Basic Structure of Masks and Split Screens

[RickC]

I'm trying to show a number of insets or PIP or split screen sections in my video and have used masks and have also tried to use split screen. Since this is 2020 Ultimate, masks are accessed via the icon on the main edit menu bar. (I understand the user interface was different in earlier versions)

This enables me to create a mask with some rudimentary tools, as well as brushes and shapes. The mask that I create can be saved (default location is .\Corel VideoStudio Pro\23.0\Mask). That's fine, but the mask I create is somewhat crude, and I could do better with other drawing programs. Also I can't figure out how to reuse a mask, or change the mask that has been applied to a clip.

So I'd like to be able to do two things
- reuse that mask
- create new masks (using better drawing tools) and be able to choose or somehow apply these saved masks masks

Am I missing some part of the user interface? I see the ability to create a mask (on a clip) and save that mask, but no ability to recall that mask or apply it to a different clip.

The other way to do this is with split screens. The split screen template creator is very nice, and lets me save templates and insert them into the timeline (maybe that's what I'm missing vis a vis masks??)

When I add a split screen template into the time line, it always seems to wind up at the end of all the segments, and then I have to move the different overlays back to the place in the overlay timeline I need them. And at this point, each of them looks and acts like a very sophisticated mask (with border and keyframe animation) so I'm wondering just how to use each of these techniques. Split screen templates can be reused, and then the video clip is applied to the split screen segment. With masks, it's the other way around, with masks being applied to the video clip. Any clarification of this would be most appreciated!!

Thanks!

[lata]

Hi
Quite a lot going on with masks, VS 2020 has improved the Blending modes so a bit of a learning curve for all

Try this
Use the mask creator to add a mask to any image, the mask effect shows on the image as an oval, does not really represent the actual mask.

Reuse the mask , a few options
1 / Add another image to the timeline, Right click the mask clip for Copy Attributes, Right click new image for Paste Attributes
2 / Double click the clip on the overlay track to open the options panel
Go to Blending tab, View the Matt Modes, choose Mask Frames, here you should see your mask, scroll down to the bottom of the list.
Selecting any mask will be applied to your image

You should notice that the masks are black and white images, you can make any B&W image and add to the Matte Modes panel, you will get a message that the image should be 8bit, the program will convert for you.

3 / As a test you can easily use Video Studio to create the mask simply by using Black and White colour clips inserted to the overlay timelines, resize so the preview views both black and white
From project mode Edit – Take a snapshot- will create an image using the project resolution, saved to the working folder.
Of course any Image Editor can create a B&W image

Open Blending mode to add that new image. A small + lower right of the Matte Modes panel
If your Image editor is used to create a transparent PNG then those can be added to the overlay timelines without going through the blending option.

Split Screens are a little different
I would say after creating the SS effect choose OK will return you to VS timelines, a Split Screen template being placed in the Media Library, these are a little different to the SS Templates showing in the Templates library (previously called Instant Projects)
Using the OK option, we can double click the clip in the media library to open the Split Screen Editor again, and that is the main difference, the Library Templates are Instant Projects not Split Screen templates as such, confused you will be.

If you give more details as to the effect you are trying to create we could advise on which option is the best to use
A screen shot may be useful

[RickC]

Trevor,
Thanks for the clarity of your answer - I had gotten confused by watching YouTube videos where the mask was under Color and Mask and now it's under blending. I can save, reuse, and apply or remove masks easily.

Here's what I'm working on - I just got the software and have used just about every bell and whistle, but I've learned how to use it and can now go back and fix things and tone it down.
Thanks again,
Rick

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Sii53b ... sp=sharing