I think alpha processing is lacking in PowerDirector. When we use blending effects, an alpha channel is created and used internally by the blending mode and applied to each track as it is layered on the track before it. However, the control we have over the alpha channel and how it is used is lacking. This is not rocket science because the alpha/layering logic is already in place (has to be if blending is to work). I would suggest a few improvements which together would make PowerDirector SO much more flexible without compromising ANY of the ease of use that it has now.
1. Have a toggle on the preview window called something like "Diagnostic". This splits the preview window into 4 quadrants. Upper left is the video "fill" component of the activated track - not the full composite over prior tracks, just the activated track. The upper right shows the alpha component derived from any blending modes, chroma key, or the alpha inherent in any alpha capable media like .PNG files. The lower left is a vector scope. The lower right is a wafeform monitor. If a clip or track is highlighted, that is the view. A second view can exist if no track or clip is selected. It can show full composited video (just as Preview shows now) in the upper left and anything at all in the upper right. Note: Thanks to New Blue for making the waveform and vector scope possible, but these are clumsy to use and clog up work flow. A simple inherent tool is so much better!
Alternately, the window described above could be an undocked and hideable window easily dragged to a different monitor. It could have a toggle on it to latch this window to one particular track so that the usual editing steps don't wreak havoc with it. If no particular track or clip is selected, the window can show the vector scope and waveform monitor applied to the preview output. I rather like this one better but it suits itself well only for those who have second monitors.
The whole point of this is to add tools that are helpful and streamlined when more powerful alpha processing is put into place. That leads me to......
2. Just like there is an Fx and other tracks available other than video and audio, there should be an optional Alpha track available to every track (but is normally hidden). So one could put a still or video source on this track and it will act as the alpha channel. Any color is reduced to black & white in the diagnostic window and for the layering process. This allows traveling mattes of any level of sophistication. I would think that any blending mode can, if desired, be applied just as we have now, but with alpha replacement by the new track. This alpha replacement is called a "Split Key" and is powerful when you learn what you can do with it yet stunning in its simplicity.
3. By far the most important feature that I think should be added in the Alpha and blending department is the ability to adjust Clip and Gain (aka threshold and sensitivity). If #2 is not implemented, at the very least there needs to be a "self key" feature as a blending mode where the same video is both fill and matte (alpha). This may already exist but without adjustable clip and gain, it is not very useful.
I would like to point out that what I'm advocating is the same level of power that has been present in production switchers since about 1970. Simple keying allowed us (back in the stone age) to do monochrome, sepia tone, knee simulation, masking, traveling mattes, and a whole lot of cool things that PowerDirector relies on NewBlue and other plugins to provide. It also brings functionality that PowerDirector might not have in any form, let alone something as simple as adjustable clip/gain and selectable alpha sources.
Few things annoy software developers as much as "experts" who tell them how they should write their code but having been both, I would be happy to collaborate with the development team on how this can be done in a way that makes their job easier and the pesky video engineers happy.
Len