The best method for removal depends on how the object is placed in the scene. If it is on a separate track and not within the main scene/background, then the "route" method mentioned by Grazie is the way to go. However, if it is part of the scene, then you have to first create a "clean plate" using object removal software (Mocha Pro is by far the best tool for this). Once created, the clean plate would be your background track while the original track would be above that. Then you could use a combination of garbage masks and the route method to accomplish your final effect.

Peter

Thanks, Gracie. Did a search for route and came up empty except for stuff about using mapping software which doesn't strike me as relevant. I seem to remember seeing a tutorial about drawing a line but couldn't find it. Also removing a line seems quite different in my tests.

Thanks, Peter.. I have the object concerned on one track and the bit to be removed on another. Both are separate from the background. I'll check out garbage masks in help

@kit, a garbage mask is merely a term used to describe a very rough (not very accurate) mask to get rid of the bulk of the unwanted parts of a scene.

Peter

+ to the above but
I would consider using the vector masking tools within the Pan/Crop panel. You can animate the garbage mask very easily with these.

Hit film would actually be easier, but you'd have to watch some Youtube tutorials to get the concepts straight.
David

Thanks, I need to get round to actually looking seriously at Hit Film. Daft to have it and not know anything about it.