face alignment

[wlopatin]

I have been using VS for many years but I'm still learning...
I have a series of facial pictures of someone taken over the years. I want to make a video where the pictures are overlaid so the face lines up and each just fades directly into the next. The problem is how to align the pictures precisely. i guess the eyes would be the best spots to align but if I put the second picture over the first, the first is obscured so I cannot align the second properly. Without the precise alignment, the video does not look good.
What I need is a way to get the second picture to overlay and be partially transparent so I can move it and size it from the overlay track. Once the picture is set, I would like to move it to the main track and then move on to the next picture in the series. I'm not sure but there are about 20 pictures in the series I am working with.
Does anyone have any idea of how I might accomplish this?
Thanks in advance.

[asik1]

https://youtu.be/YK_8jJDqwNE?t=92
transparency.
https://youtu.be/nA-pSUDsA44?t=213

[gewb]

Another idea is to use your favorite graphics program such as Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, etc. to resize and align each photo. Export each with new name then import into your project library. Use a layer with a grid as a template then hide the layer before exporting.

[wlopatin]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am traveling now but will get to it next week.
I always get ideas from this board.
Any more ideas are welcome.

[BJC]

for me the best way would be to use the 'track transparency' options - then you can manually increase and decrease transparency as you work to get the alignment - then when you have it right set a permanent fade in / out with it

[lata]

First I would crop or resize the images so each face is the same size and position within its frame
We can resize and position using Video Studio, and if you align eyes then the frames may not be in align
So when you fade from one face to another the frame may move, if you understand me.

I would use Customise Motion where we can set fade in out, position and resize the frame, in addition borders etc.
Each alternate image would be on a different overlay track, you would probably only need 2 or three then repeat.
Overlay 2 will cover overlay 1, set the first keyframe overlay 2 to 50% , you will see overlay 1 through that image allowing you to position, Then add more keyframes to set the fades correctly.
Once the first image is set we can copy and paste attributes to another clip that will use the same effect, you then only have to use Customise motion to position the clip.
Although I would just keep the images central and ignore eye lineup.
Customise motion also allows us to Save As which creates a path, a copy of the settings places in the Paths Library to be used on any clip.
If all images are the same size then you could simply add all to the top track and apply the crossfade transition.

I am sure there are many ways to do this.

[wlopatin]

These are great ideas and I never thought to use motion paths.
Thanks.
Always great support and help.