External Text editor

Caruso wrote on 6/3/2002, 3:12 AM
I've tried creating scrolling titles using Pagemaker 6.5. Didn't see an option to save as PNG or to alter the alpha channel, so, I copied/pasted my titles to Micrographx (7.0a). I could then save as PNG and use in Vegas.

But, my titles seem not to look as good on the screen (in terms of quality) when compared to text generated from the Vegas pluggins (although I like the flexibility in layout that Pagemaker provides).

I know I've missed a step regarding alpha channel in the Picture Publisher stage, but, the manul isn't clear to me as to how to achieve this.

Is anyone familiar enough with either of these two external aps to give me some pointers?

I'm not desparate, mind you, but, would like to improve my process if I can.

Thanks in advance.

Caruso

Comments

Caruso wrote on 6/3/2002, 3:17 AM
Oh, forgot to mention, I've made good use of native VV plugins and the VF scrolling title plugin. The reason I'm still searching is the limited VF flexibility - limited line length, only three font size settings available at any one time.

Pagemaker gives me unfettered control over the page layout. Now, if I can just get that to VV, I'll be ecstatic.
Caruso
tserface wrote on 6/3/2002, 8:58 AM
Did you make the .PNG 655x480 so that it can scale, pixel wise, to the right size when rendering to DV? If you made it 720x480 (or something else) the text will get adjusted with the picture and it won't look like the original.

Tom
Former user wrote on 6/3/2002, 9:21 AM
Caruso,

Do you have access to Photoshop or Macromedia Fireworks? Fireworks does PNG very well and is super flexible for text arrangement. Maybe give the Firework MX trial a go from www.macromedia.com.

Cheers,

Cuzin B

Caruso wrote on 6/3/2002, 8:53 PM
Thanks Tom. Yes, my png was the correct size. It fits the screen ok, and, frankly, doesn't look that bad. The letters just don't look as clean as when I generate text in Vegas. For instance, before I copy and paste from Pagemaker into Picture publisher, I create an image consisting only of a black background. Then, I paste white colored letters (pagemaker calls that color "paper") onto the black background.

Then, I save as png.

What I should be doing (I think) is making the background transparent by using the alpha channel. I'd be happy to do that in either of the two external aps or within vegas after importing the png if it's possible.

I just don't have a clue yet as to how I should go about it.

Thanks for your reply.

Caruso
pelvis wrote on 6/3/2002, 9:01 PM
Pagemaker is not really a great tool for raster images. Any chance of doing the layout in Illustrator+Photoshop?

Also: for video graphics, beware the fine seriph!