add different mask shapes

[Sektionschef]

dear all
Sorry for posting this question again but I haven't found an answer on this here:
I like to add different mask shaps, currently my vs9 just lets me select only one mask shape(oval).
What I want to do is:
-put a clip into overlay track
-select "Mask & Chroma Key" and check "Apply overlay options"
-under type I select mask(not Chroma Key)
-now I like to select different mask shapes but only one(oval) is available here.
How can I add other shapes or even create my own shape?
Regards
Sektionschef

[Ron P.]

Hi Sektionschef,

There should be more then 1 mask shape. Did you download and install the content packs when you installed VS9?

Also you can create your own by following this tutorial:
http://www.ulead.com/learning/vs/vs9_10_1.htm

[sjj1805]

Also please view
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12185

Steve J

[Sektionschef]

vidoman and sjj1805
Thanks for your fast answers but:
I am not sure whether we talk about the same thing:
http://www.ulead.com/learning/vs/vs9_10_1.htm shows how to make transition masks and http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12185 shows how to make a seperate clip that uses chroma key.
However, I like to create my own masks that I can later select under
"Mask & Chroma Key". I don't want to use Chroma Key function, I like to use the Mask function only.
Do you know how to create Masks and add them to VS9?
Regards
Sektionschef

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

I see 21 masks in the Mark and Chrome Key section.

If you only see the one 'oval' mask then your program is not installed fully

[img]http://uk.geocities.com/trevor.andrew@b ... s\mask.jpg[/img]


Trevor

[sjj1805]

vidoman and sjj1805
Thanks for your fast answers but:
I am not sure whether we talk about the same thing:
http://www.ulead.com/learning/vs/vs9_10_1.htm shows how to make transition masks and http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12185 shows how to make a seperate clip that uses chroma key.
However, I like to create my own masks that I can later select under
"Mask & Chroma Key". I don't want to use Chroma Key function, I like to use the Mask function only.
Do you know how to create Masks and add them to VS9?
Regards
Sektionschef

The bit I was hoping you would see is near the top of that post

Video Studio 9 has a similar built in option under the Mask and Chroma Key functions where you can select Mask Frame.
The difference between this method and the built in one is two fold.
1. I have not found a way to add new images to that library, though you could alter the existing ones located at
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 9.0\Samples\Image
Should you wish to alter these images or replace them with your own (by using one of the existing filenames) the way these work are that black areas are transparent. White areas show the overlaid picture, Grey areas show a mixture of both which varies according to the shade of grey.

Steve J

[Sektionschef]

Many Thanks Trevor and vidoman, this confirmes that I haven't installed my VS correctly.
I can just select the first oval mask here, I will check this.

sjj1805, did I understand it correct:
It is not known yet how self-created shape files can be added to this menu?
I assume that we also do not know how the install routine of the content packs put the additional mask files into the menu?
From your experience, would you recommend to use Chroma Key function instead and use the procedure that you have already suggested with your link?
Regards
Sektionschef

[sjj1805]

I spent several hours looking for ways to add extra masks to the existing collection. I went through all the *.ini files and checked all the sub-directories.
The only thing I could come up with was to replace an existing one using the same filename.
The alternative is to do it the way I did with the circular mask in the PIP effect.

Steve J

[Sektionschef]

sjj1805 Thanks again!
Now at least I know that I don't need to look further on this and just replace existing masks with new ones.
Regards
Sektionschef

[Sektionschef]

Hi
I am still struggling with custom mask shapes and I found out that my existing graphics sw PaintshopPro seems not to support transparent color(or alphachannel???) which is required to generate VS9 mask files.
In sjj1805's link(http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=12185) it is described how to create a mask file with photoimpact which I don't have.
My question would be: Does anyone of you know another (small) graphics sw(preferrable freeware) that also supports transparent color to create such mask files(and it seems that it must support .png file format)?

And one more question:
As discussed previously, it seems that there is no way to add new mask files to VS9 but existing mask files can be overwritten/replaced.
I have seen that the existing mask files of my VS9 installation are in bmp format but doesn't bmp support transparent colors? Can I replace the existing bmp file with a new created png file or do I need to save my mask file in bmp as well?
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this for me?
Regards
Sektionschef

Regards
Sektionschef

[sjj1805]

Sektionschef

The existing masks are here:
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 9.0\Samples\Image
and are in grayscale 8bit bmp format.

Before doing anything back up that entire folder so you can revert back to the originals at any time.

Open one of the bmp imags in a photo editing program such as
PhotoImpact
Photoshop
MsPaint

Make any alterations you wish (you can even delete everything and draw something else in its place)

Save.

The thumbnail in the mask screen will not change but when you use that mask you will see that it has been replaced by your own.

White = The overlay picture will show
Black = The background image will show
Shades of grey = Mixture of both.

Regards
Steve J

[Sektionschef]

Many Thanks!!!
So I don't need any transparent color techniques, just gray scales.
I think I have mixed it up with the other solution that you have recommended where you explain how to create a transparent png file and then use it with cromakey function.
Regards
Sektionschef