Struggling with masking & chroma key

CKC wrote on 6/29/2004, 7:00 PM
Is there a book, or better yet, a DVD out there that could help with some slightly advanced to advanced Vegas techniques. I took the day-long Vegas 5 class and learned about enough to be dangerous. I was hesitent to buy a 4 book/DVD with 5 material coming out, but I don't think I can wait. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 6/29/2004, 7:53 PM
There are some tutorials on the Sundance site that get fairly deeply into compositing starting points, including a couple on Vegas 5. Vegas 4 techniques for the most part, are similar except for the nested composites.
CKC wrote on 6/30/2004, 8:23 AM
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I suppose my forum questions are far to rudimentary to net much (if any) response from the group. I greatly appreciate whatever help I can get and have learned quite a bit at the Sundance site... a great resource.
logiquem wrote on 6/30/2004, 8:51 AM
You may look here for usefull hints:

http://www.seanet.com/Users/bradford/bluscrn.html

Make a search also at www.dv.com. Pretty good newbie ressources.

Sure, lighting is *the key* for good chromakeying
Spot|DSE wrote on 6/30/2004, 9:03 AM
Lighting is EVERYTHING for a good key. without good light, you're screwed, particularly when dealing with DV. CKC, there is no 'rudimentary' when you're getting started.
BTW, you can always join us at the VASST in Hawaii for more compositing! :-)
cosmo wrote on 6/30/2004, 9:11 AM
Mr. Spot gave me my start in chroma-keying a few months ago - thanks again!

LIGHTING,. LIGHTING, LIGHTING, and of course, LIGHTING. I learned this from much trial and error. I ended up buying a Muslin chroma key green background, and garment steamer to get the wrinkles out as needed, and a Smith-Victor 3x600watt lighting set. The lights made ALL the difference in the world.

Before purchasing the lights I couldn't key out the subject to be placed on a solid white background(for web use). I could use images, video and solid colors as backgrounds - but never white....just toooo picky for white to work. Well - I got the lights last week and have put up one project and I'm glad to say I've keyed out to white very nicely.

You can see the piece here: VIEW IT HERE

***if you're using dial-up - it may hang. It isn't yet optimized for web use. And this is just a concept proof...not the real thing.