VSX2-VS9: How to create a split-screen effect

[rguthrie]

How to create a split-screen effect in Corel's VideoStudio X2Pro to VideoStudio 9

DISCLAIMER: OK, this isn't really a disclaimer, but I originally wrote this for VS9 (as you'll notice in the screen shots). And since then the pictures disappeared from the web. So now I've uploaded them to a new location.

If you've ever wanted to try a split-screen effect, now you can with Corel's VideoStudio powerful filters and Mask & Chroma key!

Let's say that you've recorded two videos of yourself, one with you on the left side of the video and one with you on the right side of the video. You've already captured your videos and now you're ready to begin to put them into one video!

Step 1. Switch to Timeline View.

Step 2. Insert your "left" video to the Video Track.

Step 3. Insert your "right" video to the Overlay Track.

Step 4. Right-click your overlay video in the Preview Window and select Fit to Screen.

Step 5. Go to the Gallery and select Video Filter and drag-n-drop the Cropping filter onto your overlay track on the Timeline.




Step 6. Select Customize Filter.

Step 6a. On the first key frame (it's the little red diamond on the left) make the Width 50% and the Height 100%. You'll notice in the Original screen that there are some dashed lines showing the amount that has been cropped. You'll also notice a cross-hair in the middle. Click on the cross-hair and move the selection to the right side. You'll now notice that the Preview screen is now 50% blacked out and the video only shows in the right half.




Step 6b. Select Stationary. This will keep your selection to the right of the screen.

Step 6c. Click on the right diamond and repeat step 6a for the last keyframe.

Step 6d. Click the Fill color box and choose a color that's not in your picture, like hot pink. This will become your masking color. Now click OK.



Step 7. Select Mask & Chroma key, then Apply overlay options.

Step 7a. Select the eyedropper tool and click on your hot pink overlay color. Voila! Now you'll see both of your videos!




Now you can go back and adjust the size of your Cropping Filter to suit the needs for your video. Just remember to always do it for the first and last key frames.

ONE FINAL TIP: Your Overlay track may be a bit brighter, or darker, than the Video track. Use the Brightness filter to darken, or lighten, your Overlay track until the blend looks perfect. If you do this however, you'll need to reselect your Chroma Key with the eyedropper in the Overlay Options tab.

Have fun and let your imagination go!
Ronald Guthrie

[jdubya]

Thanks for posting this tut.It is a neat trick I think everyone will want to use.

[gerlyn7]

Very interresting tutorial.
I am presently testing Video Studio after a free download.
But I can't find anywhere the transition effect you are using, nor any of those I can see on the picture of the "Video Filter" box you do show.
Can I be sure of getting those if I buy the product, or have you used something extra ?
thank you .
gg

[Ron P.]

Very interresting tutorial.
I am presently testing Video Studio after a free download.
But I can't find anywhere the transition effect you are using, nor any of those I can see on the picture of the "Video Filter" box you do show.
Can I be sure of getting those if I buy the product, or have you used something extra ?
thank you .
gg

Did you download the Content Packs? Generally you use "Smart (not so) download, to get all the filters, effects, etc..

The links to these files can be found in this post:

http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?t=9857&highlight=smart+download

Regards..

Ron P.

[allanforbes]

Hi
I copied your technique for creating a split screen effect - but keep getting a thin black line - what is the best way to avoid this - I am using Videostudio x3?

[sjj1805]

I have already replied in your other post. Please do not try and get two threads working for the same issue it causes confusion.

[kevsterman]

I've followed the above tutorial to the letter but I'm not getting the desired effect. I have a clip of me standing on the left and a clip of me standing on the right. I place the left clip in the video track and the right clip in the overlay track. I applied the cropping effect to the overlay track, moved the selection so that half of the screen goes black, ticked fill colour and changed the colour to pink. Then I selected Mask & Chromakey and Overlay Options. Now this is where I can't follow the tutorial anymore. It says to select the eyedropper tool and click on the pink overlay colour, but there is no pink in view anymore to click on. The moment I tick Apply Overlay Options the pink colour in the preview window disappears and the clip of me standing on the right appears instead. This is almost what I want, trouble is, the clip of me on the right becomes slightly transparent, despite the transparency option set to 0. Its frustrating because I'm so close. What am I doing wrong? Oh I'm using VS Pro x3 trial.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Kevin

1 / Once you have selected ‘Apply overlay options’ the chroma key has automatically selected the colour pink. See the ‘Similarity’ colour. (clever) and removed this colour, the box to the right selects the amount of effect, removing more or less pink. Reducing this should alter your transparency, but may restore some pink.

2 / It’s a bit of trial and error in selecting the correct chrome colour, Green is normally used when setting up a shoot.

3 / Click the colour square to change it to black, now you will be in the pink, use the colour dropper to select.

Time to experiment and play about with the different options...........