Changing 100 Keyframes

amendegw wrote on 7/3/2010, 7:02 AM

Okay, I’ve set up my Cookie Cutter with about 100 keyframes on my Video FX timeline. I’d like to change a couple of the parameters (say the “feather” & “size” properties) for every keyframe on the timeline, while retaining the position (i.e. the “center x” & “center y” properties) of each keyframe.

My first thought was to set up a custom preset with the new properties and reset each keframe to the new preset, but that also changes the “center x” & “center y”.

Another thought was to create a script that:
1. Saves the properties of the current keyframe.
2. Moves to the next keyframe.
3. Replaces all properties (except “center x” & “center y”) with the saved properties.

This would seem a fairly simple script to write – if it’s possible. And I’m not up-to-speed on scripting.

Maybe there's a better solution? So, what’s the easiest way to solve this dilemma?

Thanks,
…Jerry

Comments

jetdv wrote on 7/3/2010, 7:24 AM

Be prepared to manually do them one at a time. When talking to plugins, a script can choose any PRESET but cannot change specific effect settings. So in this case, scripting is not the answer.

Earl_J wrote on 7/3/2010, 7:35 AM

Hello Jerry, Edward...

too bad there isn't a way to "select items to the end" with keyframes like there is with the video...
then you could pull up the adjustment window and make the changes to only those items you desire, excluding the x and y variables... (sigh)

Until that time... Earl J.

amendegw wrote on 7/3/2010, 7:49 AM

@ Earl J "too bad there isn't a way to "select items to the end" with keyframes like there is with the video...Or how 'bout the ability to create a Custom Preset with an asterisk (or maybe a blank or some other special character) in a property textbox - then apply the Preset and everything gets changed except the properties with asterisks?

...Jerry

Earl_J wrote on 7/3/2010, 11:53 AM

Hello Jerry...
for the next time around, you could build a preset for the first keyframe. When you pull it up in the next spot, the only things you need to change are the x and y values... this solution might work only when building a bunch from scratch.

Until that time ... Earl J.

A. Grandt wrote on 7/4/2010, 2:07 AM

Most other applications you can do something like that, select a number of similar objects, open properties/settings/whatever and the parameters that are the same across the selected objects are set in the dialogue, the ones that are not, are usually greyed out and not set, until the users sets that parameter, in which case all objects are changed for that parameter.

Example, open properties for one of your icons on the desktop, and set it as "read only" in the General tab. Apply and close the properties, then select a group of icons, including the one you just changed, and open properties again. notice that the "Read only" parameter is different, till you set it to something.

And while talking about defaults, when saving presents in for instance the text tool, you should be able to exclude certain parameters, such as the text, meaning that the you don't overwrite your current text if you apply a different preset.

I'd love to see similar group properties settings to be manageable throughout Vegas, on Events playback rate, effects settings etc. Though being video that could become an SCS programmers nightmare really fast.

amendegw wrote on 7/4/2010, 2:54 AM

Okay, it sounds like there is a consensus that the ability to make changes en masse to keyframes is a desirable upgrade to Vegas. How do we get SCS's attention on this?

I've submitted requests to technical support in the past and they've been ignored. see: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=679160 (Item #2). Suport ticket reference numbers 091122-000040 & 091015-000056. I've even created a YouTube video documenting this issue and referenced it in the problem report. Both support tickets have been marked "solved", but nothing has happened since I first reported it in 9.0c. Phew! I've got my "rant" off my chest - I feel better now.

...Jerry

A. Grandt wrote on 7/4/2010, 3:33 AM

Try "Product Suggestion" under Support in the menu at the top of the page.

[url=http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/support/productsuggestion.asp]

Though they do state "Submitting a Customer Service request through this form will

Looks like a Fire and Forget approach on the users part, but it also seems to be the right place for us to post our Requests for Enhancement and such.

Chienworks wrote on 7/4/2010, 4:00 AM

Yep. They do pay attention to those submissions. There's no guarantee they'll be used, but i did get a really nice response once when i installed a new version and there was a feature i had suggested.