Inconsistent 'end' of an object

terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 4:37 AM

Place a 5 second image at the start of the timeline and open the Size/Position dialog.

Press the Home key. The marker moves to the start if it wasn't there already and the time indicator (top left) shows 00:00.

Press the End key. The marker moves close to the end, but not fully. The time indicator shows 04:23. Two frames left of the RH edge.

Instead of using the End key, click anywhere in the keyframer timeline and slide the marker as far right as possible. The time indicator now shows the correct reading, 04:24.

This doesn't make much practical difference to me, except for presenting another problem to be solved when I'm trying to write macro scripts for KF work. But for professionals requiring animation precision I imagine it might do. It might also explain the single frame quirks I sometimes get at the end of some zooms and pans.

Presumably it's a minor bug, as I can't think of any design reason for the inconsistency?

 

 

Last changed by terrypin on 11/29/2014, 4:37 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 6:50 AM

Hi Terry

I get the following:

Home key - 00:00  

End key - 5:00

Click end of KF timeline 4:24

Note you cannot get 5:00 on the KF timeline because it is not accessible and you cannot zoom out to make it accessible.

Same in MX, 2013, 2014 and 2015

John

 

Last changed by johnebaker on 11/29/2014, 6:50 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

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terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 11:01 AM

 

Hi Terry

I get the following:

Home key - 00:00  

End key - 5:00

I should have been clearer. I suspect that's not the reading you get in the time indicator after clicking anywhere in the KF timeline and then pressing the End key as I did. If so, that would be baffling. I always get 2 frames before the end. So a 2 s image will give 01:23 etc. If I change the project bit rate from 25 to 50 fps then  that would become 01:48, etc.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/MEP-InconsistentEnd.jpg

 

Click end of KF timeline 4:24

Same for me, and that's the result I would expect (0, 1, 2...24 = 25 frames = 1 s). I'd expect pressing the End key to give that same result.

Note you cannot get 5:00 on the KF timeline because it is not accessible and you cannot zoom out to make it accessible.

That seems to confirm my earlier comment. You must be pressing the End key before clicking in the KF timeline. So you're going to the end of the project, which in the case of a single 5 s image at t=0 will be 05:00.

 

 

Last changed by terrypin on 11/29/2014, 11:13 AM, changed a total of 7 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 11:09 AM

Hi Terry

. . . . So that's the reading you get in the time indicator (top left of the preview monitor) after clicking anywhere in the KF timeline and then pressing the End key? . . .

Yes it is the preview monitor reading.

Have asked in your other post for your MEP version number.

John

Last changed by johnebaker on 11/29/2014, 11:09 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

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Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

browj2 wrote on 11/29/2014, 2:00 PM

Hi Terry and John,

Here is my take on the logic.

When you press End on the timeline, the playback marker goes to the end of the project, and the end of the last object, ready for a new one. On the kf line, the playback marker disappears to the right. All is as it should be.

On the kf timeline, end should go to the beginning of the last frame to be able to place a kf there, not after the last frame.

Here is where the second logic breaks down.

I confirm what you indicated about End on the kf timeline, but I seem to have a slight variation. I have a 05:00s image. If I do End on the kf timeline, the playback marker goes 3 frames back in my case. I am using 29.97 fps, and the preview monitor indicates frame 27 instead of 29, which I assume is not what it is supposed to do. Any kf applied here is applied to the second last frame and the last frame has the same size. However, if I then go to End on the kf timeline (zoomed in to single frame), the playback goes to frame 27 and on to the kf. If I use the right arrow key to move 1 frame to the right, I get 29, not 28; and then left goes back to 27, completely skipping 28. If I then slide the kf to the end, it goes to frame 29 and then the left arrow key now goes to 28. Strange and something to remember.

I wonder what Magix would have to say about this.

Using MEP 2014 Plus, 13.0.5.4.

Last changed by browj2 on 11/29/2014, 2:00 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

John C.B.

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terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 3:15 PM

Hi John CB,

Thanks for the confirmation. I'm not too surprised the quirk gets quirkier with a BR of 29.97.

I copied Ralf on my first post and will let you know of any feedback.

Looks like a bug to me.

Last changed by terrypin on 11/29/2014, 3:15 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 3:21 PM

Hi Terry

. . . . So that's the reading you get in the time indicator (top left of the preview monitor) after clicking anywhere in the KF timeline and then pressing the End key? . . .

Yes it is the preview monitor reading.

Have asked in your other post for your MEP version number.

John

 

Last changed by terrypin on 11/29/2014, 3:21 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

terrypin wrote on 11/29/2014, 3:31 PM

Hi Terry

. . . . So that's the reading you get in the time indicator (top left of the preview monitor) after clicking anywhere in the KF timeline and then pressing the End key? . . .

Yes it is the preview monitor reading.

Have asked in your other post for your MEP version number.

John

 

Hi John,

Pressing End key after clicking in KF timeline? Very strange. As you see, John CB confirms the discrepancy that I get.

I don't understand how to square your "End key - 5:00" with your later point that this is not displayed in the KF timeline?

Not at PC right now but from memory I think it's 13.0.5.4 (UDC2).

(MEP 2014, as per my screenshot.)

Last changed by terrypin on 11/29/2014, 4:51 PM, changed a total of 3 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

johnebaker wrote on 11/29/2014, 5:35 PM

Hi terry

Apologies - reread your sequence - after clicking the KF timeline I was clicking back to the timeline before pressing Home / End, so the KF timeline was not active

Following your sequence exactly I get the same as you 4:23 and it is independant on whether there are KFs present or not.

John CB's 3 frames difference may be explained by (?)  - 29.97 frames is not a whole number of frames so MEP takes the length as the number of whole frames (29)  then subtracts 2 = 27 so the end is 4:27 (maybe) .

Video with a frame rate of 30fps I would expect the end to be 4:28 but I get 4:29 !!!!!.

Inconsistent or what !

Do you have any 30 fps to confirm my result?

John

Last changed by johnebaker on 11/29/2014, 5:35 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

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Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

terrypin wrote on 11/30/2014, 6:15 AM

 


Video with a frame rate of 30fps I would expect the end to be 4:28 but I get 4:29 !!!!!.

Inconsistent or what !

Do you have any 30 fps to confirm my result?

 

Hi John EB,

I opened a new movie and changed its frame rate from 25 to 30 fps. I found a short 30 fps clip and imported it. As it was under 2 s I changed its duration to exactly 01:00 (30 frames in total) and placed it at t = 0.

With the clip at the start of the main timeline I clicked the empty KF timeline and on pressing the End key the marker went to 00:28, two frames from the end as before, not 00:29.

I assume your 5 s clip started at exactly zero?

--------------------

Hi John CB,

I opened a new movie and changed its frame rate from 25 to 29.97 fps and then imported a clip reported as 29.97 fps (I've never grasped why such a 'standard' exists, so close to 30). I adjusted its length to 05:00. Pressing End while in the KF timeline gave 04:27. Pressing the right arrow key took it to 04:29! No sign of 04:28, just as you found. Another press gave 05:00.

All very puzzling and reinforces my suspicion of obscure bugs.

BTW, I tred to rename that movie tab to '29.97' to minimise possible confusion. But it seems that it's impossible to include a full stop/period/decimal point in a movie name!

Using MEP 2014 Premium 13.0.5.4 (UDC2)

 

 

Last changed by terrypin on 11/30/2014, 6:19 AM, changed a total of 2 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

johnebaker wrote on 11/30/2014, 9:44 AM

Hi Terry

. . . . Using MEP 2014 Premium 13.0.5.4 (UDC2) . . . .

At least we both are singing the same hymn sheet on the version !

As you say looks like a bug which is definitely inconsistent.

Heres another one using 25fps:-

  1. As before after pressing End  and getting to 4:28, click the KF timeline cursor without moving it, then press End again - I get 4:27.
  2. Click the KF cursor without moving it - the value changes to 4:28 

? ? ?

John

Last changed by johnebaker on 11/30/2014, 9:45 AM, changed a total of 2 times.

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 24H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

Scenestealer wrote on 12/2/2014, 4:02 AM

Hi All

I can't say I see too much unexpected behaviour at my end but one interesting thing is that after hitting end in the KFramer, it will place a KF at the start of the last frame only - but if you click in the timeline and hit end it will place a KF at the end of the last frame ie. the 5.00 second mark. You can never see this in the KFramer but if you show the curve in the timeline object it will be visible if you drag the clip longer, and it is definitely active.

Peter

Last changed by Scenestealer on 12/2/2014, 4:02 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

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terrypin wrote on 12/2/2014, 12:12 PM

Hi Peter,

Are you saying that you don't get the same results as John CB, John EB and me? From your opening comments above it seems that, after clicking in the KF timeline and pressing the End key, your orange marker is not going to two frames left of the RH edge? Which is baffling if so.

What fps is your project?

Also, I'm not clear about the distinction you make between 'hitting end in the KFramer' (the End key? After just selecting the object and doing nothing else?) and 'click in the timeline and hit end'. Is that the main timeline or the KF timeline? And the End key?

Last changed by terrypin on 12/2/2014, 12:15 PM, changed a total of 2 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)

Scenestealer wrote on 12/2/2014, 4:51 PM

Hi Terry

Yes, as of yesterday I was getting only one frame short of 5 secs regardless of the project frame rate and object frame rate. Now I am getting 2??.

'hitting end in the KFramer' (the End key? After just selecting the object and doing nothing else?) Select the object, select the effect so that the KF placing symbol is active, click in KF timeline somewhere, hit end key, place KF

and 'click in the timeline and hit end'. Is that the main timeline or the KF timeline? And the End key? The main timeline aka Arranger.

What has become apparent after playing around is that the Key "Framer" is not frame dependent at all, so this might explain something relevant to these discussions! It is purely dependent on time, witnessed by the fact that you can place many KFs in the space of one frame and have the effect vary within one frame.

Peter

Last changed by Scenestealer on 12/3/2014, 4:33 AM, changed a total of 2 times.

Reason: Important step left out.

System Specs: Intel 6th Gen i7 6700K 4Ghz O.C.4.6GHz, Asus Z170 Pro Gaming MoBo, 16GB DDR4 2133Mhz RAM, Samsung 850 EVO 512GB SSD system disc WD Black 4TB HDD Video Storage, Nvidia GTX1060 OC 6GB, Win10 Pro 2004, MEP2016, 2022 (V21.0.1.92) Premium and prior, VPX7, VPX12 (V18.0.1.85). Microsoft Surface Pro3 i5 4300U 1.9GHz Max 2.6Ghz, HDGraphics 4400, 4GB Ram 128GB SSD + 64GB Strontium Micro SD card, Win 10Pro 2004, MEP2015 Premium.

terrypin wrote on 12/3/2014, 1:50 AM

What has become apparent after playing around is that the Key "Framer" is not frame dependent at all, so this might explain something relevant to these discussions! It is purely dependent on time, witnessed by the fact that you can place many KFs in the space of one frame and have the effect vary within one frame.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for re-testing.

That's something of a revelation! I'd always thought that all data in MEP (in all NLEs?) was 'tied' or 'tagged' to a series of discrete frames. Casting around for a metpahor, something like the information in a picture book all being identified within discrete pages. Flick through the pages fast enough and the human eye sees what seems a smooth animation. So it's hard to grasp that an MEP effect (size, position, brightness...) can vary in between frames. Perhaps my metaphor is a throwback to cinematography and no longer valid in the digital video world? But if the position of an object can change five times between frame 123 and frame 124, how would I ever see any of those changes in the finished video?

I'm hoping to hear back from Ralf soon in reply to my email note on 29th November, essentially copying my opening  post in this thread. I no longer get free access to Support for MEP 2014. So I cannot report quirks and suspected bugs through the ticketed reporting system.

If this KF behaviour (unpredictable at best, but plain buggy IMO) is the same, maybe an MEP 2015 user can report it formally?

 

Last changed by terrypin on 12/3/2014, 2:02 AM, changed a total of 3 times.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK. PC: i7 6700K, 4.0 GHz, 32GB with Win 10 pro. Used many earlier versions of MEPP, currently mainly MEPP 2016 & 2017 (Using scores of macro scripts to add functionality, tailored to these versions.)