Medtron Make3D User’s Manual 1.1.6

Part #1

Part #2

Part #3

 

Table of Contents:

Editing Vegas 3D Project Timelines. 2

Basic 3D Timeline Editing. 2

Make3D_Split 2

Make3D_Delete. 2

Adjust 3D Pan Crop tool 3

Mirrored and Upside Down Input File Correction. 3

Using Anaglyph Glasses for 3D Editing. 3

Adjusting the 3D Window.. 4

Cropping the 3D Window.. 5

Dynamic Panning and Zooming. 6

Adjust 3D Pan Crop User Interface. 7

Pan Crop Group. 7

3D Alignment Group. 7

Re-synchronizing the 3D Timeline. 8

Sync Left Tool 8

Sync Right tool 8

Advanced 3D Timeline Editing. 8

Selecting a time range. 9

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting. 9

Adding Markers to the Timeline. 10

Rendering the Vegas 3D Project Timeline. 11

Render 3D Timeline Tool 11

Rendering Files for DVD Architect software. 12

Creating Field Sequential Interlaced Output Files. 12

Rendering Separate Left and Right, or Interlaced Output Files. 12

Creating Play3D Compatible 720p WMV files. 13

Creating Play3D Compatible 1920x1080 WMV files. 13

Burning 1080i BluRay Compatible AVCHD Anaglyph Disks. 14

Render Timeline User Interface. 15

 


Editing Vegas 3D Project Timelines

Because a 3D project timeline consists of multiple synchronized mask, video and audio tracks, and Vegas will incorrectly assume that you are A/B editing, the normal editing functions do not work as desired.

 

Normally, editing in Vegas consists of splitting events and deleting unwanted events on individual tracks. This does not work for 3D timelines because they are composed of six interrelated tracks: L Mask, L Video, L Audio, R Mask, R Video and R Audio.

 

The 3D Timeline Utilities process 3D events on all six of the 3D timeline tracks.

 

Basic 3D Timeline Editing

Typical video editing consists of removing unwanted sections from the raw video input. The Make3D_Split and Make3D_Delete tools are included with, but separate from the Make3D toolkit.  This is so the Split and Delete 3D timeline editing functions can be added to the Vegas toolbar for fast access.

 

Because all events in the six 3D timeline tracks must remain synchronized, the Make3D_Split and Make3D_Delete tools validate all 3D timeline events before executing. If 3D timeline problems are detected, the Split and Delete tools will not function, but will display a dialog that describes the detected 3D timeline problem.

 

Because the Shift values for a video pair are copied to new events created by splitting an event on the timeline, it is best to use the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool to adjust the 3D window for events in the 3D timeline before doing basic Split and Delete editing.

 

Make3D_Split

Move the Vegas cursor to the desired timeline position and then run the Make3D_Split tool. The corresponding events in the L Mask, L Video, L Audio, R Mask, R Video and R Audio tracks will be split at the cursor position. Events in other tracks will not be affected. All of the selected events in the L Video track will be cleared and the left event that was split will be selected. The Make3D_Split actions can be undone using [Vegas / Edit / Undo Run Script].

 

Make3D_Delete

Select an event in the L Video track and then run the Make3D_ Delete tool. Events selected in other tracks have no effect, and the first selected event controls the removal of synchronized events from the L Mask, L Video, L Audio, R Mask, R Video and R Audio tracks. The Make3D_ Delete script performs a ripple delete, and later events in the 3D timeline are moved forward to fill the deleted time gap. The cursor will be repositioned to the point where the selected event was deleted. Events in other tracks will not be affected. The Make3D_ Delete actions can be undone using [Vegas / Edit / Undo Run Script].


Adjust 3D Pan Crop tool

Select an event in the L Video track and then run the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool. Events selected in other tracks have no effect. If multiple events are selected, only the earliest timed event will be processed.

 

When the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool is run a second Video Motion Keyframe is added to the end of the selected event. This end Keyframe is used for dynamic panning and zooming. Because simple 3D window adjustment and cropping do not require different End values, changing the Start values will automatically change the corresponding End values. Make all your Start value adjustments before making any End value adjustments.

 

The “<< Cursor” and “Cursor >>” buttons let you look at the current 3D Pan Crop values and the selected event Start and End frames. This is useful before and after making adjustments.

 

The “Reset” button resets the Zoom values to 1.0 and the Position values to 0.5, but does not change the Shift values.

 

The “Test” button sets the Zoom and Position values to create a dynamic PanCrop.

 

The “<< Event” and “Event >>” buttons let you move to the prior or next event.

 

Mirrored and Upside Down Input File Correction

The Flip checkboxes are used to correct mirrored or 180 degree rotated video files. The Flip Left X checkbox horizontally mirrors the left input file. The Flip Left Y checkbox vertically mirrors the left input file. The Flip Right X checkbox horizontally mirrors the right input file. The Flip Right Y checkbox vertically mirrors the right input file. Using both Flip X and Flip Y together will handle upside down (180 degree rotation) input files.

 

WARNING: There is no support for 90 or 270 degree video file rotation.

 

Using Anaglyph Glasses for 3D Editing

Regardless of the final output format you are going to render, it helps to wear Red/Cyan Anaglyph glasses when using the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool. Use the “Convert 3D Timeline Format” tool to change the 3D timeline to Anaglyph Red/Cyan while editing the 3D timeline. Before rendering, convert the 3D timeline to the desired output format. You only need to wear the Anaglyph glasses when checking the 3D window and Pan Crop settings. Most of the basic editing can be done without wearing the glasses. Regardless of the Preview quality settings, make sure to set the Preview size to Auto so you can see the entire 3D window.


Adjusting the 3D Window

When you ran the “Find Alignment” tool the Shift X and Shift Y (and Start Frame) values for the left and right video files were saved in an alignment file. When you ran the “Create New 3D Timeline” or “Append 3D Pairs to Timeline” tools the settings in the alignment file were used to create the initial Pan/Crop keyframes.

 

You can re-adjust the 3D window for an event in the timeline by changing the Shift X and Shift Y values. Because the Shift values for a video pair are copied to new events created by splitting an event on the timeline, it is best to adjust the Pan/Crop values for events in the 3D timeline before doing basic Split and Delete editing.

 

The Shift Y value is used to correct vertical camera misalignment. With the Anaglyph glasses off, adjust the Shift Y value until the left and right videos are vertically aligned.

 

Adjusting the Shift X value moves the 3D window closer or farther away. This is a more artistic adjustment and depends on the final display device size and the position of objects in the 3D scene. Setting the proper 3D window for large display devices is more exacting than for smaller displays. Aside from the artistic goal there are two competing factors for the 3D window adjustment.

 

First, for large displays you do not want the left and right eye separation for the furthest objects in the scene to be greater than a few inches.

 

Second, you do not want objects in the scene that are in front of the 3D window to be cut by the edges of the 3D window.


Cropping the 3D Window

Adjusting the Shift X and Shift Y values can cause black bars around the edge of the 3D window. If you use Zoom values greater than 1.0 to select a desired region within the original image, then the selected region is expanded to fill the entire frame. The greater the Zoom value; the fuzzier the final result. Zoom values less than 1.0 reduce the 3D window size and do not degrade the final resolution.

 

Cropping the 3D window consists of selecting the desired Zoom and Position values.

 

The minimum Zoom value of 0.1 reduces the entire 3D window to one tenth of the original size.

 

The maximum Zoom value of 10.0 selects a region one tenth of the original 3D window and expands the region to fill the entire frame.

 

If the Zoom value is greater than 1.0 then the Pan Crop Group values control where the expanded region is extracted from the 3D window.

 

If the Zoom value is less than 1.0 then the Pan Crop Group values control where the reduced 3D window is placed on the output frame.

 

The default Pan Crop Group values of 0.5, centers the selection region.

The minimum Pan Crop X values of 0.0 moves the selection region to the Left edge.

The maximum Pan Crop X values of 1.0 moves the selection region to the Right edge.

The minimum Pan Crop Y values of 0.0 moves the selection region to the Top edge.

The maximum Pan Crop Y values of 1.0 moves the selection region to the Bottom edge.

 

For ordinary cropping, the Start and End values should be the same!

 

Simple Cropping Example

1)      Select event in L Video track

2)      Open the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool

3)      Set the Start Zoom to 1.5

4)      Set the Start X to 0.2

5)      Set the Start Y to 0.7

When played the event should be cropped to a lower left region of the original 3D window.

 

Experiment with different Start values, and observe what happens!


Dynamic Panning and Zooming

Dynamic panning and Zooming requires setting the End values different from the Start values. The Start values apply to the first frame in the event, and the End values apply to the last frame in the event. The Pan Crop values are smoothly adjusted between the Start and End values for each frame of the event. If the Make3D_Split tool is used to split an event, then the adjusted Pan Crop values at the split position are copied to the split events.

 

Simple Panning Example

6)      Select event in L Video track

7)      Open the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool

8)      Set the Start Zoom to 2.0

9)      Set the Start X to 0.0

10)  Set the Start Y to 0.0

11)  Set the End X to 1.0

12)  Set the End Y to 1.0

When played the event should pan from the upper left to the lower right.

 

Simple Zooming Example

1)      Select event in L Video track.

2)      Open the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop” tool.

3)      Set the End Zoom to 3.0

4)      Set the End Y to 1.0

When played the event should zoom to the upper center.

 

Experiment with the Start and End settings to create advanced panning and zooming.

 

Because of possible black bars around the 3D window, crossing value 1.0 between the Start Zoom and End Zoom values may result in undesirable artifacts.

 

Although Vegas can support many Video Motion Keyframes in a single event, Make3D is restricted to just the Start and End frame positions. To mimic the Vegas capability you can split events and use the “Adjust 3D Pan Crop tool for each split event.


Adjust 3D Pan Crop User Interface

Adjust the pan/crop values by using the mouse wheel in the numeric input boxes.

 

Pan Crop Group

Start Zoom – Set both the Start and End Zoom values

End Zoom – Set only the End Zoom Value.

Start X – Set both the Start and End Position X values.

End X – Set only the End Position X value.

Start Y – Set both the Start and End Position Y values.

End Y – Set only the End Position Y value.

Flip Left X – Horizontally mirrors the left input file.

Flip Left Y – Vertically mirrors the left input file.

Flip Right X – Horizontally mirrors the right input file.

Flip Right Y – Vertically mirrors the right input file.

 

3D Alignment Group

Start Shift X – Set both the Start and End Shift X values.

End Shift X – Set only the End Shift X value.

Start Shift Y – Set both the Start and End Shift Y values.

End Shift Y – Set only the End Shift Y value.

Start Rotation – Set both the Start and End Rotation values.

End Rotation – Set only the End Rotation value.

Start Scale – Set both the Start and End Scale values.

End Scale – Set only the End Scale value.

 

Event Start Time Box – Displays the Start frame time for the current event.

Event End Time Box – Displays the End frame time for the current event.

 

<< Cursor – Move the cursor to the event Start frame.

Cursor >> – Move the cursor to the event End frame.

<< Event – Move to the prior 3D Timeline event.

Event >> – Move to the next 3D Timeline event.

Reset – Resets the Zoom values to 1.0 and the Position values to 0.5

Test – Sets Zoom and Position values to create a dynamic PanCrop test.

Exit – Quit the Adjust 3D Pan Crop tool.

Event Media Name Box – Displays the filename for the event media.


Re-synchronizing the 3D Timeline

Although the Find Audio Clicks tool was used to select the start frames for the left and right video clips, the left and right camera synchronization can drift over time. You can compare individual frames or zoom in on the Left Audio and Right Audio tracks to check the camera synchronization. The Sync Left and Sync Right tools allow you to drop single frames from the 3D Timeline to correct the synchronization.

 

Sync Left Tool

Split the 3D Timeline events at the current cursor position and delete a frame from the beginning of the new left video event and delete a frame from the end of the new right video event.

 

Sync Right tool

Split the 3D Timeline events at the current cursor position and delete a frame from the beginning of the new right video event and delete a frame from the end of the new left video event.

 

Advanced 3D Timeline Editing

Using time range selections to perform advanced editing is easier and safer than individually processing events on all six 3D timeline tracks.

 

Unfortunately, this means you should perform all of the editing functions on the 3D timeline, such as “Cut”, “Copy”, “Paste”, etc., before adding additional tracks to the project.

 

After you have completed editing the 3D timeline then you can add additional audio tracks, such as “Over Dub” and “Sound Track”. Additional tracks can be edited using normal Vegas functions.

 

Although you can add additional video tracks to your project, this is tricky because of the 3D timelines use of “Compositing Mode” and “Parent Composite Mode”.

 

Although hand editing video event pan/crop settings in the 3D timeline is possible, it is very tricky and not recommended.

 

After editing the timeline you should use [File / Save As] to save your Vegas project.

Do not use the Make3D temporary “TmpMake3D.veg” project name!

 

WARNING: The Vegas 3D Timeline Utilities do not handle multiple event “Takes”.


Selecting a time range

The [Vegas / Help / Contents and Index] “Vegas Pro Online Help” [Index / Time Selection] has the following “Selecting a time range” instructions:

 

“Click and drag along the marker bar, CD layout bar, or a blank area of the timeline to select a time range. All events — and portions of events — within the region are highlighted.”

 

“Double-click an event and drag left or right to extend the selection to the next fade or event edge on that track.”

 

“Dragging within an event will change the event's position on the timeline. To create time selection without moving the event, hold [Ctrl+Shift] while dragging.”

 

“If the Allow edit cursor to be dragged check box is selected on the General tab of the Preferences dialog, dragging the edit cursor will change its position on the timeline. To create a time selection without moving the cursor, hold Shift while dragging”.

 

“Unless an event is locked, a selected time range affects all events—or portions of events—that occur within the range.”

 

“You can drag the ends of the time selection bar to adjust the selection length, or drag the middle of the bar to move the selection without changing its duration.”

 

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting

The Vegas Online Help [Index / Editing Events / Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Events] has the following set of instructions:

 

Cutting a time selection

“If you cut a time selection, events across all tracks are removed from the timeline and placed on the clipboard. Events that extend beyond the time selection are split at each end of the time selection:”

 

Copying a time selection

“If you copy a time selection, the portions of events that are within the selection (across all tracks) are placed on the clipboard:”

 

Pasting events

“Position the cursor and click the Paste button  (or press Ctrl+V). Events from the clipboard are inserted at the cursor position.

Pasted events will sit on top of other events in the track if they overlap. To make space for pasted events, you can use Paste Insert or use post-edit ripple mode.”


Adding Markers to the Timeline

Adding markers to the Vegas timeline is very important if you want to create BluRay compatible AVCHD DVDs. Because AVCHD DVDs do not have menus, adding markers to the timeline will allow chapter markers to be created during the AVCHD burn process. Chapter markers allow the [>>|] and [|<<] search buttons to work during playback.

 

Adding markers is also important if you want to render files for use by DVD Architect. The markers can be used by DVD Architect to create chapter markers.

 

The Vegas Online Help [Index / Markers / Inserting Markers] has the following set of instructions:

 

“From the Insert menu, choose Marker to add a marker at the cursor position. Markers can be used to indicate points of interest in projects or to make notes in the project.”

 

1)    Position the cursor where you want to add a marker.

2)    From the Insert menu, choose Marker. A marker will be added at the cursor position and an edit box is displayed.

3)    Type a name for the marker in the edit box and press Enter.

 

“If you choose to save markers in your rendered MPEG-2 file, DVD Architect will read those markers as chapter markers. Ensure the Render I-frames at markers check box is selected before rendering (in the Render As dialog, choose MainConcept MPEG-2 from the Template drop-down list, and then click the Custom button. In the Custom Template dialog, select the Video tab and select the Render I-frames at markers check box).”


Rendering the Vegas 3D Project Timeline

Regardless of the Vegas Project Properties, the “Render 3D Timeline” tool can be used to create many output formats, including NTSC, PAL and IVTC Film.

 

The “Convert Timeline 3D Format” tool can convert the 3D timeline to Anaglyph Red/Cyan, Anaglyph Yellow/Blue, Anaglyph Green/Magenta, Side-By-Side, or Dual Stream 3D formats. The Dual Stream format can be used to create separate LEFT and RIGHT, or Field Sequential Interlaced output files.

 

Each of the possible “3D Output Types” can be rendered using different “Output Frame Rates” and “Video Output Formats”.

 

Render 3D Timeline Tool

A Dual Stream 3D Timeline can be used to render separate LEFT and RIGHT, or Field Sequential Interlaced output files. The radio buttons in the “3D Output Type” group box will be enabled or disabled depending on the current 3D Timeline format.

 

The “Audio Tracks” group box selects which cameras audio track will be used when creating output files. Both the L Audio and R Audio 3D Timeline tracks should be in stereo and the audio output should be in stereo. Selecting either the left or right camera mutes the other camera’s audio track, and prevents unwanted echo effects in the audio output.

 

The “Output Frame Rate” and  “Output Format” group boxes work together to select the Render Template used when creating output files.

 

Because Render Templates do not exist for all combinations of  “3D Output Type”, “Output Frame Rate” and “Video Output Formats”, the “Render 3D Timeline” tool radio buttons will be enabled or disabled depending on the availability of appropriate Render Templates.

 

For example, “HDV 720x1280” and “HDV 1080x1440” do not exist for “IVTC Film”. Also, selecting “Field Sequential Interlaced” will disable the “IVTC Film” and BluRay buttons.

 

 

WARNING: The Render Timeline tool will not overwrite existing files!

This is an intentionally designed safety feature to help prevent the accidental destruction of output files that may have taken many hours to render.


Rendering Files for DVD Architect software

The Vegas Online Help [Index / Creating a DVD with DVD Architect software] has the following comments:

 

“MPEG-2 video files rendered with the DVD NTSC or DVD PAL templates will not need to be recompressed. Audio will not need to be recompressed if rendered as stereo or surround AC-3 files with a bit rate of less than 448 kbps or as stereo, 48-kHz, 16-bit, WAV (PCM) files.”

 

1)    If necessary, use the Convert 3D Timeline Format tool, and create desired output type.

2)    Use the [Render Timeline] button to open the Render 3D Timeline tool.

3)    Select [DVD Architect Widescreen] button in Output Format.

4)    Select desired “Audio Tracks” option.

5)    Select desired “Output Frame Rate” option.

6)    Use the [Render Timeline] button to create the MPG and AC3 output files for DVD Architect.

 

Creating Field Sequential Interlaced Output Files

Because of the way video resizing algorithms function, it is not possible to create high quality interlaced 3D video in a single recompression step. To minimize ghosting and other video compression artifacts it is necessary to first resize the left and right videos, and then in a second pass interlace the fields together.

 

The Render Timeline tool automates the two pass process by first creating resized intermediate left and right video files, next creating a 3D timeline using the resized files with appropriate interlace masks, and finally rendering the interlaced output.

 

Rendering Separate Left and Right, or Interlaced Output Files

1)    If necessary, use the “Convert 3D Timeline Format” tool and use the [To Dual Stream] button.

2)    Use the [Render Timeline] button to open the Render Timeline tool.

3)    Select desired “3D Output Type” option.

4)    Select desired “Output Frame Rate” option.

5)    Select desired “Audio Tracks” option.

6)    Select desired “Video Output Format” option.

7)    Use the [Render Timeline] button to create the intermediate and/or output files.


Creating Play3D Compatible 720p WMV files

Use the following procedure to create Medtron Play3D compatible output files.

Play3D requires the file name to be suffixed with “_3D” to work correctly.

 

1)    If necessary, use the “Convert 3D Timeline Format” tool and use the [To Side By Side] button.

2)    Use the [Render Timeline] button to open the Render Timeline tool.

3)    Select the [Side-by-Side 2:1] Output Type button is selected.

4)    Make sure the HD 720x1280 Output Format button is selected.

5)    Select desired Audio Track option.

6)    Use [Render Timeline] button to create WMV file.

 

Creating Play3D Compatible 1920x1080 WMV files

Use the following procedure to create Medtron Play3D compatible output files.

Play3D requires the file name to be suffixed with “_3D” to work correctly.

 

The Render Timeline tool cannot be used to create 1920x1080 WMV files, because there is not a Windows Media Video standard 1920x1080 template.

You must create and use a Custom template.

 

1)    If desired, “Mute” either the L Audio or R Audio track.

2)    If necessary, use the “Convert 3D Timeline Format” tool and use the [To Side By Side] button.

3)    Use [Vegas / File / RenderAs…] to open the “Render As” dialog.

4)    Set “Save As Type” to “Windows Media Video V9 (*.wmv)” or “Windows Media Video V11 (*.wmv)”.

5)    Set “Template:” to “8 Mbps HD 1080-30p Video”.

6)    Use [Custom] button to open “Custom Template” dialog.

7)    In “Project” tab set “Video rendering quality:” to “Best”.

8)    In “Video” tab set “Format:” to “Windows Media Video 9 Advanced Profile”.

9)    In “Video” tab set “Image Size:” to “(Custom)”.

10)           In “Video” tab set “Width (pixels):” to “1920”.

11)           In “Video” tab set “Pixel aspect ratio:” to “1.000 (Square)”.

12)           Use [OK] button to close “Custom Template” dialog.

13)           Make sure “File name:” ends with “_3D.wmv”.

14)           Use [Save] button to start the render process


Burning 1080i BluRay Compatible AVCHD Anaglyph Disks

An AVCHD disk is an ordinary DVD that will play high-definition 1080i on many BluRay players.

 

The “Render 3D Timeline” tool cannot be used to create AVCHD disks.

1)    If desired, “Mute” either the L Audio or R Audio track.

2)    If necessary, use the “Convert 3D Timeline Format” tool and use the appropriate [Anaglyph] button.

3)    Use [Tools / Burn Disk / BluRay Disk] to open the “Burn BluRay Disk” dialog.

4)    Set “Operation” to “Render image and burn”.

5)    Set “Video Type:” to “Sony AVC (*.mp4;*.m2ts;*.avc)”.

6)    Set “Video Template:” to “BluRay 1440x1080-60i, 15Mbps video stream”.

7)    Set “Audio Format:” to “Dolby Digital AC3 Studio (*.ac3)”.

8)    Set “Audio Template:” to “Default Template”.

9)    Set “Insert chapter points at markers” checkbox.

10)           Enter “File Path:” output path and filename (.iso).

11)           Select “Burn Drive:” from dropdown list box.

12)           Use OK button to start the render and burn process.


Render Timeline User Interface

Status Box – displays current rendering state and filenames.

 

Output Type Group

 

Output Frame Rate Group

 

Audio Track Group

 

Output Format Group

Windows Media Video

 

MainConcept MPEG-2 Widescreen – Template depends on “Output Frame Rate”.


Intermediate Files Group

 

Output Files Group

 

Render Timeline - Render the 3D timeline using selected options.

Abort – Click Twice – Halt any ongoing rendering and exit.

Exit - Will not exit if rendering, instead use Abort.