Photoshop layers in Vegas

Laurence wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:06 AM
I'd like to do a little simple animation of the type you see on PBS Kids shows: crayon drawn characters moving over a static crayon drawn background. I have the drawings scanned and separated into layers in Photoshop, but I can't yet separate the layers when I import the Photoshop files into Vegas. Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to do this?

Comments

rs170a wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:10 AM
At this moment in time, Vegas still doesn't recognize Photoshop layers. It's been a requested feature for some time but unfortunately ... :-(
The only workaround is to save each layer out as a separate file and import them.
As always, I stand to be corrected - or told of another workaround.

Mike
kentwolf wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:18 AM
If you happen to have Boris Red 3GL, that does recognize PS layers.
Laurence wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:23 AM
Is there a graphics format that I can save an object in a picture without a background so that just the object shows up superimposed over whatever background track is beneath it?
rs170a wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:28 AM
Photoshop's native format (psd) works for me. The alpha channel is always recognized.

Mike
FuTz wrote on 1/17/2006, 7:44 AM
In Photoshop itself, you can save layers as separate pics.
You then import in Vegas as a sequence, after having set your parameters in Prefs (crossfade, pics lenght on the timeline)
rmack350 wrote on 1/17/2006, 8:20 AM
This works in CS or better. Maybe v7 too, but not v6 unless you can find or create a script to do it.

Rob Mack
rmack350 wrote on 1/17/2006, 8:32 AM
Vegas does this with photoshop files. No problem. Well, almost. Here's what I did in photoshop 6:

--In PS6 Prefs go to the "Saving Files" settings and check Maximize backwards compatibility.

(this makes PS save a flattened image of all the visible layers within the PSD files. You won't see this as a layer, it's just there.)

--Now, in your PSD file, create additional layers and put your content on them. Turn OFF the visibility of anything you want to be transparent, ESPECIALLY the "Background" layer.

Now when you drag a PSD onto the timeline you will have transparency.

You still can't access the individual layers. Actually, this would be another application for the nested Veg feature. You import a layered image and Vegas would ask if you'd like to create a nested composition. If Yes then Vegas should create a Veg file with all the image layers on a separate veg layer.

Rob Mack



Edward wrote on 1/19/2006, 4:37 PM
make sure your PSD files are RGB. if it's in CMYK, transparencies will read white
je@on wrote on 1/19/2006, 4:41 PM
DVDA3 supports PS layers, why not Vegas? Enquiring minds want to know.
busterkeaton wrote on 1/19/2006, 4:48 PM
So the solution has others have pointed out is to save each layer as it's own graphic. Then import them into Vegas and put each on a different video track.

You can also achieve a "handwritten text" effect by using bezier masks and successively keyframing in more of the text. In the Sample projects that come with Vegas 6 (and I believe 5) there is an example of this in the project about Boston---Editing Sample 24p widescreen. Look at how Boston appears on screen.

goshep wrote on 1/19/2006, 6:21 PM
The easiest way I've found to achieve this effect is to create a pure blue background behind your characters. Drop them on the timeline in Vegas and use chromakeyer to create your layers. It works great!
rmack350 wrote on 1/19/2006, 9:01 PM
Why in the world would you do that when the text will naturally come in with a clear background?

Rob Mack
goshep wrote on 1/19/2006, 11:32 PM
"Why in the world would you do that when the text will naturally come in with a clear background?"

Because I'm an idiot but that's beside the point. I thought you were referring to chracters you had made in photoshop. Cartoon crayon characters I believe you mentioned. That's what I'm referrring to. I create my characters with a keyable background and manipulate them as one would when working with cartoon cells. You can even use this approach with the free version of paint that comes with windows. If it was text that you were referring to then I sit corrected. It certainly isn't the most effecient workflow but I've great results with it.
If that isn't helpful, I've got a pretty good creme brulee recipe.
FuTz wrote on 1/20/2006, 5:12 AM
Laurence, what version of Photoshop do you have?
Laurence wrote on 1/20/2006, 11:27 AM
CS2
rmack350 wrote on 1/20/2006, 2:52 PM
Sorry, it was a moment of pique. You can certainly make images with a monochrome background and then key it out. However, Photoshop will allow you to save an image with transparency. All you have to do is drop the file onto the timeline, regardless of whether its text or a crayon-like line. No keying required. Just turn off the photoshop layers you don't want to see, especially the default "background" layer.

Although you can't make use of the layers in Vegas, they're still there in the photoshop file so you can re-open the file and make adjustments. It's very handy. If you don't need to keep the layers you can save your files as 32bit png files and have a nice 8 bit alpha channel in the image.

Seems much simpler than trying to key it out but maybe there's a good reason for keying.

Rob Mack