Learn Simple to Complex Masking in ProShow Producer

You can create some very basic shapes right inside Producer, such as rectangles, squares, diamonds and circles. Don't be fooled by thier simpliciy...basic shapes can be used to create some stunning effects!

To create a rectangle mask, simply add a solid layer and set it as a mask. You can adjust the width and height of the layer by:

1. Unlocking the Zoom and changing either the X or Y values
2. Changing the original resolution of the solid layer

The key to creating a square, either as a mask or when cropping an image, is to make the Height AND Width values the same.

• an advantage to using a mask is that you can zoom or pan the photo under the mask, while retaining the shape.
• a disadvantage to using a mask is that some effects, such as Vignettes, Shadows, and Outlines may not be seen.

Diamonds can be quite tricky...you can't create them with a simple crop! With some extra steps, you can have a diamond mask to create beautiful animations.

Creating a circle in Producer is a simple two step process:

1. Create a square from a rectangle by making both resolution numbers the same
2. Add an "Ellipse" Vignette and change the Vignette Size to 0.

Ta Da! You have a circle!

Shapes beyond the basic can't be made in ProShow Producer. If you have a photo editing program, such as Phototshop, you can make a mask of any shape that you'd like! Be sure to save that shape as a PNG file, NOT a JPEG.

When using an image, such as this Heart.PNG, it can be used as either a Grayscale mask or a Transparency mask. If something looks a little odd, you may have the mask setting to Grayscale instead of Transparency.

To change the Abstract046 video file to a nice red, use the Colorize Tool.

In this lesson, we'll use the Paint brush image as a mask twice to create a multi-layered effect.

To give our effect some continuity, we're going to use the same Paint Brush image that we used as a Mask as a colored canvas underneath a caption.

Gradient Masks allow you to use all levels of gray in your mask, instead of all white or all black.

This simple Gradient Effect illustrates the difference between using a Gradient Mask vs. a Vignette on a layer.

Gradient Radial Masks are a great way to create a "fake" 3D sphere look!

When using many layers, staying organized by renaming your Layers as you create or duplicate them can be very helpful!

Animating your mask along with your images can get complicated, but it's where some really amazing effects can start to happen!

This is a very simple animated mask effect, but one that opens the door to an infinate amount of possiblities!

This is, by far, one of the most requested tutorials about masking! The difficulty lies not in creating the effect, but in applying it to different photos, if you save it as a slide style. Remember, all photos are unique and will require adjustments to make the Magnifying Glass appear over the portion of the photo that you want it to.

This is, by far, one of the most requested tutorials about masking! The difficulty lies not in creating the effect, but in applying it to different photos, if you save it as a slide style. Remember, all photos are unique and will require adjustments to make the Magnifying Glass appear over the portion of the photo that you want it to.

This beautiful effects requires that the images and masks all move, scale and tilt in the same manner. Rotation Center is absolutely key for this to happen!

Duplication and Copy/Pasting Keyframes makes keeping multiple layers in unison much easier!

In this lesson we'll create a multi-layered Masking effect, where the masks come on screen, and go off, at staggered times. WE'll also use a Text Layer for our title. If you are using Producer 5, you can simply use a Caption Layer, although it won't be hidden under a layer.

In this lesson we'll create a multi-layered Masking effect, where the masks come on screen, and go off, at staggered times. WE'll also use a Text Layer for our title. If you are using Producer 5, you can simply use a Caption Layer, although it won't be hidden under a layer.

1. Masking to create a transition
2. Text Layers as a mask
3. Text Layers with a mask
4. Video Mask Layers
5. Video files as a Mask

Using Masks when creating transitions is no different than using them to create a Slide Style. Just remember to keep the rules of transition creation in mind and the possiblities are endless!

Using a Text Layer as a mask gives even more depth and creativity to your designs!

Text Layers can also be used underneath masks, which can be very important when creating a reflection.

Video Masks cannot be created inside Producer, nor can they be created from existing video files. The creator of that video file must have already created and included a separate Alpha (or Masking) file to go with the original.

In this lesson, I'll show you how to use a full color video file as a masking layer to create snowfall. You can use any video file as a masking layer, but when doing this, it's best to choose a file that has very high contrast between the dark and light areas.

It is also important to note that you cannot use a Mask inside of another mask.

The coupon codes for both the Udemy courses and ChoiceSlides.com are in the CouponCodes text file. All of the effects we created in this course are in the Slide Styles and transitions zip folder. Links to Choice Slides and my other Udemy courses are listed below, as well.