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Call it what you will, but I'm sure at least some of you will watch the American TV series "24" and know the effect I'm talking about. They use a similar effect in British TV's "Trial and Retribution": split-screen boxes with two, three, or even four moments of action occurring at the same time on screen.

Yes, I'm aware that you can do a picture-in-picture as such on the overlays; my question is specifically whether it's possible to change the dimenstions of the rectangular frame and yet maintain the correct picture dimensions without distortion. Eg: have a tall thin box on the left of screen with everything in correct, undistorted proportion; and, say a square box at frame right, again with everything in the right, undistorted proportion??

I've had a play around, and although I can change the dimensions of the boxes, the picture is then distorted. Clicking "Keep Aspect Ratio" brings everything back to normal, but changes the shape of the box to it's original aspect ratio.

Maybe it's possible; maybe it's not (and maybe it's staring me in the face), but if someone out there knows if and how it can be done, I'd be eternally grateful.

Thanks in advance!

Chris

Think about it. You can't have a square object fill a rectangular object without stretching it.

I think what you probably need is a mask frame, but not the kind that are built into VS (on the Attribute tab, Mask & Chroma Key). They also distort when you change the frame. But, if you cover the square object with a mask that has a rectangular "hole", the square object will fill it. Not the entire square object, mind you. Some of it will be covered by the mask, which I'm sure happens in "24".

So I would think you put a clip in a track and put a mask in an overlay track, repeating for as many as you need. Of course doing it this way in VS would only allow you 4 of these effects (8 total tracks if you have the + or Pro version) without doing an intermediate render or nested track.

The other issue with this theory is that VS does not provide simple masks. The provide frames and objects, which I could never imagine using, but they don't include a simple b/w round, oval, square or rectangle mask. You would have to make your own with a PhotoImpact-type software.

Well, it sounds to me like it would work.

Another alternative is to apply the Cropping video filter, although this doesn't give you a lot of flexibility if you want anything more than squares or rectangles. Also the Vignette filter, but you have no control over the size of the vignette, only the shape.

Jeff,

Of course I'm fully aware I'll have to trade off necessary cropping to make the subject fit the frame (as per "24")...

And, in fact, since posting I THINK I've worked out how to do it (as I only requite squares and rectangles) utilising the CROPPING filter - customising it and moving it about - and using it along with the picture sizing tool on overlays.

At least it seems to give the effect I want in preview (I've literally only JUST done it), so I'm hoping I've got it cracked, with some practice. And, it appears I can have the boxes move too - which also helps replicate the effect I'm after!!

Thanks,

Chris

Chris
Will appreciate if you post a link to the video showing effect you were struggling with. Maybe all could benefit

This is a parody of the show the OP mentions, but you should get the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptkf4j1fZA0