MoviePlus X3: A 3-track question

[Henry]

I would like to work with two tracks with separate video on each track so that I can see them both.
But:
If I create two tracks and put video on both tracks (as I read the turtorials) the top track will cover up the track below so that I can not see it--assuming the top track is not transparent.
So what if I created three tracks with a blank track between them--tracks 1, 2 and 3. Put video on track 1 and video on track 3 (track 2 being blank. Would I then be able to see both tracks?
Or is this just a neubies's dumb idea?

[Ali]

Originally Posted by Henry I would like to work with two tracks with separate video on each track so that I can see them both. But: If I create two tracks and put video on both tracks (as I read the turtorials) the top track will cover up the track below so that I can not see it--assuming the top track is not transparent. So what if I created three tracks with a blank track between them--tracks 1, 2 and 3. Put video on track 1 and video on track 3 (track 2 being blank. Would I then be able to see both tracks? Or is this just a neubies's dumb idea?

Henry - I'm not sure I'm understanding the problem here. In timeline mode, if you have two (or three or four ...) video tracks, they will sit above each other in the workspace, but not on top of each other (i.e. superimposed on each other). See screenshot.

[Henry]

Ali, the last lines in the below paragraph from the manual is what put me off "...a track higher up the timeline will mean your clip could obscure the underlying elements." The word "could" in there is confusing, but, of course, most manuanls written by techno types are confusing. Never had this problem with Premiere 7.

Of course, Ali, I am going to try it. Being able to put one tape on one track and a second tape on a second track would sure make life a lot simpler.

Where you drag your clips onto the timeline is up to you, the area is
"freeform"; video and image clips must be located on video tracks, and of
course audio on audio tracks. It is normal to place clips in an empty spot and
move them to the desired precise spot if necessary afterwards. Being placed
on a track higher up the timeline will mean your clip could obscure
underlying elements; underlying tracks are perfect as backgrounds behind
video, image, or text overlays.

[Ali]

Originally Posted by Henry Ali, the last lines in the below paragraph from the manual is what put me off "...a track higher up the timeline will mean your clip could obscure the underlying elements." The word "could" in there is confusing, but, of course, most manuanls written by techno types are confusing. Never had this problem with Premiere 7. Of course, Ali, I am going to try it. Being able to put one tape on one track and a second tape on a second track would sure make life a lot simpler. Where you drag your clips onto the timeline is up to you, the area is "freeform"; video and image clips must be located on video tracks, and of course audio on audio tracks. It is normal to place clips in an empty spot and move them to the desired precise spot if necessary afterwards. Being placed on a track higher up the timeline will mean your clip could obscure underlying elements; underlying tracks are perfect as backgrounds behind video, image, or text overlays.

OK - I see. I think what this means is that when you preview, if you have video tracks that overlap horizontally, then they will be superimposed based on their hierarchy in timeline view - you can change this order by dragging the track to a new position. In other words, track two in my screenshot would be superimposed over track one in preview mode, where there was some overlap. In terms of editing, though, you will see things as I've illustrated. Does this make sense?

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Henry I would like to work with two tracks with separate video on each track so that I can see them both. But: If I create two tracks and put video on both tracks (as I read the turtorials) the top track will cover up the track below so that I can not see it--assuming the top track is not transparent.

I make track #1 50% transparent, and keep track #2 at no tranparency.

I can see both tracks in the preview window at the same time. This allows me to "time shift" track #2 by as little as one frame (after expanding the time line) to get frame-accurate alignment of the two tracks.

[Henry]

Originally Posted by Jim B. I make track #1 50% transparent, and keep track #2 at no tranparency. I can see both tracks in the preview window at the same time. This allows me to "time shift" track #2 by as little as one frame (after expanding the time line) to get frame-accurate alignment of the two tracks.

I like this idea.
But:
When you say "...track #1 50% transparent, is this your upper track or the lower track?

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Henry I like this idea. But: When you say "...track #1 50% transparent, is this your upper track or the lower track?

Upper-most track.

Top track.

Highest-in-the-stack track.

[Henry]

Thanks Jim, I'll give that a shot.