Sony Vegas 13: can't understand mask logic

david-j1054 wrote on 4/5/2025, 2:11 PM

Hi ALL

I want to blur a certain part of the video at a certain time.

From the internet manuals i do like described. Duplicate the track. Open Pan Crop window and add the mask.

The problem is that when I move the slider at the point in time where the mask should be. I place mask. Select negaive.

The problem is that mask is stays at the previous frames. If I want to remove mask at the previous frame I need to step

back one frame and select reset mask or delete mask.

How can I place mask at the certain frame that it would present only in the next frames but not in previous?

I don't really understand this mask logic. If mask remains in previous frames what does that rhombus on a mask timeline mean?

Thanks

Comments

DMT3 wrote on 4/6/2025, 8:55 AM

An easy way is to split the event at the frame that you want the mask to appear. Then add the mask to the event created at the split.

david-j1054 wrote on 4/7/2025, 11:40 AM

Hello, Thanks for reply.

This solution is very hard in my case.

I need to blur at many places in time. So there will be extremely large number of splits.

It is hard for me to understand mask timing logic. I place a mask. I need to step back and select Delete or rest mask. That is extremely hard to do many times.

Gid wrote on 4/7/2025, 12:04 PM

@david-j1054 Hi, this shouldn't be too hard to do but -

what does that rhombus on a mask timeline mean?

Google - Vegas Pro keyframes, included in the videos you find should be 'Sync Cursor'. If that isn't included search that separately.

john_dennis wrote on 4/7/2025, 11:01 PM

@david-j1054 You can save some work by inserting a Track Compositing Level to your mask track to negate the effect of your mask where it's not needed.

LdM_Edit wrote on 4/8/2025, 4:49 AM

You don't need to duplicate tracks. Add the blur effect in the same event, go to pan/crop, create the mask, and set the option "Apply to FX" as "Yes".

Then you can animate the blur effect instead of the mask.

The rhombus is a keyframe. There's one at the beginning of the timeline. When you place another keyframe somewhere else, say at 20 seconds, the software creates an animation from the first keyframe to that one. By default is a smooth gradual transition. But if you select all keyframes, right click on them and select "HOLD", it won't create this transition.

Keyframes in the pan/crop mask can change the shape and position of the mask, but I think it cannot make it appear or dissappear.

But honestly, I think splitting the event and activating the blur only where you need it is faster than animating the effect.

john_dennis wrote on 4/8/2025, 10:35 AM

@LdM_Edit is correct that it can be done on one track. However you do it, you have to control the mask location and the intensity of the blur effect. You can switch the blur effect on and off by saving a preset and applying it where needed.