Tutorial: Page (1) of 2 - 10/02/09

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Every software application seems to have at least one tool that is both a blessing and curse. For many NLEs it's a ripple edit mode that is one part super-terrific and other part the dastardly evil-doer that wreaks havoc on your timeline.

Sony Vegas Pro is not immune as it has a feature that seems to bite a lot of novice editors in the butt while seasoned veterans find it incredibly useful. This tutorial shows you how to get the most from the split-screen tool found in the Sony Vegas Pro Video Preview monitor.

Video effects no-go
Whether it's on the DMN Sony Vegas forum or my e-mail inbox, people regularly ask the same question: "Why did my video effects suddenly stop working?" The solution is a simple one. Somehow, someway, someone inadvertently pressed the 'Split Screen View' button icon in the Video Preview and that's causing their problem.

The default setting for this preview mode is FX bypassed, so engaging the button effectively turns off all of your video effects in the Preview window only. And if you choose Select All as a setting, then you see the before FX (none at all) instead of what you are trying to do. New Vegas Pro editors might click this button on and be lost for hours trying to figure out what went wrong. Simply press the button again to turn it off and all will be normal.
 

However, exposing a potential gotcha is not the purpose of this tutorial, and the feature itself is actually quite powerful when you use it as intended.

FX Bypass
The Split Screen View is helpful when you want to compare the before and after results of a video effect. Position the cursor on the Timeline where you wish to make the comparison. Turn on the Split Screen View in the Video Preview, select FX Bypassed from the dropdown, and then also choose Select Left Half. The figure below shows the left half of the screen with the effect bypassed and the right with the video FX applied (B&W in this example).
 

You are not limited only to the Select Left/Right/All options either. Once you engage the FX Bypassed in Split Screen View, use your mouse to 'draw' in the Video Preview window to make your comparisons. You can draw and redraw as needed to see the results of your before and after FX changes.

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