Graphics

I'd like to mask off a roll (top and bottom) and a crawl (left and right). I seem to remember XPression not having box masks as part of the general functionality, but there is a workaround that I just can't remember. Can someone help please?

Ilana, there are a couple steps to this..

-First create your roll as a scene group and add the neccessary scenes to it for the roll

-Create a RenderView material of the roll scenegroup

-Create another scene, you may add a background object if you like.

-Add a Layer Object to this scene. Add three quads as children of the Layer Object. assigne the mask material to 2 of the quads (must have alpha) and position them where you like, assigne the renderview material (the roll) to the other quad

The order of the objects in the layer object must be..

Roll quad

Mask quad

Mask quad

In the sequencer create a new group, add the Roll scenegroup and add the scene used for the masking, Set the group playout Mode as timed. When you play the group the roll will play in the masked area.

Hope this helps

Jim

#XPression

Hi Ilana,

In addition to Jim's reply I would like to provide you with a second option.

First of all you need to create a mask. In the Material Manager, right-click and select NEW > MASK > IMAGE. It will ask you for an image but you can just select any image, it doesn't matter.

When the material is created, Edit the same material again and delete the Texture. You will remain with just a Mask-material which you can shape in any form you like. (Well any form the Quad will let you)

Now create your roll or crawl by creating the scenes and putting them into a scenegroup.

Now click on the scene which is called SceneGroup. This is also a scene you can use to put a background on or to mask things off.

In this scene create a few quads and apply your maskmaterial to those quads. Position and shape them to your needs and then test it.

ONE BIG REMARK!

If you want to mask off text, make sure your Text-Rendering is set to "Normal". To verify, click on your textfield and then select "Rendering" in the Object Inspector. Make sure the Render Order Priority is set to "Normal" instead of the default "Text On Top". Otherwise it will not work.

Good luck!

Kenneth

#XPression

Thanks very much Kenneth and Jim for your speedy replies. Quite a complex workaround. Maybe the functionality can be added in future versions?

#XPression