Transparent Trouble (how to use Tracking Matte Key)

[mammothskip]

I have reviewed every bit of literature, forum posting, and youtube tutorial I can find on creating a transparent section in a video clip to expose the clip beneath it, but cannot get it to work. I assume I am missing something simple, but cannot identify it, so as a last resort I come to you, the trusty community, for help.

I am running PRE7 on a new Gateway desktop computer equipped with 9 Gb of memory, running Windows Vista.

Here is the simplest form of what I am trying to do: I have a slide show of still photos of my daughter Sofia on video track 1. I would like to create a title on video track 2, and have the word "Sofia" in the title be transparent - so you see the stills from track 1 just through the characters of her name, but no where else.

My understanding is that adding the "Tracking Matte Key" effect to the title clip should do the trick, but it doesn't. I've tried both white and black text, but both result in an opaque title.

Thanks in advance!

[ATR]

Video Track 1, Color Matte, assumed 5 second duration, optional--but a good idea for first time around

For this example, we are going to place a color matte at the start of video track 1.
Click on Edit Tab (Orange)/Project Tab (Black) in row below, and then look to the far right of that line to where you see a white sheet of paper looking icon, the New Items. In New Items, select and create a color matte, any color. Make sure that you have your Timeline Indicator at the start of the Timeline since the color matte will automatically be placed at the Timeline Indicator position when you click OK.

Video Track 2, the Photo, assumed 5 second duration

Drag your picture from the Media Panel to start of Video Track 2.

Video Track 3, the Title with large font.

Make sure that your Timeline Indicator is at the start of the Timeline, since the Title will automatically be placed at the Timeline Indicator when you click Done to exit the Titler . In this case, it should be placed automatically at the start of video track 3.
Click on the T (Add Default Text) icon at bottom right of Edit Mode Monitor. When the Titler opens, create your title with large enough font size. If you like you can use white text. Make sure that you stay within the Safe Margins for Text.

IMPORTANT…Next highlight the photo on video track 2 (the title bar of the photo will be a deep purple when it is highlighted). Then click Edit Menu/Effects/Video Effects/Keying and select Track Matte (blue frame around when it is selected), click Apply. Then click on Edit Effects/Properties Palette/Track Matte Panel:
Matte = Video 3
Composite Using = Matte Alpha

You should now see your photo only within the text that you have typed in your Title and all that should be on a color matte. If you remove the color matte, you will just see everything on a black background which represents transparency.

Check it out and see if it works for you.

Looking forward to your results.

ATR
(If you decide not to use the color matte and instead have your photo on video track 1 and your title with text on video track 2, then drag the Edit Menu/Effects/Video Effects/Keying/Track Matte into photo on video track 1, then go to Edit Effects. When you are in the photo’s Properties Palette/Track Matte Panel:
Matte = Video 2.)

[mammothskip]

That worked! Thank you for the very detailed instructions.

A note about why it wasn't working for me that may help others (though this is just my conclusion after many hours): I had a video track called "Movie Theme" that was added when I had previously created an instant movie (the "News Reel" opener is what inspired me to try the transparency). Using that track, or even having it present, seemed to prevent this effect from working, even applying your instructions.

I finally created a new project, and following your steps and it worked.

Thanks again.

[ATR]

Thanks for the good news.

I will check out the description that you gave for what did not work and comment later.

Continued success.

ATR