View Full Version : Pixelated masking...?


Neil Rostance
January 28th, 2007, 06:36 AM
Here goes....

I've been using 8 point garbage matte to censor some faces in a documentary, BUT...since i don't have a pixelating effect like on most broadcast productions, i've resorted to using a blur.

This looks absolute pants though!....How on earth do i mask a pixelated mosaic effect? I just can't find the settings in FCP.

I've attached a picture of the effect, I bet it's much easier than i think it is.

Would anybody give me a push in the right direction?

Many thanks.

Neil

Andy Mees
January 28th, 2007, 07:00 AM
Neil,

I don't have what you're looking for I'm afraid, but I did post a free "Region Blur & Tint" filter the other day for specifically this purpose http://homepage.mac.com/andymees ... it allows you to blur and/or tint just a specific area of an image using a predefined mask shape. Using a bit of blur combined with a touch of tint (hint: take the tint color from the skin tone of the face using the eyedropper) you can censor to good effect.
Play around with the settings and you'll see how it can also be used to spotlight a subject or region within the video to bring special focus to that area.

Adding mosaic as an option is something I may do later, but is not on the cards for any time soon.

Cheers
Andy

Neil Rostance
January 28th, 2007, 08:07 AM
Thanks a lot Andy,

I'll have a play around with that plug in and see what comes out of it. It's a mosaic style i'm after particularly, but anything that's of broadcast format is good for me.

cheers.

Neil Rostance
January 28th, 2007, 11:14 AM
anybody else with nuggets of information? I'd be well up for some advice.

Thanks

Andy Mees
January 28th, 2007, 11:37 AM
hi again Neil

check out this excellent collection of plugins from Mattias Sandström
they include the elusive Mosaic you're lookin for http://mattias.nu/plugins/
you'll need to duplicate the clip with one layer directly over the other, then apply the mosaic, garbage matte and mask feather to the upper layer

cheers
Andy

Neil Rostance
January 28th, 2007, 04:22 PM
Thank you!

You've officially saved the day. I'll be doing extra mosaics in your honour. oh yeah!

Thanks again
neil