Not sure exactly what your final look is or how many layers need to be live, but have you considered Chroma Key? I have layered effects then keyed them over a bright background (usually green) then recorded this on a DDR for playback. I have had 3,4,5 or more layers all combined on one playback channel then chroma keyed the final composite. I have been able to reproduce soft edges as well as trail effects. I admit that sometimes the edges don't look EXCATLY as they were when recorded, but they are so close that I was the only one to notice. Bob is right about the preset patterns - that is another option where a little creativity can yield some good results. The A&B busses also cannot do Chroma Key on the 3K/4K - if I remember correctly. Ed

Bill, This idea has kinda gone away, but you nailed it as far as the look. ALL the switcher was going to be doing was this single effect, times a dozen or so variants. All pre-determined, no in-show changes allowed... REALLY. Thus, I was okay with building a lot of versions in the two set days I have (corporate show.) Hey, 100 e-mems no waiting. Thanks, though.

I have no idea what on air this is suppose to look like. But it almost sounds like you are bringing on and off locator gfx for a quad box or something? Also sounds like all 4 'seperate' CG positions are not keyed at the same time. If this is the case could just go between key 1 and 2 using timeline, changing masks to different positions. Key 1 mask A, dissolve to key 2 mask B, dissolve key 1 mask C, dissolve key 2 mask D. If this is a live thing I would be slightly concerned about having to choose between 12-24 possible effects to get the correct combination you need each time it airs.

Thanks Bob, CG's are white text only, no shadows or color. Perfect for simple keying. So, the luminance key thing should work out if the pattern key thing works. I just came up an alternate idea for the effect's quick changes that a Duet op couldn't perfectly sync with: I'm thinking we could build all of the possible page combos (about 12-24) and bank them in the Fast Forward. I'd key FF 1 with FF 1 (white text no drop) and use FF 2 in "preserve loop" or on a separate PBUS address to play my backgrounds. In this plan, I'd have half or non of the "pre-masks" to generate, plus I could have the Duet op pre-build any reveal-ons and just time those via the Lance cues and 4K timeline. I'd have a no-FF bail-out plan if a still background and simplified CG pages stored in Duet. What do we think? Thanks

It's been a while since I've been on a 3K/4K, but I believe that the A & B bus keyers can do preset patterns. Depending on the look out of your CG, you might be able to treat 2 of the quadrants as Preset Patterns and the Key 1 & 2 as masks. Then re-enter the M/E without AUTO SEL & do a lum key on the other M/E (you could re-add any borders at the 2nd M/E's keyer).

Darn. Essentially, I'm looking to take one CG page, and cut it into 4 pieces keyed on 4 keyers, then enter that 4 key combo onto another M/E keyer, along with the DVE on the other keyer. It's a 4-box move where I need to dissolve on and off each of the 4 slices of the single CG page. P.S. one M/E is burnt for a monitor feed transition, so I've got 2 M/E's left and want to stay away from PGM/PST. Thanks, Ed.

Masking is only available on Key 1 & 2. You could mask the A&B bus with the main transition wipe but obviously you'd be wiping from one to the other which might (I say cautiously) fill your needs.