MacroSystem Xpress-Maps - Manual (Page 3)

Xpress-Maps
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© MacroSystem Digital Video AG
With the two-color maps it is advisable to use the frontier lines to distinguish between the
individual countries.
4. Transitional Effects - Applications
The "Xpress-Maps" transitional effect uses a two-color map as a mask to depict two
scenes simultaneously.
The scene listed on the left of the storyboard is displayed on those parts of the map cov-
ered by sea (the black areas of the mask), the scene on the right on those parts covered
by land (the white areas of the mask).
There are several ways of using this effect. Some of these are described below.
It is normally advisable to give both scenes the same length and to apply the effect itself
over this length.
4.1 Combinations of two-colored and multicolored maps
Combinations of this kind can be useful in cases where the aim is to focus the map-
reader’s attention on a specific section of the map or where it is planned to use other
Casablanca tools to insert texts or graphics in a monochrome section of the map.
Click on “New” in the menu to create a multi-colored and a two-colored version of the
same map, switching off all options. After placing the two maps side by side on the story-
board, select the same map again in the "Xpress-Maps" transitional effect and add in the
effect, which should be of the same length as the two scenes already produced.
Depending on how the maps are arranged, the land will now be multi-colored and the sea
monochrome or vice-versa. You can also modify the display by changing the mode in the
mask selection window from positive to negative.
You can activate the desired additions here in the transitional effect, as required. This
ensures that the display corresponds in both parts of the map.
4.2 Continent with Video Sequence
Select any video sequence as the scene in the left section and then place an already
produced multi-colored map (e.g. Majorca) in the right section of the storyboard. Then
add in the "Xpress-Maps" transitional effect and select the same map as mask.
The land alone is then displayed in front of the video sequence. Instead of seeing water,
you see your video.
N.B. Never try to insert additions when you are creating the scene, otherwise names of
towns would be simply cut off over the water. Create the scene first and then use the
transitional effect to insert the additions.
5. Tips, Tricks, Problems and their Solution
This section gives some useful tips and contains advice on problem-shooting.