Is possible to make new Text & Backdrops for VF?

fbx wrote on 12/11/2002, 1:11 AM
One way to accomplice what I want (widescreen photos cropped almost 2:1 floating in a white screen or ground) would be to make a new Backdrop with transparent middle and white boarder. I haven't bee able to figure out how this might be done in VF, or if, indeed, it is possible. I have made and added a PRESET under Video Event Properties, the Pan/Crop tab, but this doesn't help me with Text & Backdrops.

A little (more) help? Many thanks to all--

cheers--

Comments

IanG wrote on 12/11/2002, 5:45 AM
Maybe a gif with a transparent section in the middle, used as an overlay? Not the approach you're looking for, but it might do it. Or produce a picture frame with a transparent center for the Harry Potter effect (if you use video rather than stills).

Ian G.
Grazie wrote on 12/11/2002, 5:52 AM
Nice one Ian! - But another one if you really wanna get funky with Photoshop is to make your own stuff up. Boraders; backrounds of Artists faces; detail of picture - oooh yes you can get really cheesy too! I don't think I can bring myself to say things like....... wall tacks/nails holding up the picture! Maybe a few Gallery Lights - yeah! Lots to do LS

Grazie
fbx wrote on 12/11/2002, 7:41 PM
C'mon, folks, I'm not doing the roadshow version just yet. Just looking for a simple way to make additional backdrops using capabilities that some backdrops already have (I'd use the "hollow center" backdrop but I don't want the fading edge inside, want a clean hard edge, which, of course, reads as either photo or video "on top of" ground).

So the question remains--is making new backdrops a part of VF or not? I can't even find the basic backdrops on my disc, so maybe making more is out of the question (those this doesn't make good sense). I assumed the gif might be done but haven't tried.

los
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/11/2002, 11:40 PM
Yes, making new backdrops is part of VF. Just change an existing backdrop and save it as a new name (press the floppy disk icon). If you don’t like the fading edge inside the hollow background then change it. By moving points (1) and (2) on top of each other the fade becomes a hard edge. By moving them away from each other the fade gets softer.

Try moving the two points to the right of the screen and place them on top of each other. This should give you a top and bottom blue border with nothing on the sides. Then change the color of point (1) to white and you should have the effect you need. This should be placed on the overlay track so it’s in front of your movie. I think this is the effect you’re looking for.

~jr
Grazie wrote on 12/12/2002, 1:33 AM
LS - Apologies for the humour! Now, once you get into the menu Johnny suggests and you understand a bit about simple colour theory - Primary & Secondary colours & Complementary Colours - you can "eye-drop" the colour you wish from the colour selector and apply that colour to the border infill.

Grazie
fbx wrote on 12/12/2002, 2:27 PM
Excellent! You guys stun me. VF stuns me. This is exactly what I want. 1000 thanks at all.
fbx wrote on 12/12/2002, 2:28 PM
No apologies! Excellent work. I'm just a little slower than the average bear.

Grazie wrote on 12/12/2002, 3:10 PM
Now - hows zabout you show us your "Tate Gallery" of work? You can stick-it-up on Chiewnworks' site. Just a small snippet - yes? I feel like I/we would like to see our input has helped - yes?

As to the "Bear" thingy - used to be a lead singer with Canned Heat. Kool dude. I believe they hailed from Laurel Canyon - Link there to John Mayall AND that's for IanG..... ;)

Seeyah....

Grazie
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/12/2002, 4:38 PM
That’s what most people don’t realize. Video Factory looks deceptively simple on the outside because it’s so easy to use but its actually quite deep once you get to know your way around it. It gives you a lot of flexibility.

What kills me is when some reviewer spends 10 minutes with it and gives it a mediocre review stating that it’s nothing special. Then they praise products like Pinnacle Studio that don’t even work out of the box, but somehow they didn’t find anything wrong with it. Don’t get me started...

I'm glad that worked for you.

~jr
Grazie wrote on 12/12/2002, 5:13 PM
Oh - Johnny then there's "The Dark Side" ...... PLease shed a tear for those poor souls lanquishing over there. Not to know the paradise of audio SYNCHED to video; Audio that can be edited in 3 diffrent tracks WITHOUT the need to render first - let us spare a thought for these poor unfortunates. Let's give praise to SoFo! SoFo! SoFo!

I can speak as one who has trod that barren land. Has viewed the partched and infertile land of desparate twiddling of non-exsistent menus and formats - ah, the agony. Those of us who have travelled that dangerous land, full of rearing beasts and gnashing teeth and wailing frustrations.......

("Hey - has Grazie had his medication tonite? No! Then for the sake of sanity get the pills over here - right here right NOW! ... NOW!") [BIG wink ;)) ] I SAID WINK!

Johnny yes - when I see the "rave" reviews of THAT product I think hmmmm....

Some things are as old as hills - yeah?

Oh yes my Vegas Video should be with me in the morning!... I don't think I'll be able to sleep - I don't think I'll be ......ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........