swap tracks 1 and 2, so 2 is above 1?

Hi Bruce. No that hasn't worked. I did manage to "sort of" find a way finally though but not using compositions which I'd prefer to use if I can.

If I used the cookie cutter plugin, set to circle and then just turned off the blue and red on the event, I get a green circle which is sight like. Still no target in it but I should be able to do that with a simple alpha composition with another track.

Thanks
Aaron

Your method may work, but I think you must supply the green on a separate track. Make a black cross on transparent background.
This is the sort of thing that's easily and beautifully done in the Vegas text generator. Use the symbol font and draw with the straight lines - you may have to use several layers for a complex drawing. use the leading adjustment to make several lines stay together (if you just blow it up in size the thickness will get too high).

If you search the net you might even find a truetype font conaining the kind of cross you want ready made.

One thing that has been left out here is the fact that Vegas can render ac3 files...

handling audio in vegas can sometimes overpower the video aspect.

Vegas is good where it is Direct X plugin compatible, this means that ANY DX Audio effect wil work within Vegas. FX automation ONLY works with SoFo plugins thou... on top of that you can get VST adapters, which allow VST plugins to run within a DX environment. Audio wise, this application is on par with ProTools.

As for projects, i start with a stereo file with a seperate tracks for backing music as refernce to the full project. Once im happy with that segment, i then render WITHOUT the backing track.
Once all segments are complete, i then sequence all pieces together, add the music, and then open my 5.1 bus tracks with the audio being sent to EACH bus.. stereo is split to 6 channels and assigned to a bus track.
This is where the fun begins :)~


As for soundforge, i have been using it since inception and i have NEVER had any issues with it, I use it as a mastering tool for all my audio work. Having Vegas and forge work hand in hand is probably the best thing to ever happen to my business ;)

DSE's Vegas 4 Editing Workshop Tutorial Disc
 

Hello,

Is there anyone in the UK who could please send me a copy of the training disc supplied with the Douglas Spotted Eagle Vegas 4 Editing Workshop book?

I damaged my disc whilst removing it from the original packaging and it doesn't read on any of my (three) devices.

Many thanks and regards,
Neil

You could just use a separate track for all segments on which the effect is not supposed to occur.

Edward, would that work? Wouldn't the lower tracks always be composited with the sight that's sitting on top? Hmm, just thinking but do you mean make a Parent->Child relationshoip between 2 tracks, 1 with sight and the other only where the sight is to sit? Ok, I didn't try that. Damn, I'm still at work.

Cheers
Aaron

Yes, I was assuming a parent/child relationship. If you don't have that, wahat if the "third" track is actually track #1?

Call up CMP (www.cmpbooks.com - 415-947-6615) and explain, they may be sympathetic. They would most likely request you send them the damaged originals first, and they replace them.

JVC DVS3U deck compatability?
 

Anyone using this JVC DV deck with Vegas or other NLE software?

Can the software controll this deck like most camcorders?

Also, can you out put to a NTSC monitor thru the deck for realtime analog previews?

Thanks Andrew,

I've sent an email to CMP and will let everyone know the outcome.

Need help with Vegas Inserting Time
 

Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I have a 20 minute project in Vegas 4 with 6 tracks. I added a 45 second event near the beginning of the project (insert time) but didn't notice until after I had saved and exited and then reopened later that the time was only added to the first 2 tracks (therefore can't do 'edit undo'). Now all the other tracks are 45 seconds off. I'd rather not spend hours resetting these tracks and tried to add 45 seconds to them to make it easier to manage. But everytime I do it adds 45 seconds to the original 2 tracks too. Is there a way to add time to an idividual track? And for the future is there a way to add time to all the tracks in a project instead of just the first 2? Man I hope there's an easy way to do this or I am doomed. I have several projects that need additions to the beginning of them. Like most things in vegas there's usually a simple solution. Does anyone know what it is?

On the same note does anyone know if you can tell Excalibur's gap wizard to close the gaps but maintain the relationship between multiple tracks?

Thanks

Somewhat inelegant solution:
right click and select all clips forward. Move them forward by 45 seconds (would help with snapping on).

Re: Need help with Vegas Inserting Time
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Dan Measel : Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I have a 20 minute project in Vegas 4 with 6 tracks. I added a 45 second event near the beginning of the project (insert time) but didn't notice until after I had saved and exited and then reopened later that the time was only added to the first 2 tracks -->>>

I agree with Glen, select the first event on the tracks that need adjusting, right-click and choose "Select events to end", and then manually move them to the correct position. That's probably the quickest way in this case.

NEXT TIME: Press CTRL-SHIFT-A to deselect all events BEFORE inserting the time. Insert time will work on selected events and igore non-selected events. If you deselect them all first, it will apply to all events.


<<<-- Originally posted by Dan Measel : On the same note does anyone know if you can tell Excalibur's gap wizard to close the gaps but maintain the relationship between multiple tracks? -->>>

Depends. Are both tracks FULL? (i.e. a complete audio track associated with a complete video track). In this case, the answer would be YES. If you have 20 video clips and 5 audio clips, the answer would be NO.

Word is that the author is posting some files that were missing from the disc-see DMN Vegas forums- ask for DSE

Thanks George,

Just checking out the forum now...

Brilliant! You guys are great. Thanks a million.

Cookie Cutter shapes
 

Is there any way I can make draw my own shapes while using this feature?

1 You can create a mask in PaintShop Pro or Photoshop etc.

2 You can add a symbol from any kind of font (Dingbats and stuff) in the Text generator and make it transparent. The background is transparent by default.

3 You can add several instances of Cookie Cutter to the same event and go for a combined shape.

Personally I find 2 the mot versatile and easy to use.

I didn't think of 2, a good idea actually thanks.

You're welcome.
Remember, if you need a really thin line, use a symbold with a solid shape, add outline under Effects, drag the thickness down to 0.001 and make both the symbol and the backgrund transparent.

(I don't understand why so many people keep putting the Vegas Text generator down. I think it's marvellous.)

Crossroads
 

I find myself the NLE crossroads. I am a longtime Premiere User and a Matrox RT2500 owner. Since Matrox is not going to offer a patch for the RT2500 My options for upgrading include purchasing the RTX100 PPro upgrade....Or...Switch to Vegas. Up until this point I have been a little scared of Vegas because of the lack of 3rd party support. Now that Sony is at the marketing helm I am more cofident it the 3rd Party arena. I am curious why I should switch from Premiere to Vegas. What are the advantages over PPro. The workflow is a little different for me but I am sure i would become used to it...Some of my questions include

Can Vegas import a Photoshop file and seperate all of the layer and asign them into a discrete alpha channel.

Can Vegas output a 24p Mpeg for a 24p authored DVD

Can Vegas playback several clips at once allowing my to "switch" between cameras like a live shoot.

Can Vegas take advantage of my VST and DirectX audio software.

Is there tight midi integration that would allow me to use it as a trigger for starting a midi sequence in Cubase SX

Is Vegas ASIO 2 compliant



Those are just a few of my question I would appreciate if you guys could assist me in this tough choice. Also does anyone know if they plan to offer Network rendering, OpenGL optimization, or 3rd party SD and HD hardware.

Thanks,

You can add markers and name them in real-time (i.e. the angle you want).
You can make edits while the playhead is moving (only split/blade edit works well when doing this).
You can add a voiceover and do your multicam editing.
With a 3rd party plugin (Excalibur) multicam editing is even more powerful.

You can try before you buy.

Can Vegas import a Photoshop file and seperate all of the layer and asign them into a discrete alpha channel?

Vegas can import Photoshop files but it will NOT separate the layers (it will be flattened). Alpha channels will be maintained.


Can Vegas output a 24p Mpeg for a 24p authored DVD?

YES - and DVD Architect can produce those 24p DVDs.


Can Vegas playback several clips at once allowing my to "switch" between cameras like a live shoot?

YES. You have several options available for this. I suggest you read issue #9 of my newsletter at http://www.jetdv.com/tts for a full explanation.


Can Vegas take advantage of my VST and DirectX audio software?

YES.


Is there tight midi integration that would allow me to use it as a trigger for starting a midi sequence in Cubase SX?

I believe that answer is Yes but I don't have first hand experience here.


Is Vegas ASIO 2 compliant?

Vegas can use ASIO drivers.

To import separate psd layers you have to save each layer as a separate file with alpha.

On the rare occasions I've wanted to do this it didn't take long ....

What shall I install?
 

Today I shall for the first time get my first film to Vegas 4.

My first try was not successful. It's happend nothing. And I suppose it was because I hadn't yet install the "Digital Video Solution Disk"?

But what is that for a disk?

Is it only for stills? It's look so when you read the manual.

But, but, if I install it shall I also install "DVC Storage Driver"?

Because in the manual it is written after instaling the "Digital Video Solution Disk": "Next, install the DVC Storage Driver. Do not remove the CD-ROM from the computer's drive."

Is that necessary?

Can somebody please explain what and have much I shall install?

I have XP-Home.

WinME here . . . and Vegas and XM2! - So we alre nearly on the same wave length, apart from the OS . . okay?

Yes the S/w is for the Stills . . I found this confusing too.

Make sure you have Vegas loaded and working. If this is the first time for Vegas I guess you have V4version A - yeah? The latest UG for V4 is "D" . . you might wish to UG to this version. There are some scripting functions that only work from B and then other plugins - Excalibur - that come into play from C onwards - yeah?

But, but but in essence you should be good to go, as long all your other XP stuff is up to date, just plug in Cammie and go to VidCap and off yer go!

. . I guess this thread might be popped over to the Vegas site by our Kennel Maters, before to long . . . anyway . . .

As to Drivers, I believe, as with WinME, Vegas deals with a generic cammie driver - MS Camcorder Driver - to deal with my XM2 to Vegas. It comes up as Camcorder #3. The cute part is that I've used "another" cammie and that comes up as #4!

Anyways - my 2 pennies worth of assistance.

Grazie

I have vegas 4 version d.

"just plug in Cammie and go to VidCap and off yer go"

Ohh, if it were so easy! I would be so glad.

I have done so, but it didn't work. The only thing which happens is that the text "Please connect a device" come's up.

So what is your advice?

Hang on in There!
 

You've got your cammie connected to the f/w - yeah?

You need to set up a Cpature FOlder. In Cpature>Options>Preferences>Disk management set/create a folder. - I found you need a capture folder for this to happen. If you are PAL makes sure you don't have a minimum capture lengtht set up - yeah?

Don't worry yet, we'll get there. If we dry up with ideas here you've also got the Vegas forum here on the Vegas forum aAND the Sony Vegas Forum too! - It's gonna happen, IF you don't have something major wrong with your setup - but let's iron out some of the basic plug 'n play out of the way first - yeah?

So:

1 - Ensure your f/w is good to go

2 - You've got capture folders

3 - Try "Reconnect Device" in vidcap - yeah?

Regards,

Grazie

. . . oh, do you see your cammie being recognised on your MY Computer info - I don't know XP well . . check to see if the XM2 is recognised . . .

G

Torsten,

The ONLY thing needed is to install Vegas (preferably 4.0d), connected a firewire camera/deck/convertor, and you are done. To capture from the firewire port, just open the video capture program via File - Capture Video.

If vidcap does NOT see the device, then something else is wrong with your system. First, what kind of firewire device do you have? What driver is being used? It helps to have a firewire device with the TI chipset AND use the Microsoft drivers.

When you plug your camera into firewire and turn it on, does your computer see it? XP should ask you, even if you aren't running vegas at the time, what program you would like to use. Also, I have found that I can't have my VX2000 connected to two outputs at the same time. ie vcr and firewire.

Don't get too frustrated yet. This is really an easy task to do, capturing, something minor is just being overlooked.

Shaky camera technique. Plug-in?
 

I'm looking for a way to make the video shake (seen on war movies). This is for a product demo/trailer. I'm using Vegas4.0b. Is there a plug-in that you can do this with?

GL2 not recognized in Vegas
 

Hi folks,

New Vegas user and I have a problem-wondering if anyone has seen this.

I have a Dell PC with a Creative Labs Audigy 2 sound card with a 1394 port. I plug in my GL2, it's recognized, and I can capture data with no problem. I also have an Adaptec 1394 board on this PC, and Vegas picks up the camera on that board as well. Thing is, that's NOT my intended editing PC.

I have a wiz-bang new Alienware PC with pretty much everything currently available(3.2 mhz, dual 10k Raptor's running SATA RAID0, 2GB of Corsair XMS memory, Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB video, etc) It has a Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS sound board, with an off board panel including a 1394 port.

I turn on the camera, it is recognized as a GL2 by XP, it asks if I want Vegas to control it, I say yes, and Vegas comes up. I go to the capture screen and get the blue screen, "please attach device" message.

This occurs under both Vegas 4.0b and the latest, 4.0d.

I moved over an Adaptec 1394 card I have in my Dell to the Alienware PC. Same thing. XP recognizes the came and opens up Vegas, but still no capture.

I am running the latest drivers of everything on my Alienware-motherboard chipsets, video and sound drivers-you name it.

Incidentally. I have everything in Vegas as default. I loaded Vegas on my Dell, and immediately connected the camera with no issue. Did the exact same thing on the Alienware-loaded Vegas and connected camera w/o changing settings.

I did try setting the Video Device tab to an OHCI compliant board just to try it-still nothing.

Has anyone ever seen this-where XP picks up the camera, but Vegas won't?

You may want to try Track Motion with a lot of keyframes.

LOL

That's what I was thinking about doing! how funny. That is the only way I can think of doing it. Wonder if they do have a plug-in though.

Thanks,

What about the old movie effect? Just turn off the scratches and I believe it has a jumping option. I'm not in front of Vegas right now or I'd look.

Update Regards DSE's Vegas 4 Editing Workshop Tutorial Disc
 

CMP Books have kindly dispatched another copy to me.

10 out of 10 for their Customer Services!

Regards,
Neil

How is the book by the way?

I've waited so long for the thing to _finally_ arrive in stores, I cancelled my order thinking it would never come out, heh.