Hi José

How are you creating the split screen effect ?

Is the mascara split screen rev.png a mask you have created or is it one of the MEP masks ?

If the mask is one you have created can you upload a copy to Dropbox, and provide a link to it, for us to test.

Assuming the mask is one you created or a MEP image you have used then from the screenshot you have posted the mask does not have any Alpha effect applied to it. Below is an example of a mask with Alpha applied - note the word Alpha is added to the title of the image object and the direction of the Alpha arrow - and the resulting preview

HTH

John EB

Hi John,

Thank you very much for answering.

I created the mask using Photo & Graphics Designer 11 following the instructions of your tutorial and saved it as a PNG file. I right clicked the file to see properties and it confirmed it was a png file.

I do not have dropbox installed so I won´t be able to do what you ask. Is there any other means I can use to send it?

Thanks again

José Robles

Hi José,

As John EB pointed out, you have to put the chromakey alpha on the mask - Effects, Video effects, Chroma key and select alpha. Once on the object, you can reverse the arrow on the object to inverse the effect.

John CB

Hi John,

Thank you very much for your answer. It worked as you said. I think I should mention that after watching the tutorial once more, there is no indication that Chroma Key should be applied and this is what got me confused.

Let me please ask one further question. How can I have two clips with different dimensions, width and height, measure both the same? I tried applying batch conversion entering the same number of pixels for both and did not work - it still showed different widths for both.

Regards,

José Robles

Hi José

. . . . Hi John, . . . I created the mask using Photo & Graphics Designer 11 following the instructions of your tutorial and saved it as a PNG file. I right clicked the file to see properties and it confirmed it was a png file. . . . .

Which John do you mean John CB or John EB (me) as we have both answered your query ?

There are several Johns in this forum, so it would help if you would identify specifically which John you are responding to.

Which tutorial was it?

Thanks

John EB

Hi John EB,

I did not want to upset anyone by not specifying which John I was referring to. Quite the contrary, I feel deeply obliged by the help given me everytime I have requested help.

The tutorial is this: https://www.magix.info/uk/tutorials/tutorial-split-screen-effect-using-a-mask--1110320/ and to be sure I have watched it seconds before posting this. Unless , of course, I have missed something, in which case I anticipate my apology,

José Robles

I think I should mention that after watching the tutorial once more, there is no indication that Chroma Key should be applied and this is what got me confused.

I think you missed it, José.

At the 0:55 point of John's 2:59 video 'Tutorial 04 Split screen with mask_1280.wmv', with the screen showing the caption 'Save as "Mask_50-50_alpha.png"' he says:
"...so that when it's imported into the video editor, it automatically turns on Chroma Key alpha."

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

@terrypin

. . . . "...so that when it's imported into the video editor, it automatically turns on Chroma Key alpha." . . .

Except that MEP appears to automatically apply Alpha in one direction only - there is no direction arrow to modify its effect.

VPX appears to ignore the _alpha part of the file name and does not apply Chromakey Alpha.

Can anyone else replicate this?

@joserobles1941

. . . . I did not want to upset anyone by not specifying which John I was referring to . . .

I would not worry about upsetting one of us - it is of more importance to us, and I hope there I can speak for all of us, to know if a tutorial can be improved or has an error in it.

John EB

Hi John,

Nice find! I can replicate that quirk in MEPP 2016. In fact the alpha suffix trick does not seem to work at all. My import just got the standard 'Stamp' key applied.

MEP 2014 does work as expected, i.e. the mask does get alpha status, an arrow is displayed on hovering, and it is reversible.

So looks like a bug in recent versions.

P.S: Same issue applies to keys black, white, green, blue, etc. So all such files (many in my case, 99% *alpha.png) will need manual application of alpha after import.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

because the german MEP has different names I could not say in which issue I have seen the bug.

I think it is the newest one - called in german: VdL 18

Hi Walter,

Do you also have the bug in MEPP 2016/7/8? (If you have those versions installed.)

Hi all,

I just tried MEP2016 and the latest VPX and naming the file with _alpha does not turn on the Chroma key Alpha effect anymore. I am trying to update the text of the YT video, but after clicking on Save changes, the cursor has been turning, turning, turning... Probably a problem with the internet connection in the lounge at Heathrow.

EDIT: Tried again and the text is now updated. I guess that I should redo the video or make a new one.

Thanks for pointing this out.

John CB

Now I think I retire: what I have seen may be in a "beta" Version and they repair it...

"...in the lounge at Heathrow."

Hi John: Expect you'll be glad to get home - only some 5,200 km now. So you weren't tempted to make an excursion to Zimbabwe?

Hi Terry,

I'm on my way out, coming back next Wednesday, home on Thursday.

Time to get ready to head to the plane.

John CB

Hi Terry,

I did listen to the part you mention but it said "automatically," so I figured I did not have to do anything else.

José Robles