Color Correction - Frustrating

Cliff Etzel wrote on 4/27/2007, 2:25 PM

I find the color correction tool frustrating to say the least. It seems that if I color correct a clip on the time line, it introduces key frames that affect the next clip on the time line. I'm trying to give Vegas a fair shot but I tell ya, I'm about to throw my hands up and concede that PPro is a better tool for serious editing.

What am I missing??? I have watched the SONY Seminar DVD series and it doesn't address color correction methodology so I'm at a loss...

Comments

farss wrote on 4/27/2007, 2:36 PM

Are you applying CC to the event or the track?
If you apply it to the event then it only affects that clip.
If you apply it at the track (in the track header) level then the behavior you're describing is perfectly logical and from memory exactly the same as any other NLE.

Bob.

Cliff Etzel wrote on 4/27/2007, 2:49 PM

Well, I thought I was applying CC to the clip itself, not the track, but I think I am missing something. Because it doesn't want to apply to the clip, but to the whole track instead.

It is taking me alot longer to apply a color correction in Vegas as compared to PPro and the big reason I want to give Vegas a shot is the less resources it utilizes. Are there any online tutorials on the step by step process of color correction? I mean it shouldn't be this difficult. Everyone rants about how intuitive Vegas is but from my experience so far, it is counter-intuitive. :-/

vitalforce wrote on 4/27/2007, 2:51 PM

Also check at the bottom of the CC plug-in window to the left of the keyframes, that the lock button isn't depressed. When it's activated, every change in your CC setting will automatically be keyframed.

GlennChan wrote on 4/27/2007, 2:53 PM

To apply FX to individual events/clips, click on the FX icon for that event. Or right-click the event and select "event FX" (something like that).

2- Here's a tutorial for levels which might be helpful:
[url=http://www.vasst.com/resource.aspx?id=a7a8c403-64dc-420d-97d0-90d2f8de9fc1]

Cliff Etzel wrote on 4/27/2007, 3:15 PM

AHH! Ok - I was applying an Event FX instead of a Media FX - Now I"m getting the results I was wanting per clip - THANKS GUYS!

farss wrote on 4/27/2007, 3:22 PM

Hold on one minute.

Are you certain. If you apply the CC FX to the media then all instances of the media (i.e. all events from that media) get the CC applied.
If you apply the CC to an event, that's by adding the FX to the event on the track, then only that event is CCed.
If you use the FX in the track header then the entire track is affected.

Sorry to be pedantic but if you don't get clearly in your head how Vegas works at the various levels you can have a really rough time going forward.

Bob.

Cliff Etzel wrote on 4/27/2007, 4:53 PM

I wanted to apply CC to a clip - right clicking on the clip and selecting Media FX is giving me the results I am looking for.

ON the topic of CC - What I am doing is repeating a small project I did for a client originally done in PPro and duplicating the edit in Vegas to compare the differences between the 2 apps.

The challenge I am having is wrapping my head around getting accurate color correction - I can EASILY attain what I am looking for in PPro, but Vegas just isn't giving me the clean whites and accurate colors I was getting in PPro.

I am using only the Brightness/Contrast and Color Corrector. Is there another option I should try for better results in the Color Correction dept while in Vegas???

As a test, comparing side by side the apps playing the 6 minute time line - PPro utilizes over 1GB of RAM with the time line rendered out (Simple dissolves, color correction and Brightness/Contrast adjustments) as compared to Vegas 7 utilizing 112MB with no rendering. (Standard Def footage shot with my TRV950's in a controlled lighting situation)

Now you can see why I want to become more proficient utilizing Vegas - especially on my single core laptop for field editing.

Please - any additional resources/help would be greatly appreciated.

MH_Stevens wrote on 4/27/2007, 4:59 PM

No, no, no.... Don't use brightness/Contrast ever!!!!!!!!!!

Start again using just these two: Sony Levels and the Sony Secondary Color Corrector. I think you will find the "photoshop like" controls you are looking for.