Menus
The menus allow for extended functionality. You can perform any of the following:
File – New PRO
This command will clear (not delete) any FX selected and start a new FX from scratch.
File – Save to Album Preset PRO
Use this command to save the FX you are editing to the last preset you created in the Album. To create a new preset in the album simply drag the FX from the Tree panel into the Album.
The icon created for the FX will match exactly what is currently scene in the preview, so set the preview slider appropriately to create a useful icon.
File – Export HFZ PRO
This command will allow you to package up your custom effects for easy sharing with other users. They are saved to a folder in:
My Documents/Pinnacle Hollywood FX
File – Close
This command will close the Hollywood FX dialog. You need to save any options selected before choosing this option if you want to permanently keep what you have worked on.
Item – Undo/Redo PRO
As you make changes, the Undo menu will become available, letting you undo the last action performed. You can select Undo again and again to undo previous actions. The Undo menu will change to show a description of what action will be undone by selecting the menu item.
If you mistakenly Undo an action, you can redo it by selecting the Redo menu item. Each time you select Undo, the action that was undone is added to the Redo list, letting you move back and forth through all of the changes you have made since displaying the Hollywood FX editor.
Item – Rename PRO
Select this to rename the current item in the Tree panel. When you select this, the item will be highlighted and you can type a new name for the item.
Item – Clone PRO
Select Clone to create a copy of an Object, Light or Plugin in the Tree panel.
Item – Delete PRO
This will delete the selected item from the FX. Only objects, plugins, and lights can be deleted.
Item – Move Up/Down PRO
Select these menu items to quickly change the rendering order of objects (you can also drag-and-drop items within the Tree panel to re-order them). The feature is particularly useful for effects you design that have a keyhole or transparency need.
The unique nature of this feature would be to create some 3D text and set the surface opacity on the face of the text to 0.001. Then have that text sorted above Source 1 video in the objects list. This will cause the face of the text as it passes by the screen to key out and show the background source 2. Take a look at the “Wow†effect example in the ‘Words and Icons’ group.
Wow Effect: 1) Showing keying style wipe resulting from sorting object layers; 2) Moving the object down will turn it off.
Item – Add Null Object PRO
Selecting this item creates a new Null Object in the scene. Null objects are not rendered, but are used to create motion hierarchies and as reference positions for certain plugins.
Item – Add Light PRO
This allows you to add a spot, point or fill light to enhance a composite.
The Keyframe menu
The commands on this menu include Previous, Next, New, Copy, Paste, Delete and Key Type. See The Envelope Editor for information on these commands.
Album – Import 3D
When you select this item, a file requester will appear allowing you to select 3D objects to import into the Album. You can import Hollywood FX objects (.hfo) and Lightwave 5.x format objects (.lwo). When importing objects that have morph targets, you should name the targets with sequential numbers to indicate that they are morph targets (for example if you selected Airplane.lwo, Airplane1.lwo, Airplane2.lwo, then Hollywood FX will import Airplane.lwo as the master object, with Airplane1.lwo and Airplane2.lwo as the morph targets.
Album – Import Media
When you select this item, a file requester will appear, allowing you to import media files into the Album, which you can then drag-and-drop into FX. You can select multiple files to import from the file requester. Hollywood FX can import AVI files, Quicktime files, and TGA, BMP, and PNG images.
Album – Display Album
This command will show or hide the Album so that you can view the Envelope Editor.
Album – Separate Album Window
This command will separate the FX Album into its own floating dialog so if you have a dual monitor or large monitor you can keep your Envelope Editor open and also display all of your FX Albums.
Album – Delete
This command will delete the current item from the FX. Only media and object items can be deleted, and media items can only be deleted from an FX if they are not used by any surfaces. You must first reassign the media for any surfaces or delete any objects that use that media before deleting the media itself.
Preview – Play Once, Play Loop, Step Forward & Back, Goto Start, Goto End
This menu provides the same functions as the MoniÂtor’s playback control buttons.
Preview – Layout – Single, Split, Tri & Quad Views
This menu provides the same functions as the MoniÂtor’s view control buttons.
Preview – Video Sources – Proxy, Still & Actual
This menu provides the same functions as the MoniÂtor’s Video Source control buttons.
· Proxy (fast): Instead of video from the host timeline, simple proxy images with a source number are used. This generally provides the fastest preview.
· Still (normal): This is the default selection. A single frame for each video source is used during the entire preview. This will generally give you a good idea of how the final FX will look while rendering very quickly.
· Actual (slowest): The correct video is used for each frame of the transition. This is the most accurate and also the slowest preview option, since for each frame of the preview; Hollywood FX must get the correct video frame from the host application.
Render Engine – Accelerated OpenGL vs. Software
Almost any good 3D accelerator will dramatically improve the performance in the Preview Monitor window. However, we highly recommend a graphics card with at least 128 megabytes of memory on board.
Select Accelerated OpenGL from the Preview-Render Engine menu to speed up your preview display.
If you encounter problems with the preview after enabling on-screen rendering, you should immediately return to Preview menu Render Engine and select the Software engine.
Notice: It is recommended that you to test these rendering changes using the Easy FX editor, which you can launch from the Start Menu.
Setup – Time Code
This menu will allow you to select the timecode settings for the format you are working with (e.g. NTSC vs PAL). It also is where you can select the percent option, which although not required can make working with Envelopes easier.
· Percent:
When selected, the timecode is simply a percent of the total time.
· SMPTE 24 fps: This option is used primarily for film editing at 24 frames per second. Time is shown in the format HH:MM:SS:ff.
· SMPTE 25 fps: This option is used primarily on PAL editing systems for editing video at 25 frames per second. Time is shown in the format HH:MM:SS:ff.
· SMPTE 30 fps drop-frame (NTSC 29.97): This is used for standard NTSC editing, where specific frame numbers are dropped to maintain the NTSC 29.97 frame frame. Time is shown in the format HH;MM;SS;ff.
· SMPTE 30 fps non drop-frame: This option is used when you want to edit at 30 frames per second without worrying about the NTSC 29.97 fps timing. Time is shown in the format HH:MM:SS:ff.
· Number of Samples: This timecode simply displays sequential frame numbers. The format is #####.
· Feet+Frames 16 mm: This timecode is used for editing 16mm film. The format is FF + ff where FF is feet and ff is frames.
· Feet+Frames 35mm: This timecode is used for editing 35mm film. The format is FF + ff where FF is feet and ff is frames.
Help – Help Topics
This menu will allow you to display the Help Topics dialog to search the resource database.
Register/Upgrades & Add-Ons
If you haven’t yet registered and entered your permanent keycode, you can select this to display the registration information dialog, and register online instantly, or enter a keycode you received after registering from another system. If you have already registered, click on this button to find out about upgrade options.
Technical Support
This will allow you to go directly to Pinnacle’s Tech support forums if you have an Internet connection.
About
The About dialog displays the version number, serial number, and machine ID of your Hollywood FX. You can also quickly connect to Pinnacle Online through the Internet from the About dialog.