Cleanup with Power windows

How to use masks in video editing?

In video editing, understanding how to use masks is essential to achieve stunning visual effects and accurate color adjustments. Masks, also known as Power Windows in some software, allow you to isolate and correct specific elements of an image without affecting the rest. We've talked before about other methods such as Qualifier HSL and curve correction, but now we'll focus on how these masks can improve your workflow by combining them with parallel nodes to maintain exquisite cleanliness and precision in your projects.

What are Power Windows and how are they applied?

Power Windows are tools that create "windows" within a clip to isolate specific areas that you want to adjust or highlight. These windows can have different shapes: circular, rectangular or customized with curves. Here we explain how to use them:

• Parallel node: They are fundamental to this process. By using parallel nodes, you can apply Power Windows without altering the base color of the clip. It is recommended to start with a balancing and normalizing step before applying these masks.

• Practical application: A common exercise is to adjust a scene according to your visual needs, for example, changing the colors of a traffic light. By creating different parallel nodes, names like "red", "yellow" and "green" are assigned, and circular masks are applied on the color to be modified.

How to adjust and correct specific colors precisely?

Curves and the combined use of the Power Window make it easy to correct colors without artifacts. By careful techniques, you can make colors pop without creating visual artifacts.

• Hue vs Hue and Hue vs Sat curves: These are key to verifying that color shifts are accurate. By adjusting hue and saturation, you can refine the visual result you are looking for. It is also useful to activate "Highlight" to concentrate on the part of the image that is inside the mask.

• Saturation and Strength: To enhance the presence of specific colors, such as red in a traffic light, you can adjust the saturation until you achieve the desired result, comparing the before and after with Control + D.

How to use reflections and other tools for a clean result?

When you work with complex elements, such as reflections or surfaces, additional details can make the difference between a polished isolation and a sloppy one.

• Controlling reflections: When adjusting the mask to include reflections, be sure to check and correct any potential problems. Expanding the mask carefully can eliminate unwanted artifacts.

• Manual correction and mask tracking: Sometimes, automatic mask tracking is not enough. Using manual tracking, you can add keyframes to refine the movement of the mask throughout the clip.

What is the procedure for correcting complex implementations?

How can we correct artifacts and refine the process?

Through continuous practice, you can achieve more professional isolations with fewer visual errors. Combining the three methods - masks, qualifiers, and curves - in the same workflow ensures a cleaner finish.

• Artifact correction: Exaggerating unwanted colors to make problems visible makes it easier to identify problem areas during editing. You can then smooth out these errors by modifying mask edges and integrating smoother transitions.

What challenge can you take to further improve your video editing skills?

Practice is key, so setting yourself challenges such as modifying the color of the moon in different clips not only strengthens your skills, but also broadens your understanding of the editing software. Experimentation, along with meticulous analysis of reflections, color refinement and more, will give you full control over your creative projects. Take heart and keep improving your skills to reach a professional level!