Pulling a still photo from the video (format issue)

[Mike Kujbida]

Make sure the Preview window is set to Best/Full before you do this.
Anything else means poorer quality.
It also helps to temporarily set the Field order in your Project Properties to Progressive.
Remember to set it back to normal after you do the grab.

A lot of folks prefer to use a Velocity envelope (not available in any Movie Studio version if this is what you’re using) instead of a frame grab to do a freeze.
Put two points on the velocity line, one at the freeze point and one after it.
Set the second one to 0% and drag it backwards so that it’s underneath point #1.
Reverse this process after the freeze duration to go back to normal speed.

[Jon Smith]

Thank you Mike. I will try with the velocity envelope ( use 8.0 Pro). I have never used it, wish me luck. Most likely you will be hearing back from me!

[Mike Kujbida]

Jon, you’ll be fine.
If you’ve ever used Volume envelopes for audio, the Velocity envelope is very similar (at least when adding points and dragging it up/down).

[Jon Smith]

Mike… OK, I tried everything last night and for the most part got it to work with one quick follow up question. I could get the velocity percentage to zero and drag back to the previous point per your direction. But if I want to sustain that “freeze frame” for a longer time (ie 15 seconds) is there an easy way or do I split the clip once I do the work and copy and paste it a few times so it sustains?

[Mike Kujbida]

Jon, it’s good to hear that yu’re making headway in understanding this.

Now to answer your question.
Add 2 points at the new location no matter where it is.
If this spot is past the end of the clip, don’t panic, just do it.
Place your cursor at the end of the clip and drag it out (to the right) until you see the little dip (looks like a V) at the top of the video track.
This is the new loop point and you don’t want to go past it.
What you just did compensates for the length of the freeze, no matter how long it is.

One thing I forgot to mention is that, depending on the accompanying audio, you may have to split it and slide it forward to match the new video start point.
Don’t forget to regroup the video and audio events after you’re done.

[Jon Smith]

Hi Mike… So once I set the second point I can drag it as far as I want or are there limitations?

[Mike Kujbida]

Jon, there are no limitations that I’m aware of.
I just dropped an 18 sec. clip on the timeline, froze it at the 10 sec. mark for one minute and resumed it again.
Everything worked as expected.
Remember to watch out for the loop point when you do this and you’ll be fine.

[Jon Smith]

Thanks for all the help Mike, that worked perfectly!

One more quickie… I am having trouble when I pan/crop something. For instance, I set up a tripod and shoot him in various positions on the couch and try and do a clone video. But when I piece them together it’s ALWAYS shaky. You can see one side of the video jumping all around. Any thoughts? I’ve done with with feathering on both sides and non feather and neither seem to help a lot.

Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.

[Mike Kujbida]

Glad to have been of help Jon!!

But when I piece them together it’s ALWAYS shaky.

That’s really strange. I have no idea why that’s happening, especially with a tripod.
Is there somewhere you can post a short segment (WMV is fine for this) so that we can see the shake ourselves?
Failing that, post the veg file and we can substitute our own video.

[Jon Smith]

Mike,

https://reels.creativecow.net/film/camfx

I uploaded the video. This is the video in question (and it happens to all the lame attempts I have). PLEASE don’t laugh too hard at my absolutely retarded attempt at a lightsaber (my son is begging and I cam failing to deliver:) ).