"I kind of feel the topic is a bit off. Don't try to sell yourself on the tools you use. Anyone can buy a tool, knowing which one to use and how to use it is what counts."

I couldn't agree more - I think my intent for this thread has been lost somewhat. I've not cared what's being used ( since I was more than a year into this business ) to do the job by any means.

The reason for this thread was not to say, can vegas do this or that, it was to say, what do YOU use vegas for, what markets do people use vegas in, what innovative new ideas is vegas being put to use on, and the like.

also - the point of this thread was not to put down FCP or FCS. I tried several NLE's when I first started getting into this, and I found one that fit me (Vegas). That's not to say that other tools aren't good, or that one is better than all others ( contrary to some peoples thoughts ). I've never found the end all be all NLE ( and likely never will ). I feel that Vegas works with me and so I use it and I love it for what I do. I really do wish that Sony would release a compositor though - since I've never been a fan of the Adobe interface ( I Know, it's heresy to not like PS or AE, but I just never cared for the way the interface worked etc... ).

I may have to break down and learn some AE though, as I've been wanting to expand my compositing tools, and the combustion software I bought ended up being warez , but the money was already gone, so no upgrades, and no money >:| .

Dave

>>...I may have to break down and learn some AE though...

I'll tell ya', from what I see, this (AE) definitely seems to be the defacto standard in making cool stuff.

I own the CS3 suite with AE, I bought the Lynda Training course (really, really excellent), but I have had time to learn what I own.

Using Boris Red 4 and Particle Illusion (what I use), Photoshop, and of course Vegas, will take you pretty far though. I personally don't think Red is anywhere near the learning curve of AE, but that could just be me.

It sure looks to me like AE is worth the investment in time.

Nobody in their right mind would use motion for anything other than some quick home movie hack job.

You see Motion used on prime time TV every day. Perhaps you thought it was Fusion? :O)

Even after effects is so beyond motion it's insane to even try discussing it.

So there is one tool that is always better? Fascinating. All these top level broadcast dudes using Motion's behaviors to do in 5 minutes what would take them 5 hours to do with keyframes in After Effects.

NBC, ABC, CBS, etc. and their top suppliers must be all idiots, using Motion when that is faster...

99% of these dudes have both Motion and AE, and they use whichever tool works best for what needs to be done at any given moment.

And I've seen Motion used to crunch 2K footage on a Macbook Pro notebook with great performance.

I agree that Fusion is truly a great tool, for those who care to spend $4,995.00 + $395.00/year mandatory subscription. That's a pretty hefty multiplier over the cost of Vegas.

Perhaps you're thinking the old 8-bit DFX? This is no longer sold as far as I can find, because high-bit makes a big difference in higher level work for broadcast, and the difference is not subtle.

I feel your pain, presumably having spent $1K on it, but I agree that it is a really fine tool.

>>>You see Motion used on prime time TV every day. Perhaps you thought it was Fusion? <<<

No, it's very obvious when it's been done with some crap preset from Motion.

I am talking about $5000 Fusion, that's the one I use.
Some of the best money ever spent ( although it cost me only 2K when I bought it a while back ) and paid for itself in a couple of weeks after purchase.

Right tool for the right job
Vegas for audio and cutting video, Fusion for compositing and effects.

>>>>99% of these dudes have both Motion and AE, and they use whichever tool works best for what needs to be done at any given moment.<<<<

Neither of those is even close to being the best, so obviously 99% of these dudes just use what THEY KNOW best at any given moment.

If broadcast motion graphics designers had to choose between paying $1,000 to use After Effects vs. getting paid $1,000 for using Fusion, they would choose After Effects.

Fusion is more capable in several areas, but it is not a motion graphics tool.

AE blows it away in motion graphics as solidly as Fusion blows away AE in certain high end work.

The very well paid top working professionals in the broadcast industry know this. Too bad "99% of these dudes don't know what's best for them."

My thought: why use a hammer when a screwdriver would make the job easier?

And I have always said that Vegas is the best tool for video editing when it can be used. This means when you don't need one of the many codecs it doesn't allow you to use, or when you'd be helped by specific features in various other tools that cut your work by 75% or more.

What do you use for fixing things around the house?

I bet your toolbox contains only a hammer. But what a hammer!

It's the best hammer in the universe, with an organically grown maple handle and a case hardened head. Winner of every industrial exhibition since Paris 1893, it is the ultimate hammer, for only $2,495.00.

And it can be use to drive screws, cut wires, chop wood, and more.

Maybe this would take more time than using a screwdriver, pliers, and an axe, but what the heck, it is the most incredible hammer in the universe, and it's a joy to use!

>>>My thought: why use a hammer when a screwdriver would make the job easier?<<

Because Fusion is a toolbox containing all those tools, not just a hammer, and your analogy is way off. If you need a screwdriver, it's right there in fusion. There is nothing that AE can do that Fusion can't do even better ( unless you are some guy/girl who's been using crap like motion or AE his/her life and don't know how ).

So Fusion has behaviors now?

And it is fully compatible with the universe of even free After Effects and Motion plug-ins that help you do in minutes what would otherwise take hours or days?

I haven't followed Fusion more recently, as I can't justify spending $5,000 + $395/year on the specific things that Fusion indeed does better than my existing tools.

You got lucky with your $2K purchase, congratulations on having gotten really good value, just rejoice!