I have researched this subject to no avail. I am trying to blur a license plate on a video similer to "COPS" I must have a setting wrong because once i get the mask applied i am not able to move it. and the darn preview screen gets halfway blurred out! Let me take you through my process.

Step 1 Duplicate Video Track

Step 2 Click on Event Pan Crop

Step 3 Check MASK box

Step 4 Select Anchor Creation Tool. make points around license plate -frame becomes darker with exception of license plate (MASK IS WORKING)

Step 5 Select LARGE PIXELATE from Video FX Drag to top video track WHY DOES IT BLUR OUT THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE PREVIEW SCREEN? Should just be the license plate right?

Step 6 When it was just blurring out the plate SELECT NORMAL EDIT TOOL-I would then move the keyframe slider to the right and try to reposition the mask over the plate as the car was moving but i am unable to move the mask up or down. This is where i am not doing something right.

How do i just blur the license plate out? and How do i move the mask to follow it?

Thanks Dave

Sony Vegas 8.0c

In this case, I think I'd use the Cookie Cutter instead. You may get a little more than "just the license plate" but not much.

As for your #5, are you adding the effect to the TRACK or the event ON the track? You should add it to the event. Plus, I would add the effect to the the SECOND track.

Now, as for why you're only seeing it on HALF the display, turn off the "split screen view" button (one of the buttons above the preview screen). Then you'll see it on the WHOLE screen (I know, still not what you want).

Doing it this way, you would need to set the mask to only show "what is inside the mask" and let the lower track show through (the clear video) for the rest of the screen.

You might want to look at Vol 1 #12 of my newsletters (http://www.jetdv.com) which has an article "Blurring Faces - Ala Cops".

Ed..

I got it....It worked Great.... maybe someday ill do a tutorial on screen for people.... your article explains it well, however i am a visual person. My problem i had was that goofy split screen toggle. IT was toggled on and whole screen so i couldnt see any effects!

Thank you again........

I can see the split-screen button causing that problem. Glad you got it all sorted out.