You could use the Masker module after the effect and then a Blender module to blend it with the unprocessed signal. It’s a bit cumbersome, so a dedicated mask input for the most common effects would be a great addition to Aximmetry. 

Thanks for the suggestion!
I was actually using the Masker/Blender combination but was hoping that there was an easier way.

So...let's vote for a mask input on as many tools as possible! :-)

@EricWest: Definitely! This would open up a lot of creative uses of the effects, without having to fiddle with a lot of extra compounds. 

In addition, why not add a spline based masking tool with feathering? It would save a lot of time not having to create masks in an external application. 

Oh, yes please!

After 25 years of using Fusion I'm missing those masking tools in Axy. 
A lot!!!

Hi,

Aximmetry has compounds that do similar things as mentioned here.

For masking using your own image or video:
[Common]:Compounds\Mixers\Mix_Masking.xcomp

Spline based:
[Common]:Compounds\Maskers\Darker_Masking.xcomp
[Common]:Compounds\Maskers\Soft_Cropper.xcomp
[Common]:Compounds\Maskers\Soft_Cropper_Side.xcomp
In the Common\Compounds\Maskers folder, you can also find other maskers.
The good thing here is that you can edit these to your own wishes.

Quick tip:
You can quickly go through the compounds in the libraries by changing the compound import source.
This way you keep the pin connections and you don't have to delete the compound:

Warmest regards,

@Eifert: What we were talking about was that effects in Aximmetry should have a Mask input. The Blurrer effect already has that, but it would be incredibly useful if other effects like the Adjuster Multi, Sharpener, Color Mapper, etc. also had that.

I’m aware if the built-in masking tools, but they are quite limited in what shapes you can create. With an actual spline shape tool we would be able to create any shape for the mask. Right now we have to create that mask in Photoshop an import it into Aximmetry, which take a lot of unnecessary time. 

Hi,

Yes, you are right, there could be even more extensive maskers and options for it.
We added the maskers to our request list and we will consider adding them in future releases.

Warmest regards,

@Eifert: Great, but don’t forget the mask input pin for effect compounds. 

Was going to ask the exact same things and then found this thread. 

Soo! Any new options for masking effects yet? :P I can't see any pins for masks at least. Can we now somehow draw free hand/spline shapes and feather them and use for masking effects? 

Aximmetry is so amazing on so many levels and has so extremely clever and useful features that the lack of very basic masking tools is a bit weird, kinda like having a cassette player in a space ship.  With most of the other tools being so well thought out it seems like a bottleneck imo. 

@Eifert: Where are we on better (spline based) masking tools and mask inputs on effects? This is such a basic requirement, so  I can’t understand how an advanced software like Aximmetry totally omits this. As Aximmetry finds new uses beyond traditional broadcast it becomes even more important to listen to feedback like this from your growing user base. 

@TwentyStudios: 'Spline Based' would match quite perfectly with this topic as well :-)
https://my.aximmetry.com/post/2793-feature-request-2d-onscreen-controls

Cheers.

Eric.

@EricWest: Indeed! And while where talking about splines, let’s not forget about spline based camera motion paths. I recently had to animate a drone camera in the sequencer, and keeping a constant camera speed while navigating the twists and turns of narrow corridors was a total pain. 

So, my vote is for mask inputs on all effects nodes along with a robust 3D and 2D spline editor. 

Oooohhhh..... Camera On A Path! Sexy!

TwentyStudios:

"So, my vote is for mask inputs on all effects nodes along with a robust 3D and 2D spline editor.

Yes please! Another vote from me :P

Hi,

Sadly there is no ready-made robust solution that enables you to draw splines on the screen. We have this on the request list and I added this thread to the request.

However! There are modules that enabled you to interact and draw on screens and previews. And there are modules that enabled you to create splines. These modules might even fit your needs, however, they are a bit obscure.
You can find these modules under Painting and you can find modules for complex interaction with screens under Windows:

All of these modules can be combined to act as masks.

These example compounds show how Paint and Path modules work. These Paint and Path modules can be used to create complex 2D shapes and splines or even 3D shapes:

• [Tutorials]:Paint And Touch\Paint_SimpleMask.xcomp
• [Tutorials]:Paint And Touch\Paint_Path.xcomp
• [Tutorials]:Paint And Touch\Paint_Elements.xcomp
• [Tutorials]:Extrusion\Path_Extrusion_Fill.xcomp (3D version of Paint_Path)
  

The Path Bezier module probably comes closest to a spline editor. But sadly it is not controllable on the screen, like EricWest suggested for other modules. You have to give its position on the Pin values panel.

These example compounds show how Draw and Windows->Touch modules work. These modules enable you to interact with screens or previews:

• [Tutorials]:Paint And Touch\Touch_Mover.xcomp (this demonstrates how to use Windows -> Touch modules, to interact with the screen in whichever way you want)
• [Tutorials]:Paint And Touch\Touch_Draw.xcomp (this demonstrates how to use Painting -> Draw modules, to draw basic shapes on the screen)

When viewing these compounds, you likely want to enable Mouse Mode on the Touch Receiver module. Otherwise, you can only use them with touch screens:

And finally, there is actually a system that can animate camera paths, like TwentyStudios' drone case. However, it is really not a robust solution. You can find an example of it here:

• [Tutorials]:Misc Samples\Motion_Graph.xcomp

Since all these modules are rarely used currently, any feedback on their potential use and improvements is greatly appreciated.

Warmest regards,