Help! Video FX added to Letterbox footage...

[tjcolvin]

I added a VideoFX to letterboxed footage and of course, the black bars have the effect over them. I have searched the threads and am still confused as to how to fix it. I tried following a post by John Hudson where he suggests using "regular transparent to black" (did he mean "rectangular transparent to black" under color gradient?) to no avail. I am looking to do the easiest thing, preferably something that can be done completely in Vegas.

Any help is much appreciated it.

[David Jimerson]

Go to pan/crop and select the preset for "16:9." Remember that you'll reveal whatever's under it.

[J.R. Hudson]

Use this LINK and Download the 3 Available Files

http://www.visuar.com/letterbox/calc.htm

Although that "Reg Trans to Black" can be used; just use these. Insert them on a separate track and then make a "Compositing Child."

[David Jimerson]

Another way of doing it! Remember, though, that making a compositing child is NOT the same in Vegas 5 as it is in Vegas 4.

[J.R. Hudson]

It's not?

Funny, correct me if I am wrong; but V4 does not have the 16:9 PRST does it? Damn, I don't want to UPGRADE just yet (Budget).

[David Jimerson]

V4 does.

[J.R. Hudson]

DUh. I never use that (or havent in forever anyway). I'm always using a 2:35 these days :P

[tjcolvin]

Thanks, guys. That was a big help. David, what did you mean that I would reveal what was underneath? I don't see the effect at the bottom or the sides like some people have complained of. Also, are those downloads from John the same thing, i.e. is either way of doing it necessarily better? I must say, John, utilizing the pan/crop is definitely quicker. ;D

Thanks again.

[David Jimerson]

If you crop a track and there's another track underneath it, you'll see what's underneath -- unless you crop that track, too.

Won't matter if there's no other track underneath. Then, it will just be black.

[J.R. Hudson]

Davids way is much quicker/simpler. Again, I've been toying with 2:35 as of late so I typically insert it last