Question regarding lowerthird titles...

[heyjoojoo]

Please take a look at the attached photo. I would like to create a "news broadcast" title like this one in the photo (along with the HD live up in the corner). The question is how do I create long retangular graphics on and then have them feather off at the end of the rectangle? I know that I can add a backdrop to text but I need to be able to manipulate the backdrop independent of the text. Are these possible?

How would you achieve the titles in the attached photo?

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

Outside the text backdrop, the only other option in VS is to use the Color Clips, which are only solid colors. For the feathering, you need to use a gradient and transparency. I would recommend creating your lower-third graphics in another photo/graphic illustration program, saving them as transparent PNG files. You can then place the text over them in VS.

I use a variety of programs, such as PaintShop Pro, PhotoImpact (my main program to use for static lower-thirds), Cool 3D Production Studio (no longer available), and Bluff Titler, to create my lower-third graphics.

[Ron P.]

Here's a quick example I whipped up using PhotoImpact X3.

Each of those graphics can be imported into VS separately. I can use the text placed on them in PI, or not. The station buttons (lower-right) I would probably use them as created in the photo program. I would use VS to place the text on the bottom lower-thirds.

[heyjoojoo]

Great, thanks so much for the reply. I do have Photoshop and Photoimpact but havent used Photoimpact in years. I may give it shot to see how it does in comparison to Photoshop. Bluff Title seems interesting - news to me. I'll post what I come up with...

[heyjoojoo]

I'm still trying a few things but here's a sample. One thing to note, I thought I was adding the crossover transition effect to the text and graphics but it looks like it went to the entire video file. Can I just add the a crossover transition to just the text/graphics?

Sample

[Ron P.]

For text you need to use the Animation tab, Fade (Fade-in/Fade-out/Cross-Fade). For graphics on overlay tracks use the Options Panel, then under the Direction/Style, click on one of the graduated bars, which are the Fade-in/Fade-Out. You then can adjust the timing with the Orange tabs on the Pause/Duration bar beneath the preview window. Applying a fade from the Transitions library to any object in an overlay track will give the result you have. This is something that I've brought to Corel's attention, whether they choose to fix it is unknown.

Your Lower-Third graphics looks good..

[heyjoojoo]

Ah hah. I knew I was missing something somewhere. I'll give that a try tonight. In regards to text, I noticed that you can only resize text and not "squash" it allowing it to distort. I tend to like the slightly distorted look for text, especially broadcast style...

Kareem

[heyjoojoo]

For text you need to use the Animation tab, Fade (Fade-in/Fade-out/Cross-Fade). For graphics on overlay tracks use the Options Panel, then under the Direction/Style, click on one of the graduated bars, which are the Fade-in/Fade-Out. You then can adjust the timing with the Orange tabs on the Pause/Duration bar beneath the preview window. Applying a fade from the Transitions library to any object in an overlay track will give the result you have. This is something that I've brought to Corel's attention, whether they choose to fix it is unknown.

Your Lower-Third graphics looks good..

I'm using VideoStudio X4 and so I don't think I have an Animation Tab or Options Panel, no?

[Ron P.]

Yes you have an Options panel. To open it you click on the Blue Options button located between the Libraries and the timeline, directly above the time clock. When it's open it shows a double downward pointing arrow. I wrongly stated Animation panel, when it should be the Attribute panel, which is to the right of the Edit panel.

When you have a text object selected in the timeline, on the left side of the Attribute panel, you see Animation, and below it a box to check for Apply. This will activate the various animations for text objects.

When you have photos, and videos selected in the timeline, you should see the Direction/Style on the Attribute Panel.