Video Toaster/Tricaster DVE file format

[Mike]

Does anyone know what the format is of the DVE files? I've been thinking it might be handy to support an existing format when adding support for animated transitions, and the Tricaster seems like a logical choice. Unfortunately I cannot find any specifications for their dve format. I can use the (preview?) avi files they include, but they are 160*120 only and that's a little low res. I assume the dve file has higher res frames embedded and would need to extract them.

If this fails, any other format that is common and properly documented?

[TVIZME]

Hello Mike,

This is a sort of mystery few know of. The .dve format is derived from both Lightwave or Aura( actually a plug in for aura.) You can build you own custom transitions but need either one of these prorgrams to convert for the tricaster to perform the transition. I typically use aftereffects then tranfer to aura for conversion for the effect to work.

See as follows:
http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98127

There are only a few people who can build these. well good ones at least.
I would prefer an easier option for this for vidblaster. Then people can build there own OR use digital juices swipes. ALSO the tricaster currently has no sound for the wipe. ( like a swoosh effect) for sports replay moves. making a check box for a mp3. or wav. file would be awesome!


If you need more info of how to build one. let me know. Always glad to help. Your program is brilliant.

P.S. I am currently working with Scott Doucet on many things.

Kind Regards John Powell

[wiav8r]

http://www.vtfx.dk/about.htm try here maybe they can help

[Mike]

Thanks both!

@John: so you are saying you'd rather prefer an easy way to create your own transitions, then have access to all those already made for the tricaster? That's actually a good point. But I bet you are now going to say you want both ;)

@Allan: contacted the owner Michael, maybe he knows more.

[TVIZME]

I really don't care to use the "stock" newtek ones. Just to be able to have the ability to put you own in would be "a step ahead"

[TVIZME]

Hello Mike,

Any update or development on this feature?

[DigitalRazor]

Thanks both!

@John: so you are saying you'd rather prefer an easy way to create your own transitions, then have access to all those already made for the tricaster? That's actually a good point. But I bet you are now going to say you want both ;)

@Allan: contacted the owner Michael, maybe he knows more.


I would "third" that myself .. I have played around with the Tricaster and the Video Toaster... The transitions are ok .. but they really "lock" you in unless you are one of the "blessed" ones to get all the programs needed to make it happen. Truth be known.. only 10% of them are useful (to me). I don't know how you coded in the 3D split screen you have in VidBlaster but if there is a way to make that user definable like the PIP feature then that would be a step forward.(But back to main point) The titler can use PNG which has its own transparency embedded. There is a way to embed such transparancy in AVI files.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huffyuv
This may be the ticket.
Possible senario:
If you create a logo animation in a 3d program of choice ( I use an opensource program called blender3d ) or even a 2d animation/ compositing engine like AfterEffects or Combustion. then export said animation using the HuffyUV codec with all the correct settings and import the AVI file in VidBlaster as you would a PNG lower third. Then triggering a take or dissolve based on a keyframe set up only once in VidBlaster for that anim That might fit the bill and also quench our creative thirsts ( ... sorry this may qualify as another feature request)
Expanding on that idea for spinning cubes with video mapped onto them and such, I think the FX engine you have in there and the resources ( ala CUDA/Stream/GPU math) one could import any wireform geometric shape ( as a DXF file ) and create transitions like the "bouncing Ball" "falling sheep" on and on.

The engine within VidBlaster is very adept at scaling any video to the proper resolution without a hiccup. I feel that this coupled with some GPU horsepower can really take the cake. (OpenGL or the up and coming OpenCL ? )

Thanks for entertaining my 2cents worth.

I apologize if this seems like more than one feature .. but I feel that they are one of the same depending on how its deployed

[DigitalRazor]

Sorry for the double post ... I believe you can do this with Quicktime too if that is a preference .. Thanks for your indulgence.

11.13.2009 - I know its been a busy time for you and getting busier with the holiday season .. I was doing some research on a somewhat unrelated workaround and came across this website. its primarily for VJ applications but some of the APIs may lend itself for a completely self contained transition/effects module. Explore as time permits....
PEACE

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/arkaos+vj