RotoPen Observations

[RobertOZ]

I am not very impressed with RotoPen in VSX7 32 bit
I apply the RotoPen filter to a map, then click Customize filter, the map then appears on the proDAD Edit Path screen, the first thing you notice is that the map has been considerably downgraded and the image is dark, making accurate route plotting on some maps very difficult.
Then you draw the route, select a path style and a traveler symbol, then select apply, the map with applied route is then available in the timeline.
However, when played the route does not always start where it should have and does not follow the route as drawn.

The second image shows the actual required route, not the clarity of the image
The first image shows the route as applied by RotoPen, notice that the route has changed and the finish point is nowhere near where it should have been.
Also the traveler symbol has not been applied

So I am back to using the old faithful Route Generator, works every time, only drawback is that it generates AVI files which are enormous. Instead of generating the files, after I have selected the route, I capture with ScreenCap X7 which then imports direct into VSX7.

Robert

[aussiejoe]

Hi Robert,

I agree the paths generated seem very arbitrary at times and certainly dont follow the roads shown on a map very closely at all.

For me, I see it more as a bit of fun rather than a tool for serious route planning.
cheers

[RobertOZ]

I have always used Route Generator, free, very easy to use and very accurate.
But as I said above it generates enormous AVI files, so screen capture with a screen capture program

http://www.routegenerator.net/

Robert

[Ken Berry]

I am quite happy with RotoPen -- although it took a little fiddling to get things right. First off. I was having trouble getting the final line-up correct. Like you, I'd draw the route, only to have it float off-point in the final product. But then I thought I would make sure the map I used met the project properties frame size. In just about all cases these days, I use high def 1920 x 1080. So I crop the map to that or insert it on a background panel that size in a graphics editor like PSP; then insert it into VS. And that way the route I trace is the same throughout and into the end product.

I was also annoyed by the darkening of the map in RotoPen and how it affects the clarity. However, by applying the Brightness/Contrast filter, that is easily corrected -- ensuring of course that 'Replace Last Filter' is *not* ticked...

[RobertOZ]

I was also annoyed by the darkening of the map in RotoPen and how it affects the clarity. However, by applying the Brightness/Contrast filter,that is easily corrected -- ensuring of course that 'Replace Last Filter' is *not* ticked...

Could you explain how you applied the Brightness/Contrast filter, I apply the RotoPen filter, then apply the Brightness/Contrast filter, increase the brightness then select the RotoPen filter, nothing has changed, still dark and as the Brightness filter cannot be applied when in RotoPen mode, how do you do it

You are correct about the path, it is absolutely necessary to ensure that the image used is exactly the same as project properties frame size

Robert

[Ken Berry]

I apply the RotoPen. Watch it in preview/Project mode. Appears dark and not clear, so I apply the Brightness/Contrast filter and Customise it till I am satisfied with the end result. Again I stress that I make sure the 'Replace last filter' box is NOT selected. Then I put it all in Project mode and watch the preview, and it all looks great, bright and clear. Render it: ditto. What more can I say? And just to make sure I didn't miss anything, I tried it all again just now, and it operated as I describe...

[lata]

Hi Guys

I don’t understand…. I apply roto pen with no brightness problems.
The video in the timeline is the same except having a line flowing over it.

I certainly do not have to apply any filters to enhance the original video file.

I am using 64 bit version, maybe the 32 bit is different?

[canuck]

I have always used Route Generator, free, very easy to use and very accurate.
But as I said above it generates enormous AVI files, so screen capture with a screen capture program

http://www.routegenerator.net/

Robert

The files are only large if you select the "uncompressed" codec option. Other options produce smaller files.

[Davidk]

Reading thru this, it looks to me like marking a map has become overcomplicated. There is another alternative, you now - use the painting creator option within VS. It's been there since X2. There is a range of options for the map, the length of time for the drawing, and the qualities of 'the line' especially on a map. And I've never had an issue with any map, some pinched from travel brochures and others copied from survey maps: usually scanned from the paper original and the jpg image then inserted into the timeline, and on which I've drawn lines. The results - whether full screen or just as a thumbnail overlaid in a corner of another image - have all been good without the need to fiddle.

Davidk

[libby]

Has anyone else had problems with the latest Corel x7 Ultimate Rotopen? I cannot get it to work. Well it works, but does not follow the map route I have indicated on my map. Sometimes it's right off the map. Has anyone any ideas. I had no problems with x5.

[lata]

Hi libby

Your map image has to be the same size / ratio as the preview window, this is generally 16:9 ratio. Unless you have changed it to 4:3.

Place your map image on the timeline, right click the clip and choose properties.

A properties window opens, the General tab shows the Attributes Width and Height
What are they.?


You should use an image editor to crop the image to use a ratio of 16:9.
You can used Video Studio to create such an image but the quality may not be as good as the original, but can be used as a test.

How……….

Place the map image in the top track
Click the word project adjacent to the play button, Project Playback
Edit menu “Take a snapshot”
The new image will be saved to the working folder.
A thumbnail will be placed in the library, drag that to the timeline and apply RotoPen.

[libby]

I have an unusual issue with Rotopen. Been using it for years, no problems, then on one map it decides to shrink - the route line and the image (white car image provided by Corel). I see the default is 50% so I tried making it 100% and the car enlarged but not the route line. Has anyone else had this issue? I have VS Pro 7.

[lata]

Hi Libby

If you have been using RotoPen for years you are probably more experienced than myself??

I don’t understand why the sizes would change to a smaller size, maybe the clip being used is different in type or size.
Are you applying roto pen to an Image or Video?

And yes resizing from 50% to 100% would only affect the car as that is the Symbol tab.
From the path tab there is no re-size option, by choosing another style changes the look but not the size, at least not that much.

Libby
I have tested a few projects and the project properties affect the size of the route.
If using a project of say 720 x 576 then the trace will be larger than a project using 1920 x 1080

What are your project properties?

[pepegota]

I use Roto Pen when the map fits my project settings of 4:3 or 16:9, else I use Route Generator as it does not need to meet the alluded to above requirements. The only very minor problem with Route Generator is that you must constantly click the mouse to make a curve, whereas with Roto Pen, you just drag the mouse pointer-free hand.
Does anyone know where the Roto Pen Icons are stored on the computer. I would like to use some of them with Route Generator?

[asik1]

They are here
.....HeroglyphRoute-4.0\clipart\cp2\