How to get Layer 1 pixels to mask Layer 2?

[nickharambee]

Hi

I hope I am not asking a very dumb question (it wouldn't be the first time). I have had a look at the manual and searched this forum, but can't work out how to get the pixels in Layer 1 to totally mask pixels on Layer 2. Even though I have the opacity of Layer 1 set to 100%, Layer 2 still shows through areas which have some content (i.e. coloured pixels) on Layer 1. I would like Layer 2 to show through only on the black areas of Layer 1. Here is an example clip, which is just two JPGs animated using effects, the skull on Layer 1 and the psychedelics on Layer 2. I have to set the opacity of Layer 2 quite low to get the skull to stand out. Ideally I would like both to be 100% opacity but for the skull to mask what is below it on Layer 2:



Is there a simple way to achieve the effect I am looking for?

Thanks

Nick

[Joris]

Hey Nick

If I understand what you're looking for correctly, you should be able to create this result by using the LumaKey blend mode on the skull layer, set around 95% opacity.

Hope that helps!

Joris

[nickharambee]

Thanks. I have tried your method Joris, setting the opacity of Layer 1 (skull layer) to 95% and using LumaKey mode, but the skull then stands out less!

Sorry if my original post was not clear. Essentially I want the skull (i.e. everything apart from black) on Layer 1 to mask all other layers so that the skull stands out clearly.

Nick

[Joris]

Essentially I want the skull (i.e. everything apart from black) on Layer 1 to mask all other layers so that the skull stands out clearly.

Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing here: is this clip somewhat like what you're looking for? (http://www.hybridvisuals.nl/screenshots/lumakey.mov)

[nickharambee]

yes. this is exactly what i want!

nick

[Joris]

Hmmm. That was done with Lumakey blend mode on the skull layer set to 91% opacity. Perhaps you could mail me your files (support<at>resolume<dot>com) to see if there's something peculiar about them that prevents the lumakey from working properly?

[nickharambee]

Ok. will do. The files are essentially just two JPG files.

[GeeEs]

just switch the layers ... ( You are now trying to mask something from layer 2 with layer 1... I would try it the other way around)

Psychedelics on layer 1 , skull on a layer above 1 (2-3-4 etc...).
Skull layer to blend mode "luma key" or "luma Key Inverted" (depends on what you would like to blend) and indeed a bit high.. 90-95 %... (actually 50% will do the job already if it's a black white clip/jpg , just fiddling around a bit there until it's nice)

I think Joris meant the same... but you really have to switch the layers first, the other way around it won't work.
(Changing the blend mode on layer 1 won't affect layer 2-3-4- etc... )

[Joris]

In the end we got this sorted via the support mail. It turned out this particular skull with its tiny wavy lines across it is not so well suited for the effect but we got it to work.

Good point about the layer order though. I still tend to think of layer 1 as the top one myself, a nasty habit that has bit me in the ass more than once in a live situation

Joris

[GeeEs]

Same here... most of the time I start to add layers during live situations.. I always have my logo's/texts at the top layer, but as the performance progress, I need to make more top layers while I do switch a lot!