[John Matchett]

Hi Theo,

I think I have the track motion element sorted within Vegas itself. I was trying to add some jitter to the laser scan as it sweeps across the frame.

I believe I’ve solved this now by locking down the virtual source point of the laser and then slightly changing the X/Y setting at a few points.

However, thanks for pointing me at the Boris plug-in. The Boris Red plug-in does something else that I was trying to achieve a few weeks ago. Again I managed the effect long-hand, but the plug-in is a much simpler way to go. It’s just a shame they’re so damned expensive – it will be interesting to see if the software houses can hold their prices in the face of the economic conditions, as we all have to make some touch choices at the moment.

Regards,

John M.

[John Matchett]

Thanks John,

You assessed the situation correctly. Actually I’ve now finished the Japanese & Dutch versions and am waiting for my client to give me the German translations – this is all technical engineering stuff.

I was just cursing to myself as I tried to learn how to use the Pro Type Titler from the Vegas Online help, and wondering whether I ought to go and search for an on-line Tutorial. Your mail was therefore very well timed!

I am constantly dismayed at how few software manufacturers output coherent information (as say a PDF). There often seems to be a few small tutorials (which are great but often not quite what you want), or fragmented html help files. Is it just me, or perhaps I’m just becoming a grumpy old git?!

I’ll make myself a cup of coffee and watch the video link.

Cheers,

John M.

[John Matchett]

Hi John,

Thanks. Yes I am using Pro 8, but I am using the Generated Media Text as you guessed.

I’ll finish my current projects as they are, then switch to using the ProType Titler. I’d (incorrectly) assumed that unless I was doing credit rolls etc. that I wouldn’t need the features of this, but I’ll do my homework on this now.

Your post was appreciated as always.

John M.

[John Matchett]

Couldn’t agree more John,

We have Adobe products that are a complete pain. Endlessly trying to access the web, they’ve become unstable and glitchy over the last few years. I buy all my software, but like you I’ve met plenty of people with cracked versions that are dead stable and they don’t have any problems at all.

This wouldn’t be so bad if there was an up-side, but the tech support from many of the big companies is slow and rarely very focused. It’s certainly eclipsed by quick and clear forum responses such as I’ve had from forum guys like you, since as users you clearly understand exactly what I’m on about.

Adobe has just launched it’s CS4 products and we’ve decided they can keep it in light of our treatment with CS3 – so perhaps there’s a lesson there for the software companies somewhere…

Thanks,

John M.

[John Matchett]

Thanks (again) John,

You seem to be becoming a one-stop solution to all of my problems!

Reading the product license would have been a sensible option. Most of us just tick the box and never look at it again – not surprising really, generally they’re not exactly bed-time reading.

Do you happen to know the answer to the second part of my query about moving licenses – can you de-activate and transfer them like Adobe products?

John M.

[John Matchett]

Thanks John,

Perfect. I was convinced I must be missing something obvious, and I was!

John M.

[John Matchett]

Thanks Allen.

I have some pretty big files in now as BMPs – (8000 x 3500 due to the odd ‘panoramic’ aspect ratio). This is now working fine and holding its resolution on zoom thanks to John’s earlier advice about using the crop rather than the track motion controls. It also seems to be reasonably quick, although in fairness the machine is fairly high spec.

I’ll try the PNG option though as it will be easy enough to swap these out on the project and see if it produces a better result.

John Matchett

[John Matchett]

Bless you John,

This is a great example of technical forums at their best: you can spend hours tearing your hair out thinking “There must be a simple solution to this problem” and someone can put you out of your misery in a few minutes!

Thanks again – it works perfectly.

John M.