Mask instead of cut

gordie wrote on 12/23/2005, 8:48 PM

Hello all,
I'm trying to figure out a way to edit an ab roll using a mask to "cut" the A-cam instead of actually cutting.
In other words, I got A on track 1 and B on track 2. Instead of cutting out chunks of A to allow B to show, I'd like to use a mask (say, black) instead.

Why? Well, we all screw up at one point or another. You've made your cuts to duck camera moves, etc, and then realize that one (or more) of your edits has clumbsily resulted in a sync issue.... a big one.

Sure, you can affect the one track only and move it to match the other. But, all your ducking is now screwed up. Using a mask instead, resolves this problem. You just cut the black out where you want B to show, minimizing this debacle.

So, any help. My vegas 4 book covers this, but I've upgraded and things seemed to have changed quite a bit with the latest Vegas version.

Gordie

Comments

farss wrote on 12/23/2005, 9:31 PM

Why not use an opacity envelope?
Better still why not use something like InfitiCam?
The latter is pretty good value and easy to use, even an old fart like me was able to edit a 2 hour performance before finding the documentation.
Bob.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/23/2005, 11:35 PM

If you're just doing 2 cam edits, use the FREE app from NON WORKING LINK BECAUSE OF CRAZY SONY FORUMNESS (I HATE IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS) called multi-cam (or something like that) and then just have to hit 1 key for a cut/fade, then process the "cut/fades", and render. If you want a great tool, I suggest the US2 plugin, at $149 or something like that. I've made the purchase cost back time and time again, time saved, and audio stuff that I could just click (as I had no clue about some of the stuff that it just did for me). I've used the lower thirds in there many times. I can't say enough about the photomontage tool, and there's more that I haven't even gotten into yet. Excalibur is another great app (I have much less experience with that, but there are those that swear by it). If you decide that you want to get one, you can do a trial D/L of both and see which one will do what you need best, and be the best value for the money. Anyone know the link to the Excalibur site? - I don't know it off the top of my head, sorry.

Dave

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/23/2005, 11:56 PM

You can find JetDV's Excalibur here
You can find DoubleTake (free app) here It's a freeware app, 2 cameras only.
You can find Ultimate S with QuadCam here (4 cameras only)
Adn then you can finally find infinitiCAM here. (Unlimited cameras)

gordie wrote on 12/24/2005, 10:15 AM

Thanks for all your advice. I'll check these solutions out.
Not sure about the opacity envelope; it might move as well, duing a re-alignment.

But, I'll experiment.

Thanks!

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/24/2005, 10:41 AM

Thanks spot - i didn't want to take the time, to do all that. :)

Dave