PowerDirectior - First impressions of PD 2024 - PD365 new release

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

New update has so missed the mark, It was the push that has me now exploring other editing software for the first time in 15 years. So sad, but that is life. Cheers for sharing the update, stay safe, have fun. 👍

[@SharperTurtle]

I do like how elements are color coded. And I think we can bypass the splash screen. I'll check that out after I have explored it. I don't think they have removed anything. And I have discovered that if I mark components as favorites, I don't have to sort through the subcategories at all. I'm planning a tutorial on that. --Jim

[@eyeonyouproductions9745]

me too,im crushed

[@kinglemuelpodcast]

I also have started to consider new software... i dont like the way that they changed the interface for the past couple of versions... its not as time efficient... and i find this new version to be buggy and glitchy

[@Fvpigpen26]

I have ... had thousands of images in a dozen videos from version 23 now they mix and don't match.

[@lfsarjh]

I just made the switch to PD365 and am looking forward to your videos. You have always been so helpful. Thanks for all that you do.

[@SharperTurtle]

You are welcome. Glad to assist you in making the most of PowerDirector --Jim

[@Hankster651]

I'm still on PD17. I think I'll stay on PD17! Thanks, Jim, for another great video. (By the way, if it weren't for your videos I'd be hopelessly lost in all versions of PD!)

[@SharperTurtle]

Thanks for your kind words. I strive to do my best to focus on the editing capabilities and useful techniques that we have in PowerDirector. And for the most part those are version independent. There are always new tools that can simplify certain editing processes, but even then there can be multiple ways to achieve the same end. And every time the interface changes users of new versions are locating the tools in different menu systems, so I appreciate patience for those who don't find everything exactly where it might be on the screen of the tutorial. Hopefully, in the end, these efforts will prove useful. I am please they have in your case! --Jim

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for the heads up, Jim. I saw the promo and wasn't excited. More crashes? Yay. Recently mine has just randomly stopped playing sound. Restarting the program fixes it ... but so annoying. Maybe this is the time to switch editors.

[@SharperTurtle]

The recovery was good. It found what I was working on so I didn't lose anything. I expect a few hiccups with day one of any release, so it was not bothersome for me. I edited for an hour without any issues. The new look does seem simplified. And most of the old menus are still accessible with the F2 key. I'll be going through it in more detail in upcoming tutorials. --Jim

[@Pittsburghestatesale]

Looking forward to more videos as you break it down. For people like us, who don't use this daily, its annoying how frequently things change. We finally got used to the power tools being changed to just edit/tools .... As soon as you learn the new version, its updated again, or so it seems. Thanks for walking us though it.

[@SharperTurtle]

There are a few new elements in the program that I will highlight in the weeks to come. Beyond that, much of what we see is what I might call cosmetic. It's like switching from driving a 2006 vehicle to a 2012 vehicle, which I did recently. Always a learning curve. I'm finding after making a few adjustments, it not that much of a big thing. And a number of the upcoming tutorials will be designed to help you make those adjustments as easily as possible. So thanks for hanging with me as we move into the future with PD. --Jim

[@RoadsideRC]

I am trying some editing in this new version. One thing I used a lot was the previous "crop/zoom/pan" feature. I could crop, and then pan during a clip using key frames. Now - it appears that crop is separate from pan/zoom. I'm not really sure why they separated it.

[@SharperTurtle]

It looks like the crop/zoom/pan works like it did before. But then they offer a crop/rotate that does not offer keyframes. So it looks like they have split the tools apart a bit. You can still do your own combinations using keyframes if you prefer. I'm not sure what the thinking is behind the change. --Jim

[@rakeshvatash]

Good one, Jim. We need more tutorials on the new interface.

[@SharperTurtle]

You will be seeing more tutorials that feature the new interface. --Jim

[@chrislauterbach8856]

I had a project in the works in the prior format. I opened it in the new format and had to dig around to find the tools I used before. NOT thrilled yet, but I will start a new learning curve with this format. BTW where did they bury "favorites" that we created in the prior format?

[@SharperTurtle]

It feels like someone came in and rearranged your house. I only had about an hour to experiment with the program, so there is much for me to learn. I will see what I can find about the "favorites" option--and lots of other things! --Jim

[@Philosophy_Blitz]

thank you Jim....very good overview

[@SharperTurtle]

You are welcome. I'm hopeful that we see some significant updates before the end of the year. In the meantime I'll explore the new interface for those who are using the new product. --Jim

[@SharperTurtle]

IF ANYONE WANTS TO RESTSORE THE PLAYHEAD BEHAVIOR so that when you drop a clip to the timeline the playhead will move to the beginning of the clip CYBERLINK HAS RELEASED A PATCH to do that. It modifies the registry. The link to the patch is here: assist.cyberlink.com/cs/SOP/PDR/2024/Timeline_Playhead_Auto/PDR2024_Timeline_Playhead_Auto.zip Jim

[@fishycomics]

I got Powerdirector 22 Life version the problem I see is trimming the beginning it does not correcrtly do so

[@cindilu2]

You and Malik (PowerDirector University) have been an absolute godsend in learning (and re-learning) how to get the most out of PD. It's sad that these 'improvements' have chased PDU right out of the software. I don't understand Cyberlink's position here. Change for the sake of change is not a good thing.

[@SharperTurtle]

Any company ought to keep their core user base in mind. I'd love to have some of Malik's subscribers who want new content visit here from time to time. I miss him as well. --Jim

[@MrSmoothprod10]

As you scroll down under a tab it also move the whole tab place you started in. Thank you for finding the voice over I couldn't find it at all. I don't like the cursor don't automatically move to my work section that I am working at.

[@SharperTurtle]

Cyberlink released a patch to move the playhead to the beginning of the clip you are working on. This link will help you I think. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYXLipewj8h-d7c Jim

[@MattMendians]

Big point I think everyone should know about this 1:10 update! I just updated and was asked before I could open if I wanted to keep the previous version along with this new version!! That’s great news. I am a subscriber so I paid $105.00 for two years and still own last subscription, PD 15 and 21. So I thought if you weren’t sure about installing this version, you still have the previous version along with new.

[@SharperTurtle]

That's a great feature I was not aware of. Thanks for making this community aware of that. --Jim

[@MattMendians]

@@SharperTurtle Welcome I was glitch when I saw that!

[@stillgil2]

How is the previous version identified since they have the same name.

[@chipgraceadventures7706]

Yes, took me awhile to find the voice over narration record button as well. I've had a couple of crashes so far. Seems to be on a particular transition every time.

[@SharperTurtle]

That is interesting. It could be that the transition has issues. Which one are you using? --Jim

[@secrets461]

What I've failed to figure out so far is why there are no more keyframes visible on a video clip indicating that its opacity changes somewhere on its timeline. If I want to make sure I did not forget to manupilate the opacity, I need to click the video and see any changes or the lack of thereof there. It looks like you can only see audio keyframes now.

[@SharperTurtle]

I'm guessing that's a bug. Someone noted it on the Cyberlink Forum. Hopefully it will be restored and not permanently removed. --Jim

[@JeanZante]

Hallo Jim. In this new version the keyboard hotkeys for the rooms are not longer there. (Media, Titles ... , the F7, F8... keys). Why ? I used these shortcuts in my Loupedeck profile for PowerDirector.

[@SharperTurtle]

I don't understand why they were changed either. I would like to see settings that allow you to restore them if you want. --Jim

[@aimlastrology]

I am not finding a way to move within a clip by different time periods which was possible earlier. Also moving to both end of clips using key board shortcuts is missing or I am not able to figure it out. 😢

[@SharperTurtle]

For playhead movement, the keyboard is faster. ALT+UP arrow = 1 second right. ALT + DOWN arrow = 1 sec left; period key = move playhead one frame right; comma key = move playhead one frame left. There is a keycode on the far right of the preview screen. you can enter a new time in there and press enter and the playhead will move to that location. If you press pageup then you can use HOME and END to go to the beginning or end of the current media. If you press PageDown. then you can use HOME and END to go to the beginning of the project or the end. Hope you find these useful. --Jim

[@secrets461]

I've noticed the lack of the 'All' button when trying to browse through all the 'Titles' available. However, if you start scrolling down the first available section ('Whats new') it automatically takes through all the available options as you keep scrolling. Watch the highlighted current section move down the list on the far left as you scroll. The same applies to 'Overlays'.

[@SharperTurtle]

I see now what you mean. I have to click on an element and use the scroll wheel on the mouse to move from category to category. Thanks. --Jim

[@secrets461]

@@SharperTurtle That's exactly what I meant. Once you choose your Titles or Overlays category and it loads, all you have to do is scroll up or down with your mouse wheel inside the available options window. Take care, Jim.

[@SharperTurtle]

Thanks. I've included your tip in an upcoming tutorial. Great insight. --Jim

[@photoguy777]

Yes. This "feature" is super annoying. I selected a Title section I want to view/find and I try scrolling to the bottom of the list in that section. Unless you get it just right, you will be scrolled to the next section. Super annoying. If they just left the All alone, there would be no need to auto scroll to the next section. For me, this is not a handy upgrade, but some idea someone had that they thought would be cool. It's not.

[@WiljanWiljan]

So what is the benefit of this new layout vs old one?

[@SharperTurtle]

I think when it comes to design questions the answer to your question will be subjective--like the layout of an Android phone or Apple phone. Some will like the new look, and some won't. And there are some features any of us may like more than another. I personally like how the different elements are color coded on the timeline. But I would have preferred more effort on functional changes. That's my preference. It's kind of like a husband responding to a wife who decides to rearrange the living room. I'll try to adjust to the new interface, as I have with all the changes in the Microsoft products I use. Neither company gives me a vote. --Jim

[@WiljanWiljan]

@@SharperTurtle thank you. Agree that more functional improvements is the way to go. Eg improvement on removing background or people in a video. Or better editing for 360 videos.

[@zoomeurs]

Hello can you help me? Pack all style powerdirector has disappeared from the effects options where and how to find them again to apply the effects of impressionist paintings and others?

[@SharperTurtle]

highlight the video then click on the edit button. Go to the AI Style Plugin menu. You will find impressionist painting tools there. --Jim

[@penniedembry6118]

I can not find any templates from the content paks that you can use for Slideshow maker. Did they all move?

[@SharperTurtle]

Good question. I'll poke around see what I can find out. --Jim

[@penniedembry6118]

Thank you! I'm a novice with 'expert' visions. I was really hoping the templates would help with that. 😉@@SharperTurtle

[@SharperTurtle]

So far I show 42 available, but I'm not sure where they all came from.

[@ibanezprestige5964]

Hi. Where is edge enhancement button? I can't find it in this new version. (I update from powerdirector 20)

[@SharperTurtle]

In what controls did you see the edge enhancement? I confess I must not have used it often. --Jim

[@enriquemartin8655]

f you would be so kind, this is an off topic question. I downloaded my 2024 version of PD, would you know OR if not could you direct me to the right area. I can't seem to get a straight answer if the program can handle 32bit float video files. I appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

[@RoadsideRC]

Great! Very helpful!

[@SharperTurtle]

Stay tuned for a more detailed look at the changes. I'll be glad to navigate the changes and pass info along to other users. --Jim

[@curllyboy]

With this last update all the downloaded transitions I grabbed from Director Zone over a few years with this program are no longer there. I know there are others with this situation. I tried downloading transitions from DZ yesterday and they also are nowhere to be found except in my downloads on pc. What's up?

[@SharperTurtle]

I don't know why those elements in the Director Zone changed or why they don't show up in your local file system. I have no more contacts at Cyberlink than any other user. You might try clicking on the FILE and then use "Rate us and Provide Suggestions" from the drop down menu to connect with someone at Cyberlink. I would be interested in finding out what you learn. --Jim

[@curllyboy]

I found them in "transitions, my content" when I typed the word transition into the place to look for a specific one. Why couldn't they leave a good thing alone. I guess they have to look like they're doing something. Anyway, thank you for your consideration. @@SharperTurtle

[@SharperTurtle]

So glad you were persistent and found this. And thanks for sharing here so others know (including me!) --Jim

[@donaldcashman570]

Hi Jinm thanks for the update. I was hoping to see some of the cartoon capability that is available in PD Mobile in this new release. It may be in the Photo Director release. I need to spend more time with that version.

[@SharperTurtle]

I have not yet explored any enhancements to PhotoDirector. As I unpack them, I'll certainly share them. Let me know what you find out. --Jim

[@donaldcashman570]

Thank you.

[@SharperTurtle]

You are very welcome! --Jim

[@geezer2tech154]

When you crashed did the automatic save function allow you to start back at where you were when you crashed? The color coding seems somewhat useful, though most of the other changes just seem different. I don't why software companies spend their resourses changing the look and feel of a program just for the heck of it. It is such a disservice to their users who have to waste time learning the new format. I'll try not to upgrade my 365 until some of the kinks are worked out, if possible.

[@chrislauterbach8856]

Holding off may not be such a bad choice for the moment. I said to Jim, "NOT thrilled yet".

[@SharperTurtle]

That's a good option. I'm jumping in so people will get a sense of when they might want to switch. The automatic save worked quite well. I'll be doing some tutorials on navigating around the new look and feel. The more I poke around, the less awkward it feels. And the F2 key opens up the old editing menus for some of the components. --Jim

[@AL-ud2is]

@@SharperTurtle As a new user I thought it was a good idea to switch over straight away before I got to used to the old lay out🤔

[@JCMpress]

Just when I found your tutorial on keyframes and opacity, this happens. I was wondering if I am crazy or if the process has completely changed. It seemed so easy when you could drag the green line between two points in an old tutorial you did. I never even got to try it. I have to admit, I am having a tough time grappling with it because none of the tutorials match this new 2024 version.

[@SharperTurtle]

When they do a complete overhaul of the interface, it gets awkward for all of us. Many users are clamoring for Cyberlink to make it easy to edit opacity from the timeline again. Using keyframes works, but it's much more time-consuming than using the mouse on the timeline. I'm hopeful that they will restore that feature in light of the complaints. But it may take 2-3 months for some of the UI changes to take place from comments I see on the user forum. A number of users are even getting codes from tech support to allow them to go back to the old version. I'm hopeful they will return this to the new interface as I try to be patient. --Jim

[@JCMpress]

Thanks. I would rather persevere and just learn the new way than roll back (like I did with photoshop on one of my computers), but finding the instructions is problematic. I did sort of figure it out partially by flailing about and trying everything and beating my head against a wall (wish there was an easier way). The problem as I see it now is that if I have one keyframe at say 100 and the next at 0 it seems to gradually fade from 100 to zero. What if I want it to immediately drop from 100 to say, 50 and have it stay that way until it hits the 0? That's why the blue line was so nice.

[@SharperTurtle]

My guess is that the opacity line will be restored. It's one of the most missed features. In the meantime, here is a link that might help you with using keyframes with opacity. You'll have to adjust it to the new interface, but the principles might still help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYPMhmOdhs-nqNE --Jim

[@GWizProductions]

It seems as if you can't directly control the opacity of a timeline element by grabbing the top of it and dragging up or down as we could in all previous versions.

[@SharperTurtle]

This is one of the changes that is causing the greatest criticism from users. I'm hopeful that the pushback will bring about a change in the near future. You can add your voice by clicking on FILE menu and using "Rate us and Provide Suggestions" to request this tool be reinstated. --Jim

[@MattMendians]

I haven’t installed this new version yet. Should I? Doesn’t sound like it’s as good from what I can tell? I think I’m gonna hold off until I get more information.

[@SharperTurtle]

No rush to move forward. This has been a huge cosmetic change. A few actual enhancements are included, and I'll be working through those as well. It's kind of like coming back from a trip and discovering your spouse rearranged the living room. It will take some adjustment. But in the end I don't think anything was lost. (If there are significant functional changes, if users voice their views on the forum, I suspect the developers will address them.) --Jim

[@tamashalo]

hey thank you for the quick review, I'm a fairly newbie to this and just updated mine. Earlier versions I could just draw the opacity level on the clip in the timeline (Like how you can do volume on audio) but now its gone. I can not find it :-( Does anyone know how to set this up again or how do you play with opacity as you please in a quick way like it was? (not going into edit etc) so I can just draw lines left right and centre?

[@SharperTurtle]

That feature is not there now. There has been lots of feedback about this. If you want to add your voice, click on FILE menu and then choose "Rate us and Provide Suggestions" to give your feedback. That's what I did. If the demand is high enough, it might come back. --Jim

[@tamashalo]

@@SharperTurtlethank you for reading my comment. That’s very disappointing to hear 😞 wold you know how to now record automation for opacity then? Can this only be done in edit mode? Very sad I found using PD very easy but now I may look at alternatives. Feel free to suggest I’m not trying to be a pro juts do easy stuff for my music videos

[@SharperTurtle]

I'm hopeful we will get that feature back. You ask, "How to record automation for opacity?" I am not clear on what you want to do. Can you give me more detail? Thanks. --Jim

[@demonicsprite8053]

I just wish I could find the blasted motion tracker option/effect, I can't find it worth anything

[@SharperTurtle]

Highlight the clip. Click on the Edit button. Make sure you are in the Video section. The 11th choice down should be "Motion Tracker". --Jim

[@OfficeofthePacific]

I was told that this software does not work with Sony A7SIII XAVC S 4K 10-Bit 4:2:2 video files?

[@SharperTurtle]

I don't know all the formats that PowerDirector supports. I would suggest one of two options. Either contact Cyberlink or download the free trial and see if it will work with your file. Hope this helps. --Jim

[@AncientAdventures]

I can NOT find any of my preset characters ,is there something i am missing here? I really hope they didnt take them away. Any ideas?

[@SharperTurtle]

Are you referring to title templates that you have created? In the Title room they will show up under My Content ... Custom. --Jim

[@AncientAdventures]

@SharperTurtle no not the titles. The preset characters I have made . Like different colors and fonts that I have chosen over time. I can find all of my custom titles but not the custom preset characters. For example if you don't like the preset characters you can create your own. Then you press the A with the box around it and it will save your character presets. Well, mine are all gone.

[@SharperTurtle]

If you go into the ADVANCED mode when editing titles, you can still add and used presets that you have designed yourself. That is not available in the Quick Edit mode. You can also start in the advanced mode by pressing the F2 key rather than double click on the title to edit it. --Jim

[@AncientAdventures]

@SharperTurtle ok I will try that today. I think I have already tried in advanced mode and they are still not there, but i will double check. Thank you.

[@SharperTurtle]

In the preset category you have to switch from the "Default" to "My Presets" to see the ones you designed. --Jim

[@elguasabeira]

Hello great Info I have a ? Is there a way to use PD 365/2024 without being online. Don't always have a network available for some quick fixes or projects? thanks

[@SharperTurtle]

I went to the Cyberlink forum about this question. One of the senior contributors said this: A couple things: PD doesn't use any online resources at all, so being disconnected shouldn't make any difference to your editing performance. You'd only notice that you were offline if you tried to download content from Shutterstock, for example. Hope this helps --Jim

[@elguasabeira]

@SharperTurtle Thanks Jim, I'll tried it again and it working without beign online. must of been something on my end

[@SharperTurtle]

Good to know. Thanks for getting back to me. --Jim

[@comfus]

שלום לך גים היכן נעלמה האפשרות colage ? בגרסה 2024 אולטימט היכן היא נמצאת ?תודה

[@SharperTurtle]

If you click on the "Tools" menu in PowerDirector 365 at the top of the program you will see a drop-down menu appear. The 6th element in that list is the Video Collage Designer. Hope this helps. --Jim

[@comfus]

Thank you very much. I have the ultimate I hope it will work.have a good day😊

[@SharperTurtle]

You are welcome. Glad to help you out.

[@comfus]

תודה רבה מעריך מאוד❤

[@chipgraceadventures7706]

I guess it wasn't the transition, it was a title. The crash is repeatable everytime I try to use it. Go to "title", "general", and click "LED". The titles in front of it and behind it have no problem. LED will crash my computer everytime!

[@SharperTurtle]

I tried LED on my system and it did not crash. Not sure why it fights with yours. I am glad you figured it out. If you start a blank project and use that title with nothing else, does it still crash? --Jim

[@RichardFoleher]

Just opened to blur a portion of a video for a tutorial I'm making. Now it's bloody tedious!

[@SharperTurtle]

Does the segment you want to blur move or is it stable? --Jim

[@chipgraceadventures7706]

Yes

[@SharperTurtle]

The new interface has continued to evolve and change in the last 12 months. Some of the issues have been resolved. --Jim

[@fishycomics]

the full life version does not have KZbin pkgs lol

[@SharperTurtle]

They try to incentivize going the subscription route, unfortunately. --Jim

[@alexmm01]

I like how you mention ads. Yes, they are. Just like the one you see when you export a video. It looks so tacky.

[@SharperTurtle]

Yes, and I'm checking to see if we can turn that off. --Jim

[@PeterWoodstorrechianca]

I like the new version except one of my computers the graphics card is no good for body effects but do no think I would use it

[@SharperTurtle]

Graphic cards can limit some functionality. Thanks for your feedback on the new version. --Jim

[@brunodoimo2465]

This last new release: how to destroy a video editing program that was working very well. I will not subscribe again when expires the 365 period

[@SharperTurtle]

I hope Cyberlink listens to feedback like yours and releases an update soon. If you want to influence them, you can click on the FILE menu then choose "Rate us and Provide suggestions". I think it's unlikely that the people who make decisions track comments here. That would help all of us who want some changes. Thanks! --Jim