Moving line on map

kbradley wrote on 8/8/2004, 3:01 PM
It seems to me that Vegas 5 has the capability of drawing a moving line on a map to show the route followed.
Track 1 would be the map, track 2 the color of the line, and track 3 would be a mask with keyframes drawn with bezier curves showing a moving line.
Adobe After effects will do this using the "Write-on" plugin, but I was wondering if anyone has done this in Vegas?

Keith bradley

Comments

bStro wrote on 8/8/2004, 5:31 PM
If you have the map on Track 1, the color on Track 2, and a mask on Track 3, you'd only see the map.

If you're going to go with that method, I think you'd want a solid color (using the Media Generator) on track one and the map on track 2. Open the Pan / Crop window for the solid color event on Track 2 and use bezier curves to form the line and keyframes to make it move.

There, of course, other ways of accomplishing this.

Rob
kbradley wrote on 8/8/2004, 5:34 PM
If there are other ways of doing this, please let me know...

Keith Bradley
biggles wrote on 8/8/2004, 5:42 PM
Hi Keith,

Have a look at this tutorial:

http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/Vegas_Tutorials.html?Welcome_Visitor=1044270900
MJhig wrote on 8/8/2004, 5:45 PM
There's a veg file for this using a mask at VAAST I think, it's been some time since I checked it out. Basically it uses a mask to shadow all but the route on the map, if it's not at VAAST hopefully someone can steer you right.

MJ
bStro wrote on 8/8/2004, 5:49 PM
Depends -- what do you want the line to look like?

Another way would be to create the animation of the line outside of Vegas and bring it in as an overlay. For example, using a program like Paint Shop Pro, I could:

Create an image with multiple layers, using the map in question as the bottom (and size-defining) layer. On a layer above that, I'd draw part of my line -- save just that layer to a file. Draw more of my liine -- save just that layer to another file. And so on...essentially building the movement of the line picture by picture.

Then I'd bring all of these pictures into Paint Shop Pro's sister program, Animation Shop (I think it's called) and use them as frames in an animation. Animation Shop, like most such programs I imagine, let's me decide on a frame rate and how long each picture will be displayed. Export this all to an AVI or animated GIF with a transparent background and then bring it into Vegas over the map. If necessary, fix the timing by splitting / stretching / squishing the line animation where necessary.

Rob
bStro wrote on 8/8/2004, 6:03 PM
Of course! Don't know why I didn't think of transitioning between two maps -- one without the line and one without. Works even better with Vegas 5 because of transition progress envelopes.

OR: Again, two maps but on two tracks. Map without the line on top of the one with the line. Use bezier curve mask on the top map to reveal the line as needed.

See, Keith, there are all kinds of ways to do this. Just have to use your imagination. :)

Rob
taliesin wrote on 8/8/2004, 6:10 PM
If you use Wax as an Vegas plugin you'll find a handwrite fx in your Video FX folder. And this one does exactly what you want.

Marco
Chienworks wrote on 8/8/2004, 6:29 PM
http://www.chienworks.com/software/mapliner/

Although, with Vegas 5's bezier masks, my software is probably now obsolete.
taliesin wrote on 8/8/2004, 6:37 PM
Oops, I wasn't aware of your software. Testing ... :-)

Marco
taliesin wrote on 8/8/2004, 6:43 PM
Cool. I like that one. Thanks for it!

Marco
kbradley wrote on 8/8/2004, 9:01 PM
Where can I get Wax as a Vegas plugin - Handwrite Video FX? Who is the Vendor?
I have searched all over the net without success.

Keith bradley
stormstereo wrote on 8/9/2004, 12:24 AM
Wax is provided by our old friend Satish on www.debugmode.com

For additional Vegas resources check out http://www.blue7media.com/vegas/
There's a lot of good stuff.

Best/Tommy