Vegas Pro v.21 (build 315) 'preview' appearance of Video Output FX?

MURRAY-LESHNER wrote on 9/9/2025, 7:48 PM

Hello:

Only my 2nd large video project this year, so I forgot some methods I learned in February. Simple needs like inverting videos 90 or 180 degrees or even just 3 degrees because tripod was not level vs. stage.

Today's challenge for me is concert video with excessive glare due to a glass door adjacent to the stage.

For photos I manually adjust various tools, sometimes with a vignette preset. In a photo editor, it's easy to see results before saving a copy.

1) For video FX, I have found two means of accessing them. Tools/Video/Video Output FX or Fx+ Plug-in Chain. There might have been another method I've forgotten & can't find today. Is there a difference between OUTPUT FX and NON-OUTPUT FX (or what I don't know the right question for...is there more than one way to alter videos, worded more correctly than my attempt here?)

2) Is there a way to preview the result of a selected effect or plug-in?

For example, for video rotation, I have only figured out how to view a frame outline and rotate by trial & error. I usually choose the wrong direction (say + vs. -), making it worse, then repeat in the opposite direction, then repeat again to figure out what is level. There MUST be a more productive way than what I am doing.

For vignette or other subjective FX, in my mind it's absolutely essential to see the settings I have chosen. Ideally immediately in a preview, not after waiting for Render-As (& Repeat) Auto or AI I honestly think I will never adapt to in this lifetime.

I am typically satisfied to make one change for the entire video length, but, having said that, a video recorded while the sun is setting may have flare in the beginning. but be darker later, not needing the vignette effect.

I have been making audio level adjustments in time sections, based on the actual levels, but that is in a different program (I still struggle to invoke Sound Forge 17 from the VP21 GUI , so I do what I can figure out).

So I can see some eventual need to make video FX changes with multiple settings, based on the needs of each portion of the video.

3) Not exactly a question...when I open a project, import a video file, and select a Video Output effect or Plug-in, I am only seeing one 'thumbnail' (perhaps the first frame) of the opened file, and not even a 'timeline' of video frames. I make my FX choices, then Render-As. I am clearly missing some fundamental actions (and vocabulary).

I appreciate the patient help I find here. I feel like I am using antiquated ideas and vocabulary, but have gotten lost watching training videos (for 2-3 reasons; finding a training video for a much earlier version of VP, not understanding the technique vocabulary being presented in 'training' videos vs. what I perceive/describe my usually simpler needs to be, and finally, learning other people do not do the things I do, or do them in an extremely different manner, or with altogether different software).

 

Murray

Comments

RogerS wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:12 PM

Adding an Fx to the video output applies it to everything on the timeline. Usually track or event is more appropriate.You will see what the Fx does in the preview window as long as the timeline play head is in the place you want to see.

MURRAY-LESHNER wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:22 PM

Thank you, RogerS

What I do is open an .mp4 file with video. I see one frame or thumbnail image at top left. Today I see nothing on/in the timeline (but have in previous efforts, suggesting I am not doing things consistently). Pressing the play icon for the timeline starts a cursor 'scrolling' but there is no content, I guess consistent with not seeing video 'frames'.

Big flaw in my effort today is I have nothing on the timeline.

Next flaw is not knowing the difference between the video I have been able to get in the timeline previously, and the track or event alternatives you mention. I may also have used the term 'frames' incorrectly in my earlier post, drawing on a primitive grasp of fps. Or maybe I got one term right...I still feel confident about seeing the frames on a timeline and the timing.

& how do I add FX to a track or event. I didn't find those options (or know the terms) in the drop-down toolbars or on-screen icons. Maybe partly because I never got video onto the timeline?

RogerS wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:25 PM

First add the video to the timeline. Then right click on the event and add an Fx.

You can also change the event and track settings to show a Fx button right on them.

MURRAY-LESHNER wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:30 PM

OK...so after opening or importing a file into a project, I need to perform a function of putting the opened video onto the timeline. That seemed to happen 'automatically' in the past. This makes me think I am not doing things consistently. I vaguely remember thinking opening and importing produced different looking results.

 

MURRAY-LESHNER wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:39 PM

Drag & drop from the opened file at upper left to the timeline seemed to work, but I resisted that earlier, looking for a command or function to understand what I actually did. The command approach seems to provide a verbal confirmation of how to perform an action. Drag & drop may depend what is dragged/dropped to where. I am fine just doing that and not overthinking how to place a video on the timeline (famous last words?).

I see that adding a video track is analogous to adding audio tracks, which I comprehend. Having more than one video track is above my current need or purpose but at least I see the meaning of track. So EVENT is a remaining term I am ignorant about.

MURRAY-LESHNER wrote on 9/9/2025, 8:44 PM

With the video on the timeline, I see/remember the pan/crop symbol at bottom right that allowed me to see how to rotate. But I can only see the empty frame with a F in the center rotate, not my video that might be crooked. I assumed I could see the actual video rotate to choose a horizontal or vertical reference in the video, like making the stage level. I can also see a 15" laptop isn't at all ideal!

RogerS wrote on 9/9/2025, 9:01 PM

The item of media on a track is an event in VEGAS terms.

You can also double click to move media onto a track. The event goes wherever the playhead is.

Move the pan crop window so you can also see the video preview. Rotate it and you should see the effect in the preview window.