Compositing

Sneddy wrote on 4/9/2005, 8:20 AM

I am using Vegas 5.0d. Can anyone point me to documentation or explain how I can put a small jpg on top of a video without altering the brightness or darkeness of the video. I have been experimenting and have gotten the jpg to show through but can't get it so the video quality is the same. Is the DVD available through Sony or Ed Troxel's DVD good for improving Vegas skills and compositing in particular? Thanks in advance. Bob Kroeger

Comments

Tom Pauncz wrote on 4/9/2005, 8:40 AM

Hi,
Use two tracks, one for each video clip. Put the one you want to see small on the top track and use the Track Motion tool on the top track (the little button with the arrow and a small blue square) to size and position.

The online help may be useful too.

Tom

TeetimeNC wrote on 4/9/2005, 8:56 AM

Bob, jpg format doesn't support transparency. If you are trying to place a small irregularly shaped image on top of video, you will need to create the image with a tranparent background (alpha channel). For example, suppose you had a star-shaped image you wanted to place on top of the video. Everything except the actual star shape in the image should be transparent. I normally use Paintshop Pro to create images with transparency. I use the PNG format - Vegas handles PNG's well.

-jerry

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 4/9/2005, 10:29 AM

If you're looking for a free solution - check out the gimp for graphics.

it's kinda like photoshop but it's free

Dave

farss wrote on 4/9/2005, 2:14 PM

Your other alternative is to use one of the video tools to creat the alpha channel, either chroma key or masks might do what you need and you may find them a bit easier to use than the tools in photoshop. One trick when working with transparency in any application is to have a solid color as the background, makes it way easier to see the transparency. By default Vegas has a black background, add a bottom track of say solid red while you work and then delete / mute it when you're finished.
Bob.