After the Vegas software is installed and you start it for the first time, the registration wizard appears. This wizard offers easy steps that allow you to register the software online with Sony Media Software. Alternatively, you may register online at http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware at any time. Registering your product will provide you with access to a variety of technical support options, notification of product updates, and special promotions exclusive to registered Vegas users.
Proper use of software Vegas software is not intended and should not be used for illegal or infringing purposes, such as the illegal copying or sharing of copyrighted materials. Using Vegas software for such purposes is, among other things, against United States and international copyright laws and contrary to the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement. Such activity may be punishable by law and may also subject you to the breach remedies set forth in the End User License Agreement.
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) Adobe Tagged Image™ File Format is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries. All rights reserved. Main Concept encoder Main Concept® plug-in is a trademark of registered trademark of Main Concept, Inc. in the United States or other countries. All rights reserved. Macromedia Flash Macromedia and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
1 Table of Contents Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Technical support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Creating projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Using the New Project wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Starting a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Removing a tag from a media file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Deleting a tag from a library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Merging subtags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Arranging tags in the tag tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 Moving the cursor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Changing focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Making selections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Selecting multiple events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Advanced Editing Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Snapping events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Turning snapping on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Quantizing to frames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Changing track height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Using the track list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Using the volume fader (audio only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Using the multipurpose slider (audio only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Working with track envelopes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 Hiding track envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 Removing track envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 Using the Envelope Edit tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 Using the Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Using the Mixer window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Viewing the Mixer window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 Using the Mixer toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9 Setup with digital multitrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 Preparing to record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201 Arming the track for recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201 Selecting recording settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 Using Advanced Video Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Cropping video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Bézier masks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Saving custom plug-in settings as a preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246 Using keyframe animation with plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246 Using generated media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247 Adding a generated media event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Modifying keyframes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 Creating keyframe presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275 Working with keyframes in track view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Sample uses for keyframe animation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 Viewing on an external monitor via DeckLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303 Saving, Rendering, and Printing Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Saving a project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305 Creating a copy of a project (using Save As...) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306 Saving a project with media . .
14 Using the Time Display window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331 Changing the time display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331 Changing the time display colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 Setting the time display to monitor MIDI timecode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Creating audio CD layout projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 Adding media as CD tracks to a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 Marking tracks in an existing project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354 Working with tracks and indices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16 Timecode in Vegas software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 Troubleshooting DV hardware issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 CHAPTER Introduction 1 Welcome Vegas® software from Sony Media Software is an innovative and advanced multitrack media-editing system. Vegas software was designed to create an efficient audio/video production environment without sacrificing the quality and processing power that you expect from Sony Media Software.
18 Installing Vegas software 1. Insert the CD-ROM. The setup screen appears (if CD-ROM AutoPlay is enabled). If CD-ROM AutoPlay is not enabled, click the button and choose Run. In the Run window that appears, type the CD-ROM drive’s letter and add :\setup.exe. Click OK to start the installation. 2. Click Install. The installation process begins. 3. Follow the screen prompts and enter the necessary information when required. 4. At the last screen prompt, click to conclude the installation.
19 Using online help You can access two varieties of help: • Online help • What’sThis? help (also referred to as context-sensitive help) Online help To access online help, choose Contents and Index from the Help menu or press F1 . Note: To view online help, Internet Explorer 5.1 or later must be installed on your system. Internet Explorer 5.1 is included on the Vegas software CD-ROM for your convenience. The online help window has four tabs that you can use to find the information that you need.
20 What’sThis? help What’sThis? help allows you to view pop-up descriptions of menus, buttons, and dialog boxes. 1. Click the What’s This Help button ( ) in the toolbar or the question mark ( ) in the upper-right corner of a dialog box. Alternately, you can choose What's This? from the Help menu or press Shift + F1 . The cursor changes to a question mark icon ( ). 2. Click an item in the program’s interface. A pop-up description of the item appears.
21 Overview Vegas software is designed to be an easy-to-use program with many tools that provide power and flexibility when creating and working with multimedia files. Many operations, menu items, and shortcut keys are consistent with other popular Microsoft Windows software applications. The following sections provide a graphical tour of the Vegas workspace. Main window This is the window that appears when the software is opened.
22 Time display The Time Display window reflects the cursor’s position on the timeline, MTC input, MTC output, or MIDI clock output time. You can customize time display settings, including what time the window displays and colors are used in the display. For more information, see Using the Time Display window on page 331. You can move the Time Display window from its docked position above the track list to float on the workspace or dock in the window docking area.
23 CD layout bar The CD layout bar displays tracks and indices in an audio CD layout project for disc-at-once (DAO) CD burning. For more information, see Burning CDs on page 351. Track list This area identifies the track order in your project and contains controls used to determine track compositing and mixing. For more information, see Using the track list on page 64.
24 Status bar The status bar is located at the bottom of the main program window and displays information about roughly how much space is left on your computer to record audio (Record Time). During the rendering processes, the left side of the status bar also contains information about the progress of the render. The Video Preview window also has its own status bar that displays project specific information. For more information, see Understanding the Video Preview window on page 287.
25 Explorer window - Alt+1 The Explorer window is similar to the Microsoft Windows Explorer. Use the Explorer window to select media files to drag to the project timeline or add to the Project Media window. You can also use the Explorer to perform common file management tasks such as creating folders, renaming files and folders, deleting files and folders. Use the Start Preview ( ) and Auto Preview ( ) buttons to preview files before adding them to the project.
26 Video Preview window - Alt+4 This window displays a project’s video during project editing and playback. For more information, see Previewing and Analyzing Video on page 287. Video appears during project playback or as the cursor is moved during editing. Right-click to change Video Preview settings Project Media- Alt +5 The Project Media window helps you organize the media files you’re using in a project.
27 Edit Details window - Alt+6 This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. This window serves as a highly detailed and customizable database of all of the events in a project. The database can be organized and sorted according to a large number of attributes. For more information, see Using the Edit Details window on page 138. Transitions window - Alt+7 The Transitions window contains all of the transitions available. The thumbnails display animated examples of each transition.
28 Media Generators window - Alt+9 The Media Generators window contains the different media generators provided. Media generators make it easy to create events containing text, credit rolls, test patterns, color gradients, and solid color backgrounds. You can drag a media generator to the timeline to create a new generated media event. For more information, see Using generated media on page 247. Plug-In Manager window - Ctrl+Alt+1 This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
29 Video Scopes window - Ctrl+Alt+2 This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. This window allows you to monitor your broadcast video for image problems. Use the scopes to analyze the your video and adjust accordingly with the Brightness and Contrast, Broadcast Colors, Color Corrector, Color Corrector (Secondary), and Levels plug-ins before rendering. For more information, see Monitoring video with scopes on page 294.
30 Media Manager window - Ctrl+Alt+4 This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. This window displays the Media Manager™, which you can use to search for, manage, and tag your media files. For more information, see Using the Media Manager on page 73. Saving and recalling window layouts - Ctrl+Alt+D or Ctrl+D This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
31 Keyboard command reference Important: Some keyboard commands listed below are associated with features that are not available in all versions of Vegas software. For information on a specific feature and its availability, please refer to the description of the feature in this manual.
32 Playback, recording, and preview commands Description Keys Description Keys Start/stop playback Play from start Spacebar Shift+Spacebar or Shift+F12 Esc Q or Ctrl+Shift+L Enter or Ctrl+F12 Ctrl+R Ctrl+Alt+R Ctrl+Alt+ Shift+R Scrub playback Build dynamic RAM preview J/K/L (pg. 69) Shift+B (pg.
33 Time selection commands Note: Many of the preceding cursor placement commands, when combined with the Shift key, are also selection commands.
34 Event commands Description Keys Description Keys Move or trim selected event(s) left/right Numeric keypad 4/6 one pixel Enter edge-trimming mode and select Numeric keypad 7 or event start; move to previous event edge [ Move or trim selected events one frame Numeric keypad 1/3 left/right In this mode, 1, 3, 4, and 6 on the numeric keypad trim the selected event edge.
35 Track commands Description Keys Description Keys New audio track New video track Enable/disable snapping Quantize to frames Snap to markers Snap to grid Auto ripple mode Auto crossfade mode Normal edit tool Next tool Ctrl+Q Ctrl+Shift+Q F8 Alt+F8 Shift+F8 Ctrl+F8 Ctrl+L Ctrl+Shift+X Ctrl+D D G U Ctrl+Shift+U Ctrl+U Shift+G V Shift+V P Shift+P E or Shift+E Previous tool Render to new track Shift+D Ctrl+M Group selected events Remove event(s) from group Ignore event grouping Clear group (without
36 Trimmer commands Tip: Many of the shortcuts that apply to the timeline (e.g., cursor placement, selection commands, etc.) also work in the Trimmer.
37 Miscellaneous commands Description Keys Description Keys Online help What’s This? help Change relative keyframe spacing Make fine fader/slider adjustments F1 Shift+F1 Alt+drag keyframes Ctrl+drag fader/slider Shortcut menu Rebuild audio peaks Move both region markers or audio CD track region markers Shift+F10 F5 Alt+drag region marker Multimedia keyboard shortcuts Description Keys Play/Pause Play from start Stop Mute track Mute track and remove other tracks from mute group Solo track Solo trac
38 Cursor indications The cursor changes depending on which functions are available. Cursor Indicates Modifier Description Standard none This is the standard arrow cursor that means events can be dragged. Trim none Position the cursor over the edge of an event and drag to trim the event shorter or longer. Slip Trim Alt Stretch Ctrl Position the cursor over the edge of an event, press Alt, and drag to trim. The media within the event moves with the edge.
39 Audio signal flow Multiple audio busses and assignable effects are only available in the full version of Vegas software. CHP.
40 Video signal flow Track signal flow Composited track signal flow INTRODUCTION CHP.
41 About your rights in Vegas software Vegas software is licensed to you under the terms of the End User License Agreement. The End User License Agreement is first presented to you when you install the software. Please review the End User License Agreement carefully as its terms affect your rights with respect to the software. For your reference, a copy of the End User License Agreement for Vegas software is located at http://www.sony.com/mediasoftware.
42 INTRODUCTION CHP.
43 CHAPTER Getting Started 2 Vegas® software is a new way of creating multimedia productions. Whether you are an experienced multimedia author or a budding novice, the powerful features and capabilities of Vegas software are organized to increase your creativity and productivity. The following chapter summarizes the software’s basic functions and operations.
44 2. Enter your project settings on the various tabs. For more information, see Working with project properties on page 333. • The Video tab allows you to select the video format and other video parameters. • The Audio tab allows you to set up the basic audio settings. • The Ruler tab allows you to choose the way the ruler is delineated (beats, seconds, etc.). • The Summary tab allows you to enter any relevant information and reminders about your project.
45 Saving a project When you save your work, it is saved in a project file. Project files are not rendered media files. 1. From the File menu, choose Save. The first time you save a project, the Save As dialog appears. In subsequent saves, the dialog is bypassed, your existing file name is retained, and your project is updated to include any implemented changes. 2. Select the drive and folder where you want to store the project. 3. Type the project name in the File Name box. 4. Click Save.
46 Selecting media Vegas software supports a wide range of media file types. You may select any of the media file types listed below to add to your project. Format Extension Definition Advanced Authoring Format .aaf CD Architect .cdp CD Audio Dialogic VOX ADPCM .cda .vox Edit Decision List .txt GIF .gif Intervoice .ivc JPEG Macintosh® Audio Interchange File Format File MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 .jpg .aif MPEG Layer 3 Ogg Vorbis .mp3 .
47 Previewing a media file You may preview files before placing them in your project. The Explorer window has a mini-transport bar ). When you preview a file, its stream is sent to the Mixer with Play, Stop, and Auto Preview buttons ( window’s preview bus (for audio files) or to the Video Preview window (for video files). Tip: You can use the same mini-transport bar buttons in the Project Media window to preview files in the Project Media list. 1. Select a file in the Explorer window. 2.
48 Adding media to the Project Media list You can add media to the Project Media list without adding it to the timeline by importing the file. For more information, see Importing media on page 53. Adding media to the Project Media list from the Explorer window 1. Navigate to and select a file to add to the Project Media list. You can use Ctrl or Shift to select multiple media files. 2. Right-click the file and choose Add to Project Media list from the shortcut menu.
49 Tip: Select the Always use the selected method check box to bypass this dialog in the future and always use the method specified on the Video tab of the Preferences dialog. 4. Click OK. The specified video capture application starts. 5. Capture your video. For information on capturing video with the Sony Video Capture application, please see the Vegas online help. To access help, choose Contents and Index from the Help menu.
50 Extracting audio from a CD You can extract tracks from a CD and add them to the Project Media window as WAV files. Important: Vegas software is not intended for, and should not be used for, illegal or infringing purposes, such as the illegal copying or sharing of copyrighted materials. Using Vegas software for such purposes is, among other things, against United States and international copyright laws and contrary to the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement.
51 6. From the Speed drop-down list, choose the speed at which you want to extract the audio. If you experience any problems extracting audio, you can try decreasing the selected speed, or you can click Configure to adjust the Audio extract optimization setting. Note: To eject the CD at any time prior to beginning the extraction process, click the Eject button. 7. Click OK. The Save As dialog appears. 8. Select a name and location for the new WAV file. 9. Click Save to begin extracting the audio.
52 Adding media to a bin 1. Browse your existing bins to find the media file you want to move. The All Media Folder contains all media files in your project. 2. Drag a file from the right-hand pane to a bin. Searching media bins 1. Right-click in the Project Media window and choose Search Media Bins from the shortcut menu. The Search Media Bins dialog is displayed. 2. Use the drop-down lists in the Search Media Bins dialog to set your search conditions and click the Search button.
53 3. Choose a setting from the Starting frame timecode offset drop-down list to indicate what timecode numbers represent which frame in the video sequence. For example, if you have an NTSC DV file with 2-3 pulldown created on a Sony JH3 HDCAM deck, the default settings for timecode offset use 0 for the Starting frame timecode offset.
54 Importing AAF files This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. You can use AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) files to exchange projects between applications. For example, if your postproduction facility uses a tool other than Vegas software, you could provide your project as an AAF file. If you intend to import an AAF file into your current Vegas project, please note the following usage guidelines and plan your project accordingly: • • • • Audio and video cuts are preserved.
55 5. Choose a setting from the Positioning drop-down list to indicate where imported audio will be added to the timeline. Setting Description Use ruler time Adds each imported file to the Vegas timeline at the exact position indicated by its timestamp. For example, if you import a BWF file with a timestamp of 00:00:30;00, the media would be added to the timeline at the thirty-second mark on the ruler. Adds each imported file to the Vegas timeline and offsets the timestamp value by the cursor position.
56 Adding media to the timeline Media files may be added to your project from the Explorer or Project Media windows by double-clicking them or by dragging them. Either method places the media file in an event in its entirety in the timeline. Dragging a media file to the timeline You can create a new track by dragging a media file to a blank area on the timeline and dropping it in place. Tracks can contain multiple events, so you can place different events next to each other on a track.
57 Double-clicking a media file This method places the event at the cursor’s position in the selected track. If the selected track is a video track, and you double-click an audio event (or vice versa), a new track is created for the event. Once an event is placed, you can move it from one track to another or change its position on the timeline. Inserting a video file with associated audio Media files with video frequently include associated audio.
58 3. Edit your project as you would any other project — no special treatment of the MXF files is required. For more information, see Basic Editing Techniques on page 95. 4. You can now render your project to a file or print to tape. For more information, see Saving, Rendering, and Printing Projects on page 305. Note: The XDCAM deck is not available for external monitor or print to tape via iLink® while in file-access mode.
59 2. From the shortcut menu, choose Edit Source Project. An ACID, Vegas, or Sound Forge window will open with the source project. To edit a source project using a computer other than the computer where the project was created, the editing computer must meet the following requirements: • The software that was used to create the project must be installed and the project file extension (.acd, .acd-zip, .veg, or .frg) must be registered on the editing computer.
60 Working with events Events are the most basic objects in a project. An event is something that happens in time, has a specific duration, and can be video or audio. Understanding files and events The objects you work with are referred to as media files and events. • Files are objects that are stored on your hard disk. In Vegas software, you will work with media files, such as music and video files. These files are neither operated on nor changed. You can access files from the Vegas Explorer window.
61 However, you may move the event to a different track. When you do, the event appears as a simple outline and you will see its original track and position on the timeline. Once you release the mouse, the event assumes the new timeline position and track color. Original track position New track and position 2. Release the mouse to place the event. Moving multiple events You can move multiple events along the timeline within a track or move them to a different track.
62 Working with tracks A project consists of multiple audio and video tracks. The track view is the timeline in which all events appear. The track list provides information about the track and contains controls that affect all events in the track. Using the track view Numerous options are provided for viewing and navigating in track view. Scrolling and zooming There are several ways to scroll and zoom in the track view.
63 Changing track height You can change the height of individual tracks by dragging their borders in the track list. In the example below, the main video track is fairly large to show the details of the scene while the two tracks above it, which are overlays, have been resized to a shorter height. For more information, see Changing track height on page 143. CHP.
64 Using the track list This section describes the different controls in the track header of each track. Some controls are specific to either video or audio tracks. Video track header Button or Control Name Description Make compositing child Creates a parent/child compositing relationship with the track above. Used when creating masks. For more information, see Understanding the parent/child track relationship on page 248.
65 Audio track header Button or Control Name Description Track number and color Track numbers and colors help organize a multitrack project. For more information, see Managing tracks on page 141. Minimize track height Minimizes track height. For more information, see Changing track height on page 143. Maximize track Maximizes track height. For more information, see Changing track height on page height 143. Track name (scribble strip) Allows you name a track.
66 Nesting projects This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. With Vegas software, you can simplify and organize complex projects by adding multiple projects to the timeline of a single Vegas project. Using project nesting, you can: • Create a single element that can be used in multiple locations or projects. If you update the project, it is updated everywhere. • Create a complex composited element that can be used as a single media event in multiple locations or projects.
67 Notes: • The output from the nested project’s master bus is used to create the audio event. If you nest a 5.1 surround project, the audio event will be a stereo downmix of the surround master bus. • Audio events from nested projects cannot be edited in a sound editor. • The audio from a nested project will require that a proxy file be built. To avoid building proxy files, delete audio from nested projects and use the master project to create your audio.
68 Playback reference The following table describes all the transport bar buttons and their keyboard equivalents. You may use these playback functions at any time while working in your project. Note: The use of many multimedia keyboards is also supported for controlling playback.
69 Scrubbing with the playhead The playhead ( ) above the timeline can be dragged back and forth to shuttle forward or backward from the cursor position to locate an edit point. Drag playhead to scrub Tip: Set in and out points while dragging the playhead by pressing the I and O keys. Note: The playhead is also available in the Trimmer window. Scrubbing with the scrub control slider The scrub control slider can be dragged back and forth.
70 Previewing to media player A project can be previewed in a media player by mixing and rendering the project according to the project’s properties and playing back using the media player associated with the file type you select. 1. From the Tools menu, choose Preview in Player. The Preview dialog appears. 2. Select the file type from the drop-down list. 3. Click OK to begin the mixing and rendering process. A progress dialog appears indicating the percent complete of the new file.
71 More detailed instructions for rendering to a specific format appear later in this manual. For more information, see Saving, Rendering, and Printing Projects on page 305. Creating a movie To create a movie, you render the project into an appropriate media file output. The final output format depends on the destination of the new media file. Some examples are AVI, MOV, and WMV. 1. From the File menu, choose Render As. 2.
72 GETTING STARTED CHP.
73 CHAPTER 3 Using the Media Manager This chapter covers the management and tagging of your media files in Vegas software using the Media Manager™ feature. This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Creating a new media library You can create multiple media libraries as necessary to organize your media. Each media library is maintained by the Media Manager software as a separate database that stores information about the media contained within it.
74 Opening a media library The Media Manager window displays the contents of the current media library. You can open a different library at any time. Important: When you open a media library, the Media Manager tool creates a transaction log file. This file is created in the same folder as the .medialib file and uses the same base name as the .medialib file. For example, the transaction log file for default.medialib would be default_log.ldf. Do not delete these log files.
75 Adding media files to a library Before you can search or organize your media files, you’ll need to add them to a media library. If you have the Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples™ reference library loaded when you search your computer for media, media from existing Sony Loops and Samples or Loops for ACID™ collections will inherit tags and custom properties from the reference library.
76 7. Select the Add tags and custom properties from files check box if you want to add tags and custom columns saved in the media files to your library. For more information about tagging media, please see Tagging media files on page 77. For information about adding custom columns to the Search Results pane, see Adding custom columns on page 91. 8. Select the Use file and folder names to apply tags automatically check box if you want to automatically tag files based on the file path.
77 Removing media files from a library You can remove a reference to a media file from a library without affecting the media file itself. 1. Select files in the Search Results pane to choose the files you want to delete: • To select a single file, click the file. —or— • To select multiple consecutive files, click the first file, hold the —or— • To select multiple files that are not consecutive, hold the Ctrl Shift key, and then click the last item. key and click each file. 2.
78 Applying a tag to a media file You tag media by dragging a tag from the tag tree to a media file in the Search Results pane (or by dragging a media file to a tag) when the Apply Tag Mode button ( ) is selected. Tip: If you want to see which tags are associated with a file as you’re adding or removing tags, use the Properties pane in the Search Results pane (or drag the Tags column in the Search Results pane to the left so you can see the Name and Tags columns at the same time).
79 When you add a subtag to a media file, the tag’s hierarchical position in the tag tree is applied implicitly. In this example, adding the “Snare” tag to a media file would mean that a search for “Audio,” “Drum One-Shots,” or “Snare” would find your tagged media. If the user rearranged the tag tree so that the “Snare” tag did not appear below the “Audio” and “Drum One-Shots” tags, searching for “Audio” or “Drum One-Shots” would not find your tagged media.
80 Merging subtags Merging tags combines a selected tag with its subtags and removes the subtags from your library permanently. To merge a tag with its subtags, right-click the tag and choose Merge Subtags into Selected Tag from the shortcut menu. All subtags are combined with the main tag, and the subtags are removed from the library. All media formerly associated with the subtags is associated with the main tag.
81 Assigning palette buttons 1. Perform either of the following actions to display the Tag Chooser dialog: • Click an empty palette button. —or— • Click an existing button and choose Choose Tag from the shortcut menu. 2. Select the tag you want to assign to the button. 3. Click the OK button. Clearing a button Right-click a palette button and choose Clear from the shortcut menu. Deleting a saved palette 1. Right-click a palette button and choose Delete Current Palette from the shortcut menu. 2.
82 4. Apply the appropriate tags from the tag tree to your media files. • Use existing tags whenever possible to ensure your collection is consistent with other collections in the Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples family. • When adding new tags, try to add them within the existing tag tree. For example, if you wanted to create a tag for a bowed upright bass, consider adding it below the existing Basses tag: • When adding tags, consider how the user will search for media.
83 Backing up your media libraries Media Manager software automatically saves your library as you make changes, so you don’t need to tell the application explicitly to save your library as you’re working. However, you can create a backup of the current library as a restore point or as a template to create new libraries. Note: When you back up your library, the Media Manager automatically performs database management that can reclaim free space and improve performance. 1.
84 Using the Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples reference library If you have the Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples reference library loaded when you search your computer for media, media from existing Sony Loops and Samples or Loops for ACID collections will inherit tags and custom properties from the reference library.
85 Your search terms are displayed in the yellow bar below the Search Results toolbar. Search terms Keyword Search results 3. You can refine the search results using any of the following methods: • Select tag check boxes. • Use the Advanced search controls. For more information, see Using advanced search options on page 86. • Choose Match Any from the Match Any/Match All drop-down list to display all media that matches any of your keyword, tag, or advanced search criteria.
86 Sorting search results Click a column heading to sort the results in ascending or descending order based on that column. Viewing previous searches Click the Previous Search button ( ) in the top left corner of the Search Results pane to navigate through your recent searches and update the contents of the Search Results pane. After viewing previous searches, click the Next Search button ( pane to navigate back to your current search.
87 Tips: If an item in the Search Results pane displays a button, you can click it to find related media. For example, clicking the button in the following example adds an item to the Advanced section to help you find other media with a beat count of 16. You can also drag a column heading from the Search Results pane to the Advanced section of the Search pane. 2. Set parameters for each of your search criteria. If the item displays an edit box, type the parameter you want to search for.
88 3. Click the Stop Preview button ( ) to stop the preview, or turn off the preview feature by deselecting the Auto Preview button. If the file is offline, you’ll be prompted to locate the file or choose a replacement. Tip: To preview a media file in its associated media player, right-click the file and choose Open with from the shortcut menu.
89 Adding media to your project After you’ve added media to your library, tagged it, and searched for specific files or related media, you’ve probably found just the right piece of media for your current project. You can add media to your project from the Search Results pane by performing any of the following actions: • Dragging a file from the Search Results pane to the project timeline. The file is added wherever you drop it.
90 4. Repeat step 3 for each file in the list. 5. Click the OK button to preview the files or add the files to your project and update the media library with the replacement files. Customizing the Media Manager window Much of what you see in the Media Manager window can be customized to suit your preferences.
91 Adding custom columns You can add custom columns to the Search Results pane to store additional information about media files. When you add custom columns, they are added to the current library only. For example, if you wanted to keep track of which removable hard drive contained a media file, you could create a custom Drive Number column to assign any numeric rating to a media file. You could then use the Advanced section of the Search pane to search using the Drive Number value.
92 Using the Properties pane The Properties pane displays extended information about the selected file in the Search Results pane. You can view and edit file attributes and view a listing of all tags that have been applied to the file. Note: Properties that are editable are displayed in black. Right-click a file in the Search Results pane and choose Show Properties Pane from the shortcut menu to toggle the display of the window.
93 Setting Media Manager options Use the Media Manager Options dialog to set options for working with the Media Manager tool. To display the Media Manager Options dialog, click the Media Library Actions button ( Options from the menu. ) and choose General tab Preference Description Reference library Choose the library you want to load when you click the Switch to Reference Library button in the upper right corner of the Search Results pane.
94 Thumbnails tab Thumbnail (*.sftb) files are used to represent image and video files in the Media Manager. Use the Thumbnails tab to edit settings for saving and using thumbnails Preference Description Thumbnail Caching Choose a setting from the drop-down list to indicate how you want to store thumbnails for image and video files. Store thumbnails in common folder: choose this setting if you want to store all thumbnails in a single folder.
95 CHAPTER 4 Basic Editing Techniques Vegas® projects are multitrack compilations of events that occur over time. The events in your project are references (pointers) to source media files. Vegas software is a nondestructive editor, so editing events in your project does not alter the source media files in any way. Getting around When editing and playing back the project, the cursor identifies where you are along the project’s timeline.
96 Making selections You have the flexibility to select one or more events, a time range, or events and a time range. All selection options can apply to a single track or to multiple tracks. To select an event, click it. Selecting multiple events You can select multiple events in your project using several methods. Tip: Once you have selected multiple events, you can group them together. For more information, see Grouping events on page 179.
97 4. Drag the cursor to the opposite corner of the area you want to select. A rectangle is drawn on the workspace. All events within this rectangle are selected. Hold the left mouse button and right-click to toggle through the three types of selection boxes: free, vertical, or horizontal. Tip: You may include or exclude events from a selection area by pressing Ctrl and clicking an event. To deselect all events, click anywhere in the workspace outside of the selected events.
98 Selecting a time range during playback 1. Click the Play ( ) or the Play From Start ( ) button to begin playback. 2. Press I where you want the time selection to begin. 3. Press O where you want the time selection to end. 4. Click the Stop button ( ) to stop playback. Using shortcuts for time selections These shortcuts can speed up the process of making precise time selections.
99 Selecting groups of composited tracks Click the vertical bar below a parent track to select a group of composited tracks. For example, clicking the area marked A in the following track list to select tracks 2 through 6. Clicking the area marked B selects tracks 5 and 6. A B Editing events Copying events You can copy events, or portions of events, to the clipboard and paste them into your project. You may copy a single event or multiple events.
100 Copying a time selection Events within the time selection and across all tracks are reproduced and placed on the clipboard. Time information is also placed on the clipboard. Events before copy Clipboard contents Events after copy The original events are not affected and do not change. Copying a time selection and events Events and portions of selected events within the time selection are reproduced and placed on the clipboard. Time information is also placed on the clipboard.
101 Cutting a time selection Events within the time selection are reproduced and placed on the clipboard. Time information is also placed on the clipboard. When cutting a time selection, auto ripple mode affects the position of material on all tracks or affected tracks after the cut.
102 3. Click the Paste button ( ). Clipboard events are pasted at the cursor position on the track. Existing track events can be overlapped with newly pasted information. Using paste repeat Use paste repeat to specify how many times clipboard events are pasted at the cursor position on the selected track and to specify the space between pasted events. 1. Copy a selection to the clipboard. 2. From the Edit menu, choose Paste Repeat. The Paste Repeat dialog appears. 3.
103 Events that have previously been inserted or punched-in are not affected by this change. The concept of punching in and out only applies when you are inserting an event that is shorter than the event that it is being inserted into. In the following illustration, every frame is numbered so that you can see how the original event continues after the inserted event ends, as if it continued to play underneath the original.
104 Trimming an event beyond its end You can trim an event beyond its end, extending it as a result. Once extended, the event loops as a default. A notch indicates where the looped event repeats. Alternately, you can turn looping off and make the last frame of an event’s media repeat for the duration of the event (a freeze frame). A notch appears at the point in the event where the video ends and the freeze frame begins. For more information, see Loop on page 171.
105 Edge trimming events using the keyboard With this method, you can quickly jump through your project and adjust cuts until they’re perfectly synchronized. If you have an external multimedia controller, it’s even easier. 1. If you want downstream events to ripple as you trim, click the Auto Ripple button ( ) to turn on Auto Ripple mode. 2. Select the event you want to trim. 3. Press 7 or 9 on the numeric keypad to move the cursor to the event edge you want to trim.
106 Splitting all events at the cursor All events are split at the cursor’s position (unless an event is locked). The split occurs across all tracks (if no events are selected). Events before splitting Events after splitting Splitting selected events Only the selected events are split at the cursor’s position.
107 Splitting a time selection across selected events Only selected events within the time selection are split at the starting and ending points of the time range. Events before splitting Events after splitting Slipping and sliding events To help you picture what happens when you slip and slide events, think of an event as a window to a media file. The window can display the entire media file or a small section.
108 Sliding an event Press Ctrl + Alt while dragging an event. The slide cursor appears ( ). As you drag, the relative position of the media remains fixed on the track, and the event position changes. You can use this technique when you want to maintain an event’s length, but have the event play a different section of the source media file at a different point in your project. Tip: You can apply a ripple edit after slip-trimming or sliding an event.
109 Detecting and repairing audio and video synchronization problems When audio and video events are not aligned, Vegas software will highlight the events in the timeline so you can see synchronization problems at a glance.
110 Applying post-edit ripples You can apply a post-edit ripple that affects either the edited track(s), the track(s) and certain project elements, or everything in the timeline. The power lies in the fact that you can apply this post-edit ripple to a wide variety of editing tasks, such as trimming, crossfading, cutting, pasting, and deleting events. You can also choose to apply your ripple edits manually or automatically.
111 Applying a post-edit ripple manually 1. Perform one of edits discussed above. Above the timeline, an arrow indicates where the post-edit ripple will occur and the direction the affected events will move. 2. From the Edit menu, choose Post-Edit Ripple, and choose a command from the submenu: • Affected Tracks ripples only the track(s) where you performed the edit.
112 Shuffling events A quick way to change the order of a sequence of events in a track is provided. Right-click and drag an event to a new location in the track and choose Shuffle Events from the shortcut menu that appears. The events are shuffled into the new order. The original four events Right-click and drag event three between events one and two The four events after the shuffle Crossfading events You are allowed to crossfade between two events on the same track.
113 Manually setting a crossfade An automatic crossfade is not inserted if a shorter event is placed on top of and within the same time frame of a longer event. In this case, the longer event begins playing, then the shorter event plays, and then the longer event resumes playing at the timeline position. You can manually create a crossfade to fade in and out of the shorter event. 1. Place the mouse pointer on one of the shorter event’s handles. The envelope cursor appears ( ). 2.
114 As you drag, the relative position of the media remains fixed on the track, and the crossfade position changes, effectively trimming the edge of the event in the direction you drag. You can use this technique when you want to maintain the length of two combined events but want the transition to occur earlier or later. Two events with a crossfade. Sliding the crossfade to the left... ...and to the right.
115 Using redo Pressing Ctrl + Shift + Z or clicking the Redo button ( ) redoes the last undo performed. Repeatedly using the keyboard command or toolbar button continues redoing undos in reverse order, from most recent to oldest. In addition, you may redo the last edit by choosing it from the Edit menu. Redoing a series of edits You can view the redo history by clicking the arrow on the right side of the Redo button ( ). The top item in the list that appears is the most recent undo edit.
116 Working with markers Markers are useful for identifying and navigating to specific locations in longer projects. As you place markers in your project, they are automatically numbered (up to 99) in the order that they are placed. Markers appear as orange tags above the ruler. You may name them and reposition them along the project’s timeline. Markers Right-click the marker bar Marker bar Inserting a marker at the cursor 1. Position the cursor where you want to place the marker. 2.
117 Deleting markers 1. Place the mouse pointer on the marker that you want to delete. The pointer changes to a hand ( ). 2. Right-click to display a shortcut menu. 3. From the shortcut menu, choose Delete. The marker is removed from your project. The tags are not renumbered as you remove them. For example, if you have five markers in your project and delete markers 3 and 4, the remaining markers will be listed as 1, 2 and 5.
118 Naming regions 1. Place the mouse pointer on the left region marker you want to name or rename. The pointer changes to a hand icon ( ). 2. Right-click to display a shortcut menu. 3. From the shortcut menu, choose Rename. A text box appears next to the region marker. 4. Type the region’s name. 5. Press Enter or click anywhere in the track view to set the name. Selecting regions You may select the events, across all tracks, within the region for editing or playing back. 1.
119 Working with command markers Command markers add interactivity to a multimedia presentation streamed over the Internet by inserting metadata into streaming media files. As your video plays, any number of other actions can be programmed to occur. These commands are a part of the Microsoft® Windows Media® and RealMedia® streaming formats. Most frequently, these actions add text or open a related Web site where the viewer can find more information about the topic at hand.
120 Defining streaming media commands In a streaming media file, command markers can be used to display headlines, show captions, link to Web sites, or any other function you define. Several command types are included that you may add to a streaming media file. Some command types are exclusive to either the Windows Media or the RealMedia player.
121 Inserting command markers Command markers appear as blue tags on the command bar, which is above the marker bar. Right-click to place a command marker on the command bar Command bar Marker bar 1. Position the cursor where you want to place the command marker. 2. From the Insert menu, choose Command, or press C . 3. Complete the Command Properties dialog: • If desired, choose a custom template from the Template drop-down list.
122 Deleting command markers 1. Place the mouse pointer on the command marker. The pointer changes to a hand icon ( ). 2. Right-click to display a shortcut menu. 3. From the shortcut menu, choose Delete. The command marker is removed from your project. Working with CD layout markers Markers on the CD layout bar indicate the locations of tracks and indices in an audio CD layout project. These markers are discussed in a later chapter. For more information, see Understanding tracks and indices on page 351.
123 Setting up an audio editing program If you already have Sound Forge software loaded on your computer when you installed Vegas software, the installation should have detected it and made it your default audio editing program. However, if you do not have Sound Forge software or want to specify a different audio editor, you may do so in the Preferences dialog. 1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences. The Preferences dialog appears. 2. In the Preferences dialog, click the Audio tab. 3.
124 BASIC EDITING TECHNIQUES CHP.
125 CHAPTER 5 Advanced Editing Techniques This chapter builds on the techniques that were introduced in the last chapter. Ripple editing, pitch shifting, and takes are just three of the more advanced editing topics that are covered in this chapter. Snapping events Vegas® software is preset to snap events into place as you drag them. Events can snap to another event’s edges, to the cursor position, or to a time selection. Events are allowed to snap to grid lines and markers.
126 Using the event snap offset Each event in your project has a snap offset flag that can be moved along the length of the event. The flag is the white triangle that is located in the lower-left corner of each event. This flag allows you to designate where snapping occurs. This is useful if you need to align the snap with a beat in the event instead of the edge. Snap offset flag 1. Place the mouse pointer on the snap offset triangle. The pointer changes to a hand icon ( ). 2.
127 Pitch shifting audio events A pitch shift is a way to raise or lower the pitch of an audio event. The semitone range is -24 to 24. Twelve semitones equal one octave, so you may increase or decrease the pitch of an event within a two-octave range. Within each semitone is a finer pitch adjustment called cents. There are one hundred cents in one semitone.
128 Editing in the Event Properties dialog 1. Right-click the event and choose Properties from the shortcut menu. 2. On the Audio Event tab, choose a setting from the Method drop-down list to specify how you want to pitch- shift the event, or choose None if you want to preserve the event pitch. 3. If you selected Classic from the Method drop-down list, indicate the new event length and amount of pitch shifting you want to apply: a. Type the desired event length in the New length box. b.
129 Time compressing/stretching events Time stretching and compressing events is the process of using the same amount of source media to fill a shorter or longer event. While this can be done to both video and audio events, the two cases are fundamentally different. Press Ctrl and drag the edge of the event toward the center of the event to compress (shorten) it or drag the edge out away from the center to stretch (lengthen) it.
130 Working with takes A take is a version of a scene or audio recording, as in “Scene 10, Take 7”, which means the seventh time that scene number ten has been shot. A number of takes can be included in the same location (event) of the project. You can then rapidly switch between these separate takes to see which one fits into the project the best. Although this is what takes are designed for, you can actually use any media files you want as a take, even completely different sounds or scenes.
131 Previewing and selecting takes You can preview the takes for a given event. 1. Select an event containing multiple takes. 2. Right-click to display a shortcut menu or, from the Edit menu, choose Take to display a submenu. 3. Choose Choose Active... from the submenu. The Take Chooser dialog appears. 4. Select the take that you want to preview and use the Play ( Stop ( ) and ) buttons within the dialog. 5. To use a take, select it and click OK. The selected take is now the active take.
132 Using the Trimmer window The Trimmer allows you to work with and edit one media file at a time. The entire file is opened into the Trimmer, in contrast to events on the timeline that may only contain a portion of the actual source file. The main function of the Trimmer window is to allow you to trim a media file and place portions of it on a track. You can also add regions and markers to a file, preview the media file, or open it in an external audio editing program.
133 Moving frame-by-frame in the Trimmer window As you navigate through a video file in the Trimmer, the exact frame that the cursor is over in time is displayed as in a thumbnail image under the cursor. When using the left and right arrow keys, this allows you to edit with frame accuracy. Make sure Animate video frames in Trimmer is selected on the General tab of the Preferences dialog to use this feature.
134 Adding selections at the cursor 1. Open a media file in the Trimmer. 2. Make a time selection in the Trimmer. 3. Select the track in the timeline where the selection will be added. 4. Position the cursor in the timeline at either the start or end point where you want to add the selection. 5. Add the selection to the timeline in one of the following ways: • Click the Add Media from Cursor button ( • Click the Add Media up to Cursor button ( ) or press A to insert the event after the cursor.
135 Adding and saving regions and markers to a media file The Trimmer allows you to add markers and regions to a media file in the same way that you add them to your project. Media file markers and regions are different from project markers and regions. The difference between the two is that project markers and regions affect a project, while media file markers and regions are embedded in, and saved with, a media file. For more information, see Adding project markers and regions on page 115.
136 Viewing media markers and regions in events From the View menu, choose Event Media Markers to toggle the display markers and regions that are saved in a media file. These markers are displayed in the timeline in events that refer to the media file. Media markers and regions cannot be edited within the event. However, when you edit the markers in markers and regions in the Trimmer window or in an external audio editor, the event will reflect your changes.
137 4. Select the Reverse check box if you want the subclip to be played backward when you add it to your project. 5. Click OK to create the subclip. You can then create events from subclip via the Project Media window. Selecting a subclip in its parent media This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. 1. Right-click a subclip in the Project Media window and choose Open in Trimmer from the shortcut menu. 2. Click the Select Parent Media button in the Trimmer window.
138 Using the Edit Details window This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. The Edit Details window displays a database for all of the media in your project. It shows information about how the files are being used and allows you to modify many of those properties. You may sort, add or change information, rearrange columns, and edit items in the project.
139 Events The Events category displays information about all of the events in your project. You may sort any of the information by clicking a column’s header. The number of columns in the Events category requires that you use the scroll bar to view them all. The following table explains each column in the Events category and describes its function. Column Description Track Displays the track number where the event is located. Start Displays when on the timeline the event starts playback.
140 Customizing the Edit Details window You may arrange and delete columns from each category and save the changes to a personal template. One template is available from which you may create your own display options. 1. From the Show drop-down list, choose the category that you want to customize. 2. Drag a column’s header to the new position. The cursor changes to a column icon ( ) as you move the column. If you want to remove the column from the display, drag the icon off the Edit Details window.
141 CHAPTER Working with Tracks 6 Tracks contain the media events on the timeline of a project. There are two types of tracks in a Vegas® project: video and audio. Each type of track has its own features and controls. While tracks can be organized and mixed in any order, track hierarchy can be important in determining the final output for video. Because tracks are containers for events, effects that are applied to a track apply to every event in that track.
142 Deleting a track You can delete a track from your project and all of the events contained on it. You can delete one track or select multiple tracks to delete. 1. Select the track that you want to delete. To select multiple tracks, click each one while pressing select a range of adjacent tracks or Ctrl Shift to to select discontinuous tracks. 2. From the Edit menu, choose Delete. Tip: You can also delete a track by selecting it and pressing Delete .
143 Changing track color When you add a track, it is automatically assigned a color. This color is easily changed. This feature is useful if you want to use color to organize similar tracks. 1. In the track list, right-click a track to display a shortcut menu. 2. From the shortcut menu, choose Track Display Color, and choose a color from the submenu. To change the available colors, use the Display Tab in the Preferences dialog.
144 Using the track list Each track in your project has its own controls, faders, and sliders that are contained in the track list on the left side of the track. You can work with these controls to affect the events on the track. The controls in the track list can function as trim controls or automation controls for track volume, panning, assignable effects send, and bus send levels. Adjusting the trim control affects the level of the entire track.
145 Tip: Press Ctrl while dragging or use the mouse wheel for finer control of the fader. You can also move the fader by using the right or left arrow keys. Volume envelopes allow you to automate track volume changes. For more information, see Volume or pan automation (audio only) on page 156. Using the multipurpose slider (audio only) This slider controls several features, including panning, bus send levels, and assignable effects send levels.
146 You can further control the panning by right-clicking the multipurpose slider and selecting an option from the shortcut menu: • The Add Channels panning model is most useful for panning stereo source material. This model makes the stereo image appear to move as a unit between the speakers.
147 Assigning audio tracks to busses If your project contains multiple busses, you can assign a track to a specific bus. This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. 1. Click the Bus button ( ) in the track list to display a drop-down list of available busses. This button appears only if the project contains multiple busses. For more information, see Adding busses to a project on page 183. 2. From the drop-down list, choose the bus for the track’s output.
148 Adjusting the composite level (video only) The Level slider in the track header determines the opacity of the video track. The slider can function as a trim control that adjusts the overall opacity of the track, or it can adjust track composite level automation settings. For more information, see Adjusting the composite level automation settings on page 161. The trim level is added to the composite level automation settings so your envelope is preserved, but with a boost or cut applied.
149 Muting a track The Mute button ( ) in the track list temporarily suspends playback of the track so that you can focus on another track. When a track is muted, it appears grayed out on the track view. You can mute more than one track at a time. The Mute button can mute a track or change its mute automation state. For more information, see Mute automation (audio and video) on page 156. To mute a track, click the Automation Settings button selected. Next, click the Mute button.
150 Soloing a track The Solo button ( ) in the track list isolates a track’s events for playback. This allows you to focus on a track’s contents without the distraction of other tracks. You can solo more than one track at a time. To solo a track, click the Solo button on that track. To solo several tracks, select the tracks and click the Solo button on any of the selected tracks. Click the Solo button again to restore the track(s) for playback.
151 Using audio bus tracks This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. From the View menu, choose Audio Bus Tracks to toggle the display of audio bus tracks at the bottom of the track view. An audio bus track exists for each bus or assignable effects chain in your project and serves as a timeline representation of each bus or assignable effects chain. You can use bus tracks to automate volume, panning, and effect parameters using envelopes.
152 Using video bus tracks This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. From the View menu, choose Video Bus Track to toggle the display of the video bus track at the bottom of the track view. A single bus track exists as a timeline representation of the main video output. You can use bus tracks to animate video output effects using keyframes, add motion blur envelopes, or video supersampling envelopes.
153 Rendering to a new track Rendering or mixing multiple tracks to a single track can be a good method of decreasing the complexity of a project and speeding up future renders. The original tracks and their events are unaffected when you render (mix) to a single track. Typically, you would use this feature when you are finished refining a few tracks and want to combine them. When you render multiple tracks, any envelope or track effects that you have applied are rendered into the new track.
154 WORKING WITH TRACKS CHP.
155 CHAPTER Using Automation 7 Automation allows you to control audio and video levels, panning, and effect parameter automation over time. You can create fades, apply stereo panning, and vary effect parameters throughout your project. Automation is represented on the Vegas® timeline as an envelope or set of keyframes.
156 Mute automation (audio and video) This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Mute automation changes a track’s mute state throughout your project. Mute automation is either on or off with no fade between. If you want to use fades, apply volume automation. When you apply mute automation to a track, it’s possible to have a track that is muted and soloed simultaneously.
157 3. From the submenu, choose Volume or Pan. A check mark is displayed for the automation types that are used on the selected track. Panning envelopes will use the current panning mode for the Pan slider in the track list. For more information, see Adjusting stereo panning on page 145. 4. If you want to change the track’s volume or pan setting throughout the track, edit the envelope in the timeline.
158 Adjusting assignable effects automation levels 1. Click the Automation Settings button displayed as a and select Show Automation Controls. The fader handle is in automation mode. 2. Click the label on the multipurpose slider and choose an assignable effects chain from the menu. 3. Drag the FX fader to control the level of the track sent to each of the assignable FX chains that you have created.
159 Adjusting bus automation levels 1. Click the Automation Settings button displayed as a and select Show Automation Controls. The fader handle is in automation mode. 2. Click the label on the multipurpose slider and choose a bus from the menu. 3. Drag the fader to control the level of the track sent to each of the assignable FX chains that you have created. Dragging the fader to the left cuts the volume; dragging to the right boosts the volume.
160 4. Select the check box for each parameter that you want to control with an envelope. You can use the Select All and Select None buttons to quickly change your selections to all or none of the parameters. Note: If you're working with a 5.1 surround project, you can select the Enable check boxes to determine which channels will be affected by the plug-in. An automation envelope is added to the timeline for each selected channel so you can enable or bypass the plug-in during the project.
161 Adjusting effect automation settings You can adjust automated effect parameters by editing the envelopes in the timeline or by recording automation with the controls in the Audio Plug-In Window. If you’ve enabled the Bypass parameter for a plug-in, you can click the Bypass button in the plug-in's banner to toggle the Bypass envelope at the cursor position.
162 If multiple tracks are selected, all selected tracks are adjusted. If you adjust the slider during playback, the behavior varies depending on the selected automation recording mode. For more information, see Automating 5.1 surround projects on page 167. Adding a motion blur envelope This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Motion blur can help you make computer-generated animation look more realistic.
163 Working with track envelopes Envelopes represent volume, audio panning, opacity, and fade to color automation settings in the timeline. Track Type Envelope type Description Color Audio Volume Controls track volume. Blue Audio Bus send volume Controls track level sent to bus. Available only in the full version of Vegas software. Lilac Audio Assignable effects send volume Controls track level sent to assignable effects control. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
164 Deleting envelope points You can delete a point by right-clicking it and choosing Delete from the shortcut menu. If you want to delete all envelope points, right-click a point and choose Reset All from the shortcut menu. Moving envelope points Once you have added envelope points, you can raise and lower them to different levels along the timeline, or you can adjust the envelope’s location along the timeline by dragging it right or left.
165 Hiding track envelopes After you have set your envelopes on the tracks, you can hide them from the track view. Hiding track envelopes does not affect playback. The points that you set still automate the controls, even though the envelopes are not visible. 1. From the View menu, choose either Audio Envelopes or Video Envelopes. A submenu appears. Envelopes that are currently displayed are selected in the submenu. 2. From the submenu, choose an envelope name.
166 Cutting, copying, and pasting envelope points 1. Select the Envelope Edit Tool button ( ). 2. Click within a track to select it. 3. Drag along the timeline to select envelope points. 4. From the Edit menu, choose Cut or Copy. 5. Click to position the cursor where you want to paste envelope points. Click within a different track if you want to paste envelope points to another track. 6. From the Edit menu, choose Paste. The envelope points are pasted in the new position.
167 Automating 5.1 surround projects 5.1 surround is available only in the full version of Vegas software. In a 5.1 surround project, you can automate the center channel’s volume and surround panning using keyframes. For more information, see Working with 5.1 Surround on page 209. Automation recording modes Automation recording allows you to edit envelope and keyframe settings by using the controls in the Vegas interface.
168 4. Click to position the cursor in the timeline, and click the Play button to start playback. 5. Adjust the control that corresponds to the envelope point or keyframe you want to adjust. During playback, adjusting a control will create envelope points or keyframes at the cursor position. As long as you're adjusting the control, new envelope points/keyframes will be created for each change of the play cursor's position. 6. Click Stop to end playback and stop recording automation.
169 Editing individual envelope points or keyframes Editing individual envelope points or keyframes gives you fine control over your recorded settings. 1. Click the Automation Settings button on the track you want to edit and select Show Automation Controls. 2. Click the Automation Settings button and choose Automation Write (Touch) or Automation Write (Latch) from the menu. 3.
170 USING AUTOMATION CHP.
171 CHAPTER Working with Events 8 Events are windows into media files in a project and are the most basic unit of editing in Vegas® software. Media files that are inserted into the timeline are automatically contained within an event. Trimming and editing an event does not affect the source media file in any way. Setting event switches Event switches are important functions that are used to determine the basic behavior of events.
172 For video events, turning off the Loop switch makes the last frame repeat for the duration of the event beyond its original length, creating a freeze frame effect (as in the middle example below). The Loop switch is enabled for the event in the last example below. The original three frame clip. Looping is off. The elongated event repeats (freezes) the final frame. Looping is on. The entire event repeats. Invert phase (audio only) This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
173 3. Click Re-calculate to normalize the event again. Tip: You can set the maximum decibel level used to calculate the event during normalization. For more information, see Audio tab on page 333. Maintain aspect ratio (video only) Video and image files of various sizes and formats can be included in a single project. The project itself may have a different frame size aspect ratio from the source media files. This is not a problem, but you must specify how these differences are handled.
174 Accessing event properties The properties of an event are automatically determined based on the properties of the source media file. In addition to the event switches (mute, loop, etc.) described in the previous section, event properties include playback and undersample rates for video and pitch shifting for audio. 1. Right-click an event to display a shortcut menu. 2. From the shortcut menu, choose Properties. The Properties dialog appears.
175 Copying and pasting event attributes You’ve set up one event exactly the way you want it, and now you want to apply the same attributes to another event. A quick way to copy the attributes of one event and paste them onto another is provided. You can copy and paste multiple event attributes, including: • • • • Properties (pg. 174), including audio pitch shift (pg. 127) and video playback rate (pg. 129) Switches (pg. 171) Video event plug-ins (pg. 241) Cropping (pg. 223) 1.
176 Setting an audio event’s volume When you place the mouse pointer at the top of the event, the pointer changes to a hand cursor ( ) that you can use to lower the event’s overall volume. 1. Place the mouse pointer at the top of the event. Volume line 2. When you see the envelope cursor ( ), drag the volume envelope to the desired level. As you drag, the event’s decibel level is displayed.
177 Using video event envelopes Velocity envelopes are only available in the full version of Vegas software. Video envelopes allow you to control an event’s opacity or velocity over time. Envelopes appear as lines on an event. With a velocity envelope, you have the added control of being able to create and edit envelope points. Note: Event envelopes only affect an event. Track envelopes affect the entire track. For more information, see Composite level automation (video only) on page 161.
178 Changing an event’s fade curve You can set the shape of the fade curve (fast, linear, slow, sharp, or smooth) that an event uses to increase or decrease the opacity over time. To access the different fade curves, right-click anywhere in the event’s fadein or -out region and choose Fade Type from the shortcut menu. Tip: If you use the same fade curve frequently, you can set it as a default for all new video event envelopes. For more information, see Editing tab on page 349.
179 Reversing a video event Setting the velocity to a negative value reverses the video, working backwards from the point where the negative value occurs. An event that has been reversed plays backwards until it gets to the first frame and then holds that frame for the duration of the event. 1. Right-click an event, choose Insert/Remove Envelope, and then choose Velocity from the submenu. 2. Trim the beginning of the video event to the place where you want the reversal to begin (e.g.
180 Adding an event to an existing group 1. Right-click an event in the existing group, choose Group from the shortcut menu, and choose Select All from the submenu to select all of the members of the group. 2. Press Ctrl and click the event to be added to the group. 3. Right-click the event, choose Group from the shortcut menu, and choose Create New from the submenu. Note: Events can only be in one group at a time.
181 CHAPTER Using the Mixer 9 The Mixer window is where you control the project’s busses and assignable effects chains. Multiple audio busses and assignable effects chains are only available in the full version of Vegas® software. Using the Mixer window The Mixer is a dockable window where you can control audio busses and assignable effects chains within your project and adjust the outgoing signal’s volume and routing.
182 Using the Mixer toolbar The Mixer’s toolbar allows you to access project properties, add busses, and add assignable effects chains to the Mixer. Button Description The Project Audio Properties button accesses the project properties dialog (pg. 333). The Downmix Output button downmixes your audio from 5.1 surround to stereo or from stereo to mono so you can ensure your mix will sound the way you intended it, even when your audience’s hardware has fewer channels than the original mix.
183 Using busses Multiple audio busses are only available in the full version of Vegas software. A bus is a master control for the audio-signal mix of one or more tracks. You can assign tracks to play back on a specific bus. For more information, see Assigning audio tracks to busses on page 186. However, to assign a track to a bus, you must have more than one bus in your project. Each project has a Master bus as a default, but you may add up to 25 additional busses to the Mixer window.
184 Adding multiple busses 1. Click the Audio Properties button ( ) on the Mixer window. The Project Properties dialog appears with the Audio tab displaying. 2. In the Number of stereo busses box, enter the desired number of busses (up to 25) to appear in the Mixer window. Enter the number of busses 3. Click OK to add the specified number of busses and close the Project Properties dialog. The new busses appear in the Mixer window.
185 3. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog. 4. In the Mixer window, click the Playback Device Selector button on the bus you want to route. 5. Choose a hardware device from the menu. • The button is displayed as a when a bus is routed to the master bus. • The bus letter is displayed ( , , and so on) when a bus is routed to another bus. • The button is displayed as a when a bus is routed to a hardware output. Note: You can map multiple busses to a single sound card.
186 Muting a bus Muting allows you to temporarily suspend playback of the bus. When a bus is muted, the word Muted appears at the bottom of the meter. You can mute more than one bus at a time. The Mute button can mute the bus, or it can adjust mute automation on the bus’s bus track. To mute the bus, click the Automation Settings button and verify Show Automation Controls is not selected. Click the Mute button ( ) to mute the bus, and click it again to restore playback.
187 Using assignable effects chains This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Assignable effects allow you to send various levels of multiple tracks to a single audio effect chain. Like busses, these controls reside in the Mixer window and support plug-in chains. In addition, you can route assignable effects outputs to project busses. Click the Insert Assignable FX button ( ) in the Mixer window to add an assignable effects chain to your project.
188 Tip: To use the output fader to control the wet/dry mix of the assignable effects chain, set each plug-in to 100% wet. Use the output (effects return) fader to balance the dry track signal with the wet plug-in signal. You can work with assignable effects controls in much the same way you work with busses. Use the same methods described earlier in this chapter for adjusting volume, adjusting for clipping, muting, soloing, and renaming. For more information, see Working with busses on page 185.
189 CHAPTER 10 Adding Audio Effects You can use audio effects, or plug-ins, to improve the quality of the audio in a production or to create special artistic effects. Vegas® software supports a variety of DirectX® and VST plug-in effects from both Sony Media Software and third-party vendors. Using audio effects There are three ways to use audio plug-ins: track effects, bus effects, and assignable effects. You can access these plug-ins by clicking the Track FX, Bus FX or Assignable FX buttons ( ).
190 Using plug-in chains A plug-in chain is a sequence of plug-ins to be applied to tracks, busses, or assignable effects. A plug-in chain can contain one or more plug-ins. The same plug-in can be added to a chain more than once. Plug-ins in a chain After the plug-in chain is created, the audio is processed by each plug-in in order. The plug-ins are cumulative so, in some cases, you may want to rearrange their order to achieve the desired effect. Note: If you’re working with a 5.
191 Adding plug-ins to a plug-in chain There are two ways to add plug-ins to a chain: via the Plug-In Chooser dialog and via the Audio Plug-In window. Adding plug-ins via the Plug-In Chooser dialog You can access the Plug-In Chooser dialog from the track, bus, or assignable effects chain to which you are adding the plug-in. 1. Click the Track FX, Bus FX or Assignable FX button ( ). The appropriate FX window (Audio Plug-In or Video Track FX) appears.
192 Adding plug-ins via the Plug-In Manager This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. The Plug-In Manager is a dockable window that allows you to view and choose plug-ins to be added to a track, bus, or assignable effects chain. 1. If the Plug-In Manager is not displayed, press Ctrl + Alt + 1 . 2. In the Plug-In Manager, navigate to the Audio folder and select one of the FX folders. 3. Drag a plug-in to a track, bus, or assignable effects chain.
193 Arranging the order of plug-ins Plug-ins are cumulative during playback. Because of this cumulative effect, you may need to arrange plug-ins in a certain order so that one plug-in’s processing does not adversely affect the next plug-in on the chain. There is no right or wrong way to order plug-ins, but some plug-ins work better when arranged in a particular order. You can arrange the order of plug-ins in a chain in either the appropriate FX window or the Plug-In Chooser dialog.
194 Bypassing plug-ins on the chain You can bypass plug-ins on the chain by clearing the check box on a specific plug-in or by right-clicking the plug-in and choosing Bypass from the shortcut menu. The plug-in remains bypassed until you enable it again. Bypassing a plug-in prevents it from being processed on the mixer, track or bus. Effect enabled Effect bypassed To enable the plug-in again, click its check box or choose Bypass from the shortcut menu.
195 Plug-in chain packages that you have created and saved 1. Click the Track FX, Bus FX or Assignable FX button ( ). The appropriate FX window (Audio Plug-In or Video Track FX) appears. Assignable effects are available only in the full version of Vegas software. 2. Click the Plug-In Chain button ( ). The Plug-In Chooser dialog appears with the plug-in chain displayed at the top. 3. Click Save As. The Save Plug-in Package dialog appears. 4. Enter a name for the package. 5.
196 Automating effects parameters This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Automation allows you to control audio and video levels, panning, and effect parameter automation over time. You can create fades, apply stereo panning, and add effects that come and go as you please. Automation is represented on the Vegas timeline as an envelope or set of keyframes.
197 When effects are bypassed, you can choose whether bypassed effects remain open. When the Keep bypassed box on the General tab of the Preferences dialog is selected, effects remain open so you can bypass/enable effects with no pause for A/B testing. When the check box is cleared, effects are fully bypassed, conserving processing power. FX running check CHP.
198 ADDING AUDIO EFFECTS CHP.
199 CHAPTER Recording Audio 11 Vegas® software can record audio into multiple mono or stereo audio tracks while simultaneously playing back existing audio and video tracks. You are limited only by the performance of your computer system and audio hardware. Audio is recorded to a media file on your computer and into an event on the timeline. You may record into an empty track, a time selection, an event, or a combination of time and event selection.
200 Setup with mixer This setup includes a mixer where the speaker and microphone connect. The mixer is then connected to the computer’s sound card. Mixers usually have pre-amps built into them. This diagram does not show you an instrument or a physical preamplifier, such as a rack-mounted component. The reason for this omission is because these types of setups vary widely based on your mixer, instrument, and pre-amp type. Refer to your components’ documentation for specific setup configurations.
201 Preparing to record Before you record, you must arm the tracks into which you will record the new audio. You must also select the recording settings for the tracks. You have the additional options of using a metronome or turning off playback during recording. You may record into an empty track, a time selection, an event, or a combination of time and event selection. You can also record multiple takes for an event so you can maintain multiple versions of an event that you may play back and edit.
202 In addition, one of two Record Device Selector buttons appears: ( ) or ( ). The button that appears is based on the Audio device type selected in the Audio tab of the Preferences dialog. For more information, see Audio tab on page 342. Button Stereo Mono left Description This button appears when Use Microsoft® Sound Mapper™ has been selected as the audio device type on the Preferences Audio tab. The Sound Mapper allows you to choose how the signal will be recorded: stereo or mono.
203 Using the metronome A built-in metronome marks time to help with the timing and tempo when recording a performance. The metronome’s sound is not mixed in the final rendering of the project. Use the Preview fader in the Mixer window to control the metronome volume. For more information, see Using the Mixer Preview fader on page 182. To use the metronome, from the Options menu, choose Metronome. Tip: You can customize the sound of the metronome in the Audio tab of the Preferences dialog.
204 Delete—removes selected file Rename—changes the name of a selected file Delete All—removes all files in dialog Done—returns to track view When a check mark appears in this box, Vegas software displays this dialog after each recording session. Note: The Recorded Files dialog does not appear if you are triggering from MIDI timecode, as this would interrupt the synchronizing. Instead, files are automatically named and saved according to your preferences.
205 3. Click the Arm for Record button ( ) on the event’s track. When recording into multiple selected events, arm their respective tracks at this time. 4. Click the Record button ( ) on the transport bar to begin recording. 5. Click the Record button ( ) again or the Stop button ( ) on the transport bar to stop recording. Recording into an event with a time selection Recording into a time selection allows for a pre- and post- roll during recording.
206 Triggering from MIDI timecode This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Recording can be triggered and synchronized by an external MIDI device that outputs (generates) MIDI timecode (MTC). When triggering from MIDI timecode, you should have your audio devices connected together via a master digital word clock. The word clock keeps the audio hardware locked together, eliminating the need for the software to constantly vary its playback rate to stay synchronized.
207 Changing where recorded files are stored when starting to record 1. Press Shift and click the Record button ( dialog appears. Tip: You can also press ) on the transport bar. The Project Recorded Files Folder to specify the location for recorded files when starting to record. Ctrl + Shift + R 2. Browse for the location where you want to save recorded files. 3. Click OK. Changing where recorded files are stored in the Project Properties dialog 1. From the File menu, choose Properties.
208 When On is selected, the behavior is similar to Auto mode, but you will always hear the input monitor during recording—monitoring is not toggled on and off when recording in to a selected event. Note: Your ability to monitor effects in real time is dependent on your computer's performance. Effect automation envelopes are bypassed during record monitoring. RECORDING AUDIO CHP.
209 CHAPTER 12 Working with 5.1 Surround Vegas® software allows you to create 5.1-channel mixes to prepare audio for DVD-Video. This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Note: Vegas software plays and mixes uncompressed 5.1- channel audio. Authoring software such as the Sony Media Software 5.1 Surround Plug-In Pack is required to encode 5.1-channel audio to AC-3 for use in DVD authoring. What is 5.1 surround? 5.
210 Setting up surround hardware Before you create surround projects, you should set up your system to provide 5.1 surround playback. To play a 5.1 surround project, you must have an appropriate speaker setup such as: • Six powered speakers • Six passive speakers with a six-channel amplifier Your system must also have an appropriate sound card setup such as: • 5.
211 5. Click OK. The track list and Mixer window switch to 5.1 surround mode. The Master bus becomes the Surround Master bus, which contains faders for each of the six surround channels. Surround panners appear on tracks and mixer controls. Tracks routed to mixer controls (busses or assignable effects) do not have surround panners; panning for these tracks takes place on the mixer control. Track list in 5.1 surround mode Mixer in 5.
212 Assigning audio to the LFE channel Once the project is in 5.1 surround mode, you must decide whether a track will provide the “5” (surround panning) or the “1” (LFE channel) in 5.1 surround. Initially, all tracks in a surround project are set to provide surround panning, but you can assign a track to the LFE channel instead.
213 Adjusting assignable effects send or bus send levels You can adjust send levels for busses or assignable effects chains using the multipurpose fader in the track header. Click the fader label and choose an assignable effects chain or bus from the menu. The fader in the track header can function as a trim control that adjusts the overall send level of the track, or it can adjust send level automation settings.
214 Panning audio You can pan audio in a 5.1 surround project in two ways: • Pan tracks individually using the Surround Panner window. • Route tracks to mixer controls (busses, assignable effect chains) and pan the mixer controls using the Surround Panner window. Panning tracks 1. Click the Automation Settings button ( ) on the track you want to pan and verify Show Automation Controls is not selected. 2. Double-click the surround panner on the track you wish to pan. The Surround Panner window appears.
215 Panning mixer controls You may choose to route tracks to busses or other mixer controls (such as assignable effect chains) and pan them as a group rather than panning each track individually. Note: When you route a track to a bus, stereo (two- channel) output is sent to the mixer control and the mixer control sends 5.1 (six-channel) output to the Surround Master bus. 1. Add a bus or assignable effect chain to the project. For more information, see Using the Mixer on page 181. 2.
216 Using the Surround Panner window Whether you’re adjusting track panning or mixer control panning, you use the same controls in the Surround Panner window. View the Surround Panner window by double-clicking a surround panner on a track header or mixer control. Once the Surround Panner window is open, you can dock it in the workspace. For more information, see Window docking area and floating window docks on page 24.
217 Moving the pan point A variety of methods are provided to help you position the pan point in the Surround Panner window.
218 Using the grid to monitor panning The grid in the Surround Panner window helps you to visualize how your panning will sound. The grid's spacing changes to match the current pan type. The vertical lines represent the points where the left-to-right signal ratio is 6 dB, 0 dB, and -6 dB respectively: at the far-left line, the left channel is 6.0 dB louder than the right channel. The horizontal lines represent the points where the front-to-rear signal ratio is 6 dB, 0 dB, and -6 dB respectively.
219 5. Close the Surround Panner window. A keyframe with the pan settings you created appears below the track at the cursor position. New keyframe Tip: You can also add keyframes by double-clicking the keyframe row or by right-clicking the row and choosing Add Point from the shortcut menu. Once you’ve added the keyframe, double-click it to adjust panning settings in the Surround Panner window.
220 Changing keyframe interpolation curves To control how the pan is interpolated between keyframes, right-click a keyframe and choose an interpolation curve type from the shortcut menu. Keyframe interpolation curves control how the pan occurs over time. The keyframe color changes according to the interpolation curve you have chosen. Keyframe Interpolation curve Description Hold No interpolation takes place. The keyframe's settings are maintained until the next keyframe.
221 Hiding keyframes 1. Select the track for which you want to hide keyframes. 2. From the View menu, choose Show Audio Envelopes, and choose Surround Pan Keyframes from the submenu. Deleting keyframes Right-click a keyframe and choose Delete from the shortcut menu. Rendering surround projects 5.1 surround projects are rendered to produce six monaural files (AIFF, WAV, W64, or PCA) or a single 5.1channel file (AC-3, WMA, and WMV).
222 9. Click Save. Rendering the surround project SampleProject.wav... ...results in six WAV files. Note: You can use an application such as the Sony Media Software 5.1 Surround Plug-In Pack to encode 5.1-channel audio to AC-3 for use in DVD authoring. Creating a DVD with DVD Architect Software If you have DVD Architect™ software from Sony Media Software, you can create menu-based DVDs, music compilations, picture compilations, or a single-movie DVD that will play back automatically in your DVD player.
223 CHAPTER 13 Using Advanced Video Features While simple to learn, Vegas® software is a powerful application with many advanced features. This chapter covers some of the advanced video features of this powerful tool. Cropping video With the Event/Pan Crop window, you can resize media in a video event or selectively crop media without resizing.
224 Open the Event Pan/Crop window by clicking the Event Pan/Crop button ( ) on the event. Presets Show Properties Normal Edit Tool Zoom Edit Tool Enable Snapping Lock Aspect Ratio Rotation area Size About Center Move Freely or Move in X or Y only Selection area Smoothness Handles Keyframe controller Note: If any controls shown in the figure above are not visible, enlarge the Event Pan/Crop window by dragging the lower right corner until all controls are revealed.
225 1. Click the Event Pan/Crop button ( ) on the event. 2. Drag the handles (small boxes) located around the perimeter of the selection area to change the size. 3. Move the mouse to middle of the selection area until the cursor changes to a move icon ( ). Drag the selection area to reposition it. Be aware of the following as you crop a video event: • • • • To keep the selection area centered as you resize, select the Size About Center button ( ).
226 Working with still images You can use still images for a number of purposes including slide shows, overlay graphics, and titles. You can insert still images into projects just like any other media files. The default length for a still image event when it is first added to a track is five seconds (this is an adjustable preference), but this duration can be modified by dragging the edges to create a still image event of any length.
227 Capturing a timeline snapshot You can create still images of a single frame of your project. Once saved, the snapshot can be used just like any other still image. 1. Position the cursor on the frame of the project you wish to capture as a still image. 2. Click the Save Snapshot to File button ( ) on the Video Preview window. The Image Filename dialog appears. 3. Select a file format (JPEG or PNG) and enter a name for the new still image file. 4. Click Save.
228 If you want, you can replace the crossfades between images by dragging transitions to the crossfade regions at a later time. For more information, see Using transition effects on page 268. Note: When using photographs or other media that is not the same frame aspect as your video, you'll see black bars on the sides or above and below the image. To create a crop rectangle that matches the project frame aspect, right-click the image and choose Match Output Aspect from the shortcut menu.
229 8. Click the Compositing Mode button ( ) on the title track and choose Source Alpha if your image has an alpha channel associated with it. If it does not, you may need to add a chroma key filter to the image and key out the background. For more information, see Chroma keying on page 264. Note: The alpha channel is saved as a selection area in some programs. If you cannot save the alpha channel, use a black background and a mask will be created from the background.
230 Adding closed captioning line-by-line 1. Position the cursor where you want the closed captioning text to appear. 2. From the Insert menu, choose Command. The Command Properties dialog appears. 3. From the Command drop-down list, choose Text. 4. In the Parameter box, enter the closed captioning text you want to display. 5. Click OK. 6. Repeat steps 1-5 for each line of closed captioning text you want to add. 7. Render your file in Windows Media Video format.
231 Note: The final caption displays in the Microsoft® Windows Media® Player until the end of the video. To clear the final caption sooner, add a final command with no text (as shown above). Copying and pasting captions into Vegas software 1. Select the cells in the spreadsheet and copy them. 2. Switch to Vegas software and choose Edit Details from the View menu. The Edit Details window appears. 3. From the Show drop-down list, choose Commands. 4.
232 Displaying closed captioning You may use one of two methods for displaying the closed captioning when the video is played: • Instruct your audience to turn on captioning: In Windows Media Player 7 and 8: from the View menu, choose Now Playing Tools, and then choose Captions from the submenu. In Windows Media Player 9: from the Play menu, choose Captions and Subtitles, and then choose On if from the submenu. Available • Create an HTML page with the Windows Media Player embedded in it.
233 Resampling at either the event or project level perform the same function. There are few cases where resampling may be particularly important: • When the frame rate of the source media for an event is slower than the project’s frame rate. For example, when you are using a source media file that has a 10 fps rate in a 29.97 fps rate project, resampling is recommended. • When changing the speed of a video event. For example, when slowing a clip to 30% using a velocity envelope, resampling is recommended.
234 Working in DV format Vegas software is optimized for DV editing. If your project is destined for tape or television, the DV format is an excellent choice. The Sony Media Software DV codec provides video with excellent image quality, even over multiple generations, and provides audio that is better than CD-quality. If you start with well-shot DV footage and stay within the DV format throughout the editing process, you can output broadcast-quality video programs.
235 Eliminating out-of-range colors The DV format allows color values to exceed broadcast NTSC and PAL color level standards. If you have a scene whose colors are too hot, or if you want to be sure that your video stays within legal broadcast levels, apply the Broadcast Colors effect to specific events or the entire project. Be aware that applying the Broadcast Colors effect results in recompression of the video.
236 Working in HDV format This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software and in Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software. HDV cameras record high-definition video to standard DV tapes using a highly compressed variation of the MPEG-2 format. Because of this compression, you can capture HDV clips at data rates that are no higher than DV capture.
237 Tips: If you don’t want to convert all clips in their entirety, create regions to indicate the portions of the captured HDV clips that you want to convert to an intermediate format, and then the Batch Render script to render the regions to the desired format. Remember that Vegas software supports multiple instances. You can use one instance of the application to render your intermediate files while you continue editing in another instance. Use network rendering to queue multiple render jobs.
238 Modifying video properties Modifying project video properties You can access project video properties by clicking the File menu and choosing Properties or by clicking the Project Video Properties button ( ) on the Video Preview window. Many of these settings are identical to the settings found on the Project tab of the Custom Template dialog. Final render properties set up in the Custom Template dialog override the following Project Properties settings. For more information, see Video tab on page 312.
239 Modifying media file properties Vegas software tries to automatically detect the properties of your media files. In most cases, these properties do not need to be modified, but there are times when you may need manual control over some of these attributes, depending on the type of file and your specific hardware configuration. 1. Right-click a file in the Project Media window or an event on the timeline and, from the shortcut menu, choose Properties. 2.
240 Setting custom stream properties Media files are opened with a set of default values based on the media file type. When you change any of the values for a media file, these changes are saved for that file in the current project only. If you want to change the default settings for a particular type of video file whenever that type of file is used, click the Save settings to video profiles for future auto-detection button ( ) to the right of the Stream list.
241 CHAPTER 14 Using Video FX, Compositing, and Masks Video plug-ins in Vegas® software include effects and generators. Effects cover a broad range of electronic modifications that can be used to improve substandard video or artistically enhance a production. Generators can be used to create custom video events such as credit rolls or gradient overlays. A variety of options are provided in compositing video and using masks. Compositing involves mixing visual elements together into a final output.
242 Adding a video effects plug-in You can apply video effects to events, tracks, files in the Project Media window, or to an entire project. You can add a plug-in by selecting it in the Plug-In Chooser dialog, or you can drag-and-drop the plug-in from the Video FX or Plug-Ins windows. Adding a plug-in using the Plug-In Chooser 1. Click the Video FX button ( ) in one of the following locations (see the illustration): • Media FX are applied before a media file is inserted into an event on the timeline.
243 Adding a plug-in from the Video FX or Plug-In Manager window The Plug-In Manager is available only in the full version of Vegas software. 1. If the Video FX or Plug-In Manager window is not currently visible, choose either Video FX or Plug-In Manager from the View menu to view the appropriate window. 2. Drag a plug-in from the window to one of the following locations: • file in the Project Media window • event • track list or empty section of a track • Video Preview window (video output effects) 3.
244 Working with video effects plug-in chains You can apply plug-ins in chains of two or more for even greater flexibility. A plug-in chain is a sequence of all of the plug-ins to be applied to a media file, event, track, or project. The same plug-in can be added to a chain more than once. Use the same steps to add additional plug-ins to a chain as you use to add a single plug-in. For more information, see Adding a video effects plug-in on page 242.
245 The goal of the above example is to use video effects plug-ins to create a very high-contrast mask out of a video clip of fire. In the image on the left, a Brightness and Contrast plug-in is applied first and then a Black and White plug-in. In the image on the right, the Black and White plug-in was applied first, removing the color, and then the Brightness and Contrast plug-in was applied.
246 Modifying a video effects plug-in Video effects plug-ins are highly customizable. You can select from a variety of presets or adjust the settings for custom effects. You can also save custom settings to be used again as a new preset. 1. Click the FX button ( ) on the event, track, Project Media window file, or Video Preview window that has the plug-in applied to it. The Video FX window appears. 2. Select a preset from the Preset drop-down list or adjust the parameters as needed.
247 Using generated media Generated media plug-ins are a special class of plugin that creates virtual media files contained in events on the timeline. These virtual files are stored in the Project Media window, where their properties can be viewed and modified. Generated media provide an easy way to add text, backgrounds, or test patterns to your project. You can view the generators by choosing Media Generators from the View menu to display the Media Generators window.
248 Duplicating a generated media event Once you have added a generated media event and modified its settings, you can duplicate it. For more information, see Duplicating events on page 103. When you duplicate a generated media event, you have two options: • Select the Create a new copy of the source media radio button if you want the new event to be modified on its own. The new event is completely independent of the original event.
249 In the second example, track two is the child track of track one (the parent track), and the compositing mode of track one is set to Mask. This parent/child relationship was set up by clicking the Make Compositing Child button ( ) in the track list for track two. This makes the text in track one act as a mask over track two, allowing the fire to show through the mask (i.e., the text). The region outside of the text is still transparent, but there is nothing below these tracks, so it appears black.
250 The sample below uses a generated text event that is partially transparent. For more information, see Using generated media on page 247. Set compositing mode for overlay track Overlay track Background track The following table shows how these two sample tracks are blended using each of the compositing modes. Compositing mode Sample Description Add Adds the overlay color values to the background. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
251 Compositing mode Sample Description Overlay Heightens contrast by using Multiply mode on darker colors and Screen mode on lighter colors. Available only in the full version of Vegas software. Hard Light Adds overlay colors as if the overlay were lit by a bright, focused spotlight. Available only in the full version of Vegas software. Dodge Brightens the background based on the overlay color values. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
252 Using a 2-to-1 transform plug-in to customize compositing Click the Parent Composite Mode ( ) or Composite Mode button and choose Custom from the menu to use plug-ins to control how the parent track modifies the tracks in its composite group. Custom compositing is available only in the full version of Vegas software. The included Displacement Map, Height Map, and Bump Map plug-ins can create interesting lens, mirror, water, fire, and other light-bending effects.
253 In the first example, the two tracks intersect along their rotation axis. In the second example, adding a 2D track above the “cool” track causes it to be rotated in 3D and composited as a 2D image so the “hot” text is displayed above it without intersecting. Single-track 3D motion 1. Click the Track Motion button ( ) on the track that contains the overlay that you want to animate. The Track Motion window is displayed. 2. From the Compositing Mode drop-down list, choose 3D Source Alpha. 3.
254 5. Use the buttons at the top of the dialog to allow or prevent movement or scaling. For more information, see Changing editing options on page 256. Tip: Right-click the workspace to display a shortcut menu that displays commands to restore, center, or flip the selection box. You can also force the box to match the source media's aspect ratio or your project's output aspect ratio.
255 Composited group 3D motion 1. Click the Make Compositing Child button ( ) on the tracks you want to group to create a compositing group. For more information, see Understanding the parent/child track relationship on page 248. 2. Click the Parent Composite Mode button ( ) on the parent track and choose 3D Source Alpha. 3. Click the Parent Motion button ( ) on the parent track. The Track Motion window is displayed. Parent track motion affects the parent track and all child tracks.
256 Changing editing options Use the toolbar at the top of the Track Motion window to change your editing options. Icon Command Description Enable Rotation Select this button if you want to be able to rotate, or spin, the video. When the button is not selected, video is locked so you can move it along the X, Y, or Z axis, but the event will not rotate. Enable Snapping to Grid Select this button if you want your editing to snap to the grid.
257 In the next example, clicking the Make Compositing Parent button ( ) on track 3 forces the track below (at the same compositing level) to be rendered in 3D and composited as a 2D image. Track 4 (green-and-gray checkerboard) now has the appearance of depth—the checkerboard tapers to a vanishing point—but is inserted in the composited output as a 2D image at a depth of zero on the Z axis. Track 2 is still rotated in 3D space.
258 Creating image masks You can use media generated by Vegas software to create simple masks. You can also create masks from just about any image file. Masks created using color gradient generated media events 1. Create an image of a solid white circle on a black background in any paint program. This will be the mask. 2. Add the mask image file as an event into the top-most track on the timeline. 3. Insert a video event just below the mask track.
259 Creating video masks You can also use video files to create masks, although the process can be more complicated than using an image as a mask. The key to any mask is contrast. You can increase the difference between the light and dark areas of a video file using video effects plug-ins. 1. Insert the video that you want to use as a mask into a video track. 2. Drag a Black and White plug-in from the Video FX window to the event to remove the color.
260 Bézier masks This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. You can use the Event Pan/Crop dialog to create masks using Bézier curves. Use the controls in the Path heading on the left side of the Event Pan/Crop dialog to create masks using Bézier curves. Each event can contain multiple Bézier masks. When you use a single setting for the duration of an event, you are masking the contents of the event.
261 Editing the path Use the tools on the left edge of the Event Pan/Crop window to edit your mask. Icon Tool Description Normal Edit Use to select and edit control points and tangents. Click a point to select it, or drag to move the point. Hold Ctrl while clicking to select/deselect multiple points. Hold Alt and click a segment to select all points on the path. The pointer is displayed as a . Hold Alt + Shift while clicking an anchor point to invert the selection state of each anchor on the path.
262 Setting path options 1. Select a path with the Normal Edit tool . 2. Expand the Path heading on the left side of the window to set options for the selected path. 3. Choose a setting from the Mode drop-down list to choose the selected path's masking behavior. • Positive — The area inside the path is visible in your video output. • Negative — The area outside the path is visible in your video output. The area inside the path is transparent. • Disabled — The path is bypassed. 4.
263 Using the Mask Generator The Mask Generator is a plug-in that controls the transparency of events to be used as masks when you use events that are not grayscale. Apply the plug-in to an event (or a track) in the same way as any other plugin: just drag-and-drop. The Mask Generator plug-in can be found in the Video FX window (from the View menu, choose Video FX). How the Mask Generator works The following illustration demonstrates some of the effects of the Mask Generator.
264 The top-right example uses luminance to determine the transparency in the mask. The white area is completely transparent. Since white is made up of 100% values of red, green, and blue (255,255, and 255), those three colors are all 33% transparent as well. In the lower-right example, blue is the selected transparent index. The blue area is 100% transparent and so are all areas that have a value of 255 for blue (0,0,255), including white (255,255,255).
265 6. In the Video Event FX window, click the Eyedropper button ( ). The cursor changes to an eyedropper icon. 7. Draw (click and drag) a small rectangular selection area around the color(s) to key out. Although you can select the color range from just about anywhere, the Video Preview window is the best location. Note: Other effects that can change the color of the event should be bypassed when using the Eyedropper tool. 8.
266 USING VIDEO FX, COMPOSITING, AND MASKS CHP.
267 CHAPTER 15 Adding Video Transitions and Motion Want something other than a cut or crossfade between video events? Vegas® software provides a wide variety of transitions you can add to your project. This chapter also covers track motion and keyframe animation, which allows you to automate video effects, media generators, cropping, panning, and more. Understanding basic transitions Transitions occur between two video events.
268 Using transition effects Transition effects are more complex than a simple cut or crossfade. You can replace a crossfade with a transition and then customize the transition to meet your needs. Tip: Select the Event Fade Lengths option on the View menu to display fade lengths between selected and nonselected events in the timeline. You can use this display as a quick indicator of a transition’s length. Adding a transition 1. Insert a video event onto the timeline. 2.
269 Adding a transition to the end of an event Typically, a transition occurs between two events on a track, but you can also use transitions to fade to and from the background, whether that is an underlying image, video, or background color. For example, you can drag a Clock Wipe transition to the end of a video event and have the wipe go from the video event to black.
270 Adding a transition progress envelope This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Normally, a transition progresses from 0 to 100% in a linear fashion over the length of the transition. A transition progress envelope gives you complete control over a transition: you can hold, reverse, and repeat individual transitions. 1. Right-click a transition. 2. From the shortcut menu, choose Insert/Remove Envelopes, and then choose Transition Progress from the submenu.
271 Converting a cut to a transition The transition between two events that are adjacent to each other on the same track is instantaneous and is called a cut. However, if the first event is trimmed back from the end and the second event is trimmed back from the beginning (in other words, both have enough media to overlap), you can transform the cut into a transition effect using this extra media. 1. Right-click the line between two adjacent events at the cut position. 2.
272 Previewing a transition The easiest way to preview a transition is to set the loop region to the duration of the transition and then loop the playback. This allows you to adjust the transition while it is playing and make changes in real time. 1. Double-click the transition. This automatically creates a time selection equal to the length of the transition. 2. Click the Loop Playback button ( ) to turn loop playback on. The selection area bar is dark blue when loop playback is turned on. 3.
273 Using keyframe animation Keyframe animation is a technique that computer artists use to quickly make complex animated sequences. Instead of drawing every frame of a title scrolling in from top to bottom by hand, an animator simply has to set a starting and ending position for the animation and let the computer interpolate the intermediate frames. The animation pictured on the right has three keyframes: a starting, middle, and ending keyframe. More complex animations use more keyframes.
274 Adding keyframes Every effect has a starting keyframe at the beginning (left side) of the keyframe controller. This sets the initial parameters for the effect. In order to animate the effect, you must add another keyframe to the effect and change some of the parameters. When you first add a new keyframe, it has the same settings (for the transition, effect, pan/crop, etc.) as the first keyframe.
275 Changing the interpolation curve The interpolation curve determines the rate at which Vegas software animates between two keyframe settings. You can right-click a keyframe to choose a different shape for the interpolation curve. The shortcut menu provides six options: Linear, Fast, Slow, Smooth, Sharp, and Hold. Selecting Hold from the shortcut menu prevents any animation from being interpolated between two keyframes. The color of the keyframe indicates which interpolation curve is being used.
276 Note: Presets for 2D and 3D track motion are saved separately: presets you create in the 2D Track Motion window will not be available in the 3D Track Motion window. Recalling a preset 1. Click in the Position, 2D Shadow, and 2D Glow keyframe row to select a row and position the cursor where you want to apply the preset. 2. Choose a setting from the Preset drop-down list. If no keyframe exists at the cursor position, one is created using the settings from the preset.
277 Adding new track keyframes You can add new track keyframes to an existing track-level effect by double-clicking the track keyframe area. Editing track keyframes Double-click a track keyframe to open the associated window and adjust the settings. To change a keyframe interpolation curve, right-click the keyframe and choose a curve type from the shortcut menu. Locking track keyframes to events When track keyframes are locked, you can move events along the track and the keyframes move along with them.
278 9. Preview the event in the Video Preview window. Adjust the settings in the Event Pan/Crop window as you preview the zoom effect. First keyframe Second keyframe Third keyframe Last keyframe Using pan-and-scan Another way to use keyframe animation in the Event Pan/Crop window is panning, or pan-and-scan. Panand-scan is a technique commonly used when film is converted for television. Movie screens and film are usually wider (~2.35:1) than television (~1.33:1).
279 8. Preview the event. Add and adjust keyframes as needed to create the desired effect. You can adjust both temporal and spatial interpolation for each keyframe: • Temporal interpolation (how the pan occurs over time) is controlled by the keyframe interpolation curve type. Experiment with temporal interpolation by right-clicking a keyframe to change the interpolation curve type (hold, linear, fast, slow, smooth) and previewing the result.
280 Animating generated text You can add a generated text event to a project by dragging a text generator from the Media Generator window. For more information, see Using generated media on page 247. You can then animate the text by adding keyframes. Not all attributes of generated text media can be animated using keyframes, however. You cannot, for example, morph one text message into a different one.
281 Adding track motion The Track Motion window (accessible by clicking the Track Motion button on any video track) is used to move a video track across a background. This background can be a solid color, another video event, or an image. Picture-in-picture effects and scrolling title sequences are two simple cases where this tool is important. The gray area in the center of the window (covered by the blue/gray rectangle) represents the actual screen or area that is visible in the movie.
282 5. Use the keyframe controller at the bottom of the Track Motion window to establish distinct track motion settings throughout the duration of the track. During playback, immediate frames are interpolated to create smooth motion. Expand the Keyframe on the left side of the window and drag the Smoothness slider to adjust the interpolation. For more information, see Using keyframe animation on page 273.
283 Using keyframes in track motion Keyframes are what create the motion in the track motion feature. You can create, modify, and remove keyframes in the keyframe controller in the same way as with any other feature that uses keyframes. In addition, for track motion and 3-D track motion, you can use keyframe presets to save and recall the settings of the selected keyframe row at the cursor position. For more information, see Using keyframe animation on page 273.
284 2. Use the 2D Shadow controls on the left side of the window to set the color and appearance of the shadow: • Blur % — type a number in the box or click the button to display a slider you can use to soften the edge of the shadow. Set to 0 for a hard edge, or increase the setting to feather the edge of the shadow. • Intensity — type a number in the box or click the button to display a slider you can use to establish the transparency of the shadow's blurred edge.
285 2. Use the 2D Glow controls on the left side of the window to set the color and appearance of the glow: • Blur % — type a number in the box or click the button to display a slider you can use to soften the edge of the glow effect. Set to 0 for a hard edge, or increase the setting to feather the edge of the glow. • Intensity — type a number in the box or click the button to display a slider you can use to establish the transparency of the glow’s blurred edge.
286 The illustration below shows some of the relevant parts of this procedure. Note the shadow cast by the overlay video. This is added by selecting the 2D Shadow check box on the keyframe controller. The Video Preview window displays the results. Tip: While overlay picture-in-picture windows are often completely opaque, you can fade them in and out using opacity envelopes. For more information, see Using opacity envelopes on page 177.
287 CHAPTER 16 Previewing and Analyzing Video As you work in Vegas® software, you can preview your video by using the Video Preview window or by connecting to an external monitor. You can optimize previews by adjusting preview quality, prerendering video, or building a dynamic RAM preview. The Video Preview window also provides features such as safe area overlays, grid overlays, and isolated color channel displays to further enhance your productivity.
288 Preview Quality Overlays Split-Screen View Video Output FX Save Snapshot to File Project Video Properties Preview on External Monitor Copy Snapshot to Clipboard Properties status bar Button Description Project Video Properties Preview on External Monitor Video Output FX Split-Screen View Displays the project’s properties (pg. 238). Preview Quality Overlays Copy Snapshot to Clipboard Save Snapshot to File Sends the preview out to an external monitor.
289 Optimizing the Video Preview window Timing and synchronization are critical aspects of any multimedia production. Because complex multimedia projects are challenging for any computer, a number of tools are provided to maintain real-time playback even though the computer may not be able to process the data quickly enough. Reducing preview quality You can adjust the resolution of the Video Preview window and the quality of the preview rendering in order to improve playback.
290 3. Select the type of prerender file to create in the Prerender as drop-down list. Click Custom to configure any custom compression options. Note: You'll need to choose a rendering template that inserts pulldown fields to create a standard DV file if your project properties are set to 24p or if you selected the Allow pulldown removal when opening 24p DV check box on the General tab of the Preferences dialog.
291 Note: Each prerendered section will consist of no more than 10 seconds (approximately 40 megabytes). Because selective prerendering creates multiple files, minor editing on the timeline will not invalidate all of your prerendered video— only the sections you modify will need to be rerendered. Building dynamic RAM previews Video frames are automatically dropped when previewing if the computer can’t keep up with processing demands.
292 Using split-screen previewing This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Click the Split-Screen View button ( ) in the Video Preview window to turn split-screen previews on or off. Split-screen previews allow you to split the Video Preview window so you can see your affected and unaffected video or your video and the contents of the clipboard at the same time. Use split-screen previews to fine-tune video effects or to match colors for color correction.
293 Showing the video at the cursor position and the contents of the clipboard 1. Position the cursor on the timeline and click the Copy Snapshot button ( ) in the Video Preview window to copy a frame to the clipboard. 2. Position the cursor at another point on the timeline. 3. Click the down arrow next to the Split-Screen View button ( 4. Select the Split-Screen View button ( ) and choose Clipboard from the menu. ). 5.
294 Viewing the grid The Video Preview window can display vertical and horizontal lines over your video. You can use the grid to help you align objects. To view the grid, click the down arrow next to the Overlays button ( ) and choose Grid. Set the grid spacing using the Horizontal grid divisions and Vertical grid divisions settings on the Video tab in the Preferences dialog.
295 Note: If your video hardware will add a 7.5 IRE setup, click the Settings button ( ) and select the 7.5 IRE Setup check box in the Video Scopes Settings dialog. Black will be displayed as 7.5 in the waveform monitor. If your video hardware does not add a 7.5 setup, clear the check box, and black will be displayed as 0. Displaying chrominance using the vectorscope monitor The vectorscope monitor in the Video Scopes window allows you to monitor the chrominance (color content) of your video signal.
296 5. Hover over a portion of the monitor to display the chroma value at the pointer position: Chroma value Displaying luminance using the waveform monitor The waveform monitor in the Video Scopes window allows you to monitor the luminance (brightness or Y component) of your video signal. The monitor plots luminance on the vertical axis and the width of the current frame on the horizontal axis.
297 5. Hover over a portion of the monitor to display the luma value at the pointer position: Luma value Displaying color levels and contrast using the histogram monitor The histogram monitor in the Video Scopes window allows you to monitor color levels and contrast of your video. Use the histogram before rendering your project to find and correct out-of-range values that could cause problems on the destination playback device. The bar graph plots the number of pixels that exist for each color intensity.
298 6. Use plug-ins such as Brightness and Contrast, Broadcast Colors, and Levels to adjust the color. For more information, see Using video effects on page 241. Histogram display of frame Frame Graph Mean and standard deviation hues Displaying RGB components with RGB parade monitor The RGB parade monitor in the Video Scopes window displays waveforms for the red, green, and blue components of your video signal.
299 Adjusting video scope settings Click the Settings button ( ) in the Video Scopes window to set your display options. These options adjust the display of data in the Video Scopes window and have no effect on your data. 7.5 IRE setup If your video hardware will add a 7.5 IRE setup, you can configure the Video Scopes window so the display will be consistent with an external scope connected to a device that adds 7.5 IRE setup. NTSC video in the United States adds 7.5 IRE setup to convert black to 7.5 IRE.
300 Previewing in a player You can create a full-quality preview that automatically plays in the appropriate media player. You can preview the entire project or select a portion. 1. To preview a portion of the project, create a selection containing the portion you want to preview. 2. From the Tools menu, choose Preview in Player. 3. Select the type of preview file to create. Select a template or click Custom to configure any compression options. 4.
301 Previewing video on a secondary Windows display This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. If your Windows desktop is extended across multiple displays, you can one of those displays to preview the timeline with no A/V synchronization drift—for ADR and foley work. If you intend to deliver your project in an interlaced format, previewing on a computer monitor is not a substitute for previewing on an interlaced broadcast monitor.
302 Setting up an external monitor The diagram below shows the preferred setup for sending video from the timeline to an external television monitor. Computer 1394 card Sound card Video to camcorder Camcorder or Media converter Analog to television Television monitor Audio to speakers Speakers The video is converted to DV format and is sent through the IEEE-1394 card to the DV device (camcorder or DV-to-analog media converter). The DV device sends analog output to the television monitor.
303 Viewing on an external monitor via DeckLink This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. You can send video directly from the timeline to a video monitor connected to a Blackmagic Design DeckLink™ card. Your system must conform to all DeckLink system requirements to use the card with Vegas software. For more information about DeckLink system requirements and for DeckLink support information, please refer to the Blackmagic Design Web site.
304 PREVIEWING AND ANALYZING VIDEO CHP.
305 CHAPTER 17 Saving, Rendering, and Printing Projects Vegas® software allows you to save and render projects into many different multimedia formats. When you render your Vegas project, the project itself is not altered, but rather can be rendered in any number of different formats. This chapter explains saving a project and using the Save As and Render As functions. In addition, you will find reference information for the rendering options available.
306 Creating a copy of a project (using Save As...) After you have been working with your project, you can use the Save As command in the File menu to create a copy of the small project file with a different name. Since multimedia projects can be very complex, and since Vegas project files are so small, saving a number of different versions of a project is a low-risk way to try new techniques. 1. From the File menu, choose Save As. The Save As dialog appears. 2.
307 Autosaving a project A backup copy of your project is automatically saved every five minutes. If your system crashes, you are prompted to open the backup file the next time you start the program. Backup files are saved in the location specified in the Temporary files folder box on the General tab of the Preferences dialog. Files are saved with the .autosave.veg extension and are deleted when you close Vegas software.
308 1. From the File menu, choose Render As. The Render As dialog appears. 2. Select the drive and folder where you want to save the rendered file. 3. Type a new name in the File name box, if necessary. 4. In the Save as type drop-down list, choose the appropriate format. For more information, see Selecting a file format on page 309. 5. In the Template drop-down list, select the appropriate template. Tip: If your source media is in DV format, select a DV template.
309 Selecting a file format The following table describes the formats available for rendering your project: Format Name Extension Definition Audio Interchange File Format .aif Dolby Digital AC-3 .ac3 MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 .mpg MPEG Layer 3 .mp3 OggVorbis QuickTime™ RealMedia® .ogg .mov .rm Perfect Clarity Audio® .pca Wave64™ .w64 Video for Windows® .avi Wave (Microsoft) Wave (Scott Studios) .wav .wav Windows Media® Audio .wma Windows Media Video .
310 More about the Wave64 and Perfect Clarity Audio formats The Wave64 (.w64) and Perfect Clarity Audio (.pca) formats are proprietary formats developed by Sony Media Software to work around some limitations inherent in other formats. Currently, neither is compatible with many other applications and may not be playable in other media players, but both are excellent choices for Sony Media Software projects. • Wave64 files work around the maximum file size limitation inherent in the WAV format.
311 Customizing the rendering process Every media file format has different variables and controls. You can use a template to automatically configure a particular format for a particular destination. You can also choose to create custom settings for your render by clicking Custom. Once you have customized the settings, you can create your own template so that you can reuse the custom settings at a later time.
312 Saving custom settings as a template You can save customized rendering settings for future use. One of the most important reasons to save a new template is to save the specific compression codec used to create the final media file, since this is not predetermined by the project properties. 1. Modify the parameters in the Custom Template dialog. Note: When determining bit rates, 1K=1024. 2. In the Template drop-down list, enter a name for the new template. Note: Built-in templates cannot be edited. 3.
313 Frame rate Frame rate is important in determining the quality and size of the final media file. The appropriate frame rate is determined by the final destination of the movie. See your video capture card’s manual for more information. The final rendered multimedia file can have a different frame rate from the project itself. Field order Video that is displayed on a television monitor is interlaced.
314 Create an OpenDML (AVI version 2.0) compatible file Select this check box if you want to save your file as an OpenDML file. OpenDML files allow you to create files that are limited in size only by the format of your hard disk: 2GB using FAT32 or 4GB using NTFS. Audio tab Include audio Select this check box to include the audio stream and enable the remaining fields on the dialog. If you do not want to include the audio stream, clear this check box.
315 2. Connect the USB cable and AC adapter to the PSP™ system and place it in USB mode. 3. From the Tools menu, choose Export to PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable). The Export to PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) dialog is displayed. Note: If you want to render an H.264 video without transferring to a PSP, use the Render As dialog and choose Sony AVC/AAC (*.mp4) from the Save as Type dropdown list. Name the rendered file in the format MAQ0nnnn.
316 Rendering with networked computers This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. Network rendering allows you to designate a specific computer to render the entire output file, or you can distribute a single rendering job among several computers. • Distributed network rendering splits the video into segments that are rendered by multiple computers.
317 Note: In order to use network rendering with nested projects, the nested project must contain only media from folders that do not require remapping. Before nesting your Vegas project, update the project so that all media in the project is added from a network folder or a local, shared folder that is mapped to the same drive letter on all renderers and the render host. Setting up a rendering computer 1. Install Vegas software as a render-only client.
318 4. Press Enter to connect to the renderer. If the connection is made, the Status column will display Ready. Troubleshooting initiation problems If you receive an error message that indicates the Network Render Service cannot start when you start the application, you may need to resolve DNS suffixes on your computer. 1. Open a DOS window: a. From the Start menu, choose Run to display the Run dialog. b. In the Open box, type CMD. c. Click OK. A DOS window is displayed. 2.
319 Using nondistributed network rendering 1. Save your project. Note: In order to use network rendering with nested projects, the nested project must contain only media from folders that do not require remapping. Before nesting your Vegas project, update the project so that all media in the project is added from a network folder or a local, shared folder that is mapped to the same drive letter on all renderers and the render host. Your original project does not need to be saved in a shared folder.
320 Using distributed network rendering 1. Save your project. Note: In order to use network rendering with nested projects, the nested project must contain only media from folders that do not require remapping. Before nesting your Vegas project, update the project so that all media in the project is added from a network folder or a local, shared folder that is mapped to the same drive letter on all renderers and the render host. Your original project does not need to be saved in a shared folder.
321 8. The Temporary Files Location box displays the path to the folder where the temporary .veg project and rendered segments will be saved. If you want to use a folder other than the output folder you chose in step 3, you can choose a folder from the drop-down list or click the Browse button to choose a folder. This folder must be in a shared location.
322 Note: Before you start rendering, verify that the remote renderer has access to the folder and is logged in. On the renderer, choose Run from the Start menu to display the Run dialog. In the Open box, type the UNC path to the folder (\\renderer\media\ in our previous example). If you're prompted to log on, type your username and password. Creating file mappings automatically 1.
323 Printing video to tape Once you have rendered your project, you have several options for printing your project to tape: you can print directly from the timeline to DV or HDV tape, you can print a rendered file to HDV tape, or you can use the Sony Video Capture application (installed with Vegas software) to print your finished video to tape. Printing to DV tape from the timeline You can print either a portion of your project or the entire video right from the project timeline to a camera or deck.
324 4. Click Next. The Leader and Trailer dialog displays. 5. Use the Leader and Trailer dialog to set up the data that will be printed before and after your project: a. From the Leader test pattern style drop-down list, choose a test pattern type and video format. b. Type a value in the Test pattern duration box to determine the length of the test pattern. To print without a test pattern, enter 0. c.
325 3. From the Tools menu, choose Print Video to Tape. The Conform Timeline to Device Format dialog displays. Complete the following information: • In the Template drop-down list, choose the appropriate template for rendering your video or click Custom to select custom settings. For more information, see Customizing the rendering process on page 311.
326 7. Click Finish. If you have not already prerendered, portions of your project that cannot be rendered and printed to tape in real time will be selectively prerendered. The selected video begins printing to the device. A progress meter appears indicating the percent completed. Note: The tone that you can include in the leader is fixed at 20 dB. If you need a different tone level (to match your audio mix), create a test pattern and tone clip that is calibrated to your record deck.
327 9. Click Finish. Your project will be rendered to the file you specified in step 6. • If you’re using Manual mode, a dialog will be displayed after rendering is finished. You can specify a delay time in the Delay playback countdown timer box and select the Beep each second during countdown check box if you want to count down before sending video to your device. • If you’re using Crash Recording mode, your DV recorder will start and begin recording after rendering is finished.
328 Printing to tape using Video Capture 1. If you have not already done so, connect your video camera to your video capture card using the cable provided with the card. 2. In the Project Media window, click the Capture Video button ( ). The Sony Video Capture application starts. Note: If your video camera is properly connected, the Video Preview window in the center of the application area should display “Device connected.” 3.
329 CHAPTER 18 Customizing Vegas software You can customize Vegas® software to suit your project needs and working preferences. Many of the settings depend on your equipment or studio setup. Vegas software can be set to work with the components that you use in your studio. In this chapter, you will find information about functions that allow you to customize the appearance of Vegas software, set a project’s properties, and set the application’s preferences.
330 The following are the different time units available (hh=hours, mm=minutes, ss=seconds, and ff=frames): Time format name Units Samples Time Seconds Time & Frames Absolute Frames Measures & Beats Feet & Frames 16mm (40 fpf) Feet & Frames 35mm (16 fpf) SMPTE Film Sync IVTC (23.976 fps, Video) (available only in the full version of Vegas) SMPTE Film Sync (24 fps) (available only in the full version of Vegas) SMPTE EBU (25 fps, Video) SMPTE Non-Drop (29.97 fps, Video) SMPTE Drop (29.
331 Changing grid spacing Grid spacing is different from the ruler and provides an alternate method of subdividing a project’s time. This can be useful if you want the ruler to display SMPTE video timecode, but you need to create your music in terms of beats and measures. You can display the grid spacing in time, frame, measure, or note units. The grid can also be set to match the ruler’s time format. The grid appears across all tracks in your project and the grid’s lines can be used as snap points.
332 Changing the time display colors You can change the background color and text color used in the time display. 1. Right-click the time display to display the shortcut menu. 2. From the shortcut menu, choose Text Color or Background Color and then choose Custom. The Time Display Color dialog appears. 3. Choose the color setting that you want. 4. Click OK to set the text or background color or click Cancel to keep the existing color settings and close the dialog.
333 Working with project properties A large range of formats and various types of media files are supported. Some settings in a project’s properties are simply informational details about the project, while others control how your project is handled and its output. If you have multiple projects, the settings used for each project are stored. These settings can be saved as templates for future use. To view and modify project properties, choose Properties from the File menu.
334 Ruler tab This tab allows you to change ruler settings used in your project. You can also change ruler settings in track view. For more information, see Changing the ruler format on page 329. Item Description Ruler time format Ruler start time Choose a ruler time format from the drop-down list. Enter a value that the ruler will use at the beginning of your project. This feature is useful for synchronization purposes. Enter the desired number of beats per minute for the project.
335 Reordering toolbar buttons You can change the main toolbar’s button order to suit your preferences. The Customize Toolbar dialog allows you to control the order and functionality available on the main toolbar. You may return the toolbar to its default settings by clicking the Reset button. 1. From the Options menu, choose Customize Toolbar. The Customize Toolbar dialog appears. 2. In the Current toolbar buttons list, select the button that you want to move and click Move Up or Move Down. 3.
336 Setting preferences The preferences options are different from project properties. Project properties are unique to each project, while preferences affect how Vegas software functions. Any changes that you make to the preferences remain set until you change them again or reset Vegas software to use the default presets. You can access the Preferences dialog by choosing Preferences from the Options menu. This dialog contains tabbed pages. The following sections explain the settings on each tab.
337 Preference Description Create project file backups (.veg.bak) Use Net Notify to stay informed about Sony products Enable autosave Automatically create backups of your project files.
338 Preference Description AAF Export - Use frame unit for Select this check box if you want to use frame units for audio tracks when you export audio your project as an AAF file. When the check box is cleared, audio will be exported as sample units. Selecting the check box will improve compatibility with other applications for project interchange: some applications will not import your project correctly when frame units are used for video and sample units are used for audio.
339 Preview device tab This tab allows you to identify an external monitor for Vegas software to communicate with. The selected video device is used to display previews on an external monitor. Vegas uses this device when you click the Preview on External Monitor button ( ) in the Video Preview window. Note: Audio is not output to the external monitor.
340 Configuring a Blackmagic Design DeckLink If you have a Blackmagic Design DeckLink™, you can configure it to work with Vegas software. 1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences to display the Preferences dialog. 2. Select the Preview device tab. 3. In the Device drop-down list, select Blackmagic Design DeckLink. Information about the device displays in the Details area. 4.
341 5. From the Display Mode drop-down list, choose the frame size and refresh rate you want to use for the secondary display. Setting Description Use current settings Video is displayed using the monitor’s resolution and refresh rate specified in the Windows Display Properties control panel. The software will attempt to choose the optimum resolution and refresh rate. This setting overrides the Windows Display Properties setting as long as the secondary display window is active.
342 Print device tab This tab allows you to make your selections for printing to tape. Note: The settings on this tab apply only to DV and DeckLink devices. You can choose an HDV print-to-tape device in the Print Video to HDV Tape wizard. Preference Description Device Choose a print device (such as a Blackmagic Design Decklink™ or OHCI compliant IEEE-1394 DV device) from the drop-down list. Displays information regarding the print device specified in the Device drop-down list.
343 Audio Device tab Preference Description Audio device type Choose a driver type from the drop-down list. The Microsoft Sound Mapper is the default setting. If you want to activate specific sound cards, choose Windows Classic Wave Driver or ASIO and choose a device from the Default Stereo and Front playback device drop-down list. ASIO audio drivers are only supported in the full version of Vegas software. For more information, see Routing busses to hardware on page 184.
344 Adjusting the playback buffering slider The playback buffer controls how much memory is used when playing back your project. This preference is useful, but must be carefully adjusted. If you set the buffer size too high, you may experience gapping during playback. Conversely, if you set the buffer size too low, you may experience gapping as well because Vegas software has too little memory to work with during playback.
345 MTC Input This tab displays only if you choose a device in the Trigger from MIDI Timecodes settings drop-down list on the Sync tab. Preference Description Free-wheel for timecode loss When selected, Vegas software continues to play for a specified period of time without chasing if timecode is lost. Enabling this option can compensate for infrequent losses in timecode monitoring. If losses in timecode are frequent, troubleshooting should be done on your hardware to find the cause of the problem.
346 Editing shortcuts 1. Select a command in the Available commands box. Choose Global from the Context drop-down list to display all commands in the Available commands box, or choose a different command to filter the list. You can type a word in the Show only commands containing box to filter the list of commands to display only commands that contain the word you typed. 2. Click the Press new shortcut keys box and press the key combination you want to assign to the selected command. 3.
347 Connecting a control surface You can use one Mackie® Control Universal or up to five generic control surfaces with Vegas software. Perform the following steps for each device. 1. Connect the MIDI Out port on your MIDI interface to the MIDI In port on your control surface. 2. Connect the MIDI In port on your MIDI interface to the MIDI Out port on your control surface. 3. Configure Vegas software to use your control surface 4.
348 Configuring a generic MIDI controller If you have a MIDI control surface, you can configure it to work with the Vegas interface. 1. From the Options menu, choose Preferences to display the Preferences dialog. 2. Select the External Control & Automation tab. 3. Double-click the Generic Control entry in the Active control devices list to display the Configure Generic Control dialog. 4. To load a configuration from a file, click the Open button and browse to the mapping file you want to use. 5.
349 Editing tab Preference Description Enable looping on events by default Preserve pitch when stretching audio events Collapse loop region when no time selection is present Sets events that are trimmed longer than their source media to automatically loop. When this option is not selected, extended events repeat the final frame of a video file. Prevents pitch shifting when you stretch an audio event. When selected, a loop region does not persist when there is no time selection.
350 CD Settings tab This tab is available only in the full version of Vegas software. The CD Settings tab allows you to set preferences for burning CDs and extracting audio from your own CDs. Preference Description Burn drive Burn speed Extract optimization Sets the device where you burn CD-R discs. Sets the speed at which the device burns the CD-R disc. Sets the amount of buffering and restitching done to recover audio from older CD drives.
351 CHAPTER Burning CDs 19 You created your project in Vegas® software, and now you are ready to write the project to a CD. With the CD-burning capabilities of Vegas software, you can place and arrange audio files to produce professional audio CDs. You can burn CDs for multiple- or single-track projects and build audio CD layouts automatically or manually.
352 Setting up to burn audio CDs You can set the project properties and adjust preferences to better accommodate writing audio CDs. The ruler and time display are set up for you automatically. Viewing the ruler and time display The ruler and time display are automatically changed to audio CD time for you when you mark CD tracks in a project.
353 Creating audio CD layout projects Several ways are provided to create an audio CD layout project. If you have a set of audio files you wish to burn to a CD, you can add the files as tracks to a new audio CD layout project. Or, if you want to burn an audio CD from an existing project, you can mark the tracks in your project either automatically or manually.
354 Marking tracks in an existing project Once you have laid out your audio project with the appropriate pauses, you can mark tracks and indices either automatically or manually. Note: In DAO CD burning, Vegas software burns from the beginning of the timeline to the last track marker, regardless of the location of the first track marker. Material before the first marker is included as a hidden track on the disc (if your drive supports burning this material).
355 Marking tracks manually You can make a time selection and then mark that selection as an audio CD track. 1. Make a time selection that includes the audio for the new track. 2. From the Insert menu, choose Audio CD Track Region. The markers for the new audio CD track appear on the CD layout bar. Marking indices You can create an index marker in much the same way as you create track markers. 1. Position the cursor where you want the index mark to appear. 2.
356 Editing markers using the Edit Details window This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software. The Edit Details window provides a way to adjust the settings for a track or index. 1. From the View menu, choose Edit Details. The Edit Details window displays. 2. From the Show drop-down list, choose Audio CD Track List. The track settings display. 3. Double-click a setting to edit it: • In the Position column, adjust the track starting position or index position.
357 Burning audio CDs You can burn either single tracks (track-at-once) or the entire disc (disc-at-once). Burning single tracks (track-at-once) You can burn your Vegas project as a single track (track-at-once). Once you have burned all your tracks to the CD, you must close the disc before it can be played. Burning a track-at-once CD 1. From the Tools menu, choose Burn CD, and choose Track-at-Once Audio CD from the submenu.
358 Burning a disc (disc-at-once) 1. From the Tools menu, choose Burn CD, and choose Disc-at-Once Audio CD from the submenu. The Burn Disc-at-Once Audio CD dialog appears 2. From the Drive drop-down list, use the CD drive that you want to use to burn your CD. 3. From the Speed drop-down list, choose the speed at which you want to burn. Max will use your drive’s fastest possible speed; decrease the setting to prevent the possibility of buffer underruns. 4.
359 Burning video CDs Video CDs can be played in many home DVD players and on computers with a CD-ROM drive and VCD player software. 1. From the Tools menu, choose Burn CD and choose Video CD from the submenu. The Burn Video CD dialog is displayed. 2. Choose the movie file you want to use: • If you want to render the current project, select the Render format radio button. a.Edit the contents of the File path box to specify the name and location of your rendered file. b.
360 3. Select recording options for your CD-recordable drive: a. Choose a burn mode: •Burn CDs begins recording audio to your CD immediately. •Test first, then burn CDs performs a test to determine whether your files can be written to the CD recorder without encountering buffer underruns. No audio is recorded to the CD during the test, and recording begins after the test if it is successful.
361 2. Select the options for burning the multimedia CD: • Choose the appropriate format and template for rendering the project from the Format and Template drop-down lists. • Select the Render loop region only check box to burn only a portion of your project. • Select the Stretch video to fill output frame check box to have your video reformatted so that it fills the output frame size listed in the Description box.
362 BURNING CDS CHP.
363 CHAPTER Using Scripting 20 Using the scripting features, Vegas® software becomes an even more powerful and flexible tool. You can use scripting to streamline repetitive tasks, integrate with external applications, and implement customized features. To use scripting, you’ll need to install the Microsoft® .NET Framework. This component is available from the Microsoft Windows® Update site. (Choose Windows Update from the menu.) Note: To use scripts that were created for Vegas 4.
364 Adding scripts to the Scripting menu When you start the program, Vegas software looks at the Script Menu folder in the Vegas program folder to determine which scripts appear in the Scripting submenu. This folder is c:\Program Files\Sony\Vegas 6.0\Script Menu by default. 1. Add or delete scripts in the Script Menu folder to change the contents of the submenu. Note: To prevent duplication of script files, you can use shortcuts in the Script Menu folder. 2.
365 // This is the name of the preset you want. Set this to null if you // want the default preset. var presetName = "Extremely Conservative - 7.5 Setup"; The plugInName variable should use the plug-in name that is displayed in the Plug-In Chooser. The presetName variable should use the preset name that is displayed in the Preset box in the FX window. 4. Save the script. CHP.
366 USING SCRIPTING CHP.
367 APPENDIX Troubleshooting A Troubleshooting resources Visit the Sony Media Software Web site to access product updates, look for answers in the knowledge base, contact customer support, or participate in an online forum: http://www.sonymediasoftware.com Common questions Why are some of my DirectX plug-ins not working correctly? Vegas® software is a nondestructive time-based editor. As a result, there are certain types of DirectX® plugins that perform poorly in Vegas software.
368 RAM usage You could be gapping because virtual memory is being used. Virtual memory is a method used by Microsoft Windows to write information to your hard drive to make room in physical RAM. This process uses a lot of your computer’s resources. Try the following to optimize RAM usage: • Exit all background applications not in use. • Adjust the playback buffering slider on the Audio tab in the Preferences dialog. Adjust this slider as low as possible.
369 Why can’t I work with footage captured using an MJPEG card? Vegas software requires that you have the MJPEG codec (for the MJPEG card used to capture the video) installed locally on your workstation. Check to make sure that the appropriate MJPEG codec is installed on your PC. Trouble-free video: software solutions There are literally dozens of possible configurations of hardware for editing video on a PC.
370 Hard disk The second most common problem is slow hard disks. Until recently, fast, expensive SCSI AV hard disks were required to properly capture and play back video on a PC. Slow hard disk problems also manifest themselves with jerky video playback, although the stutters are less frequent and of longer duration than if the video subsystem is the problem. Slower hard disks (e.g., 5400 RPM IDE) can cause an occasional dropped frame. DV enthusiasts have fewer problems due to the low data rate (~3.
371 Audio proxy files (.sfap0) Working with certain types of media files with particular audio compression schemes can be inefficient and slow. To compensate for this, Vegas software creates audio proxy files for formats that are known to dramatically impact performance. There are two cases where this occurs. Multimedia video files often contain both video and audio information. In certain formats, these two streams can be packed together in such a way as to make editing slow and inefficient.
372 F1 frame 1 F2 frame 1 F1 frame 2 F2 frame 2 The next illustration shows the effects of incorrectly interlacing a frame of video. In this case, F2 from frame one is combined with F1 from frame two. Remember that there is nothing inherently right or wrong with a field order of F2/F1; it just happens to be wrong in this case. At a minimum, this can create slightly blurry or hazy video. In most situations, the video is jumpy or jittery and is unwatchable.
373 In the application, you can select the field order of a project by choosing Properties from the File menu and clicking the Video tab. The pre-configured templates should work for almost everyone (e.g., if you are editing and outputting DV video in the US, select the NTSC DV template). If you have problems, you can manually select a different field order on the Video tab. You can also override the project settings and set the field order when you render a video file.
374 SMPTE Drop Frame (29.97 fps, Video) SMPTE Drop Frame timecode runs at 29.97 fps, and matches the frame rate used by NTSC television systems (North America, Japan). Use SMPTE Drop Frame format for NTSC DV/D1 projects. Both SMPTE Drop and SMPTE Non-Drop run at 29.97 fps. In both formats, the actual frames are not discarded, but they are numbered differently. SMPTE Drop removes certain frame numbers from the counting system to keep the SMPTE clock from drifting from real time.
375 Source media timecode format Right-click an event, choose Properties, and click the Media tab to view these properties. By default, Use timecode in file is selected. Note: You can override these settings by choosing different settings on the Video tab of the Preferences dialog. Select Timecode from the Source frame numbering list to allow event-level specification. Render media file format The timecode of a final rendered media file is determined by the specified format.
376 TROUBLESHOOTING APPENDIX A
377 APPENDIX Glossary B A-Law A companded compression algorithm for voice signals defined by the Geneva Recommendations (G.711). The G.711 recommendation defines A-Law as a method of encoding 16-bit PCM signals into a nonlinear 8-bit format. The algorithm is commonly used in United States telecommunications. A-Law is very similar to µ-Law, however, each uses a slightly different coder and decoder. Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) A method of compressing audio data.
378 Attenuation A decrease in the level of an audio signal. Audio Compression Manager (ACM) The Audio Compression Manager from Microsoft® is a standard interface for audio compression and signal processing for Windows. The ACM can be used by Microsoft® Windows® programs to compress and decompress WAV files. AVI A file format of digital video. Vegas software allows you to open, edit and create new AVI files. Bandwidth Refers to the EQ plug-in that is built in.
379 Clipboard The Clipboard is where data that you have cut or copied in Vegas software is stored. You can then paste the data back into Vegas software at a different location, or paste it into other applications. Some data, such as audio, cannot be pasted into applications such as Microsoft Word or Notepad, but the text data from the Edit Details window can be pasted. This allows you to then print or format the data.
380 Digital Signal Processing (DSP) A general term describing anything that alters digital data. Signal processors have existed for a very long time (tone controls, distortion boxes, wah-wah pedals) in the analog (electrical) domain. Digital Signal Processors alter the data after it has been digitized by using a combination of programming and mathematical techniques. DSP techniques are used to perform many effects such as equalization and reverb simulation.
381 Equalization (EQ) The process by which certain frequency bands are raised or lowered in level. EQ has various uses. The most common use in Vegas software is to simply adjust the subjective timbrel qualities of a sound. Event Media files that have been dragged onto the timeline in Vegas software are referred to as events. An event is actually a window into a media file and is a reference, or pointer, to the file.
382 Markers Saved locations in the sound file. Markers can be displayed in the Trimmer window for sound files that contain them, but more often, markers and regions are used at the project level to mark locations or sections in the project. Media Control Interface (MCI) A standard way for Microsoft Windows programs t o communicate with multimedia devices like sound cards and CD players. If a device has a MCI device driver, it can easily be controlled by most multimedia Microsoft Windows software.
383 Normalize Refers to raising the volume so that the highest level sample in the file reaches a user-defined level. Use this function to make sure you are fully utilizing the dynamic range available to you. Nyquist Frequency The Nyquist Frequency (or Nyquist Rate) is one-half of the sample rate and represents the highest frequency that can be recorded using the sample rate without aliasing. For example, the Nyquist Frequency of 44,100 Hz is 22,050 Hz.
384 A preset calls up a bulk setting of a function in Vegas software. If you like the way you tweaked that EQ, but do not want to have to spend the time getting it back for later use, save it as a preset. Presets appear in the top of plug-in windows in Vegas software. Pulldown In telecine conversion, fields are added to convert 24 fps film to 30 fps video.
385 Quantization Noise A result of describing an analog signal in discrete digital terms (see Quantization). This noise is most easily heard in low resolution digital sounds that have low bit depths and is similar to a hiss while the audio is playing. It becomes more apparent when the signal is at low levels, such as when doing a fade out. See also Dithering. Quantizing (MIDI) The correction of rhythms to align with selected note lengths or beats in a MIDI sequence.
386 Sample The word sample is used in many different (and often confusing) ways when talking about digital sound. Here are some of the different meanings: • A discrete point in time which a sound signal is divided into when digitizing. For example, an audio CDROM contains 44,100 samples per second. Each sample is really only a number that contains the amplitude value of a waveform measured over time.
387 SMPTE SMPTE is the acronym for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). SMPTE timecode is used to synchronize time between devices. The timecode is calculated in Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames, where Frames are fractions of a second based on the frame rate. Typical frame rates for SMPTE timecode can be 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 frames per second, depending on your local standards. SMPTE Drop Frame Timecode A method of measuring time in video.
388 Undo Buffer This is the temporary file created before you do any processing to a project. This undo buffer allows the ability to revert to previous versions of the project if you decide you don’t like changes you’ve made to the project. This undo buffer is erased when the file is closed or when you choose Clear Edit History from the Edit menu.
i Index Numerics 5.1 Surround Plug-In Pack, 222 5.
ii Video compression, 313 From the Video Preview window, 227 Capturing Video Recapturing offline clips, 49 B Balance panning model, 146, 217 Capturing video, 48 Bézier masks, 225, 260 CD Burning audio CDs, 351 multimedia, 360 Bins, media, 51 adding media, 52 adding recorded files automatically, 52 creating, 51 deleting media, 52 searching, 52 Blue screening, 264 Broadcast wave importing, 54 CD Architect files, 352 CD layout bar, 23 CD Settings tab, 350 CDs video, 359 Channels, audio, 174 Burning 5.
iii Contrast monitoring, 297 Keyframes, 274 Markers, 117 Regions, 118 Takes, 131 Tracks, 142 Control surface setup, 346 Converting format, See Rendering Copying events, 99 Event attributes, 175 Time and events, 100 Time selections, 100 Deleting media from a bin, 52 Creating a movie, 71, 307–314 Disable resample, 173 Creating a multimedia CD, 360 Disc-at-once CD burning, 351, 358 Creating bins, 51 Duplicating Events, 103 Generated media events, 248 Keyframes, 274 Tracks, 141 Digital multitrack setu
iv Editing tools Envelope, 178 Selection, 96 Zoom, 62 Effects fine-tuning with split-screen previews, 292 Effects, See Plug-Ins Empty events, 103 Envelope Edit Tool, 165, 178 Envelopes, 163–166, 175–179 Adding points, 163 ASR, 175 Changing fade curves, 164 Deleting from track(s), 165 Deleting points, 164 Event envelopes, 175–179 Fade in and out, 176, 177 Fade types, 176, 178 Hiding on track(s), 165 Mixer controls, 188 Moving points, 164 Opacity, 177 Ripple editing, 111 Track envelopes, 163–166 Velocity, 178
v via DeckLink, 303 viewing video on broadcast monitor, 301 Setting up for surround, 210 HDV format, 236 HDV tape printing to, 323, 326 F Fade in and out, 176 Hiding/showing Bus tracks, 188 Toolbar, 334 Fade to color, 163 Fader Assignable effects, 147 Bus send, 147, 186 Pan, 145 track, 144 Fading in/out Mixer controls, 188 Histogram, 297 Hold keyframe, 275 I IEEE-1394 DV capture cards, 234, 302, 375 Field order, 238, 371 Ignore event grouping, 180 Filters, See Video effects Image masks, 258 Focus
vi Isolate channels, 262 Luminance, 264 monitoring, 296 Isolating color channels, 294 M J J-cut, 103 Mackie Control Universal, 347 Main window, 21 K Make compositing child, 64, 249, 258, 259 Keyboard commands, 31–37 Cursor placement, 32, 95, 98 Edit, 32 Event, 34 Miscellaneous, 37 Playback, 32 Project file, 31 Selection, 33 Track view, 35 Trimmer window, 36 View, 33 Window view, 31 Keyboard preferences, 345 Keyboard shortcuts, customizing, 345 Keyframe animation, 246, 273 Event panning and cropping,
vii window, 28 Video tracks, 248–251 Media generators, 247–248 Monitoring chrominance, 295 color content, 295 color levels and contrast, 297 luminance, 296 RGB components, 298 Media libraries tagging files, 77 Media library adding media files, 75 backing up, 83 creating new, 73 opening, 74 removing media files, 77 Monitoring video with scopes, 294 Motion blur automation, 162 Mouse scroll-wheel shortcuts, 37, 62, 95 Media Manager, 30, 73 adding custom columns, 91 adding media from, 89 automatically hid
viii Online help, 19 Via the web, 20 What’sThis? help, 20 Optimizing previews, 289, 300 Ordering of effects, 193, 244 Organizing tracks, 142–143 Overlays Animating, 286 Compositing modes, 249–251 Masks, 257–265 Position, 283 Safe areas, 293 Shadow, 283 Transparency, 264 P Palettes, 80 assigning buttons, 81 clearing buttons, 81 creating, 80 Pan type Setting track default, 150 Panning Pan types, 217 Surround, 214 Panning automation, 156 Panning, audio Envelope, 163 Multipurpose slider, 145 Panning models, 14
ix Preparing video for broadcast Safe areas, 293 Matching video settings of existing file, 44, 238 Ruler tab, 334 Summary tab, 334 Video tab, 333 Preparing video for television DV format guidelines, 234 Project references in media files, 58 Prerendering video, 289 Projects Creating, 43 nesting, 66 New Project wizard, 43 publishing to the Web, 71 Renaming, 45 Rendering, 307–314 rendering, 70 Saving, 45, 305–307 Saving as EDLs, 233 Pre-roll, 205 Preset chains, 194–195 Editing, 195 Organizing, 195 Saving
x Specifying storage folder, 206–207 Starting and stopping, 203 Stereo, left, right channel options, 202 Deleting, 109 Manually, 111 Pasting, 101 Post-edit rippling, 111 Shuffling events, 112 Red book CD burning, 351, 358 Red eye removing from stills, 137 Ruler, 22 Offset, setting, 330 Project property settings, 334 Time formats, 330, 375 Redo/Undo commands, 114–115 Clearing history, 115 Multiple, 115 Reduction red eye, 137 Reference library, 83 Sony Sound Series Loops and Samples, 84 Region, 117 Region
xi time range, 97 Tracks, 98 Summary tab, 334 Surround, 209–222 Automating panning, 218–221 Hardware setup, 210 Keyframes, 218–221 LFE channel, 209, 212 Panning, 214 Rendering, 221 SFAP files, 371 Shadow, 283 Show Me How, 20 Shuffling events, 112 Signal flow, 39–40 Surround panner, 29 Single session CD burning, 351 Surround Panner window, 216 Slide show, creating, 227 Switches, 171–173 Invert phase, 172 Lock, 171 Loop, 171 Maintain aspect ratio, 173 Mute, 171 Normalize, 172 Reduce interlace flicker,
xii Credit roll event, 247 Keyframing, 280 Media Generators window, 28 Text event, 247 Titles, 228 Thumbnails, 91 Time compressing events, 129 Time Display window, 22, 331–332 Changing color, 332 Changing time format, 331 MIDI timecode settings, 332 Track list (audio CD) Creating from events, 354 Editing in Edit Details window, 356 Exporting, 356 Track motion, 281–286 Button, 64 Glow, 284 Keyframes, 283 Picture-in-picture effect, 285 Position, 283 Shadow, 283 Shortcut menu, 282 Time selection, 97 Copying,
xiii From auto-crossfades, 268 From cuts, 271 Modifying, 272 Using, 268 Window, 27 burning, 359 Video effects, 241–246 Animating, 246 Keyframes, 246 Modifying, 246 Ordering, 244 Removing, 245 Window, 27 Transparency, 177 And overlays, 264 Transport bar, 23, 67, 68 Keyboard shortcuts, 32 Video masks, 259 Triggering recording from MIDI timecode, 206 Video motion, See Track motion Trimmer window, 25, 132–137 Audio editor, opening from, 136 Events, placing on track, 133 Opening a file in, 132 Overview, 13
xiv Windows Media streaming commands, 120 Working with MXF files, 57 Z Zoom Edit Tool, 62 Zooming, 62 INDEX
