Jay, does it tell me how to change to a different collection for a given text block?

Jerry

Don't think you can do that.

I have varying font sizes, spacing, and other settings on the text block that I want to preserve,

This is a complicated subject for me. But maybe I can learn something about PTT. I see what you want to do and I'm fairly sure you can't do it. I don't think you can just drop a collection on a text box and have it take on that effect. Collections are meant to be dropped into the automation controller/timeline. This is great for learning how to do these things without using the collections at all. Once the timeline is setup, let's say as a popup, you can change the default text for that popup and add colors, resize it letter by letter etc.... Let's say I leave the text reading "popup" but change colors, size etc. Then how do I "change" the effect inside that text box, let's say to Flyin, without changing all those other attributes? I now want the text box "popup" to still read "popup" but do a "flyin" effect. How do I do it?

Well -- as far as I can see, you have two choices:
1. Try to change the automation/timeline so that "popup" now does a "flyin". This seems to me to be extremely complicated to do. Not even sure I could do it in less than a hour or two. I haven't tried it -- just assuming I'd eventually get it.
2. Create a new "flyin" effect in the timeline by dropping in the "flyin" from collections and change the text in that text box and all it's various attributes. This will be easier. And I know it's really just starting over from scratch.

Neither choice is what you wanted. But I can't see another choice. Would teach us both a lot of someone else can find an easier way to do this.

Just tried to learn to do the "flyin" -- took me about 20 min but i got it.. Not easy but gradually, I'm getting it. The tools are there. Keep pluggin. Jay is likely right, Spot's DVD tutorial would save a ton of time learning it.

Perhaps it is a matter of principle for me but if SCS is going to document something as poorly as PTT is, they should strike a deal with Spot to include his DVD with Vegas Pro.

Jerry

Jerry, you speaks as you find! - Excellent!

Grazie

Perhaps PTT should be the subject of SCS's next webinar.

Bob.

now that would be stellar!

Perhaps PTT should be the subject of SCS's next webinar.

OOoooo, you tease you . . .

Grazie

I'm just now stuck at simply applying a collection to text...

1 - I create a text block... it stays named Sample Text no matter what I try...
2 - I drag a preset to the timeline... it creates a second text block with the preset text in it... nothing I do will let me in there to alter the text...

To this point, 1 - I cannot simply drag the effect preset over the text block I have created nor can I 2 - alter the text in the sample of the preset. . .

What the hell is the trick to getting it to work? I'm glad to either alter the text in a preset OR apply a preset to a composed text block. . .?
In v8.0c...

I love it that DSE is doing such a great job of creating detailed instructional videos...
it also appears to me that there should be a company-published document to explain every function provided in a software product...
Sony deliberately ignoring complete documentation because someone else will produce a product to cover those functions is quite a foolish attitude on their part, no? sigh

Isn't there a complete user's manual anywhere?
No, the online, interactive help in the software is useless for the more advanced techniques and functions. . . why? Has the programming at Sony become so fragmented that no one section knows the software well enough to produce a complete user manual - do they simply leave it to third-party vendors to explain their software functions and advanced techniques ...?

Until that time... Earl J.

UPDATE:
I just happened to double-click on the preset text box as it came flying by and it opened up for editing... well... that solved that problem ...
Now, I just need to stumble across how to set a preset on a text block ... (grin) ...

Hope this can help you:
You cannot add a collection to a text block.

You need to slide your collection to the timeline (bottom left) and then double click on the text block and then change your text.

Rob

No, the online, interactive help in the software is useless for the more advanced techniques and functions. .

Are you using the "plug-in help" within PPT? It's the upper right icon labeled "?". This actually has a ton of information, albeit it is written in a terse, economical style which can leave you guessing what they meant -- but if you read it carefully and "try" things it should get you far. It certainly tells you how to "add text" and "edit text" within a text box and sets you on the path of learning how PTT works. However you cut it or do it, PTT requires some concentrated time to learn it.

My issue with PPT was that it works very differently than Vegas itself. For example,
- you can't "copy" a text box and paste it somewhere else.
- you can't copy "keyframes".
- There is no "sync" cursor that aligns with the Vegas timeline.
- you can't apply a collection to an existing text box.

Most software documents don't start out by telling you what you CAN'T do with the software. But In the case of PTT it would be very very helpful to know what you CAN'T do in PTT that you CAN DO within Vegas itself -- and HOW you accomplish those very things with what you CAN do with PTT. If fact, I'm going to start a thread on that very subject.

Thanks for the tips fellas. . .
I'll go check it out...
* * *
I do like the presets. . . kinda cool; makes me anxious for the possibilities . . . (grin)

I'm on my way. . .
* * *
If there is a method for storing presets, it appears we should be able to share them as well... no?
In that fashion, if we have things we design for our own use that we think might be useful to others, perhaps we could load them somewhere and share them with each other ...
* * *
I have a wipe where a referee runs across the screen from right to left and erases the title as he moves across the court. . . since he moves in a reverse direction - the text must disappears in backwards fashion (opposite to the direction it is written) ...
So, now that I have it designed, how would I post it in order for others to download and use it?
* * *
Yes, PTT is very intriguing ... I like it a lot... and thanks to you guys, I'll learn a lot more from this point forward...

Until that time... Earl J.

Earl,
Just post the veg somewhere for download. Generated media is all in the veg.
Love to see what you did while I'm learning more about PTT.
- Paul