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In Depth: Boris Red and Avid FX

The following sections describe how to apply Boris Red and Avid FX within your Avid. Differences between computer platforms and different host software version are noted where applicable. For information on using Boris Red within other supported host, visit the Boris Technical Forum at www.borisfx.com/support, and look for the link for your operating system and host application.

Understanding the Difference between Boris Red and Avid FXBoris FX and Avid FX are basically the same product with a different logo. While Boris Red works in multiple NLEs, Avid FX was created specifically for Avid systems. Once you learn either of these plug-ins, you know the other plug-in. Settings in the Library Browser are compatible between the two solutions. See the next section for details on Avid timeline compatibility.

New Compatibility Between Boris Red and Avid FX

Like Red, Avid FX reads and writes .red settings and is capable of reading Red or Boris FX settings files. However, previous versions of Red did not recognize Avid FX sequences. For example, if you created a sequence containing Avid FX effects in an Xpress Studio system , then tried o open that sequence in a Symphony system, the effects were not automatically recognized.

Because the Avid software is incapable of recognizing two differently named plugins as the same AVX effect, the two products are not interchangeable. However, Version 3.02 of Boris Red offers a method for Red users to read and create sequences with Avid FX effects. When you install Red 3.02, the "AVX 1.5 with Avid FX compatible plugin" option installs two AVX 1.5 plugins, one Red 3GL and one Avid FX. This provides Red users the capability to read and create Avid FX effects in their Avid timeline. Version 3.02 is a free web download for existing users of Boris Red 3.x. For details, visit www.borisfx.com.

Working in the Boris Red or Avid FX Engine Instead of working within a host application, you can use the Red Engine as a standalone application. The Engine uses the same interface as the plug-in used within your host application. The only difference in the interface is that the Apply and Cancel buttons do not appear in the timeline. Instead, the Engine lets you export files as QuickTime, AVI or Flash from the Render Queue in the Project window.

Unlike the plug-in, you cannot use Avid timeline video with the Engine. The default video images are proxy images that you can use to create effects when your media is unavailable. You can also import still images, EPS or movie files, or create color, gradient, text, spline primitive, spline object or natural media.

Exporting from Boris Red or Avid FX

Instead of rendering within a host application, you can export files as QuickTime or AVI movies, PICT or Targa sequences or Flash. If you are working with titles and are unsure of the background media, it may make more sense to export as QuickTime using the Avid Codec. The resulting file will import quickly and play in real-time on most systems.

Using the KeyFramerThe KeyFrame is a standalone application designed to create Boris effects offline using any computer. The KeyFramer can be duplicated and distributed free of charge. Actual effect rendering requires a host application with the Boris Red or Avid FX plug-in installed.

The KeyFramer features the same user interface as the plug-in used within your Avid application, except there is no Apply button. The default video images are proxy images that you can use to create effects since your Avid media is unavailable. You can also import still images, or movie files, or create color, gradient, or text media in the KeyFramer.

Once you create effects in the KeyFramer, you save the settings to render in your Avid Fx or Boris Red plug-in application. However, when you open these settings in your host application, you can still adjust the settings before rendering.

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Applying Boris Red and Avid FX in Avid® Systems

These instructions apply to Avid systems running on both Windows and Macintosh platforms, including Avid® Media Composer®, Symphony®, Xpress®, Xpress DV®, Xpress Mac®, NewsCutter® Effects and NewsCutter® XP systems. The steps may vary slightly depending on the Avid system that you are running.

Applying Boris Red/Avid FX as a Filter or Transition

1. Open the Effects Palette from the Tools menu. Boris Red or Avid FX appear as an effect category on the left. Click to select the Boris Red or Avid FX category.

Several types of Boris effects appear: Boris Red 1-Input, 2-Input, 4-Input and 6-Input, Boris Red Title-Matte and Boris Red Transition.

The instructions for applying effects are the same whether you apply a Boris Red or Avid FX effect.

2. Choose the appropriate effect on the right side of the Effects Palette:

• If you want to apply the effect as a transition between two clips, choose Boris Red Transition or Avid FX Transition effect. See the next section for details.

• Otherwise, choose the effect that corresponds to the number of video tracks from the Avid timeline that you want to use in your effect. For example, if you want to filter a single track from the Avid timeline, use the 1-Input effect. If you want to apply multiple tracks of titles to a single track from the Avid timeline, you would also choose the 1-Input effect.

• To apply Red to an Avid title or matte key, choose Boris Red Title-Matte Effect or Avid FX Title-Matte Effec See the next section for details.

3. Drag the icon for the desired effect to a clip or a transition between two clips.

4. Enter Effects Mode.

5. If you are using a Transition effect, type a duration in the Duration field in the Effect Editor. If you are using any other Red effect, the duration is determined by the duration of the clip to which you apply the effect.

6. In the Effect Editor, click the Other Options button.

The Red or Avid FX interface appears, with one track for each input in the effect. You can add as many new tracks as you want, but you are limited to the number of inputs for the type of effect you are using. For example, if you use a 4-input effect, you are limited to four tracks from the Avid timeline. However, you can create as many Red or Avid FX tracks as you want. You can now open a setting from the KeyFrame Library or create a custom effect.

7. To exit the Boris Red or Avid FX interface, click either Cancel to close Red without saving changes to the effect or Apply to close Red and apply changes to the effect.

8. Render your effects the same way you would render any other effect. For more information, consult your Avid documentation.

Applying as a Title-Matte EffectYou can apply Boris Red or Avid FX directly to titles created in the Avid timeline. For example, if you have a bin with saved titles, you could apply a filter to the titles.

1. Edit an Avid title or matte key into the Avid timeline.

2. Open the Avid Effect Palette and select Boris Red or Avid FX from the Effect categories.

3. From the list of available Red effects, drag the Boris Red Title-Matte Effect to the title or matte key in the Avid timeline.

Dragging the Title-Matte effect onto an Avid title or matte is a destructive process which replaces the title or matte key. Removing a Title-Matte effect removes the title’s nested alpha channel. To remove a Title-Matte effect and preserve the title or matte key, use the Undo command not the Remove Effect command.

Other Options button

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4. Click the Other Options button in the Avid Effect Editor to launch the Interface and create your effect.

If the title or matte key looks blocky when Red opens, select its Face track in the timeline. In the Host Media tab, choose Straight Alpha from the Key menu. This usually happens automatically.

Replacing a Title-Matte Effect

To re-edit a title with a Title-Matte Effect (for example to change the text or a font), you must save the Title-Matte effect while you are in Red or Avid FX (in the File menu). Recreate the Avid title and overwrite the older title in the Avid timeline. Drag a Title-Matte Effect to the new title. In Red, open the saved effect and apply it to the new title.

Tips for Using Boris Red or Avid FX with Avid Systems• For the best results, only apply the effect which uses the number of input tracks you need from the Avid timeline. When

applying an effect with too many inputs, the extra tracks slow rendering. For example, to use two tracks from the Avid and add two tracks of titles, use the 2-Input effect not the 4-Input effect.

• Boris Red and Avid FX are limited to six tracks from the Avid timeline. However, you can import QuickTime reference files as Movie media. This allows you to use an unlimited number of tracks from your Avid timeline. You need to export the QuickTime reference files and navigate to them in the Movie dialog. For information, see your Avid documentation.

• When you have multiple unrenderedeffects in your timeline, you should turn off the Avid Render on the Fly option to avoid slowing down your playback.

• Red/Avid FX read tracks from the top down. Avid reads tracks from the bottom up. For example, to create an effect in Boris Red using six tracks from your Avid timeline, add the 6-Input effect to the top track. However, when you open Red, the V6 track from your Avid is the V1 track in Red. To avoid confusion, you may want to rename your tracks in Boris Red.

• The Avid Title Tool allows you to create many titles in real time. However, Red’s titling capabilities are more extensive. One way to optimize rendering times is to create your title in Red then instead of applying the effect, export to QuickTime without the underlying video. Import the QuickTime into the Avid using the Avid Codec. If your system supports real-time matte keys, the imported title plays in real time.

• To optimize the rendering of static titles, create your title in Red. Instead of applying the effect, export as a PICT or Targa file, without the underlying video. Then import the PICT or Targa into the Avid.

• Unlike some Avid systems, Red supports larger-than-project file sizes that are up to 16,000 pixels by 16,000 pixels. You can easily import large images for documentary-style animations. Apply Red to any clip of the proper length. Open Red and press the Media icon to assign the large Still Image file to the track. Animate the scale and position as desired. The PICT format limits images to 4000 pixels, which may not be large enough. Save your images with the TIFF format instead. Images display at 72 dpi (standard video resolution), so create images at this size in your still image application. This also reduces render times by not processing pixels that video can't display. Render times are longer than video renders as sizes increase beyond video scale: an image of 4000 x 4000 pixels at 72 dpi is roughly 45 times the size of a video frame.

• Avid systems do not provide support for Adobe After Effects filters. However, many Adobe After Effects filters plug into Boris Red. After Effects filters appear in the Red filter list in the same way native and BCC filters do. This allows you to use Red as a gasket to apply third-party After Effects filters to your Avid timeline.

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Working with the Boris Library Browser

The Boris Library Browser allows you to quickly preview and apply settings files from the KeyFrame Library, including settings files that you add or customize. The KeyFrame Library is a collection of preset effects that is automatically installed on your system when you install Boris Red. You can add, remove, or change these settings files at any time.

The Library Browser is a great way to teach yourself how to use Boris. To easily adjust a settings file from the KeyFrame Library, turn on Smart View in the timeline. Smart View allows you to quickly display only the parameter tracks that were adjusted in your effect.

Opening the Boris Library BrowserTo open the Boris Library Browser, choose Window > Library Browser, click the Open Library Browser button in the timeline or press Command-9 (Macintosh) or Control-9 (Windows).

The KeyFrame Library is installed in the following directory on Windows hosts:(User’s Install Directory)\Boris FX, Inc.\Keyframe Libraries\Red 3.0 KeyFrame Library

The KeyFrame Library is installed in the following directory on Macintosh hosts:Library/Application Support/BorisFX/Red 3.0 KeyFrame Library

Using the Library Browser ButtonsClick the Quality button to toggle between Best and Draft quality in the animated preview.

Click the Animate Preview button to play an animated RAM preview of the selected effect. Click again to stop the preview.

Generate Thumbnails allows you to generate animated previews of effects that do not already have them. The first time you use the Library Browser you have to generate the thumbnails. To use this feature, select an effect or effect folder and click the Generate Thumbnails button.

Click the Animate Thumbnails button to preview animated thumbnails. Click again to stop the thumbnail previews. Click in a blank area of the available effects window to play animated RAM previews of all the effects in the current category.

When Animate Thumbnails is off, if you select a thumbnail and press the left or right arrow key, the thumbnail image changes, allowing you to scroll through the effect. This is especially useful in previewing effects in the KeyFrame Library that start with the default soccer ball image or fade up from black. If Animate Thumbnails is on, the arrow keys allow you to move from thumbnail to thumbnail in the Available Effects window.

Available Effects window displays effects in currently selected folder. Click any thumbnail to preview the effect.

Available Categorieswindow lists folders

available in KeyFrameLibrary. Click a foldername to preview theeffects in that folder.

Animated preview ofcurrently selected

effect

Link to Boris FX website.

Add commentsto an effect.

Quality, Preview, andEffect buttons

Source Folder menu

Template-modecontrols

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Click Insert Effect to add the currently selected effect to your timeline.

Click Load Effect to create a new composition with the currently selected effect.

Click Delete Effect to remove the currently selected effect from the KeyFrame Library.

Animated thumbnails and best quality previews both require additional RAM and can slow previews.

Working with the Source Folder MenuThe Source Folder menu determines which folder displays in the Browser.

• Choose the Use Default Folder option to use the default KeyFrame Library folder.

• Choose Folder lets you choose a different folder. This allows you to organize favorite effects however you like and still access them in the Library Browser.

Adding CommentsTo add comments to an effect setting, click in the comment box and type your comments.

Previewing and Applying Effects in the Library BrowserYou can use the Library Browser to preview effects and apply them to the timeline.

1. Click the name of any folder in the Available Categories window. Thumbnail images of each effect in that folder appear in the Available Effects window.

2. Click any thumbnail image to select the effect. A red box appears around the selected thumbnail. Press Play to view an animated RAM preview in the Preview window.

If the settings file was saved without a preview, no preview image is associated with that thumbnail. However, you can still preview and apply the effect by creating a thumbnail using the Generate Thumbnails button. To create a preview for the settings file, select the Save Preview option in the dialog box when you save the settings file.

3.Click Load Effect to create a new composition containing the currently selected effect. If you have not yet saved the effect in your timeline, a dialog box appears. Click Save to save the current effect before opening the Browser effect. Click Don’t Save to discard the current effect and open the effect from the Browser. Click Cancel to return to the Browser. You can also double-click a thumbnail to apply the effect to your timeline.

4. Alternately, click Insert Effect to add the currently selected effect to your timeline.

Preserving Text when Applying Effects from the Library Browser

If you select a Text track in the timeline, you can open a text effect from the Library Browser and the effect will load and display the text from your track in the timeline. If you load a text effect from the Library Browser with no tracks selected in the timeline, the effect loads with the text that is in the thumbnail.

Saving Effects to the Library BrowserYou can save your own effects to the Library Browser to reuse.

1. Choose File > Save Project Copy To Library.

2. A dialog box automatically navigates to the directory of the last Library Browser category you visited. Alternately, you can save the effect in the folder of your choice or create a new folder by clicking the New Folder button in the dialog box.

3. To create an animated thumbnail preview of the effect, select the Save Preview option.

4. Name your effect and click OK. Windows users must add the suffix .red to settings. Macintosh users don’t have to add the suffix, but adding the suffix makes your settings work cross-platform. Boris FX uses the suffix .bfx, and Boris Graffiti uses .grf.

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Working in the Library Browser Template ModeYou can use the Library Browser in a special Template mode. Template mode allows you to create effects directly in the Library Browser. This mode is useful for creating text effects or transitions. For example, if you apply a transition preset, the placeholder images are replaced with your timeline video tracks. When you are in this mode, you can also replace the text for the selected effect template.

When you work in Template mode, the Library Browser is the only window that appears in the Boris Red user interface. This feature is only available when you use Boris Red as a plug in. It is not available in the Red Engine.

1. Click the yellow Template Mode button to toggle into template mode. When you are not in Template Mode, this is the only control that appears in the Library Browser window.

2. Click the name of any folder in the Available Categories window. Thumbnail images of each effect in that folder appear in the Available Effects window.

3. Click any thumbnail image to select the effect. A red box appears around the selected thumbnail. Press Play to view an animated RAM preview in the Preview window.

4. Click the appropriate Template-Mode control to edit your template.

• The yellow Template Mode button toggles in and out of template mode. When you are not in Template Mode, this is the only control that appears in the Library Browser window.

• The red Insert Text button allows you to type text into the Comments window to replaces the placeholder text that is included in the thumbnail. To replace multiple lines of text, press Tab between each line.

• The green Replace Comments button allows you to type comments into the Comments window. This text replaces the existing comments.

• The blue Retrieve Comments button allows you to retrieve comments. Click this button if you have inserted text into the Comments window and now want to view the associated comments.

5. Click the Apply button to apply the effect, close Red and return to your host.

In the following example, the text from the JitterHue.red setting in the previous example was replaced with the words Anne’s Jitter. To replace the text, the effect was selected, the red Insert Text button was clicked and the new text was entered into the Comments window.

Selected effect.

Available Categorieswindow. Click a foldername to preview theeffects in that folder.

Animated preview ofselected effect

Link to Boris FX website.

Effect comments

Quality, Preview, andEffect buttons

Source Folder menu

Template-Modecontrols

Retrieve Comments

Template Mode Replace Comments

Insert Text

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Selected effect

Preview of selectedeffect

New Text

Template-Modecontrols

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Working with the Controls Window

The Controls window displays the animatable parameters for each track, organized into one or more tabs. All shape tracks have parameters specific to that shape, and each filter you apply creates a filter track with its own set of parameters. The Controls window allows you to adjust the values for each parameter and choose how to interpolate those values between keyframes.

The displays in the Controls window are contextual. They vary depending on what type of track is selected in the timeline. If no track is selected, the Controls window is blank.

Interpolation FieldsEach animatable parameter has an interpolation field that determines how intermediate values between keyframes are calculated. Whenever you adjust a parameter, a new keyframe is created in that parameter’s track in the timeline, and an interpolation type is set.

To animate a parameter in Boris Red, you only need to adjust a single keyframe. The parameter will then interpolate between the value that you have set and the default value, using the interpolation that you set.

To set a default interpolation type, choose Boris Red (or Avid FX) > Preferences (Macintosh) or Edit > Preferences (Windows) and set the Default Interpolation menu in the General tab. When you adjust a parameter, the default interpolation appears in the interpolation field.

You can change an interpolation type at any time by pressing the field and choosing another interpolation type from the menu that appears. You can also use the Animate button to toggle between Constant and the default interpolation. The Animate button is described in the next section.

Additionally, if you Option-click (Macintosh) or Alt-click (Windows) the interpolation field, the interpolation toggles between the default and toggle interpolation type. The toggle interpolation type is set in the General tab in the Preferences window.

The interpolation field includes both Reset and None. None resets the parameter to the default value at the current keyframe; Reset resets the parameter globally across the entire track. Reset works like the Reset button at the bottom of the Controls window. However, instead of resetting the entire tab, the Reset interpolation only affects a single parameter

Click tabs to display groups of parameters.

Click crosshair to reset Position Point to center.

Scrub or type in the numerical field to adjust parameter value.

Click to lock or unlock parameter values.

Click the Animate button to toggle between Constant and the default interpolation.

Click to scroll through tabs.

Drag slider to adjust parameter value.

Press to choose interpolation type.

Drag needle on dial control to adjust parameter value.

Click to reset tab.

Click to toggle between the Face and Shape track in the Timeline.

Click to toggle Drop Shadows on or off.

Click to toggle the Texture Track on or off.

Click to toggle into Wireframe mode.

Press to choose a menu option.

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Working with the Composite Window

The Composite window displays the composited effect as it appears in the rendered output. The Composite window controls allow you to preview the effect and adjust the quality, resolution, and size of the frame while you are working to speed preview time. It also provides on-screen controls that allow you to interactively manipulate Position Points and motion paths.

Previewing with the Caps Lock Key Selected

Pressing the Caps Lock key disables rendering in the Composite window. This allows you to quickly adjust parameters. When you press the Caps Lock key to suspend rendering, the Composite window displays a message over your effect. If you change any parameter or move the CTI, the image remains the unchanged. When you release the Caps Lock key, the image updates. Undoing actions while the Caps Lock key is engaged will not refresh the Composite window image. Selecting the Caps Lock key does not affect final rendering.

Working with the OpenGL InteractorsBoris Red and Avid FX use OpenGL hardware acceleration to speedspreviews. OpenGL is a cross-platform standard that dramatically improves the speed and interactivity of 2D and 3D previews. In Draft mode, you should see dramatically speeded manipulations of 3D Plane tracks, Spline Objects, Spline Primitives, and 3D Extrusion tracks.

In OpenGL mode, you will not see non-accelerated objects when you use the on-screen interactors. Non-accelerated objects include filters, masks, bump maps, reflection maps, cast shadows, apply modes, cropping and opacity. Depending on the complexity of your effect, you may not see lights and texture tracks. As you adjust the interactors, the Composite window displays the message “Accelerated Draft Preview” to indicate that you are not seeing all objects. When you release the mouse button, the Composite window displays all objects.

When you work in High quality, the Composite window switches to Draft while you use the on-screen interactors. When you release the mouse button, the Composite window returns to High quality. The interactors appear semi-transparent to indicate when you are working in software OpenGL mode when you are in High quality.

A Frame Back

B Play/Stop

C Frame Advance

D Loop

A B C D E F G I J

E Quality

F Resolution

G Channel

H Scale

H

I Controls

J Timecode

K OpenGL Interactors

L Render Thermometer

LK

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Three sets of on-screen interactors allow you to position, scale and rotate tracks. The interactors appear in the Composite window when you select a track in the timeline. You can hide and display the interactors by pressing the G key or by choosing Preview > OpenGL Interactors > Show Interactor. A checkmark appears in the menu when this option is selected.

Use the following methods to work with the OpenGL acceleration:

• Clicking an image but not an interactor allows freeform positioning, scaling and rotation.

• Clicking an interactor’s axis constrains movement, scaling and rotation to that axis. In the onscreen interactor controls, red represents the X-axis, green represents the Y-axis and blue represents the Z-axis.

• Clicking outside a selected object deselects it.

• The interactors appear semi-transparent to indicate that you are working in software OpenGL mode; they appear opaque in hardware OpenGL mode.

• Using Position X, Position Y and Position Z in the Position tab instead of an interactor, behaves as if OpenGL were not activated. The results appear as if you were dragging the Position Point to move in the same plane as the screen.

Positioning Objects

With the Composite window active, pressing the letter W allows you to position the selected object. This default mode is indicated by arrows at the ends of the interactors. You can also enter this mode by choosing Preview > OpenGL Interactors > Transform Interactor. A checkmark appears in the menu when this option is selected.

Rotating Objects

With the Composite window active, pressing E allows you to spin, tumble and rotate the selected object.This mode is indicated by circles at the ends of the interactors. You can also enter this mode by choosing Preview > OpenGL Interactors > Rotate Interactor. A checkmark appears in the menu when this option is selected.

Scaling Objects

With the Composite window active, pressing R allows you to scale the selected object. This mode is indicated by cubes at the ends of the interactors. You can also enter this mode by choosing Preview > OpenGL Interactors > Scale Interactor. A checkmark appears in the menu when this option is selected.

Z-axis

Y-axisX-axis

X-axis Y-axisZ-axis

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Working with the Timeline Window

The Timeline window allows you to choose media to use in your effects. Every track in Boris Red is comprised of two components, the Shape and the Media. Each video, color, graphic or text layer is assigned to a track, which can be either a 3D Plane or a three-dimensional shape. The timeline displays the placement of the tracks over time.

You can animate tracks’ attributes in the timeline by setting keyframes. A keyframe sets specific parameter values for a track at a certain point on the timeline. When you place multiple keyframes on the timeline, the program interpolates, or computes intermediate values, between keyframe values to animate the effect. For instance, you could animate a track’s Opacity value from 0 (fully transparent) to 100 (fully opaque) to fade in a clip.

Organizing TracksThe left side of the timeline contains the track information and controls. When you launch the Red Engine or KeyFramer, the timeline contains two tracks by default. When using Boris Red within a host application, the number of tracks depends on the type of effect.

Creating a New Track

Click the appropriate timeline button to create a new 3D Container, Title Container, or a new track of a specified shape or media type.The new track appears above the currently selected track in the timeline, or at the top if no track is selected. You can also choose Track > New Shape, then choose a shape from the menu. To create a new 3D Plane track, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Command-K (Macintosh) or Control-K (Windows).

Working with the Add Media Buttons

The Add Media buttons create a new track with the specified media. The track shape type depends on the media type, but you can change it once you create the track. The new track is created above the selected track or at the top of the timeline if no track is selected. For more information on the different Media types, see Chapter 3, “Working with Media.”

The Add Audio Track button creates an audio track. When you click this button, a dialog box appears to let you choose the audio file.

The Add Movie Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Movie media. When you click this button, a dialog box lets you choose the movie file.

The Add Still Image Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Still Image File media. When you click this button, a dialog box lets you choose the still image file.

The Add Color Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Color media.

The Add Gradient Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Gradient media.

The Add Natural Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Natural media.

Timecode display

Track name Track controls Local Timeline Keyframes

Global TimelineNew Shape, Media and Container buttons CTI

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The Add Spline Object Media button creates a 3D Line Art track with Spline Object media. Because you cannot create Brush strokes with the 3D Line Art shape, the Brush tool is dimmed in the Tool window.

The Add Spline Primitive Media button creates a 3D Line Art track in the timeline with Spline Primitive media.

The Add EPS Media button creates a 3D Line Art track with EPS media. A dialog box lets you choose the EPS file.

The Add Text Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Text media. When you click this button, the Text window opens to let you create text. Since the text uses the 3D Plane shape, the resulting text is a bitmap.

The Add Vector Text Media button creates a 3D Line Art track with Text media. When you click this button, the Text window opens to let you create text.

The Add 3D Extrusion Text Media button creates a 3D Extrusion track with Text media. When you click this button, the Text window opens to let you create text.

The Add Paint Media button creates a 3D Plane track with Spline Object media. When you click the track, the Tool window opens with the Brush tool selected.

The Add Extruded Pencil button creates a 3D Extrusion track with Spline Object media. When you click the track, the Tool window opens with the Pencil tool selected. This allows you to create freeform three-dimensional shapes.

Working with the Add Filter Buttons

The nine Add Filter buttons add the filter that is mapped to the button to the selected track. You can map your favorite filters to these buttons in the Preferences window. For more information, see your User Guide. The buttons are from left to right, Add Favorite Blur Filter, Add Favorite Color Filter, Add Favorite Distortion and Perspective Filter, Add Favorite Lighting Filter, Add Favorite Effects Filter, Add Favorite Generator Filter, Add Favorite Matte and Key Filter, Add Favorite Motion Filter, and Add Favorite Time Filter.

Working with the Add Container Buttons

The Add Container buttons let you add a container or pre-composition to the timeline. Any selected tracks are nested within the container or pre-composition.If no tracks are selected, the container is created at the top of the timeline. You can also drag tracks into the container. The buttons are from top to bottom, Add 3D Container, Add 3D Model Container, Add Title Container, Add Pre-Composition and Add 3D Chart Container.

Working with the Add Shape Track Buttons

The Add Shape Track buttons create a new track of the specified shape. The new track is created above the selected track or at the top of the timeline if no track is selected. The media depends on the Shape type, but you can change it after you create the track.

The Add 3D Plane button creates a 3D Plane track in the timeline with Video media.

The Add 3D Sphere button creates a Sphere track in the timeline with Video media.

The Add Cube button creates a Cube track in the timeline with Video media.

The Add Cylinder button creates a Cylinder track in the timeline with Video media.

The Add Page Turn button creates a Page Turn track with Video media.

The Add 3D Extrusion button creates a 3D Extrusion track with Spline Primitive media.

The Add 3D Chart button creates a 3D Chart Container track.

The Open Library Browser button opens the Library Browser to let you add a setting to the timeline. For more information, see “Working with the Boris Library Browser” on page 4.

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Understanding Shape TracksOne of the biggest differences between tracks in your Avid timeline and tracks in your Boris Red/Avid FX timeline is that every track in Boris has two components: a shape and media. Even a video track has a shape, the 3D Plane.

The shape track is the most basic type of track. When you create a new effect and first enter the Boris Red interface, the tracks you see are all shape tracks. By default, these tracks use the 3D Plane shape, which is a still or moving image that looks exactly the same as the source image in the host application. Other shapes maps the source image onto a 3D geometric solid, such as a sphere or cube, thereby transforming the media assigned to the shape. The following table describes each of the shape choices.

Shape Icon Example Description

3D Plane 3D Plane is the default shape for new tracks. It is a flat plane that can be scaled, positioned, and rotated in 3D space. This is the most basic shape for DVE effects. The 3D Plane can be used as a 3D Primitive.

Sphere Sphere maps the source image onto the surface of a sphere. The sphere can unwrap to reveal the inside surface. Each surface can display different media. The Sphere provides compatibility with older versions of Boris Red, while 3D Sphere correctly displays non-square pixels.

Cube Cube maps the source onto a rectangular solid, and can display separate media on each of its six faces. Each face has a separate track within the Cube track. The Cube can be used as a 3D Primitive.

Cylinder Cylinder maps the source image on the surface of a cylinder. The cylinder can rotate to reveal the inside surface. Each surface has a separate track, and can display different media. The Cylinder can be used as a 3D Primitive.

Page Turn Page Turn creates the effect of a page turning in a book. You can map different source media to the front and back of the page. The Page Turn can be used as a 3D Primitive.

3D Sphere 3D Sphere maps an image onto the surface of a sphere. 3D Sphere correctly displays non-square pixels and can be used with the Z Space Composite or 3D Model container, which allows objects to cast shadows on one another, rather than producing simple drop shadows. 3D Sphere can be used as a 3D Primitive.

3D Extrusion

3D Extrusion creates a three-dimensional effect using text or shapes. You can type or import text or import EPS files to use as the shape or create a Spline Object or Spline Primitive, then map media to the front and back faces, extrusions, and bevels.

3D Line Art

3D Line Art is similar to 3D Plane, but is designed for use with vector-based files and shapes rather than bitmap images. This shape lets you infinitely scale vector-based images without degradation of quality.

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Nested inside each shape track are other tracks that affect the appearance and movement of the shape. The Mask, Transformations, and Face tracks are described in the following sections.

Working with Transformations TracksThe Transformations track contains individual tracks for all the attributes of the shape. These attributes are categorized to correspond to the tabs in the Controls window when the shape track is selected.

To access a parameter track, click the disclosure triangle to expand the Transformations track, then expand the track of the category in which it resides.

You can also use Smart View to display only the Transformations tracks which you adjusted. For information, see your User Guide.

Working with Face TracksThe Face track contains tracks that determine the appearance of a shape’s face or faces.

A 3D Plane shape has only one face. The other shapes have only one Face track when in Single Input mode. In Single Input mode, the media on this track is used for all the faces of the shape.

In Multi Input mode, all shapes except 3D Plane use additional Face tracks to represent each face of the shape (for example, the inside and outside surfaces of a sphere).

Each Face track has media associated with it that can be masked and filtered independently from the shape. For example, each of the six faces of a cube could have different media, different filters, and different masks. A mask or filter applied to a Face track is known as an “upstream” operation, because it takes place before shape transformations are applied. For more information, see the next section.

In Single Input mode, Sphere uses one Face track for inside and outside faces.

Indicates Single Input mode

In Multi Input mode, Sphere uses separate Face tracks for inside and outside faces.

Indicates Multi Input mode

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Understanding Mask Tracks

A mask is a media file with an alpha channel, which is used to make areas in another image transparent. Each Shape and Face track contains a Mask track. When you apply a mask to an image, the image becomes transparent wherever the mask’s alpha channel has a value of 0, and remains opaque wherever the mask’s alpha channel’s value is 255. Intermediate alpha channel values in the mask produce semi-transparent areas.

You can create masks using the Spline Object, Spline Primitive, Gradient, Still Image File, EPS or Natural media types. You can also create rectangular masks using the Mask tab.

Source media Mask with alpha channel Masked output

Understanding Upstream and Downstream MasksAny mask can be applied as either an upstream or downstream mask. These terms refer to when the mask is processed in relation to the shape’s transformations.

• An upstream mask is applied to a shape’s Face track. It becomes part of that face’s media and is processed before shape transformations occur. In the example at right, the mask is applied first, then the masked face is curved into a cylinder.

• A downstream mask is applied to the shape track itself, and is processed after the shape transformations occur. In the example at right, the face is curved into a cylinder first, then the output is masked by the mask track.

Applying a Mask to a TrackYou can use any still or moving image with an alpha channel to mask another image.

1. Create a new 3D Plane track, either by choosing Track > New Shape > 3D Plane, or by clicking the Add 3D Plane button in the timeline.

2. Assign the media you want to use for the mask to this new track. The alpha channel of the image file is automatically used for the mask.

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3. Click the disclosure triangle to expand the track you want to mask to reveal its Mask tracks.

If you do not see the Mask tracks in the timeline, choose Edit > Preferences to open the Preferences window, and select Show Mask Tracks in the General tab.

4. Drag the mask you created into the Mask track:

For a downstream mask effect, use the shape’s Mask track.

For an upstream mask effect, use the Mask track nested in the Face track.

You cannot create upstream masks for any composition that uses the 3D Line Art shape. The 3D Line Art shape does not have a Mask track nested in the Face track.

When the mask is in the downstream position, the mask does not move when you reposition the 3D Plane track, because the mask is applied after shape positioning takes place. In this example, the track media was moved so that its edges can be seen through the mask.

You can also create rectangular downstream masks using the controls in the Mask tab.

When the mask is in the upstream position, it is treated as part of the track’s media. Therefore, when you move the 3D Plane track, the mask moves with it.

The Spline Object media type allows you to create spline masks in custom shapes; the Spline Primitive media type allows you to quickly create basic shapes, including rectangles, circles, stars, arrows, hearts, and medallions. You can drag these shapes into Mask tracks to create animating or static masks or transitions or transitions.

In OpenGL mode, you will not see non-accelerated objects when you use the on-screen interactors. Non-accelerated objects include masks. As you adjust the interactors, the Composite window displays “Accelerated Draft Preview” to let you know that you are not seeing all objects. When you release the mouse button, the Composite window displays all objects, including masks. If you need to see all objects, press the Alt or Option key while you interact.

ShapeMask track

FaceMask track

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Working with Text Media

Text effects can be manipulated on two levels. The controls in the Text window affect text on a character basis, allowing you to assign different styles, fill, shadows, and borders to individual characters. These controls are only available in the Text window and do not create additional tracks in the timeline; therefore, they cannot be animated.

Once you set the characteristics of the individual characters, you can animate the shape track which contains the text. This allows you to move and rotate the text in 3D space, and apply motion blur, lights, and drop shadows. You can also create text on a path, type on, jitter and randomization effects. These features are animated by setting keyframes in the timeline. You can also create rolls and crawls by placing text tracks inside a title container, which automatically creates keyframes for a variety of effects.

To create 3D text, you use Text media with a 3D Extrusion shape track. However, sometimes it is faster to create the effect using the 3D Plane shape, and convert the shape to 3D Extrusion when you finish animating the text. If you try this technique, remember that some Text window controls do not apply to 3D text; settings in the Text window’s Border and Shadow tabs are lost if you switch to 3D Extrusion.

Creating a Text EffectText is available as a media type option for any shape track in the timeline. Several methods create a new text track. Most options open the Text window, which allows you to create, import, and format text.

• Choose Track > New Text Page to create a new track with Text as its media type.

• Click the Add Text Track button in the timeline to create a 3D Plane track with Text as the media type. This is the best choice to create effects with lots of text, such as credit rolls or crawls, since this choice renders quickly.

• Click the Add Vector Text Track button in the timeline to create a 3D Line Art track with Text as the media type. This is the best choice to create effects that scale, since vector text remains razor sharp at any size.

• Click the Add 3D Text Track button in the timeline to create a 3D Extrusion track with Text as the media type. When animating 3D text, you may want to create the text as 2D, using the Add Text Track button. Then change the shape to 3D Extrusion once you finish animating. This method speeds previews.

• You can also use the Text tool to type directly over the image in the Composite window without opening the Text window. See the next section for details.

Understanding the Text ToolYou can create using text using two different methods. You can use the Text tool to type directly in the Composite window or you can create text in the Text window. Each of these methods provides advantages.

The Text tool is most useful when you want to accurately position text over a background image. You can use the Style Palette or the parameters in the Controls window to format the text.

The Text window is most useful when you want to create text with multiple style elements. The Text window includes a Draft Typing feature that speeds previews, but still allows you to preview text as it will appear in the Composite window. In this mode, the Text window does not display shadows, borders, and some text transformations while you type. Once you finish typing, the text updates with all styles. So if you are creating text with complex styles or are using multiple styles, you may find it faster to create your text in the Text window.

The Text window also allows you to import text in Simple Text or Rich Text Format. When you work with large bodies of text, you may find it easier to create a single text document in a word processor. This approach avoids tying up your nonlinear editing system for long periods of time and reduces the risk of typographical errors. All style settings in the original file are retained when imported into the Text window, although you can still reformat the text.

The Text tool does not allow you to import text. Instead of importing files, you can paste text that you have copied from another program. To paste text, press Command-C (Macintosh) or Control-C (Windows). This method works in both the Text tool and the Text window. However, style settings in the original file are not retained.

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Working with the Text Window

The parameters in the Text window allow you to create, import, and edit text media for inclusion in your titling effect. The Text window is character-based; you can apply different formats to individual characters. The Text window provides control over the font, size, color, and spacing of each individual character and allows you to add shadows. If you prefer, you can use the Text tool in the Tool window to type text directly over the image in the Composite window. In addition, the Style Palette can be used to create and save styles settings for future use.

The parameters in the Text window do not have tracks in the timeline and cannot be animated. But you can animate these attributes using the corresponding parameters in the Controls window. For example, if you want to animate text shadows, create text without shadows in the Text window. You can then apply and animate shadows using the parameters in the Control’s window Shadow tab.

As long as the Text window remains open, you can Undo and Redo as you can anywhere in Boris Red. However, if you close and then reopen the Text window, you cannot Undo or Redo actions performed before the Text window closed.

The upper portion of the Text window is the text preview area. You can type text in this area, then select one or more characters to make style changes using the Style, Page, Color, Border, and Shadow tabs.

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Working with the Style PaletteThe Style Palette allows you to save and categorize styles for text, color, gradient, natural, spline, brush, material, and extrusion for future use. The styles are organized into tabs. Each tab in the Style Palette also includes a collection of preset styles.

Style Controls

Thumbnail Background lets you choose to display the style over a checkerboard or a solid black color.

Thumbnail View sets the size of the thumbnails to Small Frame View, Medium Frame View or Large Frame View or displays them in List View.

Load Style allows you to load saved Gradient styles.

Delete Style deletes a style from the Style Palette.

Add Style adds the selected style to the Style Palette.

Rename Style opens a dialog box where you can name your style.

Edit Selected Style allows you to edit styles directly in the Style Palette.

Apply Style applies the selected style.

Opening the Style PaletteChoose Window > Show Style Palette, or press Command-7 (Macintosh) or Control-7 (Windows). You can also open the Style Palette by clicking the Style Palette button in the Text window.

Applying Text Styles to the Text Window

1. In the Text window, select the appropriate text. .

2. Click the Style Palette button at the bottom of the Text window. In the Text tab in the Style Palette, click to select the appropriate parameters to apply. The choices are Fonts, Size, Face, Fill, Edge, Shadow and Transform.

3. Double-click the thumbnail for the style you want to apply or click to select the thumbnail and click the Apply Style button.

Category menu

Current style

Style controls

Displays styles in current category

Tab menu

Add category

Rename categoryDelete category

Apply controls

Rebuild category

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Applying Text Styles to Timeline TracksYou can apply styles from the Style Palette directly to text tracks in the timeline. This means that you can update styles for multiple tracks at once. However, you cannot apply the styles to individual text characters, only to entire tracks. To apply styles to individual characters, you must apply the styles in the Text window as described in the previous section or the Composite window, as described in the next section.

When you apply styles to tracks in the timeline, style modifier checkboxes in the Style Palette window are respected. For example, you could choose to only apply a font to multiple tracks in the timeline. Any animatable parameters created in the Controls window are unchanged, for example animated Fill or Border settings.

1. In the Timeline window, select the appropriate Text track or Shift-select multiple tracks.

2. Choose Window > Show Style Palette or press Command-7 (Macintosh) or Control-7 (Windows). In the Text tab in the Style Palette, click to select the appropriate parameters to apply. The choices are Fonts, Size, Face, Fill, Edge, Shadow and Transform.

3. Double-click the thumbnail for the style you want to apply or click to select the thumbnail and click the Apply Style button.The style is applied to the first style in the text object.

Creating Font StylesThe Style Palette lets you save thumbnails of all the available fonts on your system in the Fonts tab. You can also use the Use Fonts in Font Menu option to display each available font using the corresponding font instead of the system font in the Text window’s font menu. However, selecting this option increases the display time for the font menu.

The first time you launch this tab you have to add a category. After that you only need to rebuild the category if you add more fonts to your system. Unlike the other tabs in the Style Palette, you cannot save styles to the Font tab, so the Apply controls as well as the Add Style and Rename Style buttons do not appear when you are in the Font tab.

1. Choose Window > Show Style Palette, or press Command-7 (Macintosh) or Control-7 (Windows). You can also open the Style Palette by clicking the Style Palette button in the Text window.

2. In the Fonts tab in the Style Palette, click the Add Category button. A dialog box allows you to name the category. The new category name appears in the category menu.

3. If this is the first time you have used the Font tab or if you have added new fonts to your system, click the Rebuild Category button.

The Font tab now displays all the available fonts on your system.