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Using generated media

Generated media plug-ins are a special class of plug- in that creates virtual media files contained in events on the timeline. These virtual files are stored in the Project Media window, where their properties can be viewed and modified.

Generated media provide an easy way to add text, backgrounds, or test patterns to your project. You can view the generators by choosing Media Generators from the View menu to display the Media Generators window.

Generated media events can be animated using keyframes. For more information, see Using keyframe animation on page 273 and Animating generated text on page 280.

Generated media

Description

Checkerboard

Creates checked and striped patterns.

Color gradient

Creates gradient colored events to be used behind overlays, as

 

masks, or for fades.

 

 

Credit roll

Creates events that format your text into credits. Text can be

 

formatted within the Video Event FX dialog in Vegas software, or

 

pasted into this dialog from a word processing processing

 

program.

Noise texture

Creates realistic-looking textures.

 

 

Solid color

Creates solid colored events to be used behind overlays or for

 

fades.

Test pattern

Creates standard test patterns that can be used to calibrate your

 

video output stream. Many studios and broadcast facilities require

 

a color bar pattern at the beginning of your video so that

 

engineers can calibrate their equipment.

 

 

Text

Creates events containing text for titles or simple credits. Text can

 

be formatted with color, shadows, and other effects.

 

 

Adding a generated media event

You can add a generated media event by choosing Generated Media from the Insert menu. This adds the event at the cursor position in the selected track. However, perhaps the simplest way to add generated media is through drag-and-drop.

1.From the View menu, choose Media Generators. The Media Generators window displays.

2.Drag a generator from the Media Generators window to the project. The mouse cursor changes to indicate when you can drop the generator.

3.Modify the generator in the Video FX window and close the window when you are finished. To modify settings at a later time, click the Generated Media

button () on the event. For help on the different controls in the Video FX window, click the Plug-In Help button () to access online help.

Tip: A generated media event is ten seconds long as a default. However, you can trim the event to any length. For more information, see Trimming an event on page 103.

Generated Media button

CHP. 14

USING VIDEO FX, COMPOSITING, AND MASKS