Help!! How do you put titles on video!!

[scenedirector]

I know I must be an idiot, but I can figure out the nature of laying simple titles on my video with a fade in,hold, fade out. I don't need to scroll or have any fancy effects. I just want to fade in, hold, and fade out simple titles.
I can't figure it out through the tutorial.
I use to work with Adobe a while back, but heard a bunch of good things about Vegas. It has been a uphill battle learning curve, but I know it is worth it.

I have client deadlines breathing on my neck. Quick, simple help would be MUCH APPRECIATED. Thanks guys!!

[J.R. Hudson]

Open up a NEW VIDEO TRACK and place it on top.

Select MEDIA GENERATORS

Selct the TEXT STYLE you want (Default)

At the bottom you will see the options for changing the font, size, colors, placement and other properties.

To fade it in and out you first need to CLICK and HOLD the Track and DRAG it to where you want it to end. *FOr fading, put your cursor either in the UPPER RIGHT or UPPER LEFT of the TEXT TRACK. *Look for a little PIECE OF PIE ARC to show up; CLICK AND DRAG and you will see a curved line appear; this is your FADE TRANSITION CONTROL.

Hope this helps.

[Gary_Kleiner]

John's explanation has some errors in fact and terminology, so I will take a stab at it:

1)Create a new video track (Ctrl/Shift/Q) which, by default, will appear as the top track.

2)Set the cursor where you want the text to appear, then right-click the track. Choose Insert Text Media.

3)Set up your text and properties with the tabs near the top of the text dioalog box.

4)Set the length of the text event as you would trim any other event by dragging its edge.

5) Set fades as you would any event by hovering your mouse pointer at the top left or right edge until you see the quarter-pie, then drag.

Gary

[J.R. Hudson]

I love VEGAS; many ways to do the same thing. I wouldnt exactly say I had 'errors in fact'; doing it this way works to a T (albeit my way of doing it). In fact, the only difference I see is "...right-click the track. Choose Insert Text Media..."

Silly rabbit. :D

[Gary_Kleiner]

John, email me privatley and we can go over it.

Gary
VegasEditing@aol.com

[David Jimerson]

Looks to me like you're both right. You can right-click at the cursor point, OR you can drag in a text-box of your chosen style from the media generators.

The advanced user will gravitate toward Gary's method, but I think it's also helpful to the beginner to go to the Media Generator window and get a graphic representation of the text style he'd like to choose.

[scenedirector]

Thanks guys!! You are saving me hundreds in refund money (late delivery policy)!!!

Tell me this though: Does the title have to be track 1?

My problem was that I had my video on track 1, I would add a track, then I would go into the media generator and try to make my title, then drop it onto the new track on the timeline where I wanted it on the video. I know about fading it and duration, and "tweeking" my text to how I wanted it, but when I laid it down on the second track, it wouldn't show up in the preview.
I tried actually laying it on the video track, I even tried messing with the composite buttons (still don't know how to use those yet).

I'm really frustrated because I KNOW I have a great tool here and I am not even scratching the surface in what it can do, but the instructions are awful, both print and in the software.

My Vegas+DVD also has the Graffiti limited edition, and I know that is A LOT MORE EXPRESSIVE than the titler in Vegas 5. But I can't seem to learn that easily either.

Is there any literature or something that is "Vegas+DVD for Dummies" that can help us upcoming editors tap into these professional tools a lot better.

Thanks for listening!!

[Gary_Kleiner]

The principle is that you can see what's in the timeline looking from the topmost track down.

The title doesn't have to be on track one, it just has to be above what you want it to appear over (and not be obscured by what's above it). Also make sure the track isn't muted or you won't see anything on that track.

As for learning Vegas, my admittedly biased opinion is that you should check out The Vegas 5 Companion DVD set. It's 9 hours of instruction. Not only for dummies, but smart people too :-)

Gary

[David Jimerson]

Well, sure -- there's the whole VASST line of tutorials and materials at www.vasst.com.

There's Douglas Spotted Eagle's series of tutorials, which are GOLD.

And Gary Kleiner (who posted in this thread) also has a well-regarded series of video/written tutorials and just released a comprehensive one for Vegas 5.

[J.R. Hudson]

Get the DVD's by either Gary or Douglas (Is one more for amatuer than expert?). You will not be dispointed. I have Gary's V4 DVD's and they are easy to use, easy to reference and easy to learn.

You will save countless time stumbling through it if you do. Vegas is rockin. In no time you will be the masta young Jedi! Be patient.

[scenedirector]

Thanks guys. I LOVE THIS SITE!!