Film dissolves at DVinfo.net

Simon Wyndham · December 28th, 2003, 08:36 AM

Hi, Dunno whether this would belong more in the Vegas forum or here, but since it's film look related I'll blurt it out anyway.

Anyone here know how to recreate a film style dissolve/crossfade within Vegas? That is as opposed to spending almost $200 for something to do this in AE.

Graeme Nattress · December 28th, 2003, 11:28 AM

I don't know vegas, but perhaps you can do it with a "levels" control.

Overlap the two clips on different tracks, apply blend mode "add" to top clip. Put a levels filter on both clips, and animate the input white from 0 to 255 and the input white on the other clip from 255 to 0.

By animating both black and white inputs and outputs, you can create all kinds of film dissolves.

Graeme

Simon Wyndham · December 28th, 2003, 12:14 PM

Thanks

I just had a go with the levels. It did come pretty close. Only trouble is that it does require the keyframing, and it is harder to get the transition to ease in and out (normal Vegas transitions allow you to select how the fades ease in and out). Also, to avoid having to re-render the entire clip on the "add" track I have to split the clip at the point where the transition starts. Also I had to use the "output end" settings rather than the input otherwise it just bloomed into a screen of pure white.

It's a good work around but I wish I knew Vegas enough to write a specific transition or script (I've only just moved over to this software).

Edward Troxel · December 28th, 2003, 03:47 PM

I don't understand exactly the "look" you are trying to achieve. Can you show an example?

As for dissolving on luminence, you might want to try SDMoore's Luminence transition. http://www.endor.demon.co.uk/

For the ultimate in transitions, you might want to look at the Pixelan transitions. http://www.pixelan.com/sm2vegas/intro.htm

Simon Wyndham · December 28th, 2003, 04:00 PM

A normal crossfade in a NLE just changes the transparency of the clips it is fading between. However a transition that resmbles an optical transition as it is used traditionally in films work by the luminosity of the clips. For example the whites of the clip you are dissolving to are visible well in advance of any other tone. When a NLE normally does a crossfade/dissolve all tonal ranges fade in at the same time.

There is a subtle difference but it is there. Further, for a more film like transition the easing in and out of the dissolve should be adjusted as well.

I find it to be a far more pleasing transition to look at than the usual transparency dissolve.

Edward Troxel · December 28th, 2003, 05:39 PM

I would definitely check out Pixelan at the link I listed. I believe they have a trial version you could check.

Simon Wyndham · December 28th, 2003, 06:00 PM

Naah. Even if they did have it it's a lot to pay for one transition. Vegas can have transitions written for it. I just wish I knew how to use their transition and plugin writer kit.

The crossfade/dissolve is the only transition I ever use, other than a flash fade for trailers perhaps.

Edward Troxel · December 28th, 2003, 09:11 PM

Maybe you could contact SDMoore and see if he could modify the Luminance transition to meet your needs.

Simon Wyndham · December 30th, 2003, 06:40 PM

I could, but does anyone have an email address? There doesn't seem to be one on his site.

Edward Troxel · December 30th, 2003, 08:17 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Simon Wyndham : I could, but does anyone have an email address? There doesn't seem to be one on his site. -->>>

Here's a quote from one of his posts:

My email address is in the about box on the plugin properties.

Edward Troxel · December 30th, 2003, 08:22 PM

If you get in touch with him, keep us informed what you find out.

December 28th, 2003, 08:36 AM	#1
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Film dissolves Hi, Dunno whether this would belong more in the Vegas forum or here, but since it's film look related I'll blurt it out anyway. Anyone here know how to recreate a film style dissolve/crossfade within Vegas? That is as opposed to spending almost $200 for something to do this in AE.

December 28th, 2003, 11:28 AM	#2
Graeme Nattress RED Problem Solver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,365	I don't know vegas, but perhaps you can do it with a "levels" control. Overlap the two clips on different tracks, apply blend mode "add" to top clip. Put a levels filter on both clips, and animate the input white from 0 to 255 and the input white on the other clip from 255 to 0. By animating both black and white inputs and outputs, you can create all kinds of film dissolves. Graeme __________________ www.nattress.com - filters for FCP

December 28th, 2003, 12:14 PM	#3
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Thanks I just had a go with the levels. It did come pretty close. Only trouble is that it does require the keyframing, and it is harder to get the transition to ease in and out (normal Vegas transitions allow you to select how the fades ease in and out). Also, to avoid having to re-render the entire clip on the "add" track I have to split the clip at the point where the transition starts. Also I had to use the "output end" settings rather than the input otherwise it just bloomed into a screen of pure white. It's a good work around but I wish I knew Vegas enough to write a specific transition or script (I've only just moved over to this software).

December 28th, 2003, 03:47 PM	#4
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	I don't understand exactly the "look" you are trying to achieve. Can you show an example? As for dissolving on luminence, you might want to try SDMoore's Luminence transition. http://www.endor.demon.co.uk/ For the ultimate in transitions, you might want to look at the Pixelan transitions. http://www.pixelan.com/sm2vegas/intro.htm

December 28th, 2003, 04:00 PM	#5
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	A normal crossfade in a NLE just changes the transparency of the clips it is fading between. However a transition that resmbles an optical transition as it is used traditionally in films work by the luminosity of the clips. For example the whites of the clip you are dissolving to are visible well in advance of any other tone. When a NLE normally does a crossfade/dissolve all tonal ranges fade in at the same time. There is a subtle difference but it is there. Further, for a more film like transition the easing in and out of the dissolve should be adjusted as well. I find it to be a far more pleasing transition to look at than the usual transparency dissolve.

December 28th, 2003, 05:39 PM	#6
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	I would definitely check out Pixelan at the link I listed. I believe they have a trial version you could check.

December 28th, 2003, 06:00 PM	#7
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Naah. Even if they did have it it's a lot to pay for one transition. Vegas can have transitions written for it. I just wish I knew how to use their transition and plugin writer kit. The crossfade/dissolve is the only transition I ever use, other than a flash fade for trailers perhaps.

December 28th, 2003, 09:11 PM	#8
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Maybe you could contact SDMoore and see if he could modify the Luminance transition to meet your needs.

December 30th, 2003, 06:40 PM	#9
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	I could, but does anyone have an email address? There doesn't seem to be one on his site.

December 30th, 2003, 08:17 PM	#10
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	<<<-- Originally posted by Simon Wyndham : I could, but does anyone have an email address? There doesn't seem to be one on his site. -->>> Here's a quote from one of his posts: *My email address is in the about box on the plugin properties.*

December 30th, 2003, 08:22 PM	#11
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	If you get in touch with him, keep us informed what you find out.