Editing a 2 camera shoot

CLHC wrote on 6/7/2012, 11:16 PM
I am test driving a copy of VMS HD Platinum, to see if it can meet my needs. I have taped an event with 2 free running cameras. I now want to place both video clips in 2 video timeline channels, sync them, and transition between them. Just like a live switching of 2 cameras. I understand how to sync the clips, but I cannot see how to insert transitions somewhere in the middle of the clips. I would like to use any transition, but even cuts would be acceptable.

Comments

MSmart wrote on 6/8/2012, 12:51 AM
There's multiple ways to do what you want but here's what I do:

Given that you've synced the clips (Events in VMS vernacular):

1) position the cursor where you want to cut (split) the top event, press S

2) reposition the cursor where you end the cut, press S

3) Select and delete the portion of the event you've just cut. The bottom event will now play

4) To add a simple fade in the top event, locate the little blue triangle at the top corner of the trailing edge of the trailing edge of the top event, the arrow will change, click and drag backward for the duration of the fade you want.

5) To fade back to the top event, locate the little blue triangle at the top corner of the leading edge of the top event and drag forward the desired duration.

You now have created simple fade transitions from the top event to the bottom event and back to the top event.

ADDED: Before you start cutting but after you have them synced, select the audio events, right click, Group > Remove from. What this does is keep the audio when you start deleting the video events.
CLHC wrote on 6/8/2012, 2:12 AM
Ok, that sounds reasonable. So, if I want to use a dissolve or similar transition, can I just attach it to the desired end of the cut event?
Chienworks wrote on 6/8/2012, 5:48 AM
Yes. Wherever a fade has been added, a transition can be dragged onto that faded section.
richard-amirault wrote on 6/8/2012, 1:35 PM
Before you start cutting but after you have them synced, select the audio events, right click, Group > Remove from. What this does is keep the audio when you start deleting the video events.

AND ... one you've synced ... I would delete (or at least MUTE) one of the audio tracks so that you are not switching back and forth with two different sound sources.
D7K wrote on 6/8/2012, 7:26 PM
You want to look up composite envelope in help. no need to break into seperate segments. Composite envelope allows you to controll opacity of the video tracks.
musicvid10 wrote on 6/8/2012, 8:45 PM
While you're test driving, get behind the wheel of Vegas Pro.
Multicam editing and envelope automation make editing a three cam shoot fun.
MSmart wrote on 6/8/2012, 8:57 PM
@D7K, For a two camera shoot, composite levels could work. I've never used them but in looking at it, I don't see an easy way to adjust the length of one event. That is, you have to drag the 100% composite level marker to the desired location, then do the same for it's associated 0% marker. If the event was split, it seems easier to adjust it's length. But like I said, there's multiple ways of doing things. Thanks for pointing out another option.

@musicvid, that's right..... rub it in.
D7K wrote on 6/9/2012, 11:47 AM
Actually, you set 4 control points (two sets with each two right next to each other) for each portion of the video you want to control by clicking on the purple line at the top of the video segment. You can bring it up or down at any place you want by using for control point (they would like this .. video you what .. (first set is fade up or down, last set is the same in reverse). Works for any number of segments.

I normally use sound forge to control the volume on the various tracks. If you are only using the sound from one camera then you don't have to do this, just slience the other tracks.

Byron K wrote on 6/9/2012, 3:26 PM
Here's how I've done multicam editing in Studio.

Do rough cuts of your video tracks first.

-Highlight the only the video events and Group them. This will split all the camera tracks at the same time and will also keep your audio from getting chopped up.

-Place the cursor where you want to cut to different cams and press "S". Your split points don't have to be super accurate at this point because you'll be fine tuning this later.

-Create a new video track above the existing video tracks. This will become the master video track

-Drag the camera clip you want to the top track. If you just drag and drop it will "move" the clip you just split. If you hold "Ctrl" and drag it will copy the clip.

-Now you can edit the master track and fine tune the split points by dragging the video clips and overlapping them to insert transitions.



Changing video clips on master track:
When I want to replace clips in the master track and want to preview different camera clips I just use the solo button to preview the track. This is the button w/ the "!". I usually drag the clip on the master track back down and replace w/ the different camera clip and re-adjust to fit if needed. If you use the Ctrl drag method all you have to do is delete and replace.


Hope this helps you or others here.

Have fun! (;
MSmart wrote on 6/9/2012, 6:47 PM
@D7K, that's my point, it's much more difficult to make changes when you want to adjust the duration of the event when using a composite envelope. To me, it's much easier to split the event, set the fade duration, then if the length needs to be adjusted, just drag the leading or trailing edge.

@Byron K, I would argue the the master track should be the lowest track and not be edited. Splitting and deleting the upper tracks as needed to show the next lower track, to me, makes more sense. Less moving and less chance of events getting out of sync.

I do 4 cam shoots like this all the time for school plays/musicals. The wide/static shot is the lowest video track, right static is next up, left static is next up, the cam I operate for close-ups is at the top. I split and delete my way down and back up as needed to show the cam I want to play at that moment.

You're right, though, do rough cuts first, then come back and do the fine adjustments.

@brighterside, good point about muting the other tracks. I left that part out but that is the way to do it.
Byron K wrote on 6/10/2012, 2:30 AM
Great tip MSmart! That may have made my multi-cam edit's a little easier when I used Studio. ((;

Since I use Vegas Pro now I haven't refined my Studio multi-cam technique but this is good though, people can read this thread and use the technique that works best for them.
Chienworks wrote on 6/10/2012, 6:13 AM
Using envelopes also means the only transition available is crossfade.