How do you move a mask?
 

Well, the title of this topic says it all. After you have created a Bezier mask, how do you move the entire mask? I would like to follow an object on the screen. So, I created a mask. But when I try to move it so it follows the object from frame to frame, it moves the entire image, but the mask refuses to move.

How do I move the mask and not the image?

I am not the world's expert on this subject, but I've been learning a lot about it during a recent project.

You have a Mask. It can consist of several Paths. Each Path consists of several Nodes. This is important because Vegas' masking engine keeps track of multiple paths as a single Mask. Any saving will save the whole mask, not a single path.

You're probably wanting to move a Path. Using the default arrow pointer (not the pen), right-click on any Node and choose "Select Path". Now you can click and drag on any node to move the whole mask, and/or, use the arrow keys.

I find selection and deselection and bezier curves to be all a little unintuitive, but have been able to make things work...

There may be other methods...

...not to mention that you can also keyframe the movement of the mask!

Thank you. Yes, keyframing is exactly what I was trying to do. I simply assumed that I should place the hand cursor anywhere inside the path and it would move the path, but it moved the whole image. So, now that you explained it, I right clicked and did as you suggested, and that worked.

It seems rather counter-intuitive, and I could not find it anywhere in the help file.

Thanks!

Now, a second question: Is there a way to create a circular or rectangular path? I mean just create it without having to edit the shape by hand.

Have you tried using the Cookie Cutter filter?

Thanks, Tony! I never even noticed that one before. It is very nice.