Did a Mask, have a "line" at DVinfo.net

Carl Downs · May 1st, 2007, 04:42 PM

Not sure... if this can be fixed... I put one vid over the other then masked out one half side of the top video. Does what I want it to do (same guy, me, in one video) but... you can visibly see a "mask line" please view the picture > http://www.cjtvlive.com/temp.htm (arrow pointing to it). I got the "colors" of the two vids as close as possible (outside day but an hour apart) and they look the same (to general audience... except the floor) but that mask line really gives it away. Why is it there? it's black? Shouldn't the mask... just end without creating a line?

When I originally put the two together and masked, without any color correction or levels there was no line but... of course the colors were off. Hmmm... "coloring" and "levels" somehow make the mask make a line on the edge... any "tips" or advice on how to make this line dissapear.

David Jimerson · May 1st, 2007, 05:32 PM

If you apply the mask before you apply the FX, you shouldn't have a line.

But what you should be able to do is go into the FX dialog box, and then go down to the keyframe timeline. Click the little arrows next to the timeline.

Carl Downs · May 1st, 2007, 07:25 PM

Thanks David for your reply and your right there is no line before effects but if color or level the video after... then the line shows up... but this is what I did and it worked.
1. put "main" video on top and mask off part I want
2. Color ONLY the video under the main to make it same as "main" video
3. Reder this out as .avi
4. bring it back in and place it same position
5. color/levels it any way you want.
Line is gone...

Matthew Chaboud · May 2nd, 2007, 12:56 PM

When doing fixed-camera position shots like this, you want to make sure that everything lines up between the shots you are putting together.

Alternately, if you wanted to cheat, you could just feather the crop for the top layer and call it a day.

It will look best if you match the footage plates (if possible).

I have a fixed-camera shot here:

http://matthew.chaboud.com/vegas5/dwalk/dwalksmall.wmv

and here:

http://matthew.chaboud.com/vegas5/twocats/

Josh Bass · May 2nd, 2007, 01:35 PM

Can I ask why you're using the mask to do this instead of pan/crop or the 3D Plugin Pac LE? It's just a straight split screen, right? not a fancy shape you're cutting out? If your footage is progressive, you can use the 3D Plugin Pac (it'll make interlaced footage look progressive, so no good for keeping the interlaced look), and there's a filter/plugin (can't recall which offhand--cookie cutter, border, something like that) that would let you blur/feather the edge of your crop. I've noticed that the 3D plugin pac slightly resizes the video (it's true!) just a hair, so you'll have to scale it up to compensate, but it should be unnoticable when you do.

Carl Downs · May 3rd, 2007, 02:28 PM

Pretty cool Matthew. I downloaded your files, took a look and at first being totally confused... played around, played around... shot my own footage... did it... and Got it! Now I pretty much understand. Still getting parts of people dissapearing as they move in and out of light... but keep on trying. Thanks!

Matthew Chaboud · May 4th, 2007, 08:02 AM

A key thing to do is shut off automatic gain control.

It's fun stuff to play with. I'm glad the technique is spreading.

May 1st, 2007, 04:42 PM	#1
Carl Downs Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 101	Did a Mask, have a "line" Not sure... if this can be fixed... I put one vid over the other then masked out one half side of the top video. Does what I want it to do (same guy, me, in one video) but... you can visibly see a "mask line" please view the picture > http://www.cjtvlive.com/temp.htm (arrow pointing to it). I got the "colors" of the two vids as close as possible (outside day but an hour apart) and they look the same (to general audience... except the floor) but that mask line really gives it away. Why is it there? it's black? Shouldn't the mask... just end without creating a line? When I originally put the two together and masked, without any color correction or levels there was no line but... of course the colors were off. Hmmm... "coloring" and "levels" somehow make the mask make a line on the edge... any "tips" or advice on how to make this line dissapear.

May 1st, 2007, 05:32 PM	#2
David Jimerson Jubal 28 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 872	If you apply the mask before you apply the FX, you shouldn't have a line. But what you should be able to do is go into the FX dialog box, and then go down to the keyframe timeline. Click the little arrows next to the timeline. __________________ www.wrightsvillebeachstudios.com

May 1st, 2007, 07:25 PM	#3
Carl Downs Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 101	Got it Thanks David for your reply and your right there is no line before effects but if color or level the video after... then the line shows up... but this is what I did and it worked. 1. put "main" video on top and mask off part I want 2. Color ONLY the video under the main to make it same as "main" video 3. Reder this out as .avi 4. bring it back in and place it same position 5. color/levels it any way you want. Line is gone...

May 2nd, 2007, 01:35 PM	#5
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Can I ask why you're using the mask to do this instead of pan/crop or the 3D Plugin Pac LE? It's just a straight split screen, right? not a fancy shape you're cutting out? If your footage is progressive, you can use the 3D Plugin Pac (it'll make interlaced footage look progressive, so no good for keeping the interlaced look), and there's a filter/plugin (can't recall which offhand--cookie cutter, border, something like that) that would let you blur/feather the edge of your crop. I've noticed that the 3D plugin pac slightly resizes the video (it's true!) just a hair, so you'll have to scale it up to compensate, but it should be unnoticable when you do. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

May 3rd, 2007, 02:28 PM	#6
Carl Downs Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 101	Thanks Matthew Pretty cool Matthew. I downloaded your files, took a look and at first being totally confused... played around, played around... shot my own footage... did it... and Got it! Now I pretty much understand. Still getting parts of people dissapearing as they move in and out of light... but keep on trying. Thanks!

May 2nd, 2007, 12:56 PM	#4
Matthew Chaboud Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 93	When doing fixed-camera position shots like this, you want to make sure that everything lines up between the shots you are putting together. Alternately, if you wanted to cheat, you could just feather the crop for the top layer and call it a day. It will look best if you match the footage plates (if possible). I have a fixed-camera shot here: http://matthew.chaboud.com/vegas5/dwalk/dwalksmall.wmv and here: http://matthew.chaboud.com/vegas5/twocats/

May 4th, 2007, 08:02 AM	#7
Matthew Chaboud Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 93	A key thing to do is shut off automatic gain control. It's fun stuff to play with. I'm glad the technique is spreading.