Vignettes using "soft contrast" FX

CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 12:42 PM
There are three ways I know how to do vignette's. However I'd like to use an FX method so I can make it part of a saved FX preset group. The FX I know of that does vignette in SVP12 is "soft contrast". However when I render using this I get visible banding in the vignette. If I use the gradient media generator I get a perfectly smooth vignette.

Is there a way to use the FX route as I need to apply the same look vignette and avoid the banding problems? I need to apply this to several events for a "look" and saving a preset that can be applied to the event seems the best way to do that.

Thanks

Comments

Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 1:25 PM
Leaving aside for moment why you are getting Banding on Render, have you tried the Border Fx? That gives a neat Vignette.

Grazie

Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 2:10 PM
You could also add Cookie Cutter, make a vignette, to Soft Contrast and save that as a Preset Package and then recall that time after time after time, or even add to the Track or the Project, or the Media in the Media Pool.

Grazie



CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 2:12 PM
Border is a black rectangular vignette and I am actually going for a white oval vignette.

I can get cookie cutter to work if I make the border white and set the size way up (effectively getting rid of the black region). It has no banding. However the border does weird things shapewise when you push it out to the edge.
monoparadox wrote on 9/21/2013, 2:26 PM
Where is the FX placed in the FX chain? It runs in my mind that can be a factor.
CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 2:39 PM
First because it is the only effect.
Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 2:58 PM
Does this work for you? Both of these are can be used in the way I suggested which is what you wanted to do.

Black Vignette



White Vignette



Grazie
CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 5:10 PM
@Grazie

I'm not certain of what your talking about.

I tried border as an FX but it comes out square.

I tried cookie cutter and it works but when I size it up so that just the corners have the vignette showing, the shape inverts from oval to something quarter circles in the corners. You seem to be implying a chain of effects, but I am not following your description

Neither shows the obvious banding I got with "soft contrast" FX. (I do get very slight banding but I think it is my monitor).

My best approach "look" still is adding a transperent gradient to white media generator on a track above my targe.
Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 5:18 PM
I put up 2 examples. Are they what you want?

G

CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 5:22 PM
I don't see any examples or links. just the words:

Black Vignette

.

White Vignette

.
Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 5:26 PM
Ahaha!!!!!! - OK, you need to access your Forum Settings and go to :-

"Other Forum Options:

Just check the check box. Refresh and come back back here and you SHOULD see the work I did . . . .

Cheers

CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 7:18 PM
Okay, now I see the pics. (Weird as I had the box checked, so I unchecked and rechecked and that worked.)

As I was saying above that is a "square" vignette. I want an oval, to be more like a true lens vignette (which technically is a circle). I am curious if you used border FX how you got a white "blurred" border to show. (as I understand it "blurred" is a transperant edge and so you could put solid white on a layer below.)
johnmeyer wrote on 9/21/2013, 8:05 PM
You mentioned that you know three ways to do vignettes, but didn't mention the other two. You then said you want to do it by using an fX. If you absolutely have to do it that way for some reason then the following may not be useful. However, this is an extremely powerful idea that I don't think has been mentioned, and may not be widely known.

[I]You can use a transition as an fX.[/I]

Click on the event on the upper track. Grab the crossfade handle and make it cover the entire event. Right click and insert a transition. In this case, choose the Iris transition. Next, right click again and insert a transition envelope. Finally set all envelope points to 50% (you can change this later to change the size of the oval -- you change the size by moving the transition envelope up or down).

The iris transition lets you do exactly what you describe. Here is VEG file that will do what you want:

Oval Vignette With White Border and Feathering

This was developed in Vegas 8, so it will work with all modern versions of Vegas. When you open it, just substitute a single video file for the one I used (which was a 720p 29.97 progressive video).

CJB wrote on 9/21/2013, 11:49 PM
@johnmeyer

The other two methods: Add a transparent to white oval media generator on a video track above the event in question, and use event pan crop and use a feathered mask to bleach the outside edge.

Both methods create problems when trying to apply exact same method to several events some of which may or may not have a variety of effects (e.g. levels adjustments, color correction etc.).

Thanks for you input. However I found the vignette a bit harsh. If I could figure out how to embed a jpg I'd show you what I am looking for.
Grazie wrote on 9/21/2013, 11:52 PM
I've now based the SONY Cookie Cutter FX on what I can get from SONY Soft Contrast FX. I'd now like to know what further "tweaking" of SONY Cookie Cutter you'd want to get SONY Cookie Cutter Closer to SONY Soft Contrast FX.

OK, how's this comparison?

Vignette - SONY Soft Contrast FX Ellipse White:


Vignette - SONY Cookie Cutter FX Oval White:


Grazie



CJB wrote on 9/22/2013, 12:08 AM
@Grazie, looks good especially cookie cutter one. Did you have to use a white background track?
Grazie wrote on 9/22/2013, 12:19 AM
So this is what you wanted?

Did you have to use a white background track? No, you didn't want that. Tracks 3 and 1 are empty. Here you'll see that AND my settings for the Cookie Cutter :


Grazie



Grazie wrote on 9/22/2013, 12:22 AM
And back to a DEEPER SONY Cookie Cutter Border:



Grazie

Grazie wrote on 9/22/2013, 12:37 AM
Here's to show that the SONY Cookie Cutter is "blanking" or obscuring the Chequer Board below on Track 3:




Grazie