@BSMan

Hi

. . . . For example, should I be able to set up two keys within a video and then apply an effect to those keys? . . . .

It is actually the other way round - you apply the effect to the clip and set keyframes - I would suggest you watch these tutorials:

1. Keyframe animator
    
2. Keyframes
    
3. How to reduce a clip to nothing using keyframes
    
4. How to make video fly

While the above are using an older version of MEP, the principles are still the same.

HTH

John EB

 

Latest verson this dorsnt work, MEP 2022 you can add a keyframe at the first image or clip but then keyframe is greyed out and you cannot add a second keyframe, once agin MEP has ruined what used to work wel and make so called updates without ASKING regular users....I'm furious with Magix for what they have done to this version...

@gambo @BSMan @johnebaker

Hi Gambo.

The incident where the add key frame button is greyed out mainly occurs with the new size position tool.

One way to activate it scroll down to the rotate controls and rotate any of the three controls and then set it back to zero. That then activates the add key frame button. I think it is a known and reported bug but there is at least this one workaround for now.

The right to change specifications of any manufactured product without forward warning or consumer consent is in every large companies contracts. You will even find that clause in the back or your cars' user manual to cover any part swap that may not have been in the original advertising.

Ray.

Hi,

@gambo

Just click in a box with values for each object. Without changing a value, the kf + button should light up. Does it?

Also, this thread is about how to use/do animation in Video Pro X, not MEP. Please look at other threads about this or start your own and show in detail what you are doing and what is happening.

John CB

@gambo @BSMan @johnebaker

Hi Gambo.

The incident where the add key frame button is greyed out mainly occurs with the new size position tool.

One way to activate it scroll down to the rotate controls and rotate any of the three controls and then set it back to zero. That then activates the add key frame button. I think it is a known and reported bug but there is at least this one workaround for now.

The right to change specifications of any manufactured product without forward warning or consumer consent is in every large companies contracts. You will even find that clause in the back or your cars' user manual to cover any part swap that may not have been in the original advertising.

Ray.

Thats doesn't work, it creates one single keyframe and you cannot add any more or drag the keyframe along the timeline...tried each of the "rotate" options and reset to "zero" no difference... :(

@gambo @BSMan @johnebaker @browj2

JohneBaker,

Thanks for the links to the tutorials. They were a help, especially the last one. However, I'm finding that the keyframes certainly don't work in VPX13 they way I would expect. I also googled and found a tutorial video specifically for keyframes in Video Pro, but when I tried it didn't work as expected. Here's what I'd like to do for one video object, but it doesn't work:

1. Start full screen

2. At a selected point start the zoom effect to the next point which will define a section (which the zoom will have gone to from full screen), then continue with the section selected to the next point.

3. At that next point begin a zoom (with the same section size) from left to right using the same section size.

More beyond that, but I think that pretty well describes what I'm trying to do with the idea of setting keyframes at each critical point.

However, if I set a keyframe (for the "next point" mentioned in #2 above and the zoom which should start with the full screen and go to a section, as soon as I identify the section the keyframes are gone and, most important, the section selected is now for the entire video. I've tried doing this a number of times and ways and the end result is that it does not work, certainly not in any logical way. I never did get to item #3.

Bob

@BSMan

Hi

The order in which the effect is keyframed is not as you describe

For your example:

1. Apply the effect Camera/Zoom effect to the video/image object
    
2. Define the size of the section and location - this can be done in the Preview monitor or by typing values directly into the effect dialog.
    
3. In the Keyframe editor
   - move the start keyframe to where you want the zoom to start (your item 2)
   - move the 'end' keyframe to where the zoom is to stop (your item 3)
    
4. Optional - for a pause before zooming again, copy the 'end' keyframe, position the timeline cursor where the pause is to end and paste the keyframe.
   .
5. Move the timeline cursor to where the second zoom is to end, then adjust the section in the preview monitor - a new keyframe will be added.

HTH

John EB.

I was able to set up the camera/zoom effect to start where I wanted and end with a section as I wanted. Copied the end keyframe to later in the video to where I wanted the pan zoom to start. As soon as I select the pan/zoom the entire video is selected for the pan/zoom (item 3) and the earlier defined zooming in (#2) keyframes are gone as well as that original effect. And if I go back to play from the beginning of the object after moving the starting keyframe to further along in the object, the beginning prior to where I want the pan to start is at the small section that the pan starts with rather than starting with a full screen, then zoom down to the section before starting the pan. It would appear that I need to trim the object at the point where I want to start the left to right pan and set up keyframes, etc, for that object separately since VEP13 will not allow multiple camera pan/zoom actions within the same object.

A related problem is that there does not seem to be a way to reset an effect on an object. When I click video effects it's reset all or nothing.

Bob

@BSMan

Hi

From what you have described a step has been missed and an unnecessary step introduced.

Added see the example below with a pause between zooms

To reset an effect click the 2 triangle icon top right of the effect pane.

John EB

OK, that gets me as far as starting with full screen, then zooming to a section and the section continuing after that. But when I then try copying keyframes or setting new ones, as soon as I select zoom to right the earlier defined effects are gone as well as their associated keyframes, and the video starts with the section selected for the end of the zoom. I can trim the object at that point and start applying the pan effect to the new object, but if I understand you correctly I should not have to do that.

While doing this I'm having problems with the fact that I don't see the current time displayed and when I stop playback it insists on stopping where I stopped playback while providing no option to return to the place I started the playback (like you can, for example, in Samplitude).

Bob

@BSMan @gambo @johnebaker @browj2

Hi Bob.

I personally can't replicate the problems you are having with key frames missing once applied.

For traversing the timeline I use the cursor in the key frame editor and press the space bar for start and stop of the clip I'm using.

I put this together in about six minutes and as such is rough and ready using an outtake I normally wouldn't consider using. It took longer to load to YouTube.

I do think that this version of MEP may be more picky about the components it can use within a build depending on the content load and effects used but which components and what resolutions and frame rates is hard to start to pinpoint until people effected start putting their updated system build components into their signatures.

Ray.

Are you using MEP or VP13? I'm using VP13 and I can assure you that I have tried doing this many times and every time I tried to make the second zoom I lost all of the previously defined effects.

Bob

As part of this I'm also now trying to use a second video object that will start it's full size and then zoom to a section, but with that object selected I can't get VP13 to insert a keyframe when I want to set up the zoom. Same kind of situation except now VP13 won't even allow any keyframes to be created for the second video object.

Bob

@BSMan

Hi Bob,

It sounds to me like you didn't create the first keyframe - the one where you are starting. Click in a numbers box to turn on the keyframe + button. Click on it to create the first kf. Move along the timeline, stop, change something, like the size. A new kf will be created automatically. Move along the timeline. If you want to hold the effect that was at the previous kf, you have to add a kf before changing anything. Click on the +. Move along the timeline, change the size to what you want and a kf will be added. Movement occurs from kf to kf. If you want to hold something, you have to create a kf for the hold.

You will have to click in a box for each object to activate the keyframe button.

John CB

I'll keep working on it. Part of my problem may be with forgetting to remove the lock on an object before trying to apply keyframes and effects.

Thanks to all of you for your help (and patience) so far.

Bob

@BSMan @browj2 @gambo @johnebaker

Hi Bob.

You are correct and I am using MEP 2022 which both programs are supposed to have had the same patch fixes , not that I remember a specific fix for key frames being mentioned, nor have I had any problems once a key frame has been set into any clip.

What I have been doing is as follows.

Cut the clip just before I want to start using any key frames.

Place my first key frame as close to the start as possible by adjusting one aspect of the zoom position. Either just a slight change in the position of the frame or use one of the the rotation tools to rotate slightly and then use the reset button to the side of a position box or put the rotation back to zero, This makes the Add Key Frame diamond button active. Press the diamond to place the first key frame.

Place the next key frame manually in the position of the timeline where I want my first movement to begin.

Reduce the size of the image within the monitor to 50% so I have space to drag the effect around and see all the handles to expand and contract the framing.

Re-size and place the frame as needed. A key frame is automatically generated.

Drag timeline cursor and use the scroll wheel to get to the next position if I want the zoom to hold. Manually add a key frame.

To smoothly zoom out or move across to another position within the time line place the timeline cursor to the next point where you want it to stop and then either drag the frame around or resize the frame or do both. Again a key frame is automatically placed on the time line. Repeat until finished.

If this is not happening for people I would strongly suggest using different settings within the program settings for the Device options on Import, Processing, and Export to see if any other combination for works for them.

In this instance I think the Processing box may need to be changed to something else.

Ray.

@BSMan @browj2 @gambo @johnebaker

On further inspection I have come across one caveat.

If I return to a previous clip that has had Size / Position added upon re-opening a project and I want to re-edit the size and positioning, I find the add key frames and bin options greyed out again. The fix for that for me seems to be to click on the first key frame diamond again and re-adjust and reset that key frame again. Then the key frames are editable again.

This may have implications if more than one clip is using the size position tool. I will investigate further when I have time at the weekend.

Ray.

Keyframes do not seem to be consistent in whether they are applied or not. I'm trying to do the Bruce Tomlinson video effect (tutorial at to get a video to "fly out of nowhere" and go to full screen with rotation in the process of "flying" as shown in his tutorial. However, I set the keyframe a few seconds in to define where I want full screen, then go to the beginning of the clip and set up the rotation and set a keyframe there as where I want the "flying to full screen" to start. But when I play it back the video never moves anywhere and does not even go to full screen at the next keyframe.

Bob

@BSMan

Hi

. . . . I set the keyframe a few seconds in to define where I want full screen, then go to the beginning of the clip and set up the rotation and set a keyframe there as where I want the "flying to full screen" to start. But when I play it back the video never moves anywhere and does not even go to full screen at the next keyframe. . . . .

I suspect the problem is you appear to have missed a step out - specifying a Size & Position where the clip should fly in from - watch the video from here

John EB

John,

When I go through the steps it doesn't work. Here's what happens in VPX13:

1. Go to 3 seconds, select size/position/rotation. A box comes up that says "apply effect". I set a keyframe, then click on "apply effect" box. The set etc keyframe boxes are grayed out.. I then slide up/down the effect box for that effect and the keyframe boxes re-appear.

2. So I click on the set keyframe again at the same spot, then move to the beginning of the clip and set up the rotation, size, location the same as Bryce does in his tutorial, and after doing that click on set keyframe (at the beginning of my clip). By the way, the keyframes no longer are shown in the effects timeline. And when I click on the object and select reset all video effects to start over, now when set the clip at 3 seconds and select size/position/rotate (select keyframe is grayed out). I have to go to camera/zoom shot effect to get the keyframe boxes to light up. Then I can select keyframe, go back to the size/position/rotation effect and and click again on set keyframe. Still no luck.

3. No matter what I try the clip does not go back to full screen at the 3 second keyframe. In fact, I haven't seen it work correctly yet. The last try I made (while typing these notes) flipped but went off screen.

I understand the concepts, but getting them to work correctly is really frustrating. It would be nice to have this in my toolbox, but it's not working so far.

Bob

3. Move to the beginning of the clip.

@BSMan

Hi Bob.

This is how I would do it.

First resize the image inside the monitor so you can see the outside edge of the main video.

Add the clip to another track below the main clip.

Resize the clip and place outside the main video using size / position / rotation.

If the add key frame isn't activated add an alteration into one of the boxes. I tend to use a rotation handle but it could anything and then reset it. That should bring up the add key frame diamond. Add the key frame.

Next go to the end position. Place the video how you want it to end. In this instance covering the whole frame.

A key frame should be automatically placed at that point.

Then go back to the first key frame by clicking on the diamond in the key editor. (Diamond changes colour)

Add the rotations. (My advice would be don't overdo it.)

Play the section back to see if it has taken.

Add a third key frame somewhere between the two key frames by placing the timeline cursor in the key frame editor to a new position and dragging the effect to another part of the screen to give the 'bounce effect' you saw in the tutorial video.

Trim the end of the clip and fade if needed.

End result.

Again just a rough and ready, done for you, example from odd clips.

Ray.

@BSMan

Hi,

When I go through the steps it doesn't work. Here's what happens in VPX13:

1. Go to 3 seconds, select size/position/rotation. A box comes up that says "apply effect". I set a keyframe, then click on "apply effect" box. The set etc keyframe boxes are grayed out..

No. You first have to click on "Apply effect."

1. Select the object and put the playback marker where you want the first kf.
2. Click on "Apply effect."
3. Click on a numbers box, like width, to turn on the + button; do not change anything in the box.
4. In the kf area, click on Size/Position/Rotation.
5. If you don't see the details, click on the down arrow at the left.
6. Click on the + button. A kf should show up beside each of the parameters, from Size/Position/Rotation on down to Offset: Y. It is important to get a starting kf for each effect if you intend to use them or at least for the effects that you intend to use.
7. Move the playback marker to the beginning where you want the object effect to start.
8. Zoom out on the Preview Monitor using the hamburger menu at the top left - make it 50%.
9. Resize and drag the image off of the screen (that is why we zoomed out of the Monitor - to see where the object is), add some rotation. KF's will be placed automatically at that and any subsequent location. The only time you need to click on + again is when you want to hold the previous kf's before starting another effect like size/position/rotation. Again, make sure that a kf is set for at least the effects that you want to hold.
10. Drag the playback marker along the timeline or kf timeline and you'll now see your image unrotate, resize and move to the centre of the Preview Window.
11. Zoom in on the Preview Monitor using the hamburger menu at the top left - make it 100%.
12. Repeat and rinse for other kf's

John CB