Is there a way to creating a montage automatically/randomly

[ekush]

I was wondering if there was a way to create a montage given a list of pictures/videos.
Years ago I remember video software used to have different themes and I just had to provide pictures and the software randomly would create a montage with affects and transitions.

In Corel Video Studio Pro x6 there is a way to use instant projects, but they don't seem impressive or have enough choices.
I tried to download templates fro photovideolife.com but they also seem simple.
On Corel site they do seem to sell Template packs, but they only have 3 options, Romance, Wedding, and Positive Vibe.

I would hope there is either an easy way to create a project or be able to buy a template for a full montage, similar to an instant project but looking more professional and that can span for a few minutes.
Thanks in advance.
Eric

[BrianCee]

you may also find a few more to download in the 'Corel guide' under the 'Do More' tab - but from what I've seen they are all of about the same complexity - none are what you would classify as "amazing"

the answer of course may be for you to set up your own - you just start a new project in which you can put the numbered placeholders which in X8 I find in -C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X8\EditingStyle\Image - put all your magic FX's etc. on it and then "Save as a template" or simply as a standard project - might take a while to make the first one - but then you would be able to use it for ever - if it is truly amazing then you might even make money selling it.

[asik1]

Strange that you consider instant projects, not to be impressive but expect totally random software solution to be impressive.

[ekush]

Thank you both for your replies.
Asik, no I do not find instant projects impressive, considering it is provided by Corel. If it was done by an amateur, I could accept that. There are a couple of them that are decent, but I wouldn't want to reuse the same affect throughout the whole project. I don't necessary say that the affects on totally random software solutions are impressive, but the fact that years ago it as available to randomly throw together a decent project from a list of clips/photos. I would just expect more variety from Instant project choices, if not a total solution randomly created from all the pictures in the list.

Brian, yes I think I already looked in the places you have referenced.
And yes I thought of may be making my own template. The issue I have is that I typically make simple montages and I don't do them that often. This is not my profession.
This one project, I wanted to do a montage for my son's Barmitzvah and wanted it to be more than just ordinary. So making a template for a reuse is not really feasible.
That's why I thought Corel or someone that is doing it often would have such templates available.
As I mentioned in my Post, Corel site seemed to only have 3 packages, non of which seemed I could use for a barmitzvah.

[RobertOZ]

Asik, no I do not find instant projects impressive, considering it is provided by Corel. If it was done by an amateur, I could accept that.

I think you will find that most of the project templates are not provided by Corel, but by users like you and me, Photovideolife, whilst being administered by Corel is in fact a sharing site where users can upload there own creations for use by others.

I agree that most of the project templates are amateurish but what can you expect for free, there are a few very useful templates that can be used. there is only one other NLE that does have the capability of producing 9 different montages (could be more now) and being an integral part of the program they are all very good, in fact the only reason I had that particular NLE on my system was for photo montage use as it could create some stunning projects. Ken Berry has the current version of that program as do a number of other VS users, maybe they could give you their thoughts

[Ken Berry]

Sorry but I have never made a montage in my life and I think the last time I made even a slideshow was about eight years ago. So I can't comment on VS's abilities in this regard, nor those of other NLEs. In fact I am not even sure which one Robert is referring to since, apart from VS, I also have the latest versions of Cyberlink Power Director, Sony Movie Studio Platinum and Magix...

[asik1]

ekush, you said that editing is not your profession hence you fall into the cliche of multi FX/trans movie. The best Barmitzvah movie can be done by just cross-fades , some pan&zoom's , nice titles and most importantly not more than 6-7 minutes long.
Mazel tov.

[RobertOZ]

Sorry but I have never made a montage in my life and I think the last time I made even a slideshow was about eight years ago. So I can't comment on VS's abilities in this regard, nor those of other NLEs. In fact I am not even sure which one Robert is referring to since, apart from VS, I also have the latest versions of Cyberlink Power Director, Sony Movie Studio Platinum and Magix...

I was referring to PowerDirector Ken, it has, and always has had very good slideshow montages, the last version I had (PD9) installed had, from memory, 9 different slideshow formats to choose from allowing users to create some very good slideshows and as I previously said, that's all I used PowerDirector for, on my system for video editing PD was too unstable, that's why I changed to VS. One day I may try PowerDirector again, but having 3 NLEs (VSX8, Premiere Elements 13, Sony Movie Studio Platinum 13) I would have difficulty justifying the cost.

[ekush]

Robert, yes Photovideolife is a freeshare. In understand that. It is free and you may find something that you like by searching it, but it is very limited. Corel VS, however does come with a few instant projects, but there is not much variety there.
And even if I wanted to buy something that is more professional, I didnt see that.

Asic, I agree, with you , I may just need to use some crossfade transitions and pan a zooms. Thats what I typically do and was hoping for something more with a wow affect.

thank you all for your advice.

[richflorida]

Use FastFlick. There are a couple good ones in there.

Rich