why make it so complex?

Just do a simple transition element dropped on a fade in, and put the video on a track above whatever else is happening in your T/L.

if you only want to mix it that way over a single layer of video,

just make it crossfade for whatever length you want the movement to be, and drop the transition on it. Adjust to taste while looping on the section, and you're good to go.

Dave

Hi Will

Thanks for the reply, but it seems very complicated. I have recently moved over from Ulead MSPro 7 where it wasa very simple procedure. One would put one clip on top of another and then "right click" and using the "overlay options" , add a gradient mask and "key out" using the "grey key" option. I would have thought that there would be a simple way of doing it? I will check out VASST website as well.

Thanks

Ken

There's a Gradient Mask FX in Vegas.
Darned if I can get it to do anything that resembles a "mask" though.

Bob.

As Bob suggested , place a white gradient from media gen onto track 1 and select mask in track comp
Underneath place your video make this a child of track 1
Place the other video on track 3

I really have no idea just where this is going??? - We need an example of what you want to achieve. Otherwise we could be suggesting much, all fine examples in themselves, but missing exactly what you want.

Grazie

Not sure what Bob means by "Gradient Mask" effect. I see a "Gradient Map", but no mask.

Rory leaves out one detail. Starting somewhere around Vegas 5 or 6 one must add the "Sony Mask Generator" effect to the gradient event.



1: load gradient generated media on track 1
2: load left side video on next track
3: load right side video on bottom track
4: set compositing mode of top track to Mask (multiply)
5: Add the Sony Mask Generator effect to the gradient event (or to the entire track if desired)
6: Set the track to be masked to be a child of the gradient track.

In the preview you can see that the image gradually fades from the waterfall (track 2) on the left to the sunset (track 4) on the right.

"Not sure what Bob means by "Gradient Mask" effect. I see a "Gradient Map", but no mask"

You're right, that's what comes from having my edit suite in one room and my office PC in another.

Thanks for the rest of your post, I spent 15 minutes trying to get the exact same project to work, including the Mask Generator and for some reason couldn't. Works fine now, yish.

Bob.

Thanks Kelly, I was thinking of a white gradient with an alpha channel then you wouldn’t need to add mask gen, so any mask with an alpha channel you won’t need to add mask fx, but most masks are solid black and white so you would add mask fx to drop the black

Very nicely illustrated

Rory

Ahhhh, that explains it. Older versions of Vegas must have assumed black=transparent when the compositing mode was multiply. Newer versions distinguish between black and transparent. The Mask Generator effect must change black into transparent.

Yes, very nice effect. Thank you for the illustration.
This also works in the Vegas 'Platinum.' I had to adjust the control points on the "Linear White to Black" to see the fade. Is that a 'platinum' thing or something the long-time users intuitively understand??
Bob

Hi

Thanks. What I see on screen is exactly what I want to acheive. The only problem is that I cannot get it to work using the steps as shown by you. I don't know what I am doing wrong?

Ken

Ken, can you make a screenshot of what you've got set up on your timeline? If you don't have anywhere to upload it you can email it to me at chien @ chienworks.com

Also, can you send the .veg file (no media needed, just the .veg) to me at the same address?

I'll see if i can see any obvious problems with what you've done.

Hello Ken,
you do know that if you put two clips on the same track, you can overlap them to make your transition fade from one to the other with a duration as long as you want it...
It will not blend as you indicate ... but the entire first clip will slowly fade away to show the entire next clip on that track...

I don't mean to insult your intelligence in this matter, but your post indicates you're new to Vegas, so we need to make sure you have a simple solution - if that is all you'll need.

Just making sure all the complications of the blending isn't solved by the simple overlay transition.

TIP: The shortcut key for turning the overlay on and off is CTRL+SHIFT+X.

Until that time ... Earl J.

Hello Kelly,
what a great demonstration and tutorial on the gradient masking and blending... thank you.

I might have to start a new project just to practice the technique ... (grin) more work, woohoo...
(just kidding) ... in reality, I really enjoy working in Vegas - to the point where it doesn't really feel like work ... of course, if I don't finish my project by FRI, I don't run the risk of having to take on a second job... (grin) I'm an advanced amateur and hobbyist ... I do have a day job for the essentials (food and shelter)...

Until that time... Earl J.