2.35:1 masking and resized clips

Hi
We're working in FCS2, with a 1080i HD sequence which has some 720x480 DV clips in it.
The DV pieces were shot anamorphic 4:3, so we need to resize them. That can be done without too much trouble with the distort and scale tools.
However, we want to place a 2.35:1 mask over the whole sequence, which we've done using the Widescreen Mask video filter on all clips. However, the mask behaves differently on the DV clips, because they've been resized.
Is there a way (other than creating a new video layer and placing a TIFF mask with an alpha channel) of placing a mask on the sequence that behaves consistently across the whole sequence?
Thanks!
Matt
Message was edited by: Matt Clifton

The old-school technique is to nest your current sequence and place the Widesceen Matte on the nest. Since the Matte acts on the 1080i sequence (at 100% size), you should encounter issues with your resized clips.
However, if you're sure about the composition of your clips - after placing the Scope matte, you don't need to position content up/down - I'd add the Letterbox matte (under Filters) in Compressor 3, especially if you're going to encode for DVD or transcode for output to SD tape.
If you're going back to HD tape, I suppose the old-school method works best.

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Drop menus with mask and invisible clip

please see this navigation interface:
http://www.hearightnow.com/yogamater/
when the mouse is outside of the drop menus, the drop menus "hide" behind the outside of a mask, when the mouse enters the drop menus, they move up. An invisible movie clip the traces the frame of the photos is in place to insert ROLL_OVER and ROLL_OUT code to "block" the event listener that functions the "yoga" drop menu.
This is all done in one frame, the scripts do all the animation of the drop menus.
the current code for this menu allows the mouse to travel from the photos to the "yoga" drop menu without triggering the menu to go up, however if the mouse travels from the "yoga" drop menu to the photos, the drop menu locks up until the mouse leaves the photos.
any ideas how this can be fixed? also, how do I apply the script on the invisible clip to all the drop menus?
definitely a newbie to AS3 so all help is greatly appreciated!!
here is the main script:
stop();
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upyoga);
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upteach);
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upsched);
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,uppriv);
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upcont);
var speed:Number=.222;
function upyoga(e:Event) {
if ((yoga_menu.mouseY<yoga_menu.height&&yoga_menu.mouseY>0) &&
(yoga_menu.mouseX<80&&yoga_menu.mouseX>0)) {
yoga_menu.y-=(-58+yoga_menu.y)*speed;
} else {
yoga_menu.y-=(-134+yoga_menu.y)*speed;
function upteach(e:Event) {
if ((teach_menu.mouseY<teach_menu.height&&teach_menu.mouseY>0) &&
(teach_menu.mouseX<80&&teach_menu.mouseX>0)) {
teach_menu.y-=(-65+teach_menu.y)*speed;
} else {
teach_menu.y-=(-118+teach_menu.y)*speed;
function upsched(e:Event) {
if ((sched_menu.mouseY<sched_menu.height&&sched_menu.mouseY>0) &&
(sched_menu.mouseX<80&&sched_menu.mouseX>0)) {
sched_menu.y-=(-42+sched_menu.y)*speed;
} else {
sched_menu.y-=(-96+sched_menu.y)*speed;
function uppriv(e:Event) {
if ((priv_menu.mouseY<priv_menu.height&&priv_menu.mouseY>0) &&
(priv_menu.mouseX<80&&priv_menu.mouseX>0)) {
priv_menu.y-=(-28+priv_menu.y)*speed;
} else {
priv_menu.y-=(-74+priv_menu.y)*speed;
function upcont(e:Event) {
if ((cont_menu.mouseY<cont_menu.height&&cont_menu.mouseY>0) &&
(cont_menu.mouseX<80&&cont_menu.mouseX>0)) {
cont_menu.y-=(-40+cont_menu.y)*speed;
} else {
cont_menu.y-=(-88+cont_menu.y)*speed;
and here is the script on the invisible clip:
invisiClip.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, invisClipOver);
invisiClip.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, menuBack);
invisiClip.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, invisClipOut);
function invisClipOver(event:MouseEvent):void {
removeEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upyoga)
function menuBack(e:Event) {
yoga_menu.y-=(-134+yoga_menu.y)*speed;
function invisClipOut(event:MouseEvent):void {
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,upyoga)

I was having trouble attaching a zip or fla to this post so they can be retrieved at
http://www.hearightnow.com/yogamater/menu_45b.zip
or
http://www.hearightnow.com/yogamater/menu_45b.fla
the "menu" layer contains the mask that the drop menus hide behind
the "invis" layer contains the invisible movie clip that has the code that removes and adds the event listeners that move the "yoga" drop menu
the photos seen at http://www.hearightnow.com/yogamater/ are added with HTML DIV tags.
thanks!

Preview highlight and shadow clipping mask in second monitor

Hi, I'm new in the forum and just starting with the new LR3. I have a question about to preview highlight and shadow clipping in the second monitor, becouse I can't check the mask clipping in my second monitor as in the LR2... Is there a possibility to change it to preview the mask in the second monitor?
Thanks and regards
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Yeah, thanks.... but I mean that when you are in develop mode and you try to see the highlight or black clipping mask, red or blue, now in LR3 only appears in the main monitor, not in the second monitor as well like in LR2... Maybe I'm not explaining very well the difference...

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Can anyone explain what a clipping mask is, how it works, and most importantly if Photoshop Elements 5.0 has this capability?
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Heather,
You can find one explanation at Janee's tutorials: http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/elements/elemask.htm
Since PSE does not support layer masks per se, the clipping group simulates a layer mask and hence Janee's name for it, "elemask" (cute, huh?)
Here are 2 examples:
In this example I wanted to blur the background leaving the flower in focus:
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1euavV1sDqzrEqqqierfc5dSEH9yI01
1. Duplicate the Background layer and apply a Gaussian blur to the new layer.
2. Add an adjustment layer below the blur layer (any kind of adjustment layer will do), but do not make any adjustment - just click OK.\
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In this example (not actually a mask but still demonstrates a clipping group) I wanted to crop the picture into a leaf shape.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ys9Z7FspSwF8HHKGLrxjGVhbTodmF0
1. Use the leaf from the Custom Shape tool to draw out the leaf, creating a new layer.
2. Move the leaf layer below the picture layer.
3. Group the two layers.
Note that in order to move a layer below the Background layer you have to rename the Background layer to anything else (layer 0 in my example).

How to solve illustrator cs6 save as cs5 problem about the stroke(when the stroke with clipping mask and color is gradient, save as cs5 will change to embed ).

how to solve illustrator cs6 save as cs5 problem about the stroke(when the stroke with clipping mask and color is gradient, save as cs5 will change to embed ).

Because it was not possible to apply a gradient to a stroke in CS5. When you open the file in CS5, it is reduced to something that can be rendered in CS5.

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You should just be able to double click on the clip in the program monitor and get an outline that indicates you can move the clip around. If that's not working for some reason, double click the clip on the timeline to load it into the source monitor, then go to the 'effects' tab and use the motion settings to reposition the clip. Make sure to twirl down the small arrow next to the motion settings to get more options.
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The original footage was shot in 1080p, and I didn't realize that I wasn't working in an HD resolution on FCP X until I tried to upload the project to YouTube. Not trying to change SD clips to HD; trying to work in an HD resolution with 1080p footage. I hope that makes sense...
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When I say "cutaway clip," I mean a video clip that is layered over an interview clip, and plays while you can still hear the interview narration (see photo below). From what I've read so far, I agree in that I think the frame is letter-boxed/pillar-boxed, which I believe can be adjusted in the "Spatial Conform" section of the Inspector. Just wanted to make sure this was correct.
Below you will see a screen shot of what this clip looks like on YouTube. Basically, in FCP X, it is appearing at 100% in terms of size scale, and the clip behind it is not visible.

Clipping Masks and Opacity Masks leaving slight hairline

I'm running into a problem when using a clipping mask or opacity mask in Illustrator CC 17.1. Either type of mask leaves a slight outline around the masking object, creating a noticeable break in what should be a uniform background. Some details:
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I've tried the same thing with simpler shapes as a test and get the same results. In this example of 3 stacked objects, I built the shapes using the (top) Shape Builder tool, (middle) clipping mask and (bottom) opacity mask:
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I've read posts in this forum and others about this being an anti-aliasing issue, that it won't print with the faint outlines, but not every application of this graphic will be going to print. I've exported EPS files, PDFs and various other formats. I didn't notice any hairlines in a TIFF but the library of files I will be providing to my client will consist of vector and other raster files like PNGs and JPGs that do show the faint outlines. When I place a PDF or EPS into an Illustrator or InDesign layout, the hairlines remain so that documents sent electronically, not printed, have these noticeable lines. They also remain when I place an EPS into Photoshop which is unacceptable for building graphics for the web.
Can anyone tell me if there's a solution for making seamless transitions between masked objects in Illustrator? Or this just an inherent flaw with Illustrator (or perhaps my approach to building these graphics)?

Well it's good to know I'm not approaching building my graphics in the wrong way, haha. I'm working in picas actually, I didn't think the type of units would make any difference.
I'm not quite sure I follow what you're suggesting (perhaps too much BBQ on the brain right now) but some points are on whole values and some aren't. I'm not sure how I could change those to whole values and maintain proper geometric proportions, though.
Some additional info:
1. Just saved PDF and EPS copies. Both show the hairlines in the following: QuickLook, Reader, Preview, when placed into Illustrator / InDesign / Photoshop, and when opened directly in Photoshop (with the exception of the EPS). Only the EPS opened directly with Photoshop was free of the hairlines.
2. When exporting to JPG and PNG, using the Type Optimized setting retains hairlines but they disappear if Art Optimized is chosen. So that's one little trick I just learned.
So there are ways that I can save them without hairlines, that's great. But once I distribute PDFs and EPS files for the client/third parties to place into publications for electronic distribution the hairlines will appear in those documents. I could ask them to place hi-res raster files instead but it doesn't give them the flexibility that vector graphics afford.
Is there a similar option to 'Art Optimized' I'm overlooking when exporting PDFs and EPS files? As a test, under EPS Options > Transparency I tried both the High Resolution and For Complex Art presets and it didn't make any difference.

Move/Translate GroupItem w/ masks and effects?

All,
I have a document with a single layer and a single group (GroupItem) in that layer.
Unfortunately, I didn't create the .ai file, so I don't know exactly what is in the group; however, there appears to be a bunch of complex clipping masks and gradient effects, etc. deeply nested within it.
I've successfully scripted a few tasks like resizing the group with no ill effect... in other words, this works as expected:
app.activeDocument.activeLayer.pathItems[0].resize(50,50);
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app.activeDocument.activeLayer.pathItems[0].left = 200;
app.activeDocument.activeLayer.pathItems[0].translate(200,0);
I have no problem moving the group around on the document with my mouse... all the effects/masks are still nice and clean, so I'm confused as to why I can't do the same thing via JavaScript.

For folks who're interested...
I ended up taking an entirely different approach:
Instead of moving the logo group, I decided to leave it alone, and move the artboard instead.
This solution obviously only works for my scenario, and artboards are a pain in the @$$! to work with via JavaScript:
app.activeDocument.activeLayer.pageItems[0].resize(50,50);
app.activeDocument.artboards[0].artboardRect = [left, top, right, bottom];
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Multiple Masks on same clip

I have a clip with several primary and secondary corrections on it and want to apply a mask to a primary correction.
So far so good, but how do I apply a different mask to the same clip but to a different primary or secondary correction layer?
SG allows me to use only ONE mask for the whole clip? Even with multiple primary and secondary corrections?
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Is this a lacking feature or is it something I do wrong?
Any help appreciated!
Thanks,
Patrick.

Hi Patrick,
You didn't do anything wrong! But there is a way to add multiple masks to the same clip: Create a new grading track and add a new grading clip to the track (here is a link to an article showing you how to add new grading tracks: http://adobe.ly/PGrPvl)
You can add one mask per grading clip. If you just want one mask, add it to the original clip. To add a second mask, add a new grading track as described above. To add a third mask, add another grading track above the first one, and so on.
Let us know if this works for you!
Eric

Video Crop and Resize

Not sure if this is a bug but it's frustrating! I'm using the
Mac version of Flash CS3. I set everything up correctly to crop a
video clip (dragging the sliders in the 'Crop and Resize' tab). I
then start the queue etc. The resulting flv has NOT cropped as I
specified?? I get strange sizes, distortions etc. This also happens
by direct import to the stage (embed or external).
Also I find that I need to check the 'Resize Video' check box
even if I don't want to resize the video to get Flash to import at
the correct size of the original! This renders the cropping tool
useless. Any ideas anyone?

I've since done some tests. The issue appears to be related
to the source video and not the Flash Video Encoder, particularly
the compression format. I have a set of clips at the same size but
the compression formats are different (I checked the movie
properties in QuickTime). Sorenson versions seem to crop and resize
OK, but the DV format doesn't.
At least the Flash side of things are fine.

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Is there some parameters I am supposed to using with the clip itself?

The "Adjust Item" tool is contextual, and will only help you move the image around inside of a Drop Zone.
If you need to "resize" the content of a Drop Zone, use the Scale parameter in the Inspector's "Image" section.
I happen to be doing this at the moment myself.

Transparency frame of moving, resizing clip in 6.5

In Premiere 6.5, I'm trying to move and resize a transparent clip. That works, however, the result only shows the background that is that size of the resized clip area. That is, the frame of the clip (the green screen area, that is chroma'd into transparency) becomes the only part of the composite that I can see. The clip moves and shrinks, and the viewable area of the background moves and shrinks along with it.
I can make the frame of the clip huge, so that as it shrinks it always includes the background, however, this seems like a kludge, and requires specially sizing the part of the clip that I want to show.
How might I more effectively move and resize a clip without it effectively "matte-ing" out the background?
Any help with this would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Let me try another explanation, on a hypothetical example (similar to my real project)
Say I've got a picture of a sidewalk as the background.
I've got a picture of a ball as the foreground.
I put the picture of the ball on a "green screen"
I put the ball on Video Track 2, the sidewalk on Video Track 1
In the Transparency Effect for the ball, I select chroma, and select the green backcolor
In the Motion effect for the ball, I have it move from top to bottom, and as it moves down, it decresases in size by 50%.
The problem is that as that as the frame for the ball shrinks, the view "thru the now-transparent green screen" also shrinks...I only see the part of the sidewalk behind the shrinking ball frame.
I've looked at (have the trial, but not fully investigated) Elements 8, and it looks like it's Premiere 6.5 repackaged with a (pardon me) eye-punishing format, a dumbed down (and thus harder to use) GUI, and a mass market price.
So, I'm assuming if there's a way to beat this problem in Elements, it can be done the same way in 6.5
Thanks again for attention to this. I'd like to clarify that at this point it is somewhat academic, because I'm probably going to be able generate all my animations outside Premiere and import then as individual frames. Works slick! However it would be nice to know how to do the above, in case it's needed.

AE in 32 bits mode, masks and banding

hi, im doing an AE CS4 project in 32 bits, i create a mask and with all levels of feathering and expansion i can see banding so clearly, i thought 32 bits would solve the banding issues, i see this with all examples, say that i put a black solid over a clip and i mask it with an oval to create a vignete, i use feathering and expansion where necessary, but still in 32 bits mode i can see clearly banding, of course with the add grain filter i can get rid of it, but i add also noise; am i doing something wrong, is it possible that in 32 bits mode banding still happens? there is non way to avoid it?
thank u so much for any help
jav

really this seems now to be a generic issue of after effects, photoshop etc, lets write the facts
1) im testing with two computers, a good laptop and a good desktop, both new , powerful, both with NVIDIA graphic cards which i guess are supposed to be good graphic cards
2) im using the latest software, photoshop CS4 and AE CS4
3) im trying all this in 32 bits in both and in the other modes later also
4) i am switching off opengl as for the suggestions i receive, and also im seeing all at full resolution
so given all that written above, now we go to photoshop, create a new file say 1920x1080, take a greyscale gradient with the gradient tool and put it on a new layer,
and there it is, the banding! ))
so either there is something really wrong in my setup, or this is a generic problem
i thought it could be my video hardware, but how could this be, both my control panel settings of both computers are set to highest color depth 32 bits, and both have NVIDIA graphic cards, and both are a year old or the desktop a month old, i mean it cannot get much more recent, certainly its not the best hardware around thats for sure, but really i think it should be enough to display an smooth gradient i would hope
i have known about the technique to use Add Noise for a long time to get rid of banding but i didnt remember that banding would happen so easily in a simple gradient or in a simple mask even at 32 bits, this is what puzzles me, i thought the whole point of 32 bits is that these things like this type of banding wouldnt happen
thank u for any help
by the way ,searching around online i have seen so many threads of people complaining about banding,
is Adobe addressing somewhere what seems to be a generic concern about Banding, maybe with a nice article explaining the reasons, causes, and solutions for banding that u may still get in 32 bits etc? that would be very nice
thank u again
jav

Can someone point me to a tutorial on image masking and alpha channels?

Can someone point me to a tutorial on image masking and alpha channels?
Goal is to make a picture in a picture frame become a moving image.
I am trying now to figure out how to make a hole in a video by subtracting a 16x9 sized rectangle.
Thanks.

hi
depending on how complicated your shot is, you may be able to get away with simply placing the image within the frame on top of the background shot. Then resize down to fit. You may then need to tweak its corners using the corner pin tool to get it to sit in the right perspective plane. You may find you need to soften the edges of the top layer image so its not so sharp and hard. For this you probably would need to add a mask and soften its edges. Then you might need to add some noise and/or colour correction to make it sit naturally with the background image. and finally if there are any shadows cast over the picture frame you will need to add them back over the new image. You can use a black shape, with its opacity cranked down with a blur filter on it.
The manual describes all of these process pretty well.
hth
adam

2.35:1 masking and resized clips

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