Creating placeholders.

[budbon]

I have been using the instant projects and would like to develop one my own. How do you create placeholders? I know I can add photos or videos on an overlay track or do a picture in picture from FX, but how would I create a placeholder such as a TV screen and then be able to drop a picture within the TV screen area? I guess I'm asking for the TV to be a picture frame with whateverr photo or video dropped inside..

[teknisyan]

You can export a video project as a Instant Project template, for the placeholder.. you can just use a images or jpegs that has the description of the placeholder. For example: Placeholder 1 "Replace this with your intro video", place holder 2 "Insert Audio file here", etc.

Then to create an Instant Project template
1. Open the video project that you want to save as a templete.
2. Click File > Export as template.
3. Click Yes when prompted to save your project.
4. Enter a File name, Subject and Description.
5. Browse for the folder where you want to save your template and click Save.
6. In the Export project as template dialog box, move the slider to display the thumbnail that you want to use for the template and indicate the path and folder name. Template details will also be displayed.
7. Click OK.

[budbon]

Thanks for the reply. I can't try it out until tomarrow. I'm pretty dense so I may have more questions.

[budbon]

Okay, I've been struggling all day to no avail. I somehow don't understand all I know. Could you help?
My project is this: I would like to have a photo of an old window. I would like this photo toslide onto the screen - I know how to do that.
I then want a photo of a person to become framed by the window or one pane of the window - I don't know how to create a placeholder to drop the second photo into the paned area of the window.

Am I right in assuming:
1. A template file is just that, a set of formatting that would open the same each time?
2. If yes, how could I get this template to open as an "Instant Project?"
3. If the answer is no, what else must I do?

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi Bud

Maybe you are trying to hard and making things over complicated.

Using the samples from the library place V09 in the top track
Place V21 in the overlay track, adjust the length to match top video (approx 5 seconds)

With the overlay clip selected resize the frame in the preview screen
The yellow trim handles will keep the shape.
The Green handles will distort the image to the shape of the TV screen.
Position the clip.

If you wish to replace any clip in the timelines……
Drag a clip from the library, position over the timeline clip, press Ctrl key, drop mouse

I have sent a project file showing the result.

Hope this helps

[budbon]

Thanks Trevor but I was unable to open the sample you sent.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

How did you try to open the file, it is a standard VSP.

Save the file to your hard drive File Open Project
Should open without problems.

[budbon]

I finally got it. Thanks Trevor. Using your instructions above finally allowed the information to find a home in that great void of my cranium. As I've often said, "I may not be good, but I'm slow."