Australian film - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

So You Want To Edit Your Video? (continued)
A word of warning before starting and this applies to a
lot of programs: set the options (sometimes called preferences).
From the Tools Menu (at the top) select Options. The
General tab and Browse button allow you to create a
new folder and select where YOU want to store the temporary
files. It’s probably a good idea to store the project
file here as well.
Click onto the Advanced tab. The Picture duration refers
to how long a still image will be shown for during a
slide show. Five seconds is good but if a two second
transition is used between slides then seven seconds
would be a better choice, giving the original five seconds
of display time.
If, when the program starts, the lower pane looks like the
next diagram; click the ‘Show Timeline’ button to return
to the traditional timeline format of editing shown on the
previous page.
For general use of the program, the Help files offer a
terrific guide and are more than adequate. A couple of
hints that were shown to me might also assist.
Saving a still from a video clip can be useful if a background
for a DVD Menu is required.
Position the cursor from where the still
will be captured and click the ‘camera’
button on the bottom of the preview
screen. Save the image in your working
folder.
Audio volume can be balanced between the video audio
and the narration/music by clicking the button to the left
of the microphone button in the lower pane, top left.
This will open the Audio Levels window. The balance is
applied to the entire length of the tracks.
By right clicking on the Audio track several options are
available: Mute; Fade-in; Fade-out or Volume. The Volume
is applied to the entire clip. If different volume levels
are required during the video, cut the required clip
(audio or video) into sections. Individual volume can
then be applied to the respective sections of the clip.
The next choice offered is PAL/NTSC Video format
and Aspect ratio. PAL would be the selection for Australia.
If selecting 16:9 imported video will be stretched
but not stills.
If you are in the habit of sending video via email then
selecting a low Mb setting will ensure maintaining
friendships!
Select the clip to be cut and click the button next to the
camera button at the bottom of the preview screen.
When the project is completed go to File > Save Movie
File. A ‘wizard’ type dialogue box will open asking
where (and how) you want the movie saved. Selecting
Computer and Next allows a name to be given to the
movie and a place to store it. Pressing Next again opens
the Movie Setting dialogue box. If Show more choices
is showing click this and select Other settings. Since the
movie will probably be destined for DVD, from the
drop-down box, either DV-AVI (PAL) or High quality
video (PAL) can be selected. Next will start the save
process.
The resulting saved formats: .avi or .wmv are accepted
into most DVD authoring programs. Enjoy your editing!
Australian film & video
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