Meta Strip

operators/apply_blur.py

@@ -88,13 +88,16 @@ class SEQUENCER_OT_apply_mask_blur(Operator):
     
     def _apply_with_mask_modifier(self, context, video_strip: "bpy.types.Strip", mask_strip: "bpy.types.Strip"):
         """
-        Apply blur using Mask Modifier.
+        Apply blur using Mask Modifier, grouped in a Meta Strip.
 
         Workflow:
         1. Duplicate the video strip
         2. Create Gaussian Blur effect on the duplicate
         3. Add Mask modifier to the blur effect (references mask strip)
-        4. Composite with Alpha Over effect
+        4. Group all into a Meta Strip
+
+        The blur effect with mask will automatically composite over the original
+        video due to VSE's channel layering system.
         """
         seq_editor = context.scene.sequence_editor
 
@@ -108,10 +111,6 @@ class SEQUENCER_OT_apply_mask_blur(Operator):
         while blur_channel in used_channels:
             blur_channel += 1
 
-        composite_channel = blur_channel + 1
-        while composite_channel in used_channels:
-            composite_channel += 1
-
         # Step 1: Duplicate the video strip
         if video_strip.type == 'MOVIE':
             video_copy = seq_editor.strips.new_movie(
@@ -168,22 +167,37 @@ class SEQUENCER_OT_apply_mask_blur(Operator):
             mask_mod.input_mask_type = 'STRIP'
             mask_mod.input_mask_id = mask_strip
 
-        # Step 4: Composite with Alpha Over effect
+        # Hide the mask strip (but keep it active for the modifier)
-        alpha_over = seq_editor.strips.new_effect(
-            name=f"{video_strip.name}_composite",
-            type='ALPHA_OVER',
-            channel=composite_channel,
-            frame_start=video_strip.frame_final_start,
-            length=strip_length,
-            input1=video_strip,  # Base (original)
-            input2=blur_effect,  # Blurred with mask
-        )
-
-        # Hide intermediate strips (but keep them active)
-        video_copy.mute = True
         mask_strip.mute = True
 
-        self.report({'INFO'}, f"Applied blur with Mask Modifier (composite on channel {composite_channel})")
+        # Step 4: Create Meta Strip to group everything
+        # Deselect all first
+        for strip in seq_editor.strips:
+            strip.select = False
+
+        # Select the strips to group
+        video_copy.select = True
+        blur_effect.select = True
+        mask_strip.select = True
+
+        # Set active strip for context
+        seq_editor.active_strip = blur_effect
+
+        # Create meta strip using operator
+        bpy.ops.sequencer.meta_make()
+
+        # Find the newly created meta strip (it will be selected)
+        meta_strip = None
+        for strip in seq_editor.strips:
+            if strip.select and strip.type == 'META':
+                meta_strip = strip
+                break
+
+        if meta_strip:
+            meta_strip.name = f"{video_strip.name}_blurred_meta"
+            self.report({'INFO'}, f"Applied blur with Mask Modifier (grouped in Meta Strip)")
+        else:
+            self.report({'INFO'}, f"Applied blur with Mask Modifier (blur on channel {blur_channel})")
     
     def _apply_with_meta_strip(self, context, video_strip: "bpy.types.Strip", mask_strip: "bpy.types.Strip"):
         """