OT: Lower Thirds Apps

Cliff Etzel wrote on 3/2/2009, 1:10 PM
Quick Question - what options are there for Loer Thirds banners available that integrate with Vegas Pro?

I find that Photoshop is ok for it - but would like to have something a little quicker to be more efficient in editing.

Any recommendations?

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
bluprojekt | solo video journalism blog

Comments

farss wrote on 3/2/2009, 1:18 PM
Ultimate S, Vegas itself.

Generally one would use a minimal number of different lower 3rds in a project so time to build as a file with transparency really shouldn't be such a factor.

I've used US to create lower 3rds with in a project. In the end though I rendered the few types I was using to their own little files and put them back into Vegas. This cut my track count and improved render time and playback performance.

Bob.
Rory Cooper wrote on 3/2/2009, 10:14 PM
I use Photoshop SC3 and Indesign because I often receive graphics layered artwork from agencies

But my favourite real quick power graphics editor is PhotoImpact

It has editing modes for video and graphics and all the format templates you need

It also has templates from metal to transparent 3d buttons, gels etc all can be applied to text and shapes, which can be bevelled in a matter of seconds
And z merge, etc

For me it’s the Vegas of graphics editors,under priced and under rated but up there with the best.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/2/2009, 11:34 PM
Hey Cliff,

Not sure what you mean by a lower 3rds app, but Grafpaks are something VASST offers that work either with the Ultimate S 2 and above, and also the free GrafPak Viewer. Though I don't remember if they have the "pre-render" functionality in anything but Ultimate S Pro ( Which also comes with Vol. 1 and 2 of the GrafPaks when you order the Ultimate S Pro Plug-in ).

They're actually nested Vegas Project files using only Gen media and graphic files etc... so they are very very light weight in terms of hard drive storage space ( and can be completely customized if you want to go in and augment, and then save that project file somewhere else, although the augmented ones wouldn't be accessed in the GP tools then ).

Dave
Grazie wrote on 3/2/2009, 11:57 PM
I've used most of the above.

But Vegas presently does not support "layer-ing" back into itself. More's the pity. This would make compositor's work like Rory and others, a tad less hobbling. It is the "break" in the creative concentration that kah-changs my brain cell . . . ( I'm having to think: Now WHAT do I need to do??)

Our "Rosebud" (aka Gilles) has produced an export to Graphics Editor script that I have used to an advantage - saves a change and brings it back as a "take". But, other than rolling your own in Vegas and GrafPaks . . not so much. But having said THAT Vegas DOES do a great job. Does DigitalJuice sell any Low3s that can be worked-up and re-imported?

Should have asked this at the outset: What is it you are wanting to achieve Cliff?

Grazie
Rory Cooper wrote on 3/3/2009, 12:57 AM
Grazie is this a free script and does it link to a predefined editor or only adobe?

I would like to try this script out and see if it makes life easier
I like the fact that it saves a new instance and pops it in as a take, leaving the original media as is….very usefull
As at present if any changes occur in the media I save over the instance on the time line replacing the original with the same name in the graphics editor losing the original copy

So even if I go to Excalibur to fire up an earlier version veg file I get it with present active media but with this script I can retrieve with original media…very nice

I know you mentioned this script a few days ago but thinking about my workflow I can use this

Rory
Grazie wrote on 3/3/2009, 1:11 AM
"I know you mentioned this script a few days ago but thinking about my workflow I can use this" Rory . . You get to where you want to be . . when you want to be there!!

http://sony.vegas.1.free.fr/5th from bottom . . enjoy! And give feedback too!!!![/link]

Grazie
Rory Cooper wrote on 3/3/2009, 3:59 AM
Shot Grazie

I ran the settings dll and directed it to the Graph editor but where do I dump the dll for Vegas?

i am getting " the located assembly manifest does not match the asembly reference"?

Rory
Rory Cooper wrote on 3/4/2009, 1:58 AM
Ok got it working:

I was expecting to get it to run via script menu but has its own op thing …through open right click on artwork…edit…save…import is auto open…and add as a take

Thanks Grazie I have already used it this morning on a piece of content

Rory
Grazie wrote on 3/4/2009, 2:20 AM
Total MAGIC - yes Rory?!??

And THIS is why I love Vegas. An ability to to do something unexpected thru' Scripting and the GENIUS that are Scripting Gurus!

Grazie
Grazie wrote on 3/4/2009, 2:22 AM
OH! Now you have got this far, locate its Command and place its Icon, yup there on the Toolbar! - The you are one click away from your ides in your Graph Editor . . .

Apologies for not getting back to you earlier, I was under floorboards and plumbing in some new sockets . .

Grazie

Rory Cooper wrote on 3/4/2009, 4:32 AM
Grazie can you story board this for me in pictures?

Where and what is the command? Do I drag this onto the toolbar? ..i tried placing the script link through “customise toolbar ‘’ but the script icons don’t work

Tanks ……this will go with your pipes

Rory

Cliff Etzel wrote on 3/4/2009, 5:28 AM
Sorry to have been gone a couple of days - been busy with other projects...

I want to use something that can quickly generate lower thirds graphics for quick videos I'm shooting - basically for someones name and job title

Just trying to fins a solution that is straight forward and fairly inexpensive to get these quick projects done

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
bluprojekt | solo video journalism blog
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/4/2009, 11:00 AM
hey Cliff, download the Grafpak Viewer at VASST, it comes with a few free ones, and it sounds to me like it would fit your needs quite well.

And the price is right :)

Dave
farss wrote on 3/4/2009, 12:06 PM
I think I know what Cliff wants and so far we've all missed the mark.
He wants something fast and easy as he's got a lot of lower 3rds to do.
We have some clients with the same needs, they might have 100s of people auditioning in a day. The run a camera through our MX50 with a titler straight into a DVD recorder. You can type in the text before the person is in front of the camera and preset time on screen etc. Hit button on mixer while your roll and job is done.

If this is the kind of thing he's after I don't know of any solution that works directly in Vegas. Cayman Graphics years ago used to offer their titler as a plugin for Vegas but not anymore. Their standalone app might fill the need. You could also look at the Inscriber system, I know one local Vegas guy using it.

Bob.