Found the Reason Why Title Outline Didn’t Work in VEGAS Pro 23

VVN wrote on 10/17/2025, 6:07 AM

Hi,
Recently, I purchased VEGAS Pro 23 and I am currently learning how to use it. It differs significantly from the less advanced programs I have worked with so far. Perhaps that is why I encountered a problem I couldn’t figure out at first.

After adding a title on a newly created track, I couldn’t create a black outline around the letters or apply a shadow. I didn’t understand why, and it was quite frustrating.

It took me some time to discover the reason. The track containing the title must have its Composite Mode set to “Source Alpha”, while by default, new tracks were being created with Composite Mode set to “Screen.”

I changed the default setting so that new tracks are now created with Composite Mode = Source Alpha, and the title started working correctly.

I’m not sure if this behavior is intentional, but if it is, I believe it would be helpful for VEGAS to display a warning message when there’s such an incompatibility between the title and the track settings that limits its full functionality. For users who are just starting with VEGAS Pro 23, this could be a rather confusing and unpleasant surprise.

Comments

Dexcon wrote on 10/17/2025, 6:22 AM

On my Vegas Pro 23 build 302, the default composite mode is 'Source Alpha' - as has always been the case in all previous versions of Vegas Pro I've had since Vegas Pro 10.

I don't know why your VP23 defaults composite mode to 'Screen', but if you change the mode to 'Source Alpha' and then R click that video track header and select the 'Set Default Track Properties' option, all subsequent track creations should have 'Source Alpha' as the default composite mode.

RogerS wrote on 10/17/2025, 6:59 AM

That's odd- the default here is source alpha. You are sure you didn't accidentally change the default?

VVN wrote on 10/17/2025, 7:21 AM

I did that, but since I was just learning the program, I wasn’t aware of the consequences. I realized it only later. That’s why I suggested adding a warning message with an option to disable it, so it doesn’t appear again.

Reyfox wrote on 10/17/2025, 9:54 AM

Another "Source Alpha" as default.

With so many different settings, the developers would be spending a lot of time adding warning messages to options that can cause issues while editing. I'd rather them devote their time to more pressing needs. We learn the software, use the manual, Youtube videos, etc., and remember (I have a note pad next to my computer) what we did. Or, you can always RESET Vegas to its default settings if things really get strange.

LdM_Edit wrote on 10/17/2025, 10:47 AM

If the issue is that the outline and shadow options only work as intended when in "Source Alpha" composite mode, then the solution should be to fix this so that it works as intended in all composite modes.

If it is working as intended but what you see is just the expected result of applying a different composite mode like "Screen" (which is what I suspect is happening here), then there's no problem to fix. It's up to the user to learn what composite modes do.

Either way I don't see the need to add a warning.

Gid wrote on 10/17/2025, 11:06 AM

I agree, it's simply a case of learning. I can look at the screen & go through the 3-5 different reasons of why something isn't working as expected. There really isn't many reasons why something like your problem would happen. It wouldn't be long after using the software that you would be turning off those annoying warning messages.

On your problem - If you Select all (Ctrl+A) at some point & then change the track composition of one track it will change all tracks to whatever composition option you choose. (When all tracks are selected vs just one track it's sometimes hard to notice because of the 'slight' change in the grey colour of the header)

Change the track header to show more icons using the three little dots. If the track composition changes the icon will change, also if you have inadvertently added an fx to the track rather than an individual event you'll see it easier.

VVN wrote on 10/17/2025, 1:29 PM

That's good and practical advice.