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StageTools’ “Moving Picture”: issues with dissolves?
I’m new to the “Moving Picture” plug-in..and it rocks! The only issue I’m having right now is adding dissolves between images that are effected with Moving Picture.
Let’s say that I’ve laid out two stills in a row on my Avid timeline, then effect them with moves in Moving Images. Then, I later decide that they’d look cooler with a dissolve instead of a cut. When I add the dissolve, the moves I applied to the first (outgoing) image come to a halt halfway through the dissolve.
Basically, the keyframes that I applied in Moving Image are not adjusted to compensate for the pad needed for the dissolve. When I go back into Moving Image, the keyframe that used to be at the end of the MI timeline is now 10 frames away from the end of the timeline (if I’m doing a 20-frame dissolve). I have to copy & paste the keyframe to the end of the timeline (and delete the original one), then re-render everything to make the move follow through the dissolve (a major pain in the arse when you’re dealing with 50+ stills!).
Is it common practice to have to manually re-adjust Moving Picture’s keyframes every time you decide to do a dissolve in the Avid? —
Or am I missing a step here? -
2 Replies
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I love Love LOVE Moving Picture. Bill Ferster who wrote the software also does all the tech support, and he’s just great.
Trouble with a plug-in that’s so perfectly simple is when you want it to behave just a little too perfectly. Unfortunately, the interaction between Moving Picture and the Avid interface you’re asking is just a little bit beyond its capabilities. But here’s the best fix I’ve found thus far:
– when using two Moving Picture slips in a row, always stagger them on separate video tracks
– always place the Moving Picture you’re dissolving FROM on top
– always make the dissolve ENDING at cut – you’ll need to drag the out point over the 2nd clip to cover the duration (unfortunalely, you may need to redo your keyframes)
– pay close attention to Moving Picture’s selectors: “No Slows”, “Slow-In”, etc. because Moving Picture does NOT recall the info from that clip, but from the LAST clip you happened to have worked on.
– its keyframes aren’t as elegant as Avid’s… ctrl-a/ctrl-c/ctrl-v doesn’t work as cleanly as you may likeI’ve used Moving Picture in nearly everything I’ve cut in the past 4 years. I’ve seen compatability problems with Pan & Scan between different Avid models, so this has been the savior of a number of our shows.
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\`(=)`/…Pixel Monkey
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I agree that Moving Picture is a godsend. The easiest plug-in to learn with the greatest value. Pixel Monkey–that’s exactly how I get dissolves to work to, and while it’s a bit of a pain in the neck it’s worth it to get a clean dissolve. Plus, your method allows the dissolve to finish while the picture is still moving, and since you’re staggering it over the incoming clip, that one is already moving when it comes on. Looks much better than dissolving onto the clip and then having it start to move. Loses fluidity and jars the viewer.
The only thing I do differently is that I’ll lay out all of my clips, staggered, before I load a picture or set even one keyframe. That way I don’t have to worry about adjusting keyframes after they’ve already been set and then screwed up by the dissolves. Saves me time.Mike.
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