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Vegas Video 4.0
Tutorial
- Creating
a DVD menu with Vegas Video 4.0+
- Due
to many requests, we've added a Vegas Video tutorial describing the
steps to create "Picture in Picture" style menu, like the
one contained in the ReelDVD "How-to" tutorial.
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1.
Download the necessary
file from the link above and unzip the folder to your C: drive. (This
is necessary, only so Vegas finds the video clips is the correct location.)
Visit Sony
and download the trial of Vegas, if you've not already done
so.
2.
The
Vegas Video Interface.
- The
Timeline area is where you will determine video and audio track
length, FX, fades, transitions, and generally assemble your project.
- The
Track Controls area is where you will control the layering of
the tracks, as well as perform adjustments to entire tracks, including
motion, velocity, FX, opacity, etc..
- The
Multi-Tool window will be the place to find almost everything.
It has an explorer to find your project assets, a trimmer to shorten
clips before introducing them to the timeline, a Media Pool to organize
your assets, a transitions folder, a Video FX folder, and a few general
media formats, like stills and text.
- The
Master Audio window is where you can adjust the master playback
volume. You can also make other changes, like add FX, that effect the
entire project.
- The
Preview Window allows you see your project as you create it.
You can also take still images from this window, and see it in "dual
view" mode to compare different FX and adjustments.
3. Open
Vegas Video with a new project. It should be starting with a new one already.
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4.
We
need to begin with a background file, or "matte." Go to the
Multi-tool area and select the Media Generator tab at the bottom.
Click on Color Gradient to the left, and scroll down to find
Soft Red Backdrop. Click on the backdrop and drag it onto the
timeline area. Vegas will automatically insert a new video track to
accommodate the still image.
Note:
The "matte" can be almost any photo or image file from any
source. Vegas accepts most any type of image file. The "matte"
can also be a video stream in itself, similar to the examples available
for download on the home page. Vegas has
a few built-in media generators that allow you to create some basic
backgrounds and text within the application. For simplicity purposes,
the background and text within this project will be from the "built-in"
Vegas tools.
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5.
Many
users seem to have different opinions on how long a motion menu file should
be. For this example, we'll use the long version and make this project
one minute in length. At the top of the timeline area, you'll see time
labels for frames, seconds, minutes, and hours. If it's not already there,
drag the red image file to the far left of the video track to be sure
it starts at the beginning. Float your cursor above the right edge of
the file until your cursor appears like the example to the right. Click
and stretch the file out to the right, bringing it to the one minute mark.
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Note:
If the 00:01:00:00 mark is not visible, you may need to zoom out. To do
so, find the + & - signs at the bottom right of the timeline window.
Click the - until you've zoomed out far enough. |
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6.
We now need to import the "window" video files.
Go to the Multi-tool area at the bottom left and find the Explorer
tab. Within the Explorer window, go to your C: drive and find the
folder you unzipped called VegasTutorialMenuOne. Locate the video
file named Wavy Grids.wmv. Click and drag it to an empty area in
the timeline window. Be sure to drop it in an area below the red background.
As you see, and new video and audio track has been created for this new
video stream.
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7.
Repeat step 5 above three more times, being careful to drop the video
files below the previous one. This will ensure that each video stream
will be on its own video track. When completed, you should have five total
video tracks (one red background and four motion clips,) and four audio
tracks. It should appear something like the picture to the right.
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Note
1: In the interest in download speed, we'll be using the same short
video for each "window." When creating your own, you will simply
import four or more different video clips.
Note
2: There will be a corresponding audio track created every time you
import the Motion Clip. These can be deleted by right clicking on the audio
stream, then selecting delete. By doing the same thing to the empty audio
track, you can remove it as well. You will have no need for this audio. |
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TIP:
If you have trouble fitting all five video tracks in an area of screen to
see them, you can adjust the viewable track height by dragging on the Track
Control area. The Screen Shot to the above right shows all of the tracks
minimized. |
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