Layout Tool Questions

[Mike Truly]

1. First off... is there a more recent version of the Helpfile available? A search for the term 'video layout' produces no results and I can't find the section about this tool.

I am using the Video Layout tool to apply a traveling ring over some video. This ring travels around the screen following a certain part of the video. Generally, the Video Layout tool works pretty well... but the interface to working with it sure could use some improvements and I'm wondering if I am missing some functionality.

2. The image of the ring is scaled down and since it's small, it's hard to grab and move around when viewing the tiny preview window. The other preview window shows the original ring image for cropping, etc. but is eating valuable screen real estate when not needed. Is there any way to make the preview window bigger?

3. Is there any way when on a keyframe to nudge the position of the ring using the arrow keys for small movements?

4. Is there any way to make the default keyframes that are created linear instead bezier?

5. Is there any way to temporarily disable the Video Layout (like you can with an applied Color Wheel, etc.)?

Thanks!

[Mike Truly]

Re: #3... I see I can use the spinners in the number field for fine adjustments... this works pretty well.

[tingsern]

Try downloading the PDF from Canopus website instead - I haven't used F1 for eons now.

[Mike Truly]

Tinsern,

Thanks for the ideas. Actually, I meant that I was using the supplied PDF (I hate PDF helpfiles... slow to open, hard to search, etc.).

I am trying to download the PDF from tech support but naturally, they don't really indicate whether it's been revised since release, etc. The link is also wacked in that when I click on it, it tries to OPEN a PDF instead of download it. And if I try to right-click the link to download it, the file it offers to save is NOT the PDF... but rather a PHP file.

If I try to let it open the PDF... all I get is a blank window with no indication of whether it's still downloading the document or not.

Ahh...OK, now I have let it download the PHP file and it seems to be downloading a file of the proper size... we'll see what I get when it's done. Hopefully a newer version of the PDF.

Sigh...

Thanks again.

[tingsern]

Yes - I understand that problem. A pain in the ... Blame that on the website authoring tool.

[Mike Truly]

Excellent... the downloaded version of the PDF seems to be a new version of the helpfile and it DOES now have the Video Layout tool info in it.

Thank you GV!

[tingsern]

Great news, Mike ... good for you.

[GrassValley_KH]

The cover of the manual now has the month/year it was compiled. So you should be able to tell when it was authored.

As for downloading - the PHP file is what calls the downloaded item (in this case a PDF file), from our filehost server. This isn't going to change any time soon. Later versions of the Adobe Reader browser plug-in (for IE at least) will have a size indicator in the bottom left corner.

Otherwise, you can use FireFox, which forces a download of the PDF. :)

(or, just go to the EDIUS product page and download it directly)

[Mike Truly]

Kenneally,

Thanks for the info.

I was able to download the PHP file (which was saved to disk as a whatever.PHP file and I had to rename it to be edius.pdf. Once I did, it then acted as a proper PDF file).

When using Firefox to try to view the PDF directly in the browser... It never downloaded or showed anything, just an empty tab in the browser.

Thanks again.

[GrassValley_KH]

When using Firefox to try to view the PDF directly in the browser... It never downloaded or showed anything, just an empty tab in the browser.

That's not good. Where were you downloading from? The EDIUS 5 software download page?

[Mike Truly]

Kenneally,

It was from the Edius5 Downloads section after loggin into tech support. When I left clicked on the link, the Adobe Acrobat reader splash screen popped up for a second and it appeared that it was going to show the PDF in the browser tab... but the tab just stayed white and it never showed up. Perhaps because it was 31 megs it was downloading it but there was no indication of this. This is on Win2000, Firefox2.

But downloading the file and renaming worked fine so I got what I needed.

Thanks!

[GrassValley_KH]

Just tested with Firefox here, running the Acrobat 8 - all appears smooth.

Maybe try a refresh of Adobe Reader 9 if it continues to be an issue for you?

[antonsvideo]

2. The image of the ring is scaled down and since it's small, it's hard to grab and move around when viewing the tiny preview window. The other preview window shows the original ring image for cropping, etc. but is eating valuable screen real estate when not needed. Is there any way to make the preview window bigger?

4. Is there any way to make the default keyframes that are created linear instead bezier?

5. Is there any way to temporarily disable the Video Layout (like you can with an applied Color Wheel, etc.)?

Thanks!

2. I agree

4. right click keyframe.....

5. not that I know off

[Mike Truly]

Hi Anton,

What I meant by #4 is... I know how to change each keyframe from bezier to linear and vice versa, but is there a way to make future new keyframes default to linear (instead of bezier) when they are created?

Thanks!

[antonsvideo]

no way, sorry

the layout tool still needs work