Adjusting alpha masks within the movie editing suite?

Former user wrote on 3/17/2020, 3:00 PM

Hi, I have Magix Movie Edit Pro Plus, To create a precise alpha mask, following the contours of something, I export a frame of the movie/clip to a jpeg image, then open it in Gimp to create an alpha mask, often using the Paths tool, this is fine if the camera image is stationary but if the camera is moving the alpha mask needs to be adjusted, ideally with each frame but ever other frame would do, to do this with Movie pro plus i would have to export the clip as images then an alpha mask created for every frame, I know images size/aspect ratio etc. can be adjusted within the movie editing suite but it is fairly limited, I saw once somewhere, i don't remember where, a program that let you draw the mask within the video editing suite then tweak it as the vid is scrolled along,

Do Magix offer a suite that can do this sort of thing? Thanks 👍

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 3/17/2020, 3:51 PM

@Former user

There is no such function in Movie Edit Pro or its big brother Video Pro X.

See if this tutorial or this tutorial - using your mask, help with what you are wanting to do.

HTH

John EB

Former user wrote on 3/17/2020, 4:13 PM

Hi, yep I'm aware of the attach to picture position, I could use keyframes to locate the mask also but that's not the problem it's that the masked part, the black or white parts themselves have to change shape & amount of B&W as the film rolls but thankyou anyway, 👍

Scenestealer wrote on 3/17/2020, 4:24 PM

@Former user

There is an exchange function that uses Xara Designer Pro in conjunction VPX (and MEP?) to transfer a movie sequence from the timeline to the graphics program and create a dynamic moving mask to match and then return this to the timeline. I am not sure if this is working correctly in recent versions as there were some problems which @browj2 could tell you more about.

Peter

browj2 wrote on 3/17/2020, 11:07 PM

@Former user @Scenestealer @johnebaker

Here is the tutorial for creating masks using Xara Designer Pro X or Xara Photo & Graphics Designer. You can make multiple, moving, resizable masks, with changing transparency, but not feather-edging.

Yes, there is currently a problem as the XAR object empties itself upon reboot. This is on the bug list and there have been problems (the first problem was replaced by another) for more than 2 years now. The workaround is to save the XARA project file before returning to the video editor. That way, it can be reimported as needed, replacing the XAR object on the timeline. The other way or the follow-up is to export the sequence (range) including the mask and the main video once the sequence is complete to an mxv file and use that instead of the mask XAR object to be able complete the project.

John CB

Former user wrote on 3/19/2020, 2:44 PM

Thanks brow, i think that is pretty much what I'm after 👍

I've used Magix edit for 18yrs-ish, I make videos of my work for YT, I keep the videos very simple but sometimes i want to blur things, like the reg plate of my van.. up till now I've duplicated the clip & overlayed it one above the other, then added a mask the right shape in between, blurred the bottom or top clip so that using the mask the blurred bit shows through, but i didn't know about the eye button, from now on all i need to do is blur the clip, add a mask & click the eye button, 😂👍 I use keyframes & size/position for the movement on simple masks that stay the same shape-ish but I would like make control, like in your vid,

I looked at Xara Designer Pro X, £200, is this the one in your vid?, I might have to put it in a wish list folder at that price,

https://www.magix.com/index.php?gclid=CjwKCAjwsMzzBRACEiwAx4lLG5NubcIfV1hqogax48lC4PscD8uwc-_T64My6gSIsUnbGQvbquc7GBoCkHkQAvD_BwE&id=24807&L=38&C=74&ef_id=CjwKCAjwsMzzBRACEiwAx4lLG5NubcIfV1hqogax48lC4PscD8uwc-_T64My6gSIsUnbGQvbquc7GBoCkHkQAvD_BwE:G:s&AffiliateID=91&phash=52DoOfQmmF2Qqab9

browj2 wrote on 3/19/2020, 3:01 PM

@Former user

Unless you intend to do some web design, all you need is Xara Photo & Graphics Designer for £40. I suggest trying out the trial version first. A new version of Designer Pro X just came out, P&GD should follow soon, so best to wait out the 30 day trial.

See the comparison chart.

John CB

Former user wrote on 3/19/2020, 3:12 PM

Thanks just had a quick try with the Xara Photo & Graphics Designer in the trial version, like you say that'll be all i need, 👍

browj2 wrote on 3/19/2020, 4:46 PM

@Former user

Good!

Take heed of the bug. The XAR object will like be empty after closing and restarting the project in MEP, if not today, then tomorrow. Save the XARA project file before returning to the video editor for the last time in a session. Use File, Save copy as. That way, it can be reimported as needed, replacing the XAR object on the timeline. The other way or the follow-up is to export the sequence (range) including the mask and the main video once the sequence is complete to an mxv file and use that instead of the mask XAR object to be able complete the project.

Remember that you can open Xara by double-clicking on the XAR object on the timeline. If you make further changes, then save them again before returning to MEP.

If you run into the disappearing XAR content bug, raise a ticket with Magix. I need more people to complain about it.

John CB