Mask Filter Question

[John Hooper]

I am experimenting with the Mask filter to pixelize certain areas of the image. I have this basically setup using the Mosaic filter and it pixelizes just fine.

But what I'm wondering is, how do I make the effect disappear for a while then come back later. For example, I want to show the pixel effect, then have it go away, then return later. I tried animating the Opacity, but when I turn it to zero, the shape gets dark. I simply want to use the pixelate effect in some portions of the video and not in others.

Thanks for any pointers on this!

Before you do what you have done above, copy the clip and put it on a track below. Make sure you have the "Combine Filter Layers and Track Layers" checked in the User Settings.

By doing this the opacity will reveal the "clean" clip below and give the impression that the mosaic effect is fading in or out.

I think Grassvally_SL suggested this in reply #5

[THoff]

This Mask filter is being applied to the finished video. I have no desire to slice and dice at this point.

To work around this, you could create a new sequence and insert the sequence with the finished video into it. You can then apply the Mask filter to the new sequence and slice and dice as needed.

[GrassValley_SL]

Keyframe the shape.
Make sure you activate the keyframes for it.
Deselect the maintain aspect ratio for the shape and you can do with and height separate

[Mike Truly]

Thanks again for all the info! These suggestions give a lot of options. I just used the slicing and dicing method and I think it will be pretty quick once I am more familar with the controls in the UI.

One other related question. If I have drawn an oval shape, what do I have to do to be able to resize the proportion of the shape? I can change the size of the oval but can't seem to figure out how to make the shape change from say a tall oval to a wide oval.

Do I have to draw a new shape to make the desired shape?

Thanks again.

[GrassValley_SL]

Another option would be to use the Blend Filter function within the "inside" of the mask filter. You can then key frame using the Blend Filter function. Set one side to None and one side to Mosaic. I haven't tried it but it seems it may be a way to trick Edius into doing what you want it to without slicing and dicing. Just an idea.

Try to move the cti in the blend filter. :D

[GrassValley_SL]

What you can do if you want more control over the 2 masks is apply the mask twice.
This way you can control the opacity separate for each mask.
You can have 2 instances of the Mask filter open to. :)

Cutting the clip is way faster.

[Philip]

Thanks very much for all the ideas. I think I understand how this works now.

All the methods seem to work OK, it's just I have some particular issues that make this a bit cumbersome and time consuming. I think Steve's original method of cutting up the clip may be the best route.

For example, this video involves two aircraft. The scenes transition from one to another and both aircraft need to be pixelated. Sometimes there's only a single aircraft in the frame, other times there are two aircraft. This necessitates 2 mask shapes. But the individual shapes don't seem to be opacity keyframable so the whole mask is keyframed for opacity which won't work.

Steve's method of slicing up scenes then isolates what happens to each scene which is fine. If they moved the Opacity function under each shape, then the mask filter would work directly.

Thanks again for the info!

Another option would be to use the Blend Filter function within the "inside" of the mask filter. You can then key frame using the Blend Filter function. Set one side to None and one side to Mosaic. I haven't tried it but it seems it may be a way to trick Edius into doing what you want it to without slicing and dicing. Just an idea.

[Mike Truly]

Thanks very much for all the ideas. I think I understand how this works now.

All the methods seem to work OK, it's just I have some particular issues that make this a bit cumbersome and time consuming. I think Steve's original method of cutting up the clip may be the best route.

For example, this video involves two aircraft. The scenes transition from one to another and both aircraft need to be pixelated. Sometimes there's only a single aircraft in the frame, other times there are two aircraft. This necessitates 2 mask shapes. But the individual shapes don't seem to be opacity keyframable so the whole mask is keyframed for opacity which won't work.

Steve's method of slicing up scenes then isolates what happens to each scene which is fine. If they moved the Opacity function under each shape, then the mask filter would work directly.

Thanks again for the info!

[GrassValley_SL]

If you keyframe the opacity an alpha channels is created this is working as as it should.
Put a color matt under-need it and you will see the color where you put opacity to 0.


Are you saying it's impossible to make the filter fade in and out during the clip?
Yes if the filter is not keyframe-able by it self.


But if you tried what I wrote first logic would have it that if you copy the video portion of the clip and put it underneath you will see the original clip trough the created alpha channel.
This would create a fade from pixelated to normal.

Sometimes as an editor you have to sit and think how you can achieve certain things.

[Khoi Pham]

Can you put an exact same clip without the mask on a higher track and use the opacity to fade it in so that it looks like the mask pixels clips is fading out? I don't have E6 so this way should work for all version.

[Mike Truly]

Thanks for the ideas Steve.

This Mask filter is being applied to the finished video. I have no desire to slice and dice at this point. I merely want to make the Mask/Pixelize effect fade in and out. Opacity would seem to be the way to do this but keying Opacity from 100% to zero makes the shape turn black... not exactly zero opacity.

Are you saying it's impossible to make the filter fade in and out during the clip?

Thanks again.

[GrassValley_SL]

Cut the video and remove it on the clips where you don't need it?

[Mike Truly]

I am experimenting with the Mask filter to pixelize certain areas of the image. I have this basically setup using the Mosaic filter and it pixelizes just fine.

But what I'm wondering is, how do I make the effect disappear for a while then come back later. For example, I want to show the pixel effect, then have it go away, then return later. I tried animating the Opacity, but when I turn it to zero, the shape gets dark. I simply want to use the pixelate effect in some portions of the video and not in others.

Thanks for any pointers on this!