Exactly, the title track goes above the video track. The reason the background of the title is transparent (shown as a checkboard) is because that is what allows the track below it to show through.
///d@

>>>but the backround that I don't want is showing at the end

that might be because you have accidentally added a keyframe to your text media. keyframes are what allow you to change settings over time, so you can have the background go from transparent to solid.

adding a new text media event will fix that.

Sorry to jump in...

So, does he have to have his background (color) transparant and the title a different color?

The color that is transparent is determined in the properties for the Generated Media clip. By default it is black, but you can change it in the clip. You can do different kinds of compositing. I'm still learning about it, but unfortunately the VV3 manual and help files are not complete enough to explain what the different options mean. The "premultiplied" option seems to work with text just fine and it is also the default.

You can get some interesting effects by playing with the compositing modes in the track. You drop down the list by clicking on the little a button next to the transparency slider on a video track (on the left). Source Alpha works well for text from a Generated Media clip because it uses the Alpha Channel color (black by default) as the transparent color. Compositing modes are explained, briefly, in the help.

Tom

tserface...just to add...

<<<(black by default) as the transparent color>>>

I'm only guessing that the original poster (he said he is a newbie, like me), is getting this black backgroud in his clip and when he previews it, the black backgroud takes over, even if the title is on the top track.

May not be the only way, but I just found something - Right Click on Title, select Edit Generated Media, Properties tab - the Background vertical selector - pull down to Zero, this should get rid of the background.

Ah, Could be. I can't see what he is seeing so it's hard to tell so all we can do is offer up blind suggestions. Kind of like the blind leading the blind... :)

He could also have the Child/Parent compositing thing set (on the far left) which would make the background black and the letters transparent.

It takes some time to trial and error learn this stuff, but it is so much fun...

Tom

Thanks guys,
I was placing the text under the video not above it.
Amazing how simple that was. I was trying all sorts of things way more complicated.
The good new is aI learned a lot of things in the process of not learning what I wanted to.
:-)

I wish the help file would have simply said.
Place title track on a level just above the video clip etc...
The term they use is on top. That can mean two things I assumed it meant (words on video).
Thanks again guys!

OT question- How do I get my User.N./password to bookmark here so I don't have to fill it in each time?

W

I too am new with Vegas 3 and have been struggling with titles. I just want to apply a title over my video but every piece of printed material I have seems to take me off into abstract concepts and scrolling text and other "cool stuff" that does not allow me to do a simple title over my video. I wasted money on the Vegas manual. I knew that for sure when I tried to research "capturing" in it and it said "you will find complete information in the help files," oh, and forget the manual when it comes to titles, too. Nothing in there. I am not having any trouble seeing the power of Vegas 3 but I am finding myself doing a lot of aimless fumbling right now. I need to get myself going in a good direction and really start accomplishing some things with Vegas. Thanks for all the input given here.

Here's a very basic way to make your titles transition in and out:

http://www.martyhedler.com/homepage/VV3titles.html

HTH, MPH

Very nice Marty!
Thank You
W

Thanks, martyh. That tutorial will help a lot. Not really shotgunning, but, I am trying to learn Vegas by working on my own project instead of the samples. I am still using the tutorial as a guide. If I apply the concepts to video I shot then things will sink in better. I was using a simple Canopus EZ Edit package prior to Vegas. Naturally it was much simpler than a pro package like Vegas.

I did get some titles in but they need work. I need to import a nice elegant-looking font into Vegas. Can't find one in Vegas that fits the occasion. Also, I need to make the title fade in as it slides into the view and out as is leaves. Hopefully, a diagonal slide is possible. I'm going to dig into martyh' tutorial now and see what I can do. Thanks again.

I have a long way to go but I'm making small steps. Bigger ones coming. As for the manual, I do have to realize that it does not say "Instruction Manual" on the outer cover.