Tips on working with background images in PowerDirector

[@WiljanWiljan]

Thanks for this great video.

[@SharperTurtle]

You are welcome! Thanks for viewing! --Jim

[@RoadsideRC]

Thanks! I needed this. I don't have all of the background options you have - I must need to force a download/update. I will occassionally use these backgrounds as I create thumbnails for videos.

[@SharperTurtle]

I'm glad you are finding some uses for these background options! They're great for thumbnails.

[@normandrodrigue3148]

As always Jim. Very interesting tutorial. Am I right Jim, PD does not have any motion backgrounds?

[@SharperTurtle]

Thanks for watching this one. There are no motion backgrounds as videos can serve in that capacity very well. --Jim

[@normandrodrigue3148]

Could you elaborate on what you mean please Jim?

[@SharperTurtle]

If I understand you correctly, you are thinking of backgrounds that move. It could be animated patterns or anything shot with a camera. If that is what you had in mind it would fall in the category of a video. So I'm thinking that any video resource out there could serve as a moving background. If I misunderstood your question let me know. --Jim

[@chrislauterbach8856]

From what you showed, the background image can be resized to fill the screen. I think that you should have included that in this tut.

[@SharperTurtle]

You are right, I should have included that. Thanks for the suggestion, Chris.

[@shoop4040]

Jim You have great info! I'm in my mid-50s, just experimenting with family videos on PowerDirector and PhotoDirector. Quick question: Have you ever used a third-party plug-in? I've downloaded or purchased some " bigfilms" effects to see how they work, and I'm wondering if you've used anything like that ?

[@SharperTurtle]

I went to their website. I would be interested to learn if the effects do work well in PowerDirector. would you let me know if they integrate seamlessly or if they have issues when you try to implement them? Thanks. --Jim

[@shoop4040]

@@SharperTurtle I certainly will. I downloaded the pack. I have not used it or integrated it yet.

[@SharperTurtle]

I'll be interested to see if it proves useful. --Jim

[@shoop4040]

@@SharperTurtle Well, Jim, after carefully examining it, the pack will work with PowerDirector. However, it is not inexpensive and is really designed for people actively involved in movie projects, rather than for the casual family editor. You definitely need to have a green screen. The graphics look cool, especially the interesting backgrounds. Plus, PowerDirector is improving with AI for generating your own backgrounds.

[@SharperTurtle]

Thanks for the feedback. I saw they had one tutorial that was done with PowerDirector. If green screen is required for most of their effects, it does rule out a huge number of casual editors, as you suggest. ==Jim

[@DonJoyce]

Well, I finally had enough of PD. Too many crashes, too many features made worse, and too much AI BS. I pulled the plug and have started a Premiere Pro subscription. It's a pretty steep learning curve, but already I find it so much more sensible, consistent and powerful.

[@SharperTurtle]

Knowing your abilities, you will be able to climb the learning curve quite well, Don! --Jim