Photoshop® CS3 Extended Video and 3D Bible

Chapter 17. Applying Advanced Special Effects to a Video

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using alpha channels to embed transparency in videos

• Using layer masks to create video special effects

• Adding multiple layers of video, layer styles, and blend modes to create special effects

Most video editing applications have canned effects that you can apply to video footage, such as soft edges, lighting, and slow-motion effects. Using the powerful tools of Photoshop, you can create special effects in your videos that are not possible with other video editors. You can use fill and adjustment layers, masks, layer styles, and Blend modes to apply deliberate methods to create much more specific special effects.

It is impossible to cover all of the ways you can create special effects in videos using Photoshop. This chapter focuses on some specific concepts and takes you through some examples of applying special effects to videos. The first concept that is covered is alpha channels. Alpha channels are not unique to video editing; however, they offer some unique applications in creating special effects in video. You need to understand how alpha channels work to be able to apply several of the special effects that are discussed.

The more you understand about masks and their relationship to special effects, the more you will want to use them to fine-tune, manipulate, and enhance other special effects that you add to video footage.

You can use also use layer styles to create effects such as soft edges, lighting effects, ...