Make sure the mask is selected on the timeline, and activate the Select tool in the Viewer. You can then hold the Alt key and drag on a corner point to rotate the entire mask.
Hands down I lucked up on this and I may be buying a license real soon!! keep it for the guys that actually want make money doing this cause the price point is actually pretty good. I am still getting over how fast this damn program renders lol...legendary shit Hit Film!!
You can't directly attach a mask. Instead, apply the mask to a separate plane layer, then link the plane to the tracking point. That'll result in the mask moving around. You can then use the set matte effect to apply that mask to another layer.
is there a way to mask out an area and copy it to another area? (like taking a section of a wall and using that to cover up some poster on the same wall)
which key do i have to use when i use smoke for muzzle flashes form action essentials ? it would be great if you can answer me ;) sorry for my bad english, i´m from germany but i really think about to buy hitfilm because it´s really great :)
Thank you for the tutorial. I have a question. When I film a video i have a windows and its curtain in the background. I want to remove the entire background from the entire video and put a plain black background. Will i be able to do this using HitFilm Express Free version. If not which version do i need?
Need a lot more info on the path option - you mentioned it, then showed the mask mod tools, but not how they relate back to path. I hope the help file is a lot more comprehensive in its treatment of this attribute.
One thing that I had to deal with that isn't expressly said in this I don't think is the layer has to be above the original footage or else everything goes a bit wrong.
how to add the mask only at a certain time in the clip? If the clip is 10sec and I want to add a mask only at 6th second, will it be possible without slicing the clip?
I've tried adding a mask but it simply cuts off my entire composite shot, if I try to use it as inverted and add affects they affect the entire shot rather than just the masked part, only as I tried to use "expand" black outline grew around the mask, how can I get the masks to work?
I have a kinda stupid question but i was messing around in hitfilm and i pressed something and the layout of hitfilm got changed and i dont know how to change it back please tell me how
I am having the same problem as Tunniex. I have Driver Model of WDDM 1.1 and I have updated it and the promlem still continues. I could send you a video response of what happens if you would like me two. If you could respond I would be grateful!
@gambo47 I have the same issue, can't figure it out. In the mean time, I duplicate my video layer and mask IT out over the explosion/3D object. Very time consuming and confusing; I'd like to know the actual way to mask 3D objects as well.
Is there any way to align this rectangular mask other than using transform function? I can't seem to find a way to align it to the center/ left / right. I am using Hitfilm Express 14
So.. I'm trying to put a light flare behind someone's head, because it's supposed to be behind him. I got 1 question: how do I mask a MOVING object instead of a still object?
When I click to start to draw my rectangle mask, the whole video just goes black, even before I've let go on the mouse click? It also plays a millisecond of the audio after I click to start to draw my rectangle? I've had the same problems when trying to follow your Lightsabers tutorial, the masking boxes that I draw seem to be completely ignored, and I just get my whole video shot going one colour? Any help would be great!
Tried to implement a wipe for text last night. 2 hours later I gave up. I also do not follow why the final (intersection) mask for the lower third makes all the other mask output disappear - did you leave out a step there or something? One minute there's a yellow lower third, and then the next, it's disappeared and only appears when the intersecting mask wipes over it?
Thanks for the question Aaron. As Axel explains, it is the blend mode specifically which creates this wipe. To do this, select 'intersect' under the option 'path'. What this does is takes the shape of the mask you're working with, and only shows the areas where it intersects or overlaps with the masks before it. As the mask expands, more of the original shape is revealed. Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any further questions.
Are you looking at the export or the viewer? Because if its lagging in the viewer, That's normal, Because when you actually export it, It renders it with good framerate. So if its just lagging in the editor and not the export... No worries! (If it lags on the export... :P)
What graphic card do you have on you computer. I have tried 2 graphics cards with this software and with everyone of them, the software runs so slow i cant edit and it lags. This drives me crazy. Please fix and contact me via youtube
Hi Lovely Hatter - HitFilm does support .avi, so you should be able to import media using that format. Take a look here to see the full list of supported formats: hitfilm.com/reference/hitfilm-2-express/index.html?importing_files.htm Hope this helps.
You can mask the layer containing the electricity itself, or you can duplicate the the layer with the person, then mask out their head and put that ABOVE the lightning layer. The key is to have the lightning on a separate layer, as that then gives you full flexibility and control over your compositing. So make sure you create a new plane layer and add the lightning to that, rather than applying it directly to your video footage.
When i try and make a mask, it doesn't show the points along the border or the connecting lines. its like guess and check because i'm essentially blind until i can (somehow) connect the mask, and even then there are no points it's just the mask. can yall help?
Can you send a support ticket along with a screenshot to our support team so that we can take a look for you? hitfilm.com/questions/submit - Oli (HitFilm Staff)
Hey, when ever i try to mask an object with any of the masking tools when the whole image blacks out, Even if i change it from add to subtract or any of the other options. Is it a simple fix? And can someone please help me. Thanks, love the software.
HitFilm Hey, slight problem, now the masking tool will not do anything, and the only way i can get it to work is to put on expansion, but then that only masks around the line of the mask and not whats inside the mask., and i really need the masking tool for an upcoming project, but i cant get it to work, can you help me please? Thanks.
Hi, I have a question :) If I delete the background of the mask, and choose to put a different background behind it, how will I be able to without overlaying my composition edit completely? Thanks!
Put the new background underneath the layer that contains the mask. Whatever layer is on top in the timeline stack will appear to be in front of the layers below it.
HitFilm Oh, thank you very much! I also have another question, if you don't mind. I am using HitFilm 4 Express, and the free crop. However, when the animation is at motion, I don't see a path property on the transformation section. Is it not available because I am using the free transformation crop? Thanks again! Overall your tutorial was incredibly useful. :)
Whenever I import anything into Hitfilm it's way too big too fit in the frame and when I try to resize it to the frame it still cuts out most of what was originally in the frame.
What do you do to resize the footage to the frame? Usually people like to see the footage at 50% (by using the dropdown list on the bottom right hand side) - however if you imported the footage at a really large size it may go completely off the sides of the viewer. Try zooming out to about 25% and see if you can see the edges of the footage (as defined by the blue lines). You can drag this to be the same size as the frame and zoom back in to 50% or larger as your preference. Let me know if this helps, or if this is what you already tried.
+matt “hazmat” Smith That is the default for the mask in HitFilm. If you'd like to change it, you can simply tick the 'inverted' box in the mask properties (see 1:27 in the tutorial above). Hope that helps.
+matt Smith I'm not sure if you have figured this out already considering the comment is three months old, but I thought I'd answer. After creating a mask go to controls, mask, blend, and instead of add check none. This will remove the black area around the mask. Hope this helps.
I got a smiley face picture how do I take the background out and just have the smiley face to add to another pic. I know this video probably explained this lol. I just learn slow I guess.I just want to take a image without the background.
The icons are slightly different in the newer versions of the software but you'll still have these icons on the left-hand side of the viewer in a Composite Shot. If you keep experiencing this it would be best to send a screenshot to our technical support team so that they can see what's happening: fxhome.com/ask - Oli (HitFilm Staff)
All I'm trying to do is censor some nudity in some footage so just trying to mask something that would be motion tracked. I can't find a tutorial anywhere that will show me how to do that with this.
+David McClelland this new tutorial might be useful: ua-cam.com/video/92d9MLyEHk4/v-deo.html Using the same technique you could mask the area in question, then apply a blur just to that layer.
Thanks, may be it is a bug, may be my pc, when I did it it deleted the whole mask. I did restated the program now it works. And what a said, is he explained it, but he didn't do it. (the delete)
Great tutorial on masking! Hitfilm has a lot of great graphic artists who want to help the rest of us. Thanks to all of you for your contributions.
Make sure the mask is selected on the timeline, and activate the Select tool in the Viewer. You can then hold the Alt key and drag on a corner point to rotate the entire mask.
At the top left of the screen is the panels menu. Open that, then choose 'reset layout'.
Hands down I lucked up on this and I may be buying a license real soon!! keep it for the guys that actually want make money doing this cause the price point is actually pretty good. I am still getting over how fast this damn program renders lol...legendary shit Hit Film!!
Masks are useful for compositing. They're used to manually add or remove sections from a layer.
No, where did you hear that? The demo has export restrictions but the full version can of course render to hard disk in full HD.
@TaraArtsMovie Thanks! We have lots of plans for promotion, but good word of mouth from people such as yourselves is really important as well. :)
Very nice and clearly explained tutorial. Keep up the good work!
+Harri Snellman Glad you found it useful Harri!
Sorry to hear that, please make sure you contact our support team over on the HitFilm website so they can look into it in more detail for you. Thanks!
You can't directly attach a mask. Instead, apply the mask to a separate plane layer, then link the plane to the tracking point. That'll result in the mask moving around. You can then use the set matte effect to apply that mask to another layer.
@Tunniex It sounds like you might be using really old graphics drivers. Make sure you update them and let us know if the problem persists.
@ICOD73 Yes, you can invert masks.
@gambo47 1.1 hasn't changed anything with regards to masking.
Thanks for the straightforward and useful tutorial. :D
is there a way to mask out an area and copy it to another area? (like taking a section of a wall and using that to cover up some poster on the same wall)
which key do i have to use when i use smoke for muzzle flashes form action essentials ? it would be great if you can answer me ;) sorry for my bad english, i´m from germany but i really think about to buy hitfilm because it´s really great :)
Are your video card drivers up-to-date?
We'd recommend contacting our support team over on the HitFilm website.
Thank you for the tutorial. I have a question. When I film a video i have a windows and its curtain in the background. I want to remove the entire background from the entire video and put a plain black background. Will i be able to do this using HitFilm Express Free version. If not which version do i need?
Need a lot more info on the path option - you mentioned it, then showed the mask mod tools, but not how they relate back to path. I hope the help file is a lot more comprehensive in its treatment of this attribute.
Hitfilm is great , i loved it ! easiest to work with ! excellent resultas .Thanks guys !!!
Can you by any chance motion track a mask?? I would appreciate a response! Thanks!
I guess I'm pretty off topic but does anybody know a good place to watch newly released series online ?
You have to update you graphics card driver. I had that problem to. It works fine for me now. Good luck :)
hoping there would be a tutorial on usage and what's the point of masking 3D Effects
Is there a limit to how many control point you can use in a mask?
When I try to adjust the left side of the mask, the right side adjusts also. How do you stop it adjusting the opposite side symmetrically?
@MrAaronDrums 'Screen' usually works great for smoke.
One thing that I had to deal with that isn't expressly said in this I don't think is the layer has to be above the original footage or else everything goes a bit wrong.
how to add the mask only at a certain time in the clip? If the clip is 10sec and I want to add a mask only at 6th second, will it be possible without slicing the clip?
I've tried adding a mask but it simply cuts off my entire composite shot, if I try to use it as inverted and add affects they affect the entire shot rather than just the masked part, only as I tried to use "expand" black outline grew around the mask, how can I get the masks to work?
I have a kinda stupid question but i was messing around in hitfilm and i pressed something and the layout of hitfilm got changed and i dont know how to change it back please tell me how
@MrAaronDrums Right-click on the layer and go to 'Blending Mode'
This needs to be updated for the new UI. It's changed significantly in 9 years.
It has been: ua-cam.com/video/UNbFf-h8-vY/v-deo.html
- Javert
Is there any chance to Invert mask .. Say I will create a mask but I want this mask to disappear while all the other part will appear?
I am having the same problem as Tunniex. I have Driver Model of WDDM 1.1 and I have updated it and the promlem still continues. I could send you a video response of what happens if you would like me two. If you could respond I would be grateful!
can you do this in hitfilm standard?
@gambo47 I have the same issue, can't figure it out. In the mean time, I duplicate my video layer and mask IT out over the explosion/3D object.
Very time consuming and confusing; I'd like to know the actual way to mask 3D objects as well.
Is there any way to align this rectangular mask other than using transform function? I can't seem to find a way to align it to the center/ left / right. I am using Hitfilm Express 14
Not currently, but if you double click a mask shape it'll create a perfectly centered mask, which is a good starting point.
- Javert
after effect is still growing too :D and it is free if you crack it wich is much more complicated with hitfilm
Can you make the mask follow a tracking point?
What are masks used for?
@OptiGE I suggest trying to invert the mask.
can you rotate an entire mask?
I am experiencing the same problem as Bily vera.
When setting up a mask, the layer goes black.
Fresh video card drivers installed, problem persists.
So.. I'm trying to put a light flare behind someone's head, because it's supposed to be behind him. I got 1 question: how do I mask a MOVING object instead of a still object?
You need to either animate the mask using keyframes (HitFilm Tutorial - Keyframes) or track a matte layer to the movement in the shot.
When I click to start to draw my rectangle mask, the whole video just goes black, even before I've let go on the mouse click? It also plays a millisecond of the audio after I click to start to draw my rectangle? I've had the same problems when trying to follow your Lightsabers tutorial, the masking boxes that I draw seem to be completely ignored, and I just get my whole video shot going one colour? Any help would be great!
can u show how to make do the path thing in detail
How would I cast light on an object because of a muzzle flash?
It doesn't work. When you try to apply the rectangular mask it simply has a "denied" icon over the cursor and won't let you drag.
You need to select the layer you want to apply the mask to, first.
can you do this on hitfilm standard
Ok! This helped me A LOT! thanks
DOES IT EXIST FOR MAC?
Tried to implement a wipe for text last night. 2 hours later I gave up.
I also do not follow why the final (intersection) mask for the lower third makes all the other mask output disappear - did you leave out a step there or something?
One minute there's a yellow lower third, and then the next, it's disappeared and only appears when the intersecting mask wipes over it?
Is it because it's "underneath" all the other masks?
Thanks for the question Aaron. As Axel explains, it is the blend mode specifically which creates this wipe. To do this, select 'intersect' under the option 'path'. What this does is takes the shape of the mask you're working with, and only shows the areas where it intersects or overlaps with the masks before it. As the mask expands, more of the original shape is revealed.
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks so much for sharing this!! Super helpfull!
Can you do this on express?
I am trying to mask but it goes black!! what do i do?? or what is the problem?
when i edit my video and see the final product the audio is lagging by a little whats the reason for that
Are you looking at the export or the viewer? Because if its lagging in the viewer, That's normal, Because when you actually export it, It renders it with good framerate. So if its just lagging in the editor and not the export... No worries! (If it lags on the export... :P)
Thanks for the tutorial.
What graphic card do you have on you computer. I have tried 2 graphics cards with this software and with everyone of them, the software runs so slow i cant edit and it lags. This drives me crazy. Please fix and contact me via youtube
Did you make your intro in hitiflm?
@RodyPolis where can i find "screen" ?
Thank you.
what graphics card do u use
@RodyPolis i know i´m an idiot but i can´t find a blending mode ;D
is it true that on hitfilm you cant render in hd to hardisk?
Can you invert a mask so that everything that is _not_ selected gets masked?
Yup, it's the icon to the right of "Mask", that looks like a square with a circle cut out of it.
- Javert
can this work making a shooting star meme
yes
Lol that's why i was watching this video too XDDDDDD
yes you can. i made one. why am i even replying you commented then got an answer 4 months ago
Glad to see I'm not the only one lmfao
This question is still relevant. I'm literally working on this right now. :D
amazing man thnx a ton!!!!!!!
Will Hitfilm ever work with AVI format? If not does anybody know a program i can use to change its format without losing much image quality?
Hi Lovely Hatter - HitFilm does support .avi, so you should be able to import media using that format. Take a look here to see the full list of supported formats: hitfilm.com/reference/hitfilm-2-express/index.html?importing_files.htm
Hope this helps.
HitFilm Fucking burn
How do I do this with an actual moving video? Like I want to cut a character out of one video and put him in another scene
You could:
A - Mask every frame (takes too long)
B - Use a greenscreen
C - Mask out all unnecessary colors
(sorry for replying late)
Thanks, I've been driving myself crazy trying to figure out how to mask a 3D object :)
How do you mask lightning and electricity? Um trying to place it behind someones head.
You can mask the layer containing the electricity itself, or you can duplicate the the layer with the person, then mask out their head and put that ABOVE the lightning layer. The key is to have the lightning on a separate layer, as that then gives you full flexibility and control over your compositing. So make sure you create a new plane layer and add the lightning to that, rather than applying it directly to your video footage.
When i try and make a mask, it doesn't show the points along the border or the connecting lines. its like guess and check because i'm essentially blind until i can (somehow) connect the mask, and even then there are no points it's just the mask. can yall help?
Can you send a support ticket along with a screenshot to our support team so that we can take a look for you? hitfilm.com/questions/submit
- Oli (HitFilm Staff)
does this work in the free version?
Yes it does.
Hey, when ever i try to mask an object with any of the masking tools when the whole image blacks out, Even if i change it from add to subtract or any of the other options. Is it a simple fix? And can someone please help me.
Thanks, love the software.
Never mind, just fixed it
TheBizarreGamers GamingForYou
Glad you managed to fix it. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask.
HitFilm Hey, slight problem, now the masking tool will not do anything, and the only way i can get it to work is to put on expansion, but then that only masks around the line of the mask and not whats inside the mask., and i really need the masking tool for an upcoming project, but i cant get it to work, can you help me please? Thanks.
How do i make it into a composite shot????
Right-click and select Make Composite Shot.
uh where i can fine the mask tool? I went for all programs for hitfilm 4 express and I can't fine the mask tool
Make sure you are in a composite shot timeline, and all the masking tools will be available on the left side of the Viewer.
thank you so much QAQ
it wont work for me hitfilm it doesnt make everything else black
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
Whenever i mask a layer the entire layer becomes invisible! Please help!
Thanks for the tip!
Oh okay, thanks! (: You probably explained it in the video, but I didn't catch it lol
Tanks
Hi, I have a question :) If I delete the background of the mask, and choose to put a different background behind it, how will I be able to without overlaying my composition edit completely? Thanks!
Put the new background underneath the layer that contains the mask. Whatever layer is on top in the timeline stack will appear to be in front of the layers below it.
HitFilm Oh, thank you very much! I also have another question, if you don't mind. I am using HitFilm 4 Express, and the free crop. However, when the animation is at motion, I don't see a path property on the transformation section. Is it not available because I am using the free transformation crop? Thanks again! Overall your tutorial was incredibly useful. :)
Make sure you are in the Transform controls for the Mask itself, and not the Transform controls for the layer that the mask is applied to.
HitFilm Thank you so much! I'm really enjoying your program :) Thanks for the fast reply!
Whenever I import anything into Hitfilm it's way too big too fit in the frame and when I try to resize it to the frame it still cuts out most of what was originally in the frame.
What do you do to resize the footage to the frame?
Usually people like to see the footage at 50% (by using the dropdown list on the bottom right hand side) - however if you imported the footage at a really large size it may go completely off the sides of the viewer. Try zooming out to about 25% and see if you can see the edges of the footage (as defined by the blue lines). You can drag this to be the same size as the frame and zoom back in to 50% or larger as your preference.
Let me know if this helps, or if this is what you already tried.
never mind I figured it out
When I create a mask everything outside the mask turns black. not sure how to fix?
+matt “hazmat” Smith That is the default for the mask in HitFilm. If you'd like to change it, you can simply tick the 'inverted' box in the mask properties (see 1:27 in the tutorial above). Hope that helps.
+matt Smith I'm not sure if you have figured this out already considering the comment is three months old, but I thought I'd answer. After creating a mask go to controls, mask, blend, and instead of add check none. This will remove the black area around the mask. Hope this helps.
I got a smiley face picture how do I take the background out and just have the smiley face to add to another pic. I know this video probably explained this lol. I just learn slow I guess.I just want to take a image without the background.
What shall i do if hitfilm crash every time i change the mask?
Make sure your graphics drivers are up to date and contact our support team: hitfilm.com/questions/submit
Ok, thanks!
cool
When I'm in a composite shot I don't have that toolbar at all.
The icons are slightly different in the newer versions of the software but you'll still have these icons on the left-hand side of the viewer in a Composite Shot. If you keep experiencing this it would be best to send a screenshot to our technical support team so that they can see what's happening: fxhome.com/ask
- Oli (HitFilm Staff)
All I'm trying to do is censor some nudity in some footage so just trying to mask something that would be motion tracked. I can't find a tutorial anywhere that will show me how to do that with this.
+David McClelland this new tutorial might be useful: ua-cam.com/video/92d9MLyEHk4/v-deo.html Using the same technique you could mask the area in question, then apply a blur just to that layer.
HitFilm Thank you for the fast response, I didn't expect that!
@FXhomeHitFilm Or one of us makes a Blockbuster and says "We used hitfilm!'
It is not clear how to delete points. I did on one and it deletes all the mask. That is why you did'nt do it in the video? a scam?
He very clearly shows and explains how to delete points at 5:34. Use the Freehand Mask tool.
Thanks, may be it is a bug, may be my pc, when I did it it deleted the whole mask. I did restated the program now it works. And what a said, is he explained it, but he didn't do it. (the delete)
after effects !!!! ask any pro !!!
first...nice video!
second, Nice!
Shoot me. =(
third XD... Nice!