Comments

Kimberly wrote on 12/22/2010, 9:28 PM
The quick and easy (but not free) way is to download the NewBlue FX Video Essentials package that does this for you. I cannot remember which package it is, but it's pretty easy to run through the pckages and see which one.

You could always download the trial and see if you like it, then buy later. A watermark appears after the trial period.
Byron K wrote on 12/22/2010, 9:38 PM
You can do this by placing a copy of the event on another track.
Darken the top track
and use cookie cutter and the bottom track will show thru.

Just align the shape over the face you want to highlight.

You can also add feather or a boarder around the face.

Another way is to use a mask with a white circle or shape over a transparent background.

This thread was helpful when I was first trying this:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=12&MessageID=631141
TOG62 wrote on 12/23/2010, 1:19 AM
Could you not do this in a photo editor? If you do it in Vegas the effect will be applied to each frame and will significantly slow the encoding process.
Markk655 wrote on 12/23/2010, 11:31 AM
Absolutely agree with TOG. Use a photoeditor. Even if you need a free one, use GIMP. Essentially, all you would need to do is draw a circle or an ellipse (or select the face). Then brighten that area.

A video editor will take much more time.
richard-amirault wrote on 12/23/2010, 1:10 PM
Another way is to use a mask with a white circle or shape over a transparent background.

OR ... use the TEXT function in Vegas. Start with one that already has a transparent background ...type an "O" .. adjust the font to make it as big as you need .. use the POSTION function to place it over the persons head.
Chienworks wrote on 12/23/2010, 1:22 PM
If it's a video clip then doing this in a photo editor frame by frame is going to take way, WAY longer than letting Vegas do it frame by frame.

I would also posit that even if it's a still photo, the extra time taken to do the edit in a photo editor may add up to more than the increased rendering time will be. Vegas appears to be smart enough to know that if a still and it's applied effects haven't changed since the previous frame then it merely reuses what it has already rendered for the previous frame rather than starting over from scratch.
TOG62 wrote on 12/23/2010, 3:18 PM
The OP has stated that it is a still. My experience has been that encoding is very much slowed down when making adjustments to stills in VMS. This might be acceptable for the odd still and if rendering only once. In practice it's often the case that minor faults are noticed and it's then necessary to re-render.

Obviously both methods will work but photo editors are made for this kind of thing and are generally very good at it and quick to use. Both methods have been offered and it's up to the OP to choose.