VS10 - Setting Background for a 4:3 video in a 16:9 project

frankf71 · Post by **frankf71** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:31 am

Hi

I have a project set for 16:9 ratio in Video Studio 10. This project contains 4:3 video, 16:9 video and images.

In the sections using the 4:3 video I would like to set a background, using an image, that would fill the gaps either side of the 4:3 video.

I have tried putting an image in one of the overlay tracks, but the problem is I cannot find anyway of changing the "order" for this so that the video in the #1 track sits on top of this overlay.

Is there a way of changing the order in which the tracks are displayed?

I can put my "background" image in the master track and place my videos etc in the overlay track but there must be a better method than this

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers
Frank

Phil S · Post by **Phil S** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:18 pm

I've done exactly this. What I did was to use my Photo editing program, in my case Paint Shop Pro.

Open a new image set to 1600x900 pixels and set the background to transparent.

Then set the fill colour of your choice and draw 2 200x900 rectangles, one each side, keeping the left then the right edges in line with your 16:9 transparency.

With PSP you can also set the fill to gradients or textures and get some really good effects. I made several different templates like this.

Save the file in .png format.

Import it into VS and put it on the overlay track and pull it along the timeline to cover the extent of your 4:3 content and not for your 16:9 content.

Render the project as 16:9.

Trevor Andrew · Post by **Trevor Andrew** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:30 pm

Hi Frank

The ¡¥overlay¡¦ tracks are just what they say. They overlay the clips over the previous track.
The top main video track being viewed at the bottom of the pile.
The main track always shuffles left to fill any gaps.

Use 1024 x 576 images to fill the widescreen frame.

You could of course use the ¡¥Distort¡¦ function to re-size the 4:3 to fit.
Place the 4:3 in the main track, select attributes tab, tick ¡¥distort¡¦
Right click the preview screen for other options. (Fit to screen and keep aspect ratio)
You will lose some detail in the 4:3.
But its an option

Trevor

frankf71 · Post by **frankf71** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:59 pm

Hi

Thanks for the prompt replies - much appreciated.

At least now I know the answer - can't do it the way I'd like

I have created an image in Corel Photopaint that does the job, (thanks Phil), but it will mean quite a bit of work to get it to work seamlessly. Especially where I have got the 16:9 fading out to the 4:3 and vice versa - I am not even going to try any other transition effects!

Perhaps Ulead will add the idea of a background track capable of holding images and video in some future life

Regards

Frank

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:02 pm

You have a few options available.
Option 1.
The easiest is to have a different background colour other than black.
File | Preferences | General
Now alter the background colour to something else.

Option 2
Place your desired background image onto the video track and set the duration accordingly.
Now place your video onto the overlay track and resize accordingly.
Save this is a VideoStudio project file. Now you can use that VideoStudio Project file as a virtual clip. In other words treat the vsp as if it was a video.
Start a new project and add your files in the normal way. Where you would have inserted your 4.3 video - insert the virtual clip (vsp file) instead.
You can use transitions either side of the virtual clip.

frankf71 · Post by **frankf71** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 2:02 pm

Steve

Thanks - Option 2 works perfectly

Terrific - Even works with with an animated graphic background or video!

Cheers

Frank