2 effects questions

[Paul Kievits]

I have 2 questions (and I guess they should be in this forum, I'm clueless otherwise):

* Is it possible to pick a section of you're video and blur only that section. So let's say I want a small rectangle in the bottom right corner blurred, could that be done (In premiere, after effects, virtualdub)?

* What would be the best way (if at all possible) to implement a timer in a video. What I want is a simple clock which ticks down from 01:00:00 to 00:00:00 (the first set of numbers being the numbers, then the seconds, then the milliseconds). I don't want to make an image for each number so a method which involves automation would be preffered (I know how to program, so no problems there). Could this be done? (in flash? Premiere? After effects?)

Thanks in advice for the help

[Zarxrax]

In After Effects you can do this by making an adjustment layer with blur on it, then masking out the section you want.
It can surely be done in Premiere too, but it would most certainly be more complicated, and I haven't touched premiere in so long I couldnt even begin to tell you.

[mckeed]

* Is it possible to pick a section of you're video and blur only that section. So let's say I want a small rectangle in the bottom right corner blurred, could that be done (In premiere, after effects, virtualdub)?

Yes, what you need o do is create a mask in photoshop. This has to be black and white. One of the colors makes that area of the clip transparent. You just need to apply that mask to a layer and apply that blur effect to that video clip. The mask will only show the effect on the part that isn't transparent. I normally accomplish this with two identical clips. One is the base clip and the second one has the effect and the transparency will show through to the unaltered clip. You can also do this entirely in premire if you like, but i don't like the accuracy of that method, lots of trial an error.

[Zarxrax]

Oh for the 2nd question, After Effects has a filter that does just that.

[Rozard]

Heheh, good thing I hit the Preview button. Just about everything I typed had already been posted ^_^;; Although there is something I can add:

I have seen some editors use a timer in their betas, to help themselves pick out problems and locate segments easier, etc. I know that iserlohn does this with a lot of his betas, and I believe he said it was a function of Avisynth, I can't remember. Also, that starts at 00:00:00:00 and counts up (hh:mm:ss:ff). If this is a process done in Avisynth, there might be a way to reverse the countdown, and start it at a desired time. Hopefully someone can confirm this, and possibly explain how it's done.

[mckeed]

Heheh, good thing I hit the Preview button. Just about everything I typed had already been posted ^_^;; Although there is something I can add:

I have seen some editors use a timer in their betas, to help themselves pick out problems and locate segments easier, etc. I know that iserlohn does this with a lot of his betas, and I believe he said it was a function of Avisynth, I can't remember. Also, that starts at 00:00:00:00 and counts up (hh:mm:ss:ff). If this is a process done in Avisynth, there might be a way to reverse the countdown, and start it at a desired time. Hopefully someone can confirm this, and possibly explain how it's done.

Looking at the 2.5 documentation this is what he is probally using


ShowSMPTE(clip, float fps)

ShowSMPTE is similar to ShowFrameNumber but displays SMPTE time code (hours:minuts:seconds:frame). The fps argument is required and must be 24, 25, 30, or 29.97.

[Zarxrax]

showsmpte(24) or showsmpte(30) for a 24fps or 30fps timecode.
Insert timecode over a black video and play it for as long as you need, then load the file into premiere and reverse the time or whatever you need with it.

[Paul Kievits]

When I opened this thread last night I thought I'd get one or two repsonses but there are six already! And all of them are really helpful!

Thanks a lot you guys, I'll try the stuff you suggested (though I'll probably use the long and harder premiere method due to my lack of knowledge of after effects (and the very limited time I have to build this effect). It looks a lot easier than I thought it would be...

You can all expect a place in my video credits

[Rozard]

You can all expect a place in my video credits

w00t 8)

As for learning After Effects, I believe Zarxrax posted his AE guide in the one of the Video Software threads recently. Maybe he'll post it here again...

[OmniStrata]

It can be done in premiere...
u just need 2 video track layers [I wish people would stop whappin' on Premiere's ability to make fx]

The lower layer is the regular footage you're going to use...
the upper layer is the rectangle u want to blur [same footage, but cropped to that little rectangle you want in the corner]

Blur the upper layer [but the screen's all black you say?]
Then go to rgb Transparency and set Black to transparent
voila...

If you want to see this layering effect, I'd suggest checking this:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... hp?v=13396
*shameless plug* lol

Technically, I just used what I spoke of up top for moving "light boxes" around the screen [that requires keyframing which I won't cover]

You want a single section blurred out?
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... hp?v=31390
@ around 2:19, I created a "Letterboxed Blur" effect that keeps the center of the image clear, but the very upper/lower edges get blurred.

*me headbutts After FX*
IT'S NOT GETTIN' IN MAH HEAD
*whap whap*