Lower thirds

[Maukka]

Is it possible to make lower thirds in MSP7? If so, how?

I am looking for the effect one often sees on TV, where an interviewee"s name appears at the bottom of the screen against a background of a certain shape and clolor.

Thanks!!

Maukka

[Terry Stetler]

Easy if you have a decent image editor, meaning one that can save images with an alpha channel.

In Photoshop create an image the size of your video frame then draw your graphics. Make certain you take into account the "title safe margin", meaning keep the parts you want to see on the TV at least 12% of the way in from the images edge all the way 'round. Otherwise they'll be cut off on the TV screen.

Now save the image out as either a Photoshop *.psd or a *.tga wth an alpha channel. Once imported to an overlay track apply the alpha channel in the overlay options. If you create the image smaller than the video frame you may also have to apply a basic 2D moving path to position & scale it.

Alternatively you can fill the non-lower third area of the image frame with either white or black and use the luma key in the overlay options.

You can also create lower thirds in CGInfinity, but it has fewer tools than image editors. Its advantage is that it can animate them. Once created and saved out as a *.ucg file the alpha channel is saved with it. Just load 'er into an overlay track.

[MonroePoteet]

You can also use the Title Clip native to MSP to do basic titling. If you right-click in a timeline video (e.g. V1) and select Title Clip, you get some basic editing. By setting "Use Title Size", "Opaque Background" (or not), a simple 2-D motion path, and a multi-node Overlay Options transparency curve, you can do basic titling.

I tend to use the external paint programs as suggested by Terry, or generate titles in a 3D animation program, but for simple "interviewee names", the Title Clip might be easiest and quickest.

mTp

[Devil]

My approach would be a combination of the above. I would use PhotoImpact with transparent background for a fixed "framework" for the name or similar information (this could also have a 30 or 40% transparency to see what is happening underneath it). I would then apply the name (no transparency) using the titler. This would make the name easily changeable without having to worry about recreating the framework each time and it would also allow effects on the name itself, such as scrolling it in and out. Of course, you would have to apply the framework in, say, V1 and the name in V2.

Another approach would be to apply the framework and name as a fixed sub-title if you were to author in DVDWS2, but I believe my earlier solution would be more flexible.

[Maukka]

Thanks, guys!

I have Photoshop, I'll try out your different suggestions.

Maukka