Creating Mattes

[Dan Atkinson]

You need to duplicate the clip. Easiest way is to hold option(alt) and shift then drag the clip up onto video track 2 (assuming your clip is on V1). On the clip in V2 add your blur from Video filter menu. Then you need to add a mask shape onto your clip on V2 (blurred clip). Think it’s under – Filters – Matte – Mask Shape. Once done double click the clip into the viewer and adjust the mask to fit. Adjust the blur if needed. You can add mask feather if want to soften the edges of the mask. You may need to animate the mask with keyframes if the object moves into focus.

[Terry Alexander]

Dan,

Thank you so much for your help. My question was in reference to a Ext. shot with a telephone number that I didn’t want to appear. My inquiry was how do I draw a rectangular matte around the # and blur it. I copied the clip so it appeared above the original and is on V2. I selected the Video Tab then choose Gaussian blur (the image in the Canvas didn’t appear blurred, anything I should change? or just not aware of on that one?) I then looked at the FCP user manual and followed the steps to do a Four-Point Garbage Matte filter. The pointer turned into a cross hair pointer and I positioned all four points on the Canvas around the intended area (but, I wasn’t able to see my changes). The Viewer, under the Video Tab was black and showed Point 1, 2, 3, & 4 where I placed them in the Canvas. ( Wondering how do I see how exact my matte is as applied to the image?) The manual said it may be easier to see what you are doing if you disable the Chroma Keyer, Matte Choker and Spill Suppressor, but I’m still reading on how to do that. Sorry for being a pain in the you know what, I am a beginner but willing to pull up my sleeves and work hard with any help or tutorial I can get.

[Dan Atkinson]

Woah there. Take a step back. You added a gaussian blur to the clip DIRECTLY above your original on V1? yes should be the answer. If the playhead in the timeline is positioned over the two clip then it should appear blurred in the canvas, if not then you may have V2’s visibility turned off – if V2 is shaded out then you have and need to switch visibility on, check the manual. On the blurred V2 clip you need to add the Mask Shape Filter. Double click the the V2 clip so it appears in your viewer. Go into Filters tab. Use the settings to change the shape, position and size of the mask. Position it over your sign. Voila. I’m sure there must be a tutorial on youtube somewhere.