Avid processes effects using a track hierarchy - anything on a higher track effects the tracks below. Below are two methods to add effects to foreground (higher track) elements without affecting the background (lower track) elements in Avid.

Method 1: Using Avid Filter Effects

In this example, we are dealing with a SpectraMatte keyed foreground element that needs to be Color Corrected while the background element remains unaffected.

•  - V1 is the background.

•  - V2 is the foreground to be keyed. Drag an Avid SpectraMatte or Chroma Key onto it and create the key as desired.

•  - Step into the segment effect by clicking the "Step In" arrow button on the bottom of the Timeline window. Click once since there is only one effect (SpectraMatte) applied. There should now be an "N1" appearing in the Timecode button (see "Stepping Into and Out of Nested Effects" in the Avid Help for more information).

•  - Drag an Avid color filter (e.g. "Color Effect" from the Image category) onto the foreground V2 track.

•  - To adjust the color controls while viewing the foreground over the background, step out of the effect by clicking the "Step Out" arrow button. This will display the full composited sequence.

•  - To access the color controls, enter Effect mode and double-click the nested effect (V2 track). This expands the nested tracks above the effected clip in the timeline.

•  - Select the track (e.g. it will be called 1.2) containing the color effect and adjust the controls in the Effect Editor as desired.

•  - When you are finished, collapse the nested effect by double-clicking the foreground V2 track.

Method 2: Using BCC Filter Plug-ins

In this example, we are dealing with a BCC Chroma Keyed foreground element that needs to be Color Corrected while the background element remains unaffected.

•  - V1 is your background.

•  - V2 is your foreground to be keyed. Drag a BCC Chroma Key filter onto it and create your key as desired.

•  - Set the BCC Chroma Key Multifilter control to "Multifilter Start".

•  - Add a Boris color filter (e.g. BCC HSL) by Alt-Dragging it onto V2 to nest it.

•  - Set the BCC HSL Multifilter control to "Multifilter End" and make your color adjustments.

Post by Kate Ketcham, Customer Support Supervisor/Avid Certified Instructor

and John Lafauce, Customer Support Representative