Dissolve won't add

jetdv wrote on 6/18/2002, 9:26 AM

Doing multicamera shows, I create as many video tracks as I have cameras and get them all in sync. Then, I make another "master" video track. Everywhere I want to switch to another camera I select all and the Split the video tracks. The appropriate camera then gets dragged to the "master" track.

To dissolve between the cameras, I then go to the split point, select the master track, and press "/" on the number pad to add the dissolve. This USUALLY works. However, about 5-10% of the time the dissolve will not add. If I "undo" enough steps and put that split one frame to either side, it will often work. Unfortunately, I have to undo too many steps for this to be a viable option.

My main question is: what is different between the times is does and does not work and what can I do to make sure it works every time?

Comments

Tyler.Durden wrote on 6/18/2002, 11:39 AM

Hi Jet,

The only time I can get it to fail, is to be off the split by a frame or so, or not have the track selected.

Vegas allows setting markers off the frame-lines with "quantize off" ( to mark beats, etc.)... so, it might be possible to navigate with the L-R arrows and miss the split.

If you are navigating with the Ctrl-arrow to hit the marker/split it *should* convert. I tested a couple a hundred bang-on, no misses.

HTH, MPH

jetdv wrote on 6/18/2002, 11:54 AM

First, I have already discovered that it can be the only track selected for it to work. Since then, I have been very careful to select ONLY that track before pressing "/".

Second, I am simply playing through the video using the space bar (play/pause). As soon as I pause, I hit CTRL-A, S. Then I drag the clip up to the other track where the end automatically snaps to the timeline bar. Will Quantize to Frame come into play when simply using the space bar?

Going back to the previous split I then select only that track and press "/". Even on the ones that don't work, I have zoomed in and found there was no gap in the timeline - it simply wouldn't work. As a workaround, I *can* grab the beginning of the clip and drag it left a few frames. While this works, it is much easier to just press "/".

By the way, is there an easy way to "select only track 1" prior to pressing "/" without clicking on it? (I still need to go through the keyboard shortcut section of the book another time or two or ten)

Tyler.Durden wrote on 6/18/2002, 12:24 PM

I haven't found keyboard shortcuts to select tracks. I wish there were such... I could use them in macros.

I'll try to replicate yer workflow and see if I turn up the fault.

Updated post--

FWIW, The quantize feature will force the spacebar to only pause on frames...

You might try to operate only on frames (if yer not) and see if it helps.

Beyond that, I got nuthin.

Regards, MPH

jetdv wrote on 6/18/2002, 1:35 PM

I'll have to look tonight to see whether I have quantize turned on. If I don't, I'll turn it on and see if it makes a difference. As I said, it works most of the time. Only about 5-10% of the time have I had a problem.

ad869 wrote on 6/18/2002, 5:24 PM

Per the note from JETDV, "Dissolve won't add":
"Doing multicamera shows, I create as many video tracks as I have cameras and get them all in sync. Then, I make another "master" video track. Everywhere I want to switch to another camera I select all and the Split the video tracks. The appropriate camera then gets dragged to the "master" track."

Thanks for the heads up - I was about to a start a new thread "How do I switch between multiple tracks?" The VV3 manual does not mention this, so I assume its not possible or an undocumented feature.

I have 3 simultaneously shot angles for a demo music video - I can sync them up to the common aduio track, and want to switch between them (and other another video track of story material). I spent awhile playing with opacity envelopes - no luck.

Is the way you have set it up - splitting and then dragging to the master track - really the only way to "switch" between tracks that you (or anyone else) know of? I'm new to VV, so I was not sure if this function is not available because (a) its just not how its done in video editing in general, or (b) is it just not possible in VV3 due to tech limitations or that the designers never thought of creating this functionality.

Thanks for the suggestion - at least I can try it. Just wondering if there is a simpler way.

AD in Canada

SonyDennis wrote on 6/18/2002, 5:42 PM

You might try NumPad 8 to move the selected clip up to the master track, this will ensure alignment in time.

You can use Alt+Shift+Up/Down arrow to change the "focus" track (it's the focus track plus time that affects where NumPad / works).

Also of possible use to you is Ctrl+Alt+L/R arrow for moving between edits.

If you ever have a case where NumPad / isn't working, try trimming the start of the right-hand clip in, then back out, and get it to snap to the end of the left hand clip.

///d@

jetdv wrote on 6/19/2002, 8:16 AM

Thanks SonicDennis, I will try these tips. I DID confirm that Quantize to Frames was turned ON. And, if I zoom into the timeline, there was NO gap between the first clip and the second clip. I did not try changing the length of either clip and then changing it back. And thanks for the keyboard shortcuts - I'll try them the next time I'm doing this (probably tonight or tomorrow night).

Last night, after checking the Quantize to Frames (I actually turned it off, moved the timeline position, and turned it back on and tested moving the timeline position) I then edited about 30 minutes of video in about 1.5 hours and it worked EVERY time. Then, suddenly, it did not work for about 5 straight edits. It's really confusing trying to figure out what is causing it to not work.

jetdv wrote on 6/19/2002, 8:25 AM

It is actually easier to use a master track and move the clips you want to use to the master track than it would be to leave the clips on the individual tracks. The main reason is because you would always have to be adjusting the opacity of the individual tracks to get "only the one you wanted". By moving everything to the master track (and making sure it is on top), you will not need to make any adjustments to opacity (unless that is the effect you are wanting). Also, once editing is completed, to be safe you could press the mute button for the original tracks.

Ultimately what you will end up with is a full master track and three sub-tracks containing holes where you used their clips.

Tyler.Durden wrote on 6/19/2002, 8:58 AM

Friendly tip...

If you Ctrl-drag (copy) the clips up to yer master track, You'll always have the original tracks *without* holes to fall-back on, or to solo for review.

HTH, MPH