I need to put a box onscreen- best method?

[Graham Bernard]

Hi Steve!

Good to see you back.

OK 2 ways:

1/- Make a transparent GIF.

2/- Use Masks on a Solid Red GenMed.

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Stephen Mann]

Thanks, Graham.
The problem with making a transparent GIF is that I have dozens of places that need this highlight box, and they are all different sizes.
Masking- how would I make a transparent rectangle? I don’t work with masking often because it takes me a lot of time to make anything work – then I forget how I got there.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Graham Bernard]

[Stephen Mann] “Masking- how would I make a transparent rectangle?”

This took me 10 seconds:

If you need more just ask.

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Graham Bernard]

Steve, I saved it as a Transparent PNG and brought it BACK into VP13 as a locatable Border overlaying a Test Chart:

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Graham Bernard]

Here’s another sample with 4 in different sizes and in different positions:

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Stephen Mann]

Thanks, but I would have to make dozens of different gif files. Sometimes I will be highlighting just one, two or three items, or half a page.

However, I will use your suggestion of a few gif files to cover most of my highlights.

Thanks.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Graham Bernard]

Hmm, it’s starting to sound that Vegas isn’t the tool for the job.

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Stephen Mann]

It’s the only editor that I ever use. I haven’t pointed out the different line sizes to the client, but I wanted a solution if they complain. OTOH, it’s only on screen for a few seconds, so they may not notice. Thanks for the gif tip.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Graham Bernard]

Vegas DOES save as PNGs, and that comes back with the ALPHA channel, a ready to go transparent background. No need for the GIFs.

* Grazie

Video Content Creator and Potter
PC 7 64-bit 16gb * Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core 3.40GHz * 2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 Ti
Cameras: Canon XF300 + PowerShot SX50HS Bridge

[Stephen Mann]

Am I missing something here? How did you make a hollow mask?

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com