how'd he do that?

[videojim]

In the Candy Factory training video there is a scene with letters on the screen, that the speaker said he'd layered in. How's it done where you see actual letters on the screen instead of a title effect marker on the screen.

[IanPearson]

Jim
Having not seen the Candy Factory training DVD, I'm not quite sure what you mean. If you can give me a little more description, I may be able to explain.

Ian

[videojim]

Instead of a scene on the storyboard wih the "title" icon on it, a black background shows with letters on it. How was that done? The author says its a layered scene. That lesson got by me somehow.

[IanPearson]

OK Jim I understand now, I think you are refering to Chet's webinar.

First he generated a black still scene, using “New”, etc. He placed this in the story board and added white or partially white lettering, using the “Title” effect.

He then, whilst still in the “Title” screen made a scene of this using the “Scene” button. This placed the black still with lettering in the scene bin. This is called layering, since a layer, in this case lettering, is added to a background and then a new scene is generated, in which the background and lettering are now cemented together as a new scene.

Now a moving scene can be placed in the story board, followed by the lettering on a black background and the Candy Factory effect used to key out the black, etc. The original black scene can be removed from the story board.

Incidentally, layering is a very useful tool, since an effect can be added to an effect as many times as required.

Ian

PS It is approaching 1am here, so I an about to go to my bed, hope the above answered your question.

[videojim]

Yes, that did it. Thanks, Ian. Don't know what I'd do without this forum. The only dumb questions are the ones that need to be asked, but don't.

[IanPearson]

As you say Jim, there is no such thing as a dumb question, we have all had to learn and this forum has been the main source of help to us all at some time.

What some seem to forget is, that in the early days of none linier editing (NLE) the systems and programs were relatively simple, so as advancements have been introduced, we that have been here since the start have grown up with the changes. In fact, before the extensive programs were introduced, we had to find work arounds to produce some of the now more routine effects, etc.

Although the Casablanca system is still comparatively easy, compared to PC based systems, we now have a number of different machines, operating systems and a large number of programs, not to mention film formats, etc.

I can therefore understand that someone coming in now is faced with a far steeper learning curve, compared to when I started with NLE.

Going back to the scene making and layering, as I said this is one of the most important and fundamental functions in producing multiple effects. The “scene + effect” is the most commonly used function, it not only gives a separate combined scene, but by choosing “Create scene in scene bin” and leaving the “Replace in storyboard” unchecked, it not only gives a new cemented scene, but does not loose the original scene. The original can then be removed from the story board when you are ready.

When creating many layers, this can be useful, since occasionally it is required to make a change say part way through an effect building sequence. If the original stages have been deleted, it would be necessary to start again from the beginning, whereas keeping the stages you can go back to the point where a modification is required and build from there.

Bit long winded Jim, but keep asking the questions and one day you will find yourself answering them. The best way of learning is to teach.

Ian