VS: Cover Flow Effect

[rguthrie]

In this tutorial, we're going to learn how to recreate a very popular effect that has become ubiquitous on the internet and even in software. For example, one company uses this in their "cover flow" view in its very popular music media management software that supports its personal media player. You can see an example of this effect (with two different versions shown in the video) below


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy_smHoeJ6A[/youtube]


So first thing you'll need to do is a gradient mask using your favorite photo editing software. When creating a mask, all you need to remember is that white will allow the video to show through, whereas black will mask out the video. If you don't have any photo editing software, no worries, simply copy the example below to your computer to use.

Now, to recreate the first example as seen in my YouTube video, we'll first want to add another video track.

Select Settings > Track Manager... from the menu, click on Overlay Track #2 (which I'll refer to as track2 from now on), then OK.

Now, drag a video asset from your library onto Overlay Track #1 (which I'll call track1 from now on), and repeat for track2.

Resize your video clip on track1 as needed.

Now for video clip on track2, move it until it's just under the video clip on track1, and resize it so that it matches the size of the video clip on track1.

HINT: To make resizing and placement of track2 more accurate, click on the Enlarge icon on the bottom right of the preview screen.

Now in the options panel for track2, select Mask & Chroma Key.

Next select the checkbox for Apply Overlay Options, then for Type:, select Mask Frame.

Now click on the plus icon (Add mask item(s)), located to the right of the displayed masks and add the gradient mask you either created or saved to your computer. Then select it to use on your video.

Now let's also change the Transparency to 50.

Next, go to Filters and drag the Flip filter to you video asset on track2.

Choose Customize Filter, select the Vertical radio button, then OK.

And voila, you now have an interesting effect to add to your scrolling credits. In my sample video, I show another example of this technique in action. I'll leave that one for you to experiment.

Have fun and be creative!

[Black Lab]

Very cool effect, Ronald. I'll have to give it a try.

[rguthrie]

Thanks Jeff!

[ParabikMiOi]

Hi,
does anyone know how to add a users cover photo to the main feed page?
I tried adding as a block and it does not work.

Thanks in advance

[Plastic]

Thanks for tutorial, but I think I'm doing something wrong, could You add screenshots of steps?

[BrianCee]

Well we haven't seen Ron for the last 9 months or so - so I am not sure you will get an answer from him.

I don't know what version he used to do this but I am currently unable to replicate his example exactly - primarily because I do no seem to be able to apply transparency to a mask - but I made this video using the instructions above - - http://youtu.be/46U8IoZSQV0

what is the problem you are having not sure what screen shots you think would help - this is my final arrangement

flowing.PNG

[rguthrie]

Plastic,

Could you please tell me what version of VS you're using? I wrote this tutorial some time ago (for an older version of VS), so I'll need to revisit this for the current version. I'll repost new instructions if needed, or at least respond to help you a bit more.

[rguthrie]

OK, so using VS X8.5 I'm still able to do this. I'll review my instructions and clarify them. One thing I noticed, and perhaps this changed over time in the newer versions, but as Brian noticed, you can't seem to apply the transparency to the mask because once you click on Apply Overlay Options the Transparency box is greyed out. To accomplish that, either apply the transparency before clicking on Apply Overlay Options, or deselect the check box for Apply Overlay Options and change the Transparency to 50.