Sony Vegas 6 Manual

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Tips: If you don’t want to convert all clips in their entirety, 
create regions to indicate the portions of the captured HDV 
clips that you want to convert to an intermediate format, and 
then the Batch Render script to render the regions to the 
desired format.
Remember that Vegas software supports multiple instances. 
You can use one instance of the application to render your 
intermediate files while you continue editing in another 
instance. Use network rendering to queue multiple render 
jobs.
Using DVD Architect software, you can create a DVD that 
contains an SD version of your project and place an HD 
Windows Media version in the Extras folder on the disk. 
When you browse to the Extras folder via Windows 
Explorer, you can play the HD version and output it to your 
computers display, a home theater, or a projector.
Replacing intermediate files with HDV source for HD delivery
If you’re planning to render to a format that supports high-definition video or print to an HD tape via a 
Blackmagic Design Decklink™ card, replace your HDV intermediate file with the original transport stream 
after you’re finished editing and before you render.
Note: If your intermediate files were rendered using the 
CineForm HD codec, you wont need to replace the 
intermediate files with the transport streams.
1.Right-click the HDV intermediate file in the Project Media window.
2.Choose Replace from the shortcut menu.
3.Browse to the MPEG-2 transport stream that corresponds to the intermediate file, and then click Open. 
						

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USING ADVANCED VIDEO FEATURESCHP. 13
Modifying video properties
Modifying project video properties 
You can access project video properties by clicking the File menu and choosing Properties or by clicking the 
Project Video Properties button () on the Video Preview window. Many of these settings are identical to the 
settings found on the 
Project tab of the Custom Template dialog. Final render properties set up in the Custom 
Template dialog override the following Project Properties settings. For more information, see Video tab on page 
312.
These properties control all of the default settings for your project. Without making any changes, these are 
also the settings that are used to create a final rendered movie file.
 Select a preset template from the Te m p l a t e  drop-down 
list to automatically configure the remaining video
 
controls in this dialog. Many popular formats are 
included, but you should consult your hardware manuals 
if you have any questions. You can also save your own 
custom template.
 Click the Match Media Settings button () to set your 
project properties to match the properties of a media file 
of your choosing.
 The values in the Width and Height boxes set the frame 
size of your final movie.
 Choose an option from the Field Order drop-down list to 
set the field order. Choose 
None (Progressive) for video to 
be viewed on a computer monitor. For DV output, 
choose 
Lower Field First. If the output is jittery or shaky, 
or your hardware’s manual specifies it, choose 
Upper Field 
First
. For more information, see Interlacing and field order 
on page 371.
 Choose the pixel aspect ratio for the final movie’s destination from the Pixel aspect ratio drop-down list. For 
more information, see Pixel Aspect Ratio on page 383.
 Choose a frame rate for the final movies destination from the Frame rate drop-down list. For more 
information, see Frame Rate (Video) on page 381.
 Choose a rendering quality level from the Full resolution rendering quality drop-down list. For most projects, 
Good is the recommended setting. If you have critical material where nothing but the highest quality 
rendering will do, select 
Best. Please note that rendering time may increase dramatically as large amounts 
of extra processing is required for the 
Best setting.
Some effects and transitions can involve motion or animation. The Motion blur type drop-down list allows 
you to select whether the frames are blurred slightly to create the illusion of motion on individual frames. 
This can make computer generated animation appear more smooth and natural. 
Gaussian is the best 
choice in most situations where blurring is required. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
The Deinterlace method drop-down list provides several options relating to interlacing. Source video from a 
television is interlaced. When Vegas software renders effects, it needs to deinterlace the two fields that 
make up a frame. You can choose the exact method used in this list. If you choose the 
None option, the 
fields are left interlaced. If you choose the 
Blend option, contents are used from both fields, which is a good 
choice for high-detail, low-motion material. If you choose the 
Interpolate option, a single field is used at a 
time, which is good for low-detail, high-motion material.
 Choose the location for saving prerendered preview files in the Prerendered files folder box. For more 
information, see Prerendering video on page 289.
 Select the Start all new projects with these settings check box to always use these settings for new projects. 
						

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Modifying media file properties
Vegas software tries to automatically detect the properties of your media files. In most cases, these properties 
do not need to be modified, but there are times when you may need manual control over some of these 
attributes, depending on the type of file and your specific hardware configuration.
1.Right-click a file in the Project Media window or an event on the timeline and, from the shortcut menu, 
choose
 Properties.
2.Modify the parameters on the Media tab as needed. See Setting 
general media properties on page 239 and Setting custom stream 
properties on page 240.
3.Click OK.
Setting general media properties
The following general properties appear in the top of the Media 
tab: 
The File name box displays the file name (cannot be edited).
The Tape name box displays the name of the tape for media 
files captured in Video Capture. You can edit the name here or 
in the corresponding column in the Edit Details window. 
Note: The Edit Details window is available only in the full 
version of Vegas software.
Setting timecode media properties
These properties appear in the Timecode section of the Media tab:
The Use timecode in file radio button is the default setting, where the media file’s timecode is used.
The Use custom timecode radio button allows you to set the media file’s timecode manually.
 If you have selected the Use Custom timecode radio button, a drop-down list contains the available 
timecode formats. 
SMPTE Drop (29.97 fps, Video) for example, is the timecode format for NTSC DV. 
Changing the timecode format does not change the source media file in any way. It merely changes how 
the file is measured in time. For more information, see Ti m e c o d e  on page 373. 
						

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Setting custom stream properties
Media files are opened with a set of default values based on the media file type. When you change any of the 
values for a media file, these changes are saved for that file in the current project only. If you want to change 
the default settings for a particular type of video file whenever that type of file is used, click the 
Save settings 
to video profiles for future auto-detection 
button () to the right of the Stream list. This adds an entry to a file 
called 
vegas video profiles.ini that can be referenced for future use.
The following properties appear in the Stream properties section of the Media tab:
 If the file has more than one stream of the given type, you can choose the particular stream for which you 
want to view properties from the 
Stream drop-down list.
The Attributes, Fo rma t, and Frame rate boxes display basic information about the file.
 Choose an option from the Field order drop-down list to control how the video field order is handled on a 
television monitor. Choose 
None (Progressive) for video to be viewed on a computer monitor. For DV 
output, choose 
Lower Field First. If the output is jittery or shaky, or your hardware’s manual specifies it, 
choose 
Upper Field First. For more information, see Interlacing and field order on page 371.
•While you can choose a different value from the Pixel aspect ratio drop-down list, this value should always 
match the source video’s properties.
 The option selected in the Alpha channel drop-down list determines how transparency is handled in a file. 
The default alpha channel setting for most video files is 
None. PNG image files can have an alpha channel 
that is automatically detected. The options in this drop-down list are described below.
Modifying output properties
You can adjust final output properties when you render your movie. For more information, see Creating custom 
rendering settings for AVI files on page 312. 
Alpha channel optionDescription
UndefinedBecause the image format provides no alpha channel information, this 
setting ignores any alpha channel information in the file.
NoneEither there is no alpha channel or there is an alpha channel but it’s 
completely opaque (solid).
Straight (unmatted)Transparency information is maintained in only the alpha channel. Alpha 
information must be applied to the RGB channels before compositing.
PremultipliedThe standard method of handling alpha information. Transparency 
information is maintained in the alpha and RGB channels, and the image is 
ready for compositing.  No RGB component exceeds the alpha value.
Premultiplied (dirty)Similar to Premultiplied, but RGB components may exceed the alpha 
value. This option is used mainly for images created by 3D applications 
involving compositing of 3D images over a non-solid color image 
background. 
						

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CHP. 14USING VIDEO FX, COMPOSITING, AND MASKS
CHAPTER241
Using Video FX, 
Compositing, and 
Masks
Video plug-ins in Vegas® software include effects and generators. Effects cover a broad range of electronic 
modifications that can be used to improve substandard video or artistically enhance a production. 
Generators can be used to create custom video events such as credit rolls or gradient overlays. 
A variety of options are provided in compositing video and using masks. Compositing involves mixing visual 
elements together into a final output. Multiple compositing modes are provided from which to choose. 
Masks, which are used extensively in television and movies, are an important part of creating overlays. 
Together, these professional tools can help you polish your productions.
Note: The compositing model in this version of Vegas 
software differs significantly from the Vegas 4.0 model. To 
reproduce the Vegas 4.0 parent/child masking behavior, set 
the compositing mode of the parent track to 
Multiply, and then 
apply the Mask Generator plug-in as a track effect on the 
parent track.
Using video effects
A great variety of video effects plug-ins are provided that are 
ready for you to drag-and-
drop onto your projects, media 
files, tracks, and events. Previews of the different effect 
presets appear in the Video FX window. In addition to the 
presets, each plug-in has individual controls that allow you 
to customize the effects in precise detail. You can also 
animate video effects using keyframes. For more information, 
see Using keyframe animation on page 273.
The mix of video effects applied at different levels (to 
events, tracks, files, etc.) is important to the final mix of a 
project. For more information, see Video signal flow on page 40. 
In general, effects are applied in the following order: 
 to files in the Project Media window
to events
 to tracks
 to the project (video output effects)
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USING VIDEO FX, COMPOSITING, AND MASKSCHP. 14
Adding a video effects plug-in
You can apply video effects to events, tracks, files in the Project Media window, or to an entire project. You 
can add a plug-in by selecting it in the Plug-In Chooser dialog, or you can drag-and-drop the plug-in from 
the Video FX or Plug-Ins windows.
Adding a plug-in using the Plug-In Chooser
1.Click the Video FX button () in one of the following locations (see the illustration):
Media FX are applied before a media file is inserted into an event on the timeline. Every occurrence of 
this media file in a project has the effect applied to it. Media effects can be applied only to video files.
Event FX are applied to events on the timeline.
Track FX are applied to the output of a particular track.
Video Output FX are applied to the final output and affect every event in a project.
2.In the Plug-In Chooser dialog, select the effect that you would like to apply and click OK.
3.Modify the effect in the Video FX window and close the window when you are finished. For help on the 
different controls in the Video FX window, click the 
Plug-In Help button () to access online help.
Track FX Video Output FXEvent FXMedia FX 
						

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Adding a plug-in from the Video FX or Plug-In Manager window
The Plug-In Manager is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
1.If the Video FX or Plug-In Manager window is not currently visible, choose either Video FX or Plug-In 
Manager
 from the View menu to view the appropriate window. 
2.Drag a plug-in from the window to one of the following locations:
 file in the Project Media window
event
 track list or empty section of a track
 Video Preview window (video output effects)
3.Modify the effect in the Video FX window and close the window when you are finished. For help on the 
different controls in the Video FX window, click the 
Plug-In Help button () to access online help. 
						

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Working with video effects plug-in chains
You can apply plug-ins in chains of two or more for even greater flexibility. A plug-in chain is a sequence of 
all of the plug-ins to be applied to a media file, event, track, or project. The same plug-in can be added to a 
chain more than once. Use the same steps to add additional plug-ins to a chain as you use to add a single 
plug-in. For more information, see Adding a video effects plug-in on page 242.
After you apply a plug-in chain, the video is processed by each plug-in in order. The plug-ins are cumulative 
so, in some cases, you may want to rearrange their order to achieve the desired effect.
To view and work with a plug-in chain, click the Video FX button () for the event, track, Project Media 
window file, or Video Preview window to open the Video FX window.
Bypassing plug-ins
Video effects plug-ins can also be temporarily bypassed (turned off) by deselecting them (clearing the check 
box on the plug-in). Since the effects are rendered very quickly in the Video Preview window, turning a 
plug-in on and off allows you to see the results of the plug-in on your project.
Changing the plug-in order
Video effects plug-ins are applied in the order that 
they appear in the chain. You can change this order 
by dragging a plug-in to a new location in the chain. 
Alternately, you can click the 
Plug-In Chain button 
(
) in the Video FX window and reorder the plug-
ins in the Plug-In Chooser dialog. 
In the following illustration, you can see how the 
order of plug-ins is important.
Clear the check box
on a plug-in to 
bypass the plug-in.
Drag a plug-in
to move it
within the chain. Plug-in chain
Click a plug-in to 
modify its settings
in the lower part of
the window.
Plug-in chainShift Plug-In Left/Right 
						

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The goal of the above example is to use video effects plug-ins to create a very high-contrast mask out of a 
video clip of fire. In the image on the left, a Brightness and Contrast plug-in is applied first and then a Black 
and White plug-in. In the image on the right, the Black and White plug-in was applied first, removing the 
color, and then the Brightness and Contrast plug-in was applied. The mask created by the second example is 
much cleaner, even though all of the settings of the two plug-ins are identical.
Processing plug-ins on events with panning or cropping
When you add a plug-in to a video event that has panning or cropping applied to it, you have the choice of 
processing the plug-in before or after the pan/crop. For example, you might want to apply a Radial Blur plug-
in before the video is cropped and then a Noise plug-in is applied after the cropping is complete. 
You can choose whether an effect is applied pre- or post-pan/crop in the keyframe controller at the bottom 
of the Video FX window. Click the 
Before/After Pan/Crop button to the left of the effect name to determine 
whether the effect is processed before (
) or after () Vegas software pans or crops the event.
Removing a plug-in
1.Click the FX button () on the event, track, Project Media window file, or Video Preview window that 
has the plug-in applied to it. The Video FX window appears. 
2.Click the plug-in that you want to remove.
3.Click the Remove Selected Plug-In button.
Here, the Deform plug-in is 
applied before the pan/crop. 
The Glow and Color Curves
plug-ins are applied after
the pan/crop. 
						

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Modifying a video effects plug-in
Video effects plug-ins are highly customizable. You can select from a variety of presets or adjust the settings 
for custom effects. You can also save custom settings to be used again as a new preset.
1.Click the FX button () on the event, track, Project Media window file, or Video Preview window that 
has the plug-in applied to it. The Video FX window appears. 
2.Select a preset from the Preset drop-down list or adjust the parameters as needed. For help on the different 
controls in the Video FX window, click the 
Plug-In Help button () to access online help.
Changes you make are automatically updated in the Video Preview window, using the current cursor 
position as the example. To see the effect as applied to the video in motion, create a time selection (looped 
region) and preview in loop playback.
Saving custom plug-in settings as a preset
1.Click the Preset text box. The name of the current preset is highlighted.
2.Type a new name for the preset and click the Save button ().
Tip: To use a saved custom preset, simply choose it from the 
drop-down list.
Using keyframe animation with plug-ins
You can use keyframe animation to control a plug-in over time. Keyframes are added to the keyframe 
controller at the bottom of the Video FX window. Since a number of plug-ins can be added to a single event, 
track or project, click the plug-in’s button in the chain and modify the particular attributes and keyframe 
controller for that plug-in. For more information, see Using keyframe animation on page 273 and Animating video 
effects plug-ins on page 279.