Updates and product changelogs

We’ve collected all the previous posts and announcements about product updates and you can find them all here in one place now. They are listed below in order – with the most recent updates first.


UPDATED March 2019

Free update to Studio 5

A new version of one of the single angles has been added to Studio 5. It is a new version of the Studio 5 ‘right’ angle, but without the chairs and furniture in the background behind the glass window. ‘Right 2‘ is a brand new angle (it doesn’t replace the existing one), and it is now available separately here, or included as part of the Studio 5 Complete Multi-angle Pack.

Remember – whenever we add a new angle to one of our virtual studio sets, the update is FREE. I suppose in this case it’s not so much an update, as an additional version of an existing camera angle, I don’t know – maybe that does make it an update. Either way – if you’ve already purchased either the HD or 4K versions of the Studio 5 Multi-angle Pack you can find the new angle on your download page by following the link in your original order email – the new angle will be there for you to download. It’s also available as a free download to anyone who’s already purchased the Studio 5 Starter Pack too. If you happened to have only purchased the ‘right’ angle of Studio 5 (just the single angle, not the starter or complete multi-angle packs) – then drop me an email if you’d like this new version and I can whizz it over as a free order for you.

Why the update? Well, we’d had a number of emails recently asking if the chairs in the background were removeable, and so we thought it would be simplest to add a brand new angle, rather than trying to update the original version where the furniture remains ’embedded’ into the ‘midground’ layer.

Enjoy!


UPDATED March 2018

Virtual studio sets updated for vMix 20

All our virtual studio sets have now been updated to make use of the extra overlays available since vMix 20.

vMix now allows up to 10 layers to be used in virtual sets (previously only 5). This adds a lot of new functionality to the vMix versions of our studio sets, and brings them in line with the Photoshop/TriCaster versions. All the screens are now available as separate inputs, and as many layers as possible (for example, carpets, and coloured wall sections) can now be turned on or off within vMix, or adjusted more easily outside of vMix.

Wherever possible, we’ve also performed some optimisation – all the new and existing UV gradients have been cropped where possible and are now re-sized within vMix – this gives a performance improvement – both in reducing memory and reducing the number of pixels the graphics card needs to scan to find the mapped areas.

Each overlay is now numbered, to make it a little bit easier when assigning your own inputs. We’ve also added an extra (empty) ‘spare’ overlay layer in front of everything else, in case you need an extra input for graphics or whatever else over the top of the virtual set itself.

Below is a list of all the studios, and the new features that have been added to the vMix versions.


Studio 1 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 1

New improvements to our Studio 1 (and Studio 1B) vMix versions include :

1) Separate screen inputs. In the wide angles (‘wide’, ‘wide left’ and ‘wide right’) where both plasma screens are showing you can now select a different source for each screen (previously they would both be linked to the same input).

2) Improved desktop reflections. The wide angles now have a more accurate reflection of the skyline outside the window. The area is quite small, so the effect is quite subtle, but it is now working 100% correctly, even when the plasma screen and talent are reflected too (‘wide left’ and ‘wide right’ angles).

3) Extra talent options. You now have three ways to display your talent. The default config.xml file gives you a single talent layer (including the reflection in the desktop) that sits entirely behind the desk layer. This is the quickest and easiest setting, and most likely the one most of you will use.

You also now get a second configuration file which has two talent overlays. One gives you the reflection only (in the desktop, behind the desk layer). The main talent layer itself is now a separate talent layer in front of the desk. This is useful if you are shooting your talent leaning on a green-screen desktop, so you can have your talent resting their hands (or papers) on the virtual desktop itself. The reflections now stay behind the desk layer for a more realistic effect.

There is a third configuration file that removes the desk completely, either for a standing presenter, or for when you are using your own (real) studio furniture.

You still get separate options depending on whether you want one, or both (or none) of the plasma screen showing. These are still provided as separate virtual sets, each in its own folder (‘leftScreen’, ‘rightScreen’, ‘bothScreens’, ‘noScreens’).

Browse all the Studio 1 products in the STORE


Studio 2 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 2

1) 3 separate screen overlays. Although it was theoretically possible in the previous version to turn off each of the screens (by moving and re-naming alternate image files) they were still fed by the same single source input. Now, I’m pleased to say all three virtual screens are now properly independent of each other within vMix. Each screen is a separate overlay, so they can be turned on or off separately, and each one can be assigned with a different input if you like.

2) Background reflections. The newsroom background still has the reflection ‘built-in’. But I’ve also added a new overlay layer that reflects the background in the floor and desktop – so if you decide to change the entire background image, it will get reflected correctly in the floor and desk – just like the TriCaster versions..! (Note: remember to assign your new input to both the background and the reflection layers).

3) Extra talent options. You now have three ways to display your talent. The default config.xml file gives you a single talent layer (including the reflection in the desktop) that sits entirely behind the desk layer. This is the quickest and easiest setting.

I’ve also now included a second configuration file which has two talent overlays. One gives you the reflection only (in the desktop, behind the desk layer). The main talent layer itself is now a separate talent layer in front of the desk. This allows you to have your talent resting their hands (or papers) on the desktop itself.

To use this version simply rename the original config.xml file (say, to ‘config-SAFE.xml’) and then rename the ‘config-talentOverDesk.xml’ file back to ‘config.xml’.

There is a third configuration file that removes the desk completely, either for a standing presenter, or for when you are using your own (real) studio furniture.

Browse all the Studio 2 products in the STORE


Studio 3 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 3

1) 3 separate screen overlays. All three virtual screens are now properly independent of each other within vMix. Each screen is a separate overlay, so they can be turned on or off separately, and each one can be assigned with a different input if you like.

2) Background reflections. The newsroom background still has the reflection ‘built-in’. But I’ve also added a new overlay layer that reflects the background in the floor – so if you decide to change the entire background image, it will get reflected correctly – just like the TriCaster versions..! (Note: remember to assign your new input to both the background and the reflection layers).

3) Extra talent options. You now have three ways to display your talent. The default config.xml file gives you a single talent layer (including the reflection in the desktop) that sits entirely behind the desk layer. This is the quickest and easiest setting.

I’ve also now included a second configuration file which has the main talent layer in front of the desk. This allows you to have your talent resting their hands (or papers) on the desktop itself.

To use this version simply rename the original config.xml file (say, to ‘config-SAFE.xml’) and then rename the ‘config-talentOverDesk.xml’ file back to ‘config.xml’.

There is a third configuration file that removes the desk completely, either for a standing presenter, or for when you are using your own (real) studio furniture.

Browse all the Studio 3 products in the STORE


Studio 4 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 4

1) Separate screen overlays. The two screens on the wall are now properly independent of each other within vMix. Each screen is a separate overlay, so each one can be assigned with a different input if you like.

2) Separate cyclorama. The area on the right, behind the curtains, is now a separate layer which can also be fed with your own input.

NOTE – the vMix versions of Studio 4 still have the main lighting effects combined into a single ‘midground’ layer – but you can always use the supplied Photoshop version, or the individual PNG layers to make your own adjustments.

Browse all the Studio 4 products in the STORE


Studio 5 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 5

Studio 5 has been completely updated, with a new skyline and a new colour scheme for the carpet and wall sections. All Studio 5 products now include white walls which sit behind the coloured sections, so you can turn off the coloured bits completely if you want.

The carpet is also now a separate layer throughout.

Browse all the Studio 5 products in the STORE


Studio 6 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 6

The carpets are always separate layers now in the vMix versions (previously they were combined with the ‘midground’ layer for some angles).

Browse all the Studio 6 products in the STORE


Studio 7 - from virtualstudiosets.com

Studio 7

1) Separate screen overlays. The two screens are now properly independent of each other within vMix. Each screen is a separate overlay, so they can be assigned with a different input if you like. The area on the front of the desk is also now a separate layer and can be fed with a third input if you need to.

2) Desk option. I have included a separate config.xml file that removes the desk completely from the wide angle.

3) Coloured walls. The coloured wall sections now always appear as a separate layer, so you can turn them off within vMix to reveal the neutral walls behind. You can also now more easily adjust the colour of the walls using Photoshop or similar.

4) Carpets. The carpets are now also always a separate layer within vMix (previously combined with the ‘midground’ for some angles).

Browse all the Studio 7 products in the STORE


UPDATED February 2018

Studio 1 – vMix versions

Studio 1 and 1B have been fully updated to take advantage of vMix’s new overlay limit. vMix 20 now allows for up to 10 layers to appear in their virtual sets (previously only 5). Existing customers can download the updated version for free using their original download link. You will need to be running vMix v.20 or later.

vmix virtual sets - studio 1

Skyline options

The background layer is a UV gradient that maps the skyline behind the windows, and the reflection in the desktop. On the wide angles, the view outside the window is also correctly reflected in the floor rise section. You get an example skyline included, but the layer is dynamic, so you can easily replace this layer with your own input source (e.g. your own location image/live camera/looping movie).

Plasma screen options

In order to keep the two plasma monitors independently removable (as they are in the TriCaster version) you get different versions included depending on whether one, or both (or none) of the plasma screens are showing. So for example, the ‘left’ angle comes with two versions ‘VSS1-left-noScreen’ and ‘VSS1-left-withScreen’. The 3 wide angles each have four versions (left screen, right screen, both screens, no screens). Each version is in its own folder containing its own config.xml file and all the relevant image and UVmap layers. Each of the screens can be fed with different input source.

Desk options

By default, the config.xml file is set up with the desk visible. NOTE: The desk should NOT be turned off using the (Setup >) Visible button in vMix. This is because the desktop is actually transparent and all of the reflections would still be visible on the layers behind. So if you turn off the desk within vMix, you will still see all the reflections, and everything will look weird and funky! Instead, if you want to remove the desk completely, we’ve provided an alternative configuration file that removes the desk, and the reflections behind it. It is called ‘config-noDesk.xml’. To use it you will need to backup the existing ‘config.xml’ file (rename it, or copy it somewhere safe) and then rename ‘config-noDesk.xml’ back to ‘config.xml’. This will then be the configuration that vMix picks up next time you load it in.

There is also another config file called ‘config-talentOverDesk.xml’. This has the main talent layer IN FRONT of the desk layer, and a separate reflection behind it (remember to assign BOTH layers with your talent Input). This is useful if you are shooting your talent using a green desktop, and will allow them to lean on the virtual desk. To use this version, you will need to backup your existing ‘config.xml’ file (rename it, or copy it somewhere safe) and then rename the ‘config-talentOverDesk.xml’ back to ‘config.xml’.

You could perhaps copy the entire folder – keep one as the original version, and have one with the talent overlapping the desk, and another for a standing presenter.

Getting the set into vMix

To get a set into vMix you need to copy the relevant studio set folder and its contents into the directory on your vMix machine where vMix stores its sets, so it can be found alongside all the supplied vMix sets (CircularStudio, LateNightNews etc).
That might be somewhere like C: > Program Files (x86) > vMix > VirtualSets

It’s important to make sure that the actual folder you are copying is one that has a config.xml file directly within it, and not any of the containing folders above.

Then, from inside vMix click bottom left ‘Add Input’ – then ‘Virtual Set’ near the bottom of the list – you should see the new set thumbnail appear…. click the thumbnail to load the set…

Alternatively – you can save the folder somewhere else on your vMix machine – then when you ‘Add Input’ > ‘Virtual Set’ click “Browse” (top right of the pop up window) and then navigate to wherever you have saved the new folder.

As usual, these sets are available with the artwork at two different sizes – HD (1920×1080) and 4K (Ultra HD, 3840×2160).

Because the number of separate layers has been greatly reduced a little – you may find these are also much easier and quicker to get up and running in non-linear editors like Premiere pro or Final Cut. Also, the format of the new UV gradients makes them compatible with After Effects plug-ins like RE:Vision RE:map and ft-UVPass.

Existing Studio 1 customers can download the new files for free using their original download link.

You can browse all the Studio 1 products here.


UPDATED (January 2018)

Studio 2 – vMix versions

We have recently updated all the Studio 2 vMix versions to take advantage of the extra overlays available in vMix 20 (we can now use up to 10 layers, compared to the previous 5). You’ll need vMix 20 or later for these new versions.

Each vMix set comes in its own folder containing the various layers needed, plus an XML file (config.xml) which tells vMix how to display the layers, and in what order.

1. Background (dynamic). By default the config file is set up to display the static newsroom image, but you can change this to show another live input if you want – for example, the pre-comped looping newsroom backgrounds that are available separately. You could also create your own background and use it here instead. There is also an extra layer that provides the reflection in the desk and/or floor. If you’re using your own input for the background, remember to assign the same input to the reflection too..!

2. Screen/s UV (dynamic) – you can feed these with your own input sources, and you can choose to have a single screen, any two, or even all three visible at the same time. These can now all be turned on or off within vMix.

3. Midground layer (image). This is the mid section of the set.

4. Talent UV (dynamic). By default, this appears behind the desk, with reflections built in. Alternative config.xml files are provided that allow you to place your talent over the desktop, with an extra reflection layer behind. This is useful if you want to have your presenter appearing to lean on the virtual desk.

5. Desk (image). This has a semi-transparent centre section to allow the reflections to show through for talent, screens, and background. A separate config.xml file is provided that removes the desk completely – useful for when your talent is standing.

Each angle is set up to show reflections of the background, inset screens, and talent in the shiny floor sections and the desktop where appropriate.

To get a set into vMix you need to copy the relevant studio set folder and its contents into the directory on your vMix machine where vMix stores its sets, so it can be found alongside all the supplied vMix sets (CircularStudio, LateNightNews etc).
That might be somewhere like C: > Program Files (x86) > vMix > VirtualSets

It’s important to make sure that the actual folder you are copying is one that has a config.xml file directly within it, and not any of the containing folders above.

Then, from inside vMix click bottom left ‘Add Input’ – then ‘Virtual Set’ near the bottom of the list – you should see the new set thumbnail appear…. click the thumbnail to load the set…

Alternatively – you can save the folder somewhere else on your vMix machine – then when you ‘Add Input’ > ‘Virtual Set’ click “Browse” (top right of the pop up window) and then navigate to wherever you have saved the new folder.

Visit the STORE now and browse Studio 2 products.


UPDATED January 2018

Virtual Studio 2 – free update (vMix versions)

The vMix versions of Studio 2 have been completely rebuilt and updated to take advantage of the extra overlay layers available within vMix (vMix v.20 onwards).

Here are just some of the improvements to Studio 2 for vMix:

1) 3 separate screen overlays. Although it was theoretically possible in the previous version to turn off each of the screens (by moving and re-naming alternate image files) they were still fed by the same single source input. Now, I’m pleased to say all three virtual screens are now properly independent of each other within vMix. Each screen is a separate overlay, so they can be turned on or off separately, and each one can be assigned with a different input if you like.

2) Background reflections. The newsroom background still has the reflection ‘built-in’. But I’ve also added a new overlay layer that reflects the background in the floor and desktop – so if you decide to change the entire background image, it will get reflected correctly in the floor and desk – just like the TriCaster versions..! (Note: remember to assign your new input to both the background and the reflection layers).

3) Extra talent options. You now have three ways to display your talent. The default config.xml file gives you a single talent layer (including the reflection in the desktop) that sits entirely behind the desk layer. This is the quickest and easiest setting (see image below).

talent overlay (including reflection) behind the desk

I’ve also now included a second configuration file which has two talent overlays. One gives you the reflection only (in the desktop, behind the desk layer). The main talent layer itself is now a separate talent layer in front of the desk. This allows you to have your talent resting their hands (or papers) on the desktop itself (see image below).

Talent overlay in front of the desk layer. Talent reflection appears on a separate layer behind the desk

To use this version simply rename the original config.xml file (say, to ‘config-SAFE.xml’) and then rename the ‘config-talentOverDesk.xml’ file back to ‘config.xml’.

Obviously you will need to shoot your talent leaning on a green desktop surface, and the edge of the desktop needs to match the virtual desk to complete the illusion. Or perhaps you could position them in such a way that their arms hide the edge of the (real) desk completely. Either way, it’s a great leap forwards for vMix and virtual studio sets.

Talent leaning on green screen desktop

There is a third configuration file that removes the desk completely, either for a standing presenter, or for when you are using your own (real) studio furniture.

To use this version simply rename the original config.xml file (say, to ‘config-SAFE.xml’) and then rename the ‘config-noDesk.xml’ file back to ‘config.xml’.

4) ‘Spare’ layer. Every vMix angle in Studio 2 now comes with an extra (empty) ‘spare’ overlay layer in front of everything else, in case you need an extra input for graphics or whatever else over the top of the virtual set itself.

5) Optimisation for performance. All the vMix versions of Studio 2 have been optimised (given that they now have some extra layers to handle). All the new and existing UV gradients have been cropped where possible and are now re-sized within vMix – this gives a performance improvement – both in reducing memory and reducing the number of pixels the graphics card needs to scan to find the mapped areas.

How do I get the free update?

Existing customers can visit their download page using the same link they received in the original order email. Any new downloads will contain the most recent update! (Please drop us an email if you need your download count re-set back to 3 attempts!)

New customers will receive this new version. Because of the extra overlays you will need to be running vMix version 20 or later.

Browse all the Studio 2 products in the STORE


UPDATED September 2017

Studio 1 update (v1.06)

Studio 1 has just been updated to version 1.06.

Existing customers can download the new versions using their original download link. You might want to check the changes below – some are just minor tweaks and won’t be useful to everyone. (Some users might not need any of these updates, in which case it’s fine to stick with your current version!).

The changes are as follows :

1. We’ve discontinued the ‘Easy Sets‘ as separate products. Instead they are now included for FREE with all the relevant angles for Studio 1 (including 4K versions). You will find them among the ‘PNG layers’ in a new folder called ‘simplified’. These ‘Easy Sets’ are basically all of the many layers for the relevant angle combined into a single background image, and a single desk layer (without reflections). There are two vesions of each – one with the example skyline already merged into the background, and another version that has a transparent ‘hole’ behind which you can add your own skyline as normal.

2. The Photoshop and PNG versions no longer include a ‘background’ layer (this was just a guide layer that sat behind everything else, and was always completely hidden by the other layers on top). I think it makes more sense now for the bottom-most layers to always be the ‘skyline’. This is really just to keep the file size down (particularly the 4K multi-angle version) and should help speed up loading the .psd into NewTek’s Virtual Set Editor. If you’re not experiencing any loading issues with VSE, then you probably don’t need this.

3. Also for reasons of speed and file-size, I have removed all of the full-frame UV gradients from the Photoshop version and replaced them with empty layers. Virtual Set Editor still treats these as full-frame ‘live’ inputs without needing a UV gradient layer in place, so this will hopefully save just a little bit more time and disk-space.

4. We’ve cleaned up the ‘plasma surround’ layers to remove the sections of coloured wall that were included in the previous versions. Now there is no need to adjust the colour of the plasma layers if you are changing the colours of the walls behind them. If you are changing the colour of the studio, and using the plasma screens, then this might be useful to save a little time adjusting extra layers.

5. (vMix versions only) We’ve adjusted the talent UV layers so that the reflections match exactly the shape of the desktop. This will only make a difference if you are manually editing the config.xml file to put the talent and reflection over the desk layer (if you are, it will line-up correctly now).

6. (vMix versions only) The ‘no-desk’ versions of the config file now add a reflection for standing talent that was missing on the wide angles. The reflection layer can be turned on and off, and it appears behind the ‘midground’ layer. You may need to be a bit careful positioning your talent, as the ‘midground’ layer includes the reflections of the window frames too.

I hope some customers find these new updates useful. As always, do remember to make a back-up first before downloading or overwriting anything (!).

If you have any questions, do get in touch.


UPDATED September 2016

Studio 5 update (v1.04)

Just a quick heads up to let you know that Studio 5 has just been updated with some new features.

1. New skyline I’ve replaced the view outside the window. The previous version was a bit ‘rustic’ I think – hopefully this new cityscape with a slightly more ‘corporate’ feel should be more useful. It’s still a separate layer (and also a ‘live’ source in Tricaster and vMix) so you can still easily replace it with your own view if you want.

2. The back wall I’ve added an extra ‘white’ version of the back wall section. You still get the coloured wall as a separate layer, but you now have the option of using white walls throughout.

3. Colour change I’ve changed the wall section and the carpet to blue (previously they were both a kind of purple/lilac colour). This is really just to make it slightly more useful ‘out of the box’ – they are now separate layers throughout, so you can more easily adjust the colour if you want.

4. vMix 20 update The vMix versions of Studio 5 now make use of the added overlays in vMix 20. So now vMix users can turn off the coloured wall section, and the carpet, independently. I’ve also added a ‘spare’ overlay in front of everything that can be used as an additional input. The vMix versions have also been optimised – with some of the layers cropped and re-sized within vMix to give a bit of a performance increase.

Existing Studio 5 customers can download the updated version using the same link from your original order email. Remember to keep a back-up copy if you think you might need to revert back to the old version.


UPDATED September 2016

Studio 5 update – standing position

Studio 5 has recently been updated again to include a new camera angle for a standing presenter with the video screen.

All customers who have bought the Studio 5 complete multi-angle pack should have already received an email with instructions to download the updated version absolutely FREE. There are new files for the PNG layers and vMix Sets, plus the multi-angle Photoshop version has been updated to v1.03 to include the new ‘standing’ group of layers.

This new angle provides another way of seeing your presenter with the big monitor. You can still use the ‘wide’ and ‘mid’ angles, but this gives a nice off-axis alternative. As with all the other Studio 5 products you are free to drop in your own replacement skyline outside, and change the colour of the feature wall.


UPDATED August 2016

Studio 5 update

Studio 5 has recently been updated to include a new ‘mid’ angle.

All customers who have bought the Studio 5 complete multi-angle pack should have already received an email with instructions to download the updated version absolutely FREE. There are new files for ‘mid’ (PNG layers) and ‘mid’ (vMix Sets), plus the multi-angle Photoshop version has been updated to v1.02 to include the new ‘mid’ group of layers.

In keeping with most of the virtual studio sets here, Studio 5 is very customisable. I have made an example image below with a few tweaks to the ‘wide’ angle to show what’s possible.

Here are some of the options:

You can replace the view out of the window with your own skyline. You can change the colour of the far wall. You can change the carpet colour too, or remove it completely. You can also remove the entire monitor completely, or feed it with your own logo or source. Maybe you could use it to show a guest speaking via Skype – who knows… the world is your (virtual) oyster!


UPDATED April 2016

Virtual Studio 2 – free update (v1.06)

Studio 2 has recently been updated to v1.06.

The main changes are as follows :

1. New vMix versions are now included with every Studio 2 product. These are additional folders which will load directly into vMix. You can read all about the new vMix versions here. All the other assets (individual PNG layers, Photoshop versions, Newsroom loops) are still provided exactly as before.

2. (Multi-angle packs only) The Multi-angle packs now have separate downloads for the PNG layer folders and vMix folders for each angle. This is really just to make things quicker and easier to update individual files. The Photoshop file remains a single (multi-angle) file.

3. (Photoshop versions only) Minor adjustment to ‘midground’ layer. Hardly noticible, but addresses possible VSE bug when feeding live video into UV gradients behind.

All existing owners of a Studio 2 product can download the new files as a FREE update.


UPDATED July 2015

Virtual Studio 2 – free update (v1.05)

We’re updating all Studio 2 products to version 1.05

All existing owners of any Studio 2 product should be receiving an email soon with a link to download the new product files as a FREE update.

The main changes are as follows :

1. I’ve moved all of the looping newsroom movie files out of the Studio 2 product folders, and added them to the Looping Newsroom Backgrounds Pack 1 product, which is now included FREE with all Studio 2 products. All the static newsroom layers are still present exactly as before.

The reason for moving the HD movies is this – we’re planning to add some alternative Newsroom background loops, and maybe even new virtual studios that can use them, so it makes sense to keep them as separate downloads from now on. Likewise the individual PNG layers are now in a folder of their own and as a separate (included) download. This will also make it a lot easier to provide future updates.

The following affect only the Photoshop file, and TriCaster users in particular :

2. I have added a new Input layer gradient called cycSingleSweep – it is a single UV gradient that covers the entire length of the cyclorama area and can be loaded with a single source image (for best results you might want to create your artwork with a 64×9 aspect ratio, before scaling it to 16×9). The previous four 16×9 cyclorama sections are still available as before.

3. There are now three alternative talent Input layers within each angle (use only the one you need). They are named as follows:

Use Input A Keyable name=”talent VSS2- if you are wanting your talent to appear behind the desk group.

Use Input A Keyable name=”talent overAll VSS2-“ if you want your talent to appear in front of the desk group (this will also kill the reflection in the desktop, due to the way TriCaster handles overlapping keyable layers.)

Use Input A Keyable name=”talent overEdge VSS2- if you want your talent to overlap only the opaque edge of the desktop – this particular input layer has a section removed to allow the reflection in the centre of the desk to show through. (This is the new name for the old “talent overDesk” layer)

NOTE ALSO – there is still a layer called “opaque desk section VSS2-“ within the desk group in the Photoshop file. This will also hide the reflections completely. It is turned ON by default when you load the Photoshop file into Virtual Set Editor for the first time. If you want to see the reflected talent Input layer you will need to either turn the ‘opaque section’ OFF completely in VSE, or reduce its opacity in the original Photoshop file before you import to VSE.

4. All gradient layers have been replaced throughout to address possible distortion artifacts on the curved inset screens and elsewhere. This was reported by customers using VSE (v1) with a TriCaster 850, and also VSE (v2) with TriCaster 460. (I’m extremely grateful for the feedback – thank you Steve, Guy and Amit!).

The following affects the Photoshop file, and some individual PNG layers :

5. Gradient layers have been renamed to A and B throughout (previously layers named Input C would not allow a source to be selected on TriCasters where only 2 live channels are available). We’ve continued this new naming convention across the PNG layers also. For reference, the four cyclorama sections are now named B1-B4 (the new single sweep is B0), the newsroom input layers are B5, and the inset screens are now B6-B8.

and finally…

If you are using any of my sets and can think of any additional features that you’d like to see included, please do drop us a line and we’ll see about building them into future FREE updates.


UPDATED November 2014

Virtual Studio update (4)

We’re pleased to announce a major update to all the virtual studios at virtualstudiosets.com

Every studio product (single angles, and multi-angle packs) now includes a complete set of individual layers and mattes in lossless PNG format, which means you can easily select which elements to use, and customize each layer individually. Even better – it means they are all at the very highest possible quality and are compatible with pretty much every graphics, editing and production system out there. Studios all come in either HD (1920 x 1080) or 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) giving you amazing realism, detail and clarity throughout.

The studios still also come with the complete set in a single Photoshop file, all ready set up for use with TriCaster VSE. These now include a couple of new layers too. The first is an alternative talent Input layer (named ‘talent overDesk’) which addresses an issue some TriCaster users were experiencing when re-ordering the talent layer to appear in front of the desk-top. This new layer no longer overlaps the reflection layer beneath allowing both to appear correctly.

I have also added an (optional) opaque centre section for the desktop in both studios which will can be used to adjust the reflectivity of the desk, or hide the reflections completely.

As always, updates are free to existing customers who have purchased either a single angle, or multi-angle pack.


UPDATED October 2014

Studio 1 update (3)

Studio 1 has now been updated (v 1.03) and now includes two brand new camera angles – a wide left, and wide right shot.

Once again, the plasma screens can be hidden individually, the desk can be removed completely if needed, and the top surface of the riser has an extra ‘non-reflective’ layer available. By adjusting the opacity of this layer you have complete control over the level of reflections in the surface of the riser.

Customers will be notified by email and can download the update for free.

Affected products : Studio 1 (wide), Studio 1 (complete multi-angle pack)

New products : Studio 1 (wide left), Studio 1 (wide right)


UPDATED October 2014

Studio 2 updated to include moving Newsroom background

I’ve recently updated Studio 2 to include a complete Newsroom backdrop behind the talent. The single angles include a static version of the newsroom, and the multi angle pack now also comes with an animated movie loop to run in the studio.

There are two types of HD movies supplied. One is pre-rendered in position for each angle and is in mp4 format (H.264 encoded at 32Mbps) – for alternative formats, please enquire. A second HD movie is supplied specifically for use in Tricaster and comprises the entire newsroom panorama split into 4 sections and comped within a single HD frame – it’s encoded with the NewTek SHQ2 (4:2:2) codec and is designed to be dropped into the relevant Input layers within Studio 2 – you’ll find these in the ‘newsroom’ group. The movie has the four sections of the backdrop rendered with the centre sections (2 and 3) along the top half of the image, and the outer sections (1 and 4) appearing along the bottom half of the image. The UV gradient maps within the Studio 2 Photoshop file will automatically position the various sections in the correct position for each angle to once again form a seamless backdrop.


UPDATED September 2014

Studio 1 update (2)

Studio 1 has just been updated (v1.02). There is now an extra input area on the wide shot to accommodate a standing presenter. There is also a reflection layer, set up in the exact centre of the riser which you can adjust depending on where your talent is standing. If you want to turn the reflections off completely there is a separate ‘non-reflective surface’ layer which will sit over the entire reflective section of the riser.

Customers will be notified by email and can download the update for free.

Affected products : Studio 1 (wide), Studio 1 (complete multi-angle pack)