Newbie Questions

grdnangl wrote on 1/10/2009, 9:40 AM
I have used Pinnacle for my past video creations. I am trying to learn how to maneuver around in Vegas Studio. I am creating a graduation video and have 2 months to work on it. (Eeek!) I am having trouble with probably the most simple things I need to learn, and that is - moving a photo from one place to another (or an event as Vegas calls it). When I try to 'move it' it goes underneath another photo, instead of moving the other photo over to insert it. Does that make sense to you? I think I just figured out how to move an event on the timeline, you just right click on the photo and drag it to the place you want it, and click on shuffle, then it will move the other pictures over on the timeline.) I have just tried adding a picture from my media files (up above) to the timeline where it will insert the photo, but it will not insert it, the photo goes 'underneath' the photo already there - Yikes! how do I 'insert that photo inbetween two pictures already on the timeline?

I am not familiar yet with all the terms Vegas uses, and it seems a bit overwhelming right now starting out.

Is there an easy way to learn just the very (simple) basics of how to put this video together? (I know I can elaborate later if I have time) Any demos that show me how to do these things, etc. ?

Another thing I was wondering is I have 4-5 different songs with different pictures, and will be working on them as I get photos from the class. Do I do these all on the same timeline, or should I save each one separately and work on them, and then put them all together to make the DVD? That's what I did in Pinnacle, so I could work on each segment separately, and then merge them all together at the end.

I know it takes time to learn a new software, but I have limited time, so I REALLY appreciate any tips you may have for me to make this transition to Vegas easier!

Comments

Markk655 wrote on 1/10/2009, 10:51 AM
For #1, try right clicking and select shuffle events.
#2 - Use the Vegas quick start manual AND click the "show me how" buttons to show easy step by step tutorials. There are also tutorials on the Sony website. Look above at Support menu.
#3 - You can do either way. Many people do find it easier to work with smaller projects (just like Pinnacle Studio).
Terry Esslinger wrote on 1/10/2009, 10:54 AM
Have each photo on its own track. Vegas looks from the top down. It sees what is oon the top track and if there ids any 'space around what is on the top ,track it can see tracks underneath. So if you reduce the size of the photo on track one you will be able to see portions of the photo pon track 2. If you move a photo into the smae space as another nphoto you will always see the photo on the uppermost track (unless you reduce the alpha level in which case you will see a blended photo). A work flow to ty: Place 4 photos on four tracks. Reduce the size of the photo on track1 to the size you want using event pan and crop and then move it to where you want it using same tool or maybe track motion tool. Now you will see phto in track 2. Do the same thing to that photo and so on until you have all 4 photos visible and whetre you want them. You can then experiment with keyframing to have thoise photos move where you wnat them to as the video is playing.
Hvae fun
Eugenia wrote on 1/10/2009, 11:04 AM
>When I try to 'move it' it goes underneath another photo

Yes, that's the default -- and in my opinion correct -- behavior. You need to move the rest of your events to the right to fit it. You can do that automatically, by enabling the AutoRipple option in the main toolbar, but this option can create problems when you don't want it to.

> Is there an easy way to learn

Please read here: http://eugenia.gnomefiles.org/2008/12/19/sony-vegas-hints-and-tips/
and here: http://hv20.com/showthread.php?t=12304

> or should I save each one separately

You can work with them together. And then put a Marker at the beginning at each one of these (press M and type a title to it), and when you export for DVD, these markers will automatically become DVD Chapters.
Himanshu wrote on 1/10/2009, 7:16 PM
If you're coming from a different package, then it's best to look at a few tutorials to get started. Search this forum for older posts with links to tutorials on SCS's web site (even if they are for Vegas Pro - the basics still apply). Alternatively just browse SCS's web site for tutorials. They won't take more than 15-30 mins to go through and it will help tremendously.
i c e wrote on 1/10/2009, 9:44 PM
Yeah man,
I know what you're going through as I did the exact same thing. (switching from Pinicle to Vegas). Yes it is overwhelming at first but it willcome to you quickly as you start using more and more. Eventually you will be very happy you made the switch. Vegas is 100x better! After you lean to use it, it will also be faster.
As hard as it is be patient. you'll figure out everything.

The above posts are all right on.

ice
ritsmer wrote on 1/11/2009, 1:30 AM
grdnangl - Welcome to Vegas!

Please do make a short test video - say about 1 minute - going all the way from importing pictures, adjust pictures, adding FX and transitions, adding music and sounds, credit texts etc. and finish it by burning it to a DVD and do it N-O-W.

This will give you a valuable experience - and you avoid problems in the last minute.

Here in this forum we have seen too many people trying to learn Vegas from the beginning while editing a HUGE project with a deadline ending up weeping and whining that one or the other feature is faulty and does not work and that they will return Vegas and claim their money back - all this because they literally tried to maneuver a 30 ton Peterbilt semi from Miami to Seattle before they got a drivers licence to their Grannys Honda Civic.

Have fun - no trouble :-)
grdnangl wrote on 1/11/2009, 6:57 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I did find the tutorials and have watched them - it does make more sense now - just getting used to the new lingo - learning the terms and what they stand for etc.

I do have a new problem now - I keep getting a message when I start up Vegas that says:

The following file could not be found in the specified location:

what do you want to do?

search for missing file
I click on the msg stating: ignore all missing files and leave them offline. It seems to work after i click on this.

Does anyone know what this is, and what I did to make it happen?

Could it be that i moved some photos into a bin to sort them and arrange them a little better?
richard-amirault wrote on 1/11/2009, 7:13 PM
Could it be that i moved some photos into a bin to sort them and arrange them a little better?

Yes, very likely that is it. Vegas remembers the location (on your computer) where each component (video file, picture, audio file, and so on) is located.

If you start a project with items in one location. Shut Vegas down and then move any of those files. When Vegas starts up again (and tries to load that project) it won't be able to find those files that you have moved.
Byron K wrote on 1/11/2009, 8:50 PM
I've done the same thing where I've rearranged files in the middle of a project.

At the message there should be a search function. Just select the folder or drive the material is on and Movie studio should be able to find it. I recommend that you drill down to the root folder that your media is in rather than search thru the whole disk.

This has worked many times for me.
Editguy43 wrote on 1/11/2009, 9:37 PM
I also came from Pinnacle to Vegas and have never looked back, Just relax and study the tutorials it will all come. and you will be editing with so much speed that you might need a fire suppression system on your computer. :-)

You might want to check out You Tube, there are many many good tutorials on there just to a search for Sony Vegas.


Good luck and welcome to VEGAS :-)

Paul B