More than one mask

[John McGeoch]

Hello, I`d like to put more than one mask on a clip or layer, is this possible? I realise I could set up multiple instances of clips with different masks, but then the animation is not continuous. i want to be able to switch a running animation from say inside the windows of a building, to only on the walls etc with no break to the animation. Thanks John

[Sadler]

Set each of your different masks (stills or video) up on a new layer and set its blend mode to 50mask or multiply. You can then choose or auto-play masks over your content.

[Joris]

I'm kind of waiting for Oaktown to suggest using Layer Routers for this...

[Oaktown]

Funny you'd say that Joris Did I ever mention the layer router in a post before?

I use the layer router frequently to manage video content in real time so switching between multiple masks on a particular video would be a great application.

Several ways to skin this masked cat!

First thing that comes to mind:

• L1: underlying video asset
  L2: must be set a 100% opacity
  - C1: layer router of L1 with mask 1
  - C2: layer router of L1 with mask 2
  - C3: layer router of L1 with mask 3
  - CN: layer router of L1 with mask N
  Here you'd manage the transition between your masks using the layer transition feature. Note you can easily vary the transition time and mode by using MIDI, Artnet or OSC at the Deck level.

Another layout would be:

• L1: underlying video asset
  L2: blackout layer
  L3:
  - C1: layer router of L1 with mask 1 for fade in
  - C2: layer router of L1 with mask 1 for fade out
  - C3: layer router of L1 with mask 3 for fade in
  - C4: layer router of L1 with mask 3 for fade out
  - etc....
  L4:
  - C2: layer router of L1 with mask 2 for fade in
  - C3: layer router of L1 with mask 2 for fade out
  - C4: layer router of L1 with mask 4 for fade in
  - CN: layer router of L1 with mask N
  Here you'd manage the fade in and out by using the timeline feature on the clip opacity.

Depending on the workflow you could actually simplify to:

• L1: underlying video asset
  L2: blackout layer
  L3: layer router of L1 with mask 1
  L4: layer router of L1 with mask 2
  L5: layer router of L1 with mask 3
  LN: layer router of L1 with mask N
  In this example, you'd manage your masks by varying the opacity of L3 through LN

[subpixel]

I use the layer router frequently to manage video content in real time so switching between multiple masks on a particular video would be a great application.

This is a terrible application! Just put the masks in another layer as regular clips and use the appropriate blend mode as suggested by Sadler.

• L1: underlying video asset
  L2: with masking blend mode
  - C1: mask 1 (can be still, video, Flash, FFGL source, whatever)
  - C2: mask 2 (can be still, video, Flash, FFGL source, whatever)
  - C3: mask 3 (can be still, video, Flash, FFGL source, whatever)
  - CN: mask N (can be still, video, Flash, FFGL source, whatever)
  
  Manage the transition between your masks using the layer transition feature.

[John McGeoch]

Thanks for that, one moderate work around and one insane work around! I`d still prefer being able to drop two or more masks on the same clip or layer and toggle between, particularly with the layer .........