I want to change where something starts.... but there are no start or opacity keyframes etc... help!

Report · Dec 08, 2020

Hi Heroes!

Today's noob conundrum is, I'm sure, REALLY easy to fix - but I just can't find it!

Having added this 'Saber' effect to my footage I wanted to have it start earlier than it does... but I can't see where this option / control is!

Here's the video of me trying to find it. I also tried physically shifting the actual footage on the timeline to see if it would start earlier - but that didn't work either.

I know you've already spotted it! - So please come to my aid!

Many gratitudes in advance

Report · Dec 08, 2020

Since you have disabled the mask visibility it's really not clear what's going on, but of course that in itself could be the issue.

Mylenium

Report · Dec 08, 2020

Hi Mylenium,

Thanks for this tip.... but it's giving me nowhere to go...

1. I didn't know I HAD disabled the mask visibility! - Is that when you double click the layer and it opens in a separate window? - My view here was black as you saw and I looked for the enable/disable mask button in this view, but I couldn't find it.

In any case....

2. Do I assume that being able to see the mask in this view would help regarding when the effect appears and disappears on the timeline? I can't currently see why.....

I was surprised that it just appears and disappears currently without the guidance of keyframes.... so I clearly need some rather basic eduction on this one...

Report · Dec 08, 2020

As Mylenium noted, it's tough for us to guess since we still have limited information, but my assumption is that either one of the other layers is covering this area up, or your mask is animated in such a way that Saber doesn't yet have the shape to trace.

Start by solo'ing the Saber layer - do you still have the issue? Start adding the other layers in one by one and see if one of those is the cause.

Is the mask path you're feeding to Saber animated in any way? Here's the switch for mask visibility that was mentioned.

Report · Dec 08, 2020

Troubleshooting workflow step 1: Solo the problem layer and press UU to reveal all modified properties.

If soloing the layer makes the problem go away or some effect disappears then the problem is on another layer. If the problem still exists then start by turning off the effects one by one or resetting the modified properties one by one.

If the problem is not just a simple disk cache problem that can be solved by using the Edit menu to Purge everything, the next thing I can think of is that you have enabled compositing options and are editing the opacity of the mask.

Embed a screenshot of your comp with the modified properties of the layer giving you problems revealed and we can probably help you out.

If that doesn't work, add a new solid to your comp, select Copy the Saber plug-in in the Effects Control Panel, then paste to the new layer. Then copy the mask and paste it.