use the velocity envelope and change the speed to 0%. Then it will be a freeze frame.

It takes 4 nodes on the velocity envelope. The first at 100%, the second on the frame you want the freeze at 0%, the third near where you want the freeze to end at 0% and the fourth back at 100%. If you want a gradual slowdown use a linear or other curve, if you want a quick freeze, use HOLD.

Dave T2

Snapshot is often not a good idea because in Vegas you have to get everything set up correctly in order to get the correct resolution and interlacing. Velocity is better. Here are two useful links:

Freezing the last frame of a video?

Stop action at a specific frame - simpler solution

Thanks a lot for the great advice and links, it worked!!!!!!

If you have your clip ending on the frame you want to hold. Render the section of video to a new track. once you have the new track in place, turn off the looping option for the track.
Then extend the track by pulling the right edge to the desired length you it to hold to.
The video will then hold at that last frame until the desired length.
Make sure you turn looping off first.

>>...for some reason the color isn't exactly the same...

I used to do the snapshot thing too for quite awhile, but as soon as you add any effects, it doesn't quite match.

The velocity envelope to 0% is definitly the best way to go.

I'm not at a computer with Vegas installed, so I can't try any of this right now but...

1. Along the lines of what L8R suggests, but without rendering: can you put a split in the event where you want the freeze frame to be, then right-click the left half and make it a subclip, uncheck looping, and stretch the end out for a freeze frame? I haven't tried this, but it seems like it would work.

2. About color changes on saved frames: I'd like to hear more about this -- can anybody provide more details about what to look for or what to avoid? Saved in .png format should be lossless, right?

I can see where there would be a problem if there are *track* level effects, because the still frame would get a double dose (i.e. color change already applied when snapshot saved, then bringing it onto that track applies the color changes a second time). Any other comments or warnings on this topic?

Thanks,
Tim L

TIm L -- Your suggestion #1 works well. Very easy. Very precise. Quick and no color shifts etc.

I've struggled at times with using a "snapshot" to freeze a frame. That method works, but I see now it is the weakest method.

I also like the suggestion to render a single frame and stretch that out to the lenghth needed. Tried the velocity to zero idea and it works very well also. That one is especially good for slowing things down and then freezing.

Terrific people on this board. Always learning something. Thanks to all !

I still don't understand why people don't just use the Velocity Envelope to change the speed to 0% at the point they want a freeze frame. No splitting. No snapshots. No subclips. Just a simple velocity change.

jet, I have a question on this. I wanted to freeze my initial frame for several seconds and put a title on it, so I split right after the first frame and drug it out.

I'm very interested in using the velocity envelope, but how do I, say, create a 5 second "pause" this way?

[EDIT] Ok, I got it, I think (at least, this works). I created the points (0 and 100%), a 0% at the beginning, and a pair {0,100} at 5 seconds in. This paused the video 5 seconds, then started it up.

Now, if I didn't want the audio during those five seconds, I guess I either do a split, or I use an audio envelop and turn the volume down to zero during that part?

>>...I have a question on this...

Something that can also come in handy to do what I think you're trying to do, copy the event, do your freeze on one event, do what you want to do on the other event.

On your freeze event, whatever frame you want to freeze, do a 0% velocity envelope fo that frame. You can not lengthen or shorten the event as needed. You can stretch it to 5 seconds or 5 hours. This has the same effect as the snapshot method, but it is a seamless transition between events if you start applying filters. No "little jump" between the two.

By creating a 0% velocity *video* event, it acts like a snapshot (still image) frame, but it, the break between the 2, is completely undiscernable if you start applying filters.

>>... I use an audio envelop and turn the volume down to zero during that part?...

Yes. Or use a dedicated track and turn down the volume on the track. Could also click Ignore Event Grouping, delete the audio portion of the event in question, then re-click Ignore Event Grouping, so groups are no longer ignored. Could also right click on the audio portion of the event in question and select the Mute switch. All will work.

The audio is an entirely different animal. I wouldn't just turn down the volume in the first 5 seconds or you'll end up with the sync of the entire audio being 5 seconds off. The split option is a reasonable choice in this particular case and would allow a Velocity Envelope with one one point at the front at 0%.

Another option would be to simply move the audio so that it's back in sync after the 5 second mark. You'll need to ungroup the audio to do that.

99.9% of the time when I change the speed of a clip, the audio will be totally unrelated to what was taped during that clip for my cases. So the audio has not typically been an issue for me.

One advantage of using the velocity envelope as that you can gradually go to 100% speed instead of having a jarring 0% to 100% jump.

There is a widespread misunderstanding that when you slow down video you have to slow down the audio too. Or speed up, if that's the case. Usually that is not so. The effect of slowing down audio is dramatically different from the effect of slowing down video. You need a very good and specific reason to slow down audio.

The normal thing to do is to let the audio continue at normal speed, and make up for the lost frames by starting it earlier or stopping it later. It is a good effect to let dialog begin before you reveal the video to which it belongs. You can of course also scrap the audio entirely or replace it with something else (music? noise? voice over?).

As this is a holiday video you could use the freeze periods to announce the chapter headings - like a voice over. "That year we went to this place but then the car broke down...". Something like that. Have one of your children read it or do it yourself.

Black and white is easy as you can keyframe effects like that and even have them end gradually, in keeping with a gradual return to "live" unfrozen video.

Let me just add that holiday videos are important things, and each one gets more important over the years as kids and spouses grow older. I have made a few over the last 8 years, and never once have I been criticized for technical misjudgements or shortcomings. (Am I really that good? No!) Keep it short and trigger the best memories and you're OK every time.
Tor

This thread has helped me with drop outs - I seem to loose about 0.5 sec from time to time when I import from tape.
Are there better ways to smooth over drop outs?