Overlay to hide part of a video

bcfraser · Post by **bcfraser** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:39 pm

I am trying to produce a video of shoplifting incidents that have been captured on video surveillance systems, and I would like to obscure the faces of the employee(s) that are in the video.

I presently use VS9, and was considering the purchase of the Moving Parts add in, but it won't work with VS9. I noticed that Ulead has slashed the price for the upgrade to MSP 7 and I'm considering it, as I understand MSP is a more professional package albeit missing some of the newer features of VS9. This isn't a factor for me, for this particular project.
I would try the MSP trial, but I tried it at some point in the past, and I cannot reinstall because the trial period has expired. So, I'm turning to this forum for the answer to this question...

Does MSP 7 support the use of an overlay still image that can be moved to obscure a section of a video clip, as the subject moves? If so, does it support the use of more than one still image that moves independantly of the other?

I have tried this with Adobe Premier Elements, and it works, but I have experienced memory hog issues with this, and would prefer to stay with a ULead product if I can...

Your help is appreciated.

Barry

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:53 pm

I haven't actually tried that with two images, but I think it will be possible.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:31 pm

I did this a while back, and it worked with multiple objects -- I wasn't trying to cover up faces, but I had multiple objects moving independently over the main track

bcfraser · Post by **bcfraser** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 2:54 pm

So, it is possible to move an overlayed image. That's good news.

I will take the plunge and see how it works outn.

Many thanks

Barry

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:28 pm

Using an overlaid image means using a moving path and that becomes problematic because of the 16 keyframe limit in the moving path dialog.

I use the Star video filter instead. I set the sun size to cover then turn the rays etc. down to zero, leaving just a colored blob. You can define several "suns" and apply as many keyframes as you require.

You can also use Video Paint, but IMO that's overkill.

GeorgeW · Post by **GeorgeW** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:36 pm

the STAR works well -- I've used it for covering one face -- or even to track someone I wanted highlighted in a crowd

I think you can do multiple stars -- can you control them independently

(I'm away from my editing machine, so I can't test this out).

bcfraser · Post by **bcfraser** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:47 pm

More good information...thanks Terry and George.

If I'm understanding correctly, the 16 keyframe limit means that the overlay can only be re-positioned 16 times within the clip. If this is so, can you split the clips and get another 16 keyrames on the second clip?

I was really hoping to use my company's logo as the overlay; if I have to go with the filter as an overlay, can you make a filter from your own image?

Barry

MonroePoteet · Post by **MonroePoteet** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:50 pm

The 16-key limit on moving paths is a show-stopper in many of my overlay applications. I end up rotoscoping the overlay in Lightwave. Edit: I guess the splitting of clips into segments with separate motion paths would be a workaround, but the 16-key limit is a real pain.

Terry: by any chance is this limit removed in V8? (NDA willing)

mTp

jday · Post by **jday** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:20 pm

To get around the 16 keyframe limitation doesn't mean you have to split the original clip. You can put numerous copies of the overlay on the overlay track. The lenght of the first one will be as long or short as it needs to be until 16 keyframes are defined. Then, add a second overlay on the same track immediately after the first one, and you get another 16 keyframes. Keep adding overlays in-line until you reach the total length of your video clip.

Also, an earlier post mentioned rotoscoping. This can also be done in the Video Paint program that comes with MSP7 and I think is a much better solution.

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 8:36 pm

Yes, you can use multiple stars in one instance of the star filter.

The problem is that if the subjects move around a lot that short keyframe timeline gets kinda crowded with keyframes. To alleviate this you can use multiple instances of the Star filter, one for each subject.

In MSPro 8 this is MUCH easier in that the Effects Manager has a resizable and zoomable keyframe timeline whose scale is frame-accurate. Heaven

Yes, Video Paint can be used.by applying the mosaic video filter combined with a video matte created in Video Paint to define the region(s) affected.

The rub is that if someone isn't familiar with creating video mattes it can extend the project at hand's development while you climb the learning curve.

Devil · Post by **Devil** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:45 am

I haven't tried it for this kind of application, but the Pan&Zoom filter, which I don't think has the 16 keyframe limitation, may be worth experimenting with.