Using shapes in FCP6

[Erik Norgaard]

Hi:

I want to use a rectangle shape with composite mode "multiply" to have video in a smaller area of the screen and the rest black. Works fine if the rectangle is centered, but I want it to be shifted to the left and have credits rolling on the right.

I can't just shift the inner rectangle, the whole overlay shifts, so the black doesn't cover the entire image. How do I do this - maybe there is another feature I should use instead to create a sub window with video?

Yes - I am currently just experimenting, learning by trying to add each effect one by one and see what happens. But I need this for non-experiments.

Thanks, Erik

[Benjamin Hill]

Have you tried the motion tab?

[Erik Norgaard]

Yes, I click "rectangle" shape, then the motion tab. There I click the little cross in the "basic motion -> center" field. In the video preview I then choose the center of my liking.

But this moves the whole thing, the white rectangle and the black frame, not the white rectangle within the black frame as I would expect :(

thanks

[Benjamin Hill]

Can't you just use crop or scale and move the video to where you want it? I guess I'm having trouble understanding what you are trying to do. Can you post a screen grab?

[Erik Norgaard]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Hill

Can't you just use crop or scale and move the video to where you want it? I guess I'm having trouble understanding what you are trying to do. Can you post a screen grab?

Certainly, crop or scale will help, I like the smooth borders of the rectangle though. In any case, I find it sort of counter intuitive that square and rectangle and the other shapes work like this. If I wanted such an effect I could just crop and scale the shape.

Screen drop of the composite included. As you see on the right part of the original image is not covered.

Thanks, Erik

[Benjamin Hill]

If by "smooth borders" you mean that soft, diffused edge, you can achieve that in the motion tab. Here's an example using scale, crop and edge feather.

[Erik Norgaard]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Hill

If by "smooth borders" you mean that soft, diffused edge, you can achieve that in the motion tab. Here's an example using scale, crop and edge feather.

Thanks, that solves my problem.

I'm still puzzled as to why the figures work as shown. It's the same for all figure types - so the scale, crop, feather doesn't work for round figure. Instead, I suppose you have to move both the shape and the footage equally off center.

Thanks, Erik

[Benjamin Hill]

Whatever gets the job done. Cheers,

[Andy Mees]

you could try my region blur plugin to achieve this, if cropping is not your thing
http://web.mac.com/andymees