle TitleDeko ships with Premier/Pinnacle bundles and will run stand alone... it can be found online if you dig a little. I use for web-titles too.

HTH, MPH

HPV wrote on 6/19/2002, 9:47 PM

Add a event FX on text media and try the diffent fx/filters in Vegas. Light Rays is super cool. So is old film effect. Tons more. Insert a video track and copy the text media to it. Things really get interesting here with different filter/filters on each track. Save your looks with fx presets and fx chains.
Video inside your text looks great and is easy in Vegas. Easy setup/tracking of motion with the takes feature.

Craig H.

londoner wrote on 6/20/2002, 10:22 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions!