Performing a realtime color match

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To create a mask pattern (.gfx file) that can be used with the Matrox mask effects on Matrox Axio, you simply create a .tga file of your shape, run it through our application to convert it to a .gfx file, and then place that .gfx file in the appropriate folder for use with the Matrox mask effects.

Creating your own mask patterns in Adobe Photoshop CS

Step 1

Start Adobe Photoshop CS, then choose File > New to create a new image.

Step 2

From the Preset list, select Custom.

Step 3

Enter the Width and Height of your mask pattern in pixels according to the following table:

Step 4

From the Color Mode lists, choose Grayscale and 8 bit.

Step 5

Under Advanced, choose a Pixel Aspect Ratio that matches your project's ratio from the list.

Step 6

Click OK.

Step 7

Create your mask pattern using any of the tools in the toolbox. You can use the 256 shades of gray available to you. Areas of white in your mask pattern create an opaque area that prevents the underlying clip from showing through. Black areas of your mask pattern create transparent areas, and gray areas create semi-transparent areas.

Step 8

When the pattern is completed select File > Save As, name your file, and select Targa *.tga as the file type.

Converting your mask to the .gfx format

Important: Make sure Adobe Premiere Pro is closed before running the converter tool.

Step 1

Go to the Axio.utils system folder. If you chose the default location when you installed Matrox Axio.utils, this folder will be installed at: Program Files\Matrox Axio.utils\system.

Step 2

Double-click on mvTGAToGFXConverter.exe.

Step 3

Under Input, click the ... button on the right to browse to your input imag

Step 4

From the Aspect ratio list, choose the aspect ratio of your .tga file.

Step 5

Under Output, click the ... button on the right to specify a name and location for the .gfx file that will be created.

Step 6

Click Generate. This will convert your .tga to a .gfx. A dialog box will inform you if the conversion was successful.

Installing the .gfx file

In order to use the new pattern you have created, you must install the .gfx file to the correct folder located at C:\Program Files\Matrox Axio.utils\Effect Patterns\Masks (assuming installation to the default location). If you want your pattern to be the default pattern for the respective format, simply put it in the root of that folder and name it default.gfx.

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