MSP8: Inter-track transitions

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:42 pm

Even though Ulead chose not to implement true inter-track transitions this doesn't mean you can't do them, you just have to get a bit creative

Here's the procedure for doing an inter-track transtition between Video1 and Video2, though it'll work anywhere;

1. create a blank *.tga with transparancy. That's right: nothing in it but the alpha channel. You can also download mine below. Either way archive this for later re-use.

2. Place the video clips on Video1 and Video2 then load in the *.tga to Video2, setting its duration to that you want for the transition. Its alpha channel will be automatically applied.

Now snap the *.tga to align with an overlap over the Video1 clip

3. next drag the Video2 clip to completely overlap the *.tga. A crossfade will be automatically applied, but this can be changed to whatever transition you want.

POOF!! Instant inter-track transition.

Here's the project file ("right-click/save as" to download):

http://digitalvideo.8m.net/msp8/intertr ... rtrack.dvp

Here's the transparant *.tga

http://digitalvideo.8m.net/msp8/intertr ... nk-tga.tga

Here's what it looks like;

http://digitalvideo.8m.net/msp8/intertr ... rtrack.wmv

Enjoy.

rop23797 · Post by **rop23797** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 11:45 pm

Hello Terry,

Just to let you know that the .dvp is not downloading

Tks for the tutorial

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:11 am

Terry,
What is the advantage of doing it like this instead of just placing both clips on Video 1 and overlapping them which will create a transition anyway?

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 4:07 am

rop23797

IE: right-click the link and then select Save Target As from the context menu.

FireFox: right-click the link then select Save Link As from the context menu.

sjj1805

Video1/2 were just examples. In practice this would more likely be used to transition between overlays/virtual clips that are on different tracks.

Yes, this kind of transition is a feature in other programs and should have made it into the first build of MSP8. If I'd have been feature God it would be there.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 5:12 am

Terry,

I am away from my video machine at the moment so trying to picture this in my mind.
I still see no advantage to a transition between tracks. Transitions between clips are simply a matter of overlapping clips on the same track.

It seems as though you are trying to reproduce the methods used in the earlier versions of Media Studio which to be honest I found cumbersome and so tended to stick to Video Studio. Now that Media Studio uses the single track method of creating transitions I use this software all the time.

The method you mention however brings back to mind something I did in Video Studio for which your method would be ideal. I wanted to bring in a picture in picture effect as an overlay - not simply two seperate boxes but a proper PIP. Here I used a green colour block at both ends of the overlay clip plus transitions between the three segments.

I then used the chroma key function to remove (hide) the green block. By using some of the clock or spiral type transitions I obtained some pretty awesome looking results.

Obviously this took a bit of work in video Studio as I had to prepare my effect by placing the colour block - clip - colour block with transitions on the video track, render, then use the rendered file on the overlay track - something that can be done in one move with Media Studio rather than the double take involved with Video Studio.

Is this the effect you have in mind or am I missing a point somewhere?

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:37 am

Perhaps. Think in terms of transitioning between tracks that are different visual layers instead of being in the same layer. Now imagine intervening layers you doh't want affected. I know it sounds like a complex layout, but I've seen worse

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 7:48 am

Terry

Back home now, tried to download :-
http://digitalvideo.8m.net/msp8/intertr ... rtrack.dvp
with both internet explorer and also firefox, wouldn't let me.

Downloaded the Targa file, recreated your project with the sample videos.
Did it your way, then did it the single track overlapping clips method.
Both look the same to me.

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:40 am

It's supposed to, but the inter-track can be used between any two tracks and not just clips on Video1 or any other single track.

Again; think in terms of video layers and putting objects between layers involved in the transition. Can't do that on a single track

Perhaps the easiest example would be a text track between two graphic tracks, with all three being part of an assembled lower third. You could transition the graphics of the lower third, both in front of and behind the text, without affecting the text itself.

rop23797 · Post by **rop23797** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:50 am

Terry:

This is what comes up when I try to access the .dvp link:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You do not have permission to access http://digitalvideo.8m.net/MSP8/InterTr ... rTrack.dvp
The extension dvp is currently not supported by FreeServers.

If you think there is an error or you wish to have the extension dvp added to the mime definitions, please take the time to notify customer support.

Thank you for using FreeServers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyway the ,tga downloads OK

rop23797 · Post by **rop23797** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:11 am

Terry,

I need to put a question here, and would like to include a jpg
to be easy.

How do one insert a picture here ?

Tks

PS- Forget..I found how to n the FAQ

rop23797 · Post by **rop23797** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:28 am

Terry,

Let's go back to this "transitions story"

Take a look below:

Suppose I want that the 3 images in Video3 appear through a transition
over Video1.

How the heck do I manage this in MSP8 ?

Tks for your time

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 5:47 am

Step 1: I initially place the Video3 clip on Video4 to aid in aligning two instances of the blank *.tga, one at either end. I then just copy/paste the first blank to get the rest;

Step 2: when finished aligning the blanks just drag down the clip on Video4 to overlay each pair. The next step is to apply filters or a moving path (with or without a border) if desired. Both the image and border will have the transition applied.

Once you have decided which transition, moving path, video filter etc. to use shift-select each trio and group them. Now you can move 'em around as a unit.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:23 am

Terry,

Aha, now I can see what you are doing!!! to do it on one track would mean cutting up "Video_4.MPG" in your above example. I knew there had to be a reason behind your method.

Regards

Steve J

Terry Stetler · Post by **Terry Stetler** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:37 am

This isn't the half of it

rop23797 · Post by **rop23797** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:41 pm

Dear Terry

Well Well uhmmm YES !

IT WORKS FINE

This workaround is very handy, although I'll prefer that MSP8
will have the old v7 transition yet as an option.

Terry you should register your "patent"

Tks for the tip.

MERRY XMAS