Newbie needs help with Lower Thirds

[stevop7777]

I am a newbie to MSP8 (just got it a couple of days ago). I have VS9 and have created several projects with it and was successful. It is easy IMO to insert lower thirds in VS9 but not so simple in MSP8. I have read the help files but to no avail.

The lower thirds (702X89) where created in PhotoImpact as png files when working in VS9. I added text on the LT in PI and it worked well.

I imported the same LT graphics to MSP and the LT filled the source screen and was distorted. Upon scrubbing it still was full screen and the text was huge. I tried the key options but I must be missing something? Where am I going wrong? Please be elementary in your response. Thanks in advance.

[Devil]

Apply a fixed Moving path with the Keep Aspect Ratio box checked. You could work your way to nirvana by starting with one of the lower picture-in-picture (your lower third is really a picture!) and modifying the size and position, or you could start from scratch with 2D-Moving path. Do it in Effects Manager with the first keyframe. When you have it right, right-click it and Copy to all keyframes.

[mmponline]

This is one of the most exciting new features in MSP8. Especially the fact that you can move your lower thrid picture directly on the preview frame to where you want it. (Just select it on the timeline, and click on the keyframe where the moving path was created). Some yellow blocks will appear on the preview window and you can move the Lower Third around as you wish. - Works great. A huge improvement on MSP7.

If you use a .png file with transparent background (or .ufo - Photo Impact) and applya alpha path overlay on it, you can play around with very neat shadows, etc. Especially helpful when you want to add a drop shadow to a lower third or even to text created in Photimpact.

You can ever put transparency on the clip for fading in or out, etc. GREAT!!!

[stevop7777]

Thanks for the replies, that is what I needed, good help!