I'm assuming that you mean adjusting the size, position, and orientation of the predefined shape (circle, square, etc).

What I'd like to do is create my own custom shape. I think this is called "keying" or something. Like filming a subject in front of a green screen, then overlaying that on the video stream.

Maybe this can only be done in VV 3.0?

Craig

Yes I did mean this - and you've had a go, okay.....

If you mean Chroma Keying - again .... Nope! VF don't do Chroma K.....

Have a look a Chienworks Upload site. I've just seen a clip - I think it is the latest - that uses a "Logo" with the scene going on behind it - this has been domne in Vegas Video though. Chroma Key over there!

Regards

Grazie

darn...can't spend another $200 yet. :)

If you don't need your shape to change over time, then you can just create the shape in photoshop (if you have photoshop :-), and save as a .psd file. VF can import the psd file with alpha layers intact, and presto, you've got a custom "cookie cutter"

There may be some other image formats that can contain alpha layers (And thus you could use a program other than photoshop), but I've only had success with .psd files.

Thanks for that Philfort - I knew it was a PhotoShop option, somehow, I just needed an expereinced user to underline that it would be possible. Thank you very, very much!

Could you write a simple, "idiot's" [for me at least!] guide to doing this procedure? Maybe you might want to "post" it on the new VF Tips 'n Tricks Forum as well as here?

Hmmmm... .psd file... I've done this with some type of banding I created in PhotoShop, I suppose I just need a little more of a nudge in the right direction - please. For example, you say, ".... with alpha layers intact...". Please explain.

Regards

Grazie

I guess what I said was a bit misleading, because you end up using up the overlay layer, so the whole cookie cutter thing becomes less useful.

But anyway, for example, to create a cookie cutter that is of some freeform shape, with a black background:
1) In photoshop, create a new image of the size you want. Make sure the background is transparent (I think this is the default)
2) Use the paint bucket to fill the image with black
3) Use the lasso to draw the shape you want
4) Press ctrl-X to delete the area inside the lasso, leaving a transparent area in the form of the shape you drew
5) Now save the file in .psd format (that's the default I think)
6) Import the psd file into Video Factory and place it in the Video Overlay track
7) The result should be a black background with the video in the main Video track showing through the shape you drew.

You could now do stuff like move your shape around, or blur it, etc.. for effect

Of course, now you've got no more overlay layer to play with, so I guess it ends up not being so useful after all.

Oh, and by "alpha layers intact", I just mean that the still image actually has an alpha layer (opacity), so when its overlaid on another track, stuff on that track shows through.

I thought TIFF could contain an alpha layer too, and maybe VF could work with that too, but unless I "flatten image" (thereby getting rid of the alpha), the only option in photoshop is to save as a psd file. (I just have the LE version which came free with my printer... maybe the full blown versions have more options).

btw, one neat thing I used this technique for, was to simulate the view of a "non human entity", a la Predator. I drew a "view-finder" in photoshop, which was mostly transparent, except for the lines around the edge and a crosshairs, and some text. Import it into VF and place it above your main video track, and now you got the view through the eyes of some "evil being" :-) I did it in Vegas, but it should work fine in VF.
Feel free to post this for me on the other tips and tricks forum you mentioned...