Digital Workshop

Hi I would like to have a searchlight effect on my screen so that the screen is blacked out and then the underlying images are only revealed as the searchlight moves across the screen, any ideas?? Thx

In the tutorials section you will find a "magnifying glass effect", which is basically the same thing. I've adapted it so it acts like a searchlight or spotlight. Read the tutorial to see how it works.

Paul

First of all - G-day mate,

If I may, Id like to give you a couple of possible " variations on a theme ".

I was given a project by a mate of mine to come up with a "scope" complete with crosshair an a neat little red dot. - this I managed to overlay over the top of some video footage I imported using opus and then using the " follow path " tool - I managed to "track" the so called "target" which was my mates brother in-law as he walked across the street to his car. - the "effect" was captured using a neat little video capture program called " FRAPS" and then saved as an avi file then inserted into a video edit package.

The point here is that from a simple spotlight that bounces around the page, to a snipers target reticle ( that can be used to track along with video ) - there are many many possibilities. - like binoculars, or even" fake" car headlights that can slowly bring objects into view from a distance - what I choose to call " blackout animation " can be very effective depending on your creativity.

Hope the " variations" stir some further creativity.

Regards..
Rick.