How do you move a mask? at DVinfo.net

Adam Stanislav · December 6th, 2010, 03:36 PM

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?

Seth Bloombaum · December 6th, 2010, 06:29 PM

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...

Phil Gosselin · December 6th, 2010, 06:32 PM

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

Adam Stanislav · December 6th, 2010, 10:34 PM

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.

Tony Spring · December 7th, 2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Stanislav

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?

Adam Stanislav · December 7th, 2010, 09:17 AM

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

December 6th, 2010, 03:36 PM	#1
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	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?

December 6th, 2010, 06:29 PM	#2
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	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... __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001. Last edited by Seth Bloombaum; December 6th, 2010 at 07:15 PM.

December 6th, 2010, 06:32 PM	#3
Phil Gosselin Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 211	...not to mention that you can also keyframe the movement of the mask!

December 6th, 2010, 10:34 PM	#4
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	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.

December 7th, 2010, 09:17 AM	#6
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	Thanks, Tony! I never even noticed that one before. It is very nice.