Question for the techies! Frame/Image cropping -

[Screwball]

This question is difficult to explain exactly what I want (and probably difficult to understand also) - I'll try.
I have many images of various dimensions, both portrait and landscape. What I want to achieve is to have a set 'capture frame' size that is perfect for viewing on TV which I can can hover over a graphic image and click to capture the cropped image the size of my frame.
My method at the moment is to:-
Shrink the image to desired width then continually crop until the required height is achieved. In PSP 6 if I resize to the desired height and width it of course distorts the picture by either flattening or stretching. If I maintain aspect ratio, the result is various sized height Pictures, which I do not want.
The famous photographer Cartier Bresson once said "if it's a bad picture - youre not close enough", so the cropping will not (I hope) be detrimental. So what I am looking for is a predetermined size cropping frame, to hover over an image and always have the perfect size with no black borders on TV either top or bottom. Can I do that in PSP? If not - HOW?
I told you it was complicated!!!!

[Ken Berry]

Since that is a very specific question relating to a specific program, you would be better posting it on the Paint Shop Pro forum, which is also on this Board. http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewforum.php?f=56

[Screwball]

Sorry - did not mean the question to pertain to PSP - purely that others must surely have required the same facility at sometime. Like yourselves, as a Ulead fan just wondered how it can be achieved with whatever software - hopefully with Ulead itself? But thankyou for the suggestion of another forum. :oops:

[sjj1805]

I see you are from the UK so should be using PAL and not NTSC.
The standard PAL screen size is 768 x 576. You will need to alter things for 16.9 (Widescreen) or NTSC or High Definition.

To resize with Paint Shop Pro:




To resize with PhotoImpact:




To resize with Corel PhotoPaint:

[Ken Berry]

But Steve, doesn't Resize or its equivalent amount to distorting the original image? It might not be particularly noticeable if the original size is fairly close, in both vertical and horizontal measurement, to a multiple of 768 x 576. But it would become increasingly noticeable if, say, the horizontal measurement is the original is significantly wider than a multiple of 576.

I think the OP is really after a way to *crop* to the relevant size, rather than resize.

[Screwball]

Thankyou Steve for your (as always) kind help but Ken has hit the nail on the head. I can already do what you suggest, but I would love a 'Floating' invisible frame so that I can reduce the original pic to 768 then move the 'frame' up and down to capture the desired view in the desired 'perfect' size eliminating any potential black borders. Just much simpler and faster than the continual trial and error resizing without distorion.

[Screwball]

Just one more aside question while I am in contact with the wizards - Are there worthwhile advantages in purchasing VS Pro X2 over 11.5 Plus which I have now?

[Black Lab]

Just one more aside question while I am in contact with the wizards - Are there worthwhile advantages in purchasing VS Pro X2 over 11.5 Plus which I have now?

Depends on your wants and needs. Go HERE and click on the link to Compare Versions. It will give you a comparison from v11 thru X2 Pro.

Personally, I didn't upgrade from 10 to 11 because I didn't think 11 offered enough value. X2 on the other hand offers a lot of new features. My only beef with it is it seems to be a little more sluggish than v10+. But maybe that means it's time for me to upgrade my hardware.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Screwball

Not sure if this will do.

First File Preferences¡XUse Fit to Screen as default size in overlay track.
Set the project properties to your aspect ratio 4:3 or 16:9

Insert your image to the overlay track
Right click preview screen
Select keep aspect ratio.
Some cropping will occur
Use your mouse or arrow keys to nudge/position up or down, left right.

Select project playback
Tools-Save Current Frame as Image
Saved to the working folder, thumbnail in library.

As you have a lot to do, add them all to the overlay track.
Set the first image as above.
Right click to Copy Attributes
Paste Attributes to remaining images (use Shift+click) to select

Images will resize but you will have to nudge into position then save image
Images will be 768 X 576

[Screwball]

I will try this later on this evening (wife gone to an Ice show so I'm cooking) thanks for the tutorial.
Where would we be without this forum?

[chrishargrave]

Hi Kevin

To provide a possible solution to your question have a look at http://www.leansoft.co.uk/

'Framesize' allows you set a frame size, then when you open a photo you can move the frame around &/or shrink it while maintaining the correct ratio. It is still 'cropping' but you get to choose exactly which part of the picture you want use.

I use it to get photos to fit into a 7inch digital photo frame (480 * 234 pixels)
and to fit 16.9 for use in Video Studio.(1024*576)

(I will add this to the other forum as well)

Regards

Chris H

[Screwball]

I think this answer given very kindly by 'chrishargrave' is the complete answer to my queery. I also think this free programme has major benefits for all Ulead users. Thanks a million - so simple fast and extremely effective! I am going to make a contribution for the 'free 'software, will save me so much time. What a place this forum is.

[chrishargrave]

Hi Kevin
Glad that helps!

For your information when you first posted I was unable to post any replies for some reason so I sent the info. to the e-mail address in your profile but that seems to be out of date because it was just bounced back to me.........

Regards
Chris H