photo animation photostory deluxe

michelle-m wrote on 3/27/2022, 9:03 PM

Hi, I just downloaded the trial version, and I'm looking for a particular feature that I saw on the cover video (https://www.magix.com/us/photo-graphic/photostory/ - the first 2 seconds of the video). It's where the zooming feature of the person on the rock looks animated while the background doesn't.

I hope this makes sense, and if you know what I mean can you please tell me what feature in the software does this? I don't know what it's called so it's hard to even look it up.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

browj2 wrote on 3/27/2022, 9:46 PM

@michelle-m

Hi,

This is a problem with advertising - they show things that most users will most likely not be able to do, and often not with the software that is being promoted. And, they use fantastic filming, photos, music, and both visual and sound effects to make it really look good.

My first thought was that it was shot with a drone.

Second run-through looks like they used masking. That is something that I definitely would not attempt with PhotoStory, although I could do it. Much better to use Movie Edit Pro (now called Movie Studio) or better Video Pro X combined with Xara Designer Pro X or Xara Photo & Graphics Designer to do the masking and probably the animation for the masking.

Unless I'm wrong, these are two separate objects - a background image and a foreground video clip with everything around the foreground that you see, masked out. The give away is watching the area between the left arm and the body of the guy. The masking is not quite perfect.

There is not simple effect to do this that I know of.

If you are just starting video editing, you are far from being able to do this sort of thing (unless I'm wrong and it was done with drone).

To get an idea of what I'm talking about, watch this tutorial:

And to get an idea of more fun:

What types of videos are you planning on making? Mostly photos with few videos, or a lot of both?

Currently Video Pro X12 is on offer for a very low cost with a HumbleBundle.

EDIT: I should add that in addition to the masking, they use movement by keyframing with Size/Position effects. Not difficult when you know how.

John CB

johnebaker wrote on 3/28/2022, 3:51 AM

@browj2

The intro looks like a drone shot - on the right of the guy on the rock you can see the brighter green trees moving relative to those further in the background.

John EB

michelle-m wrote on 3/28/2022, 6:47 AM

If you are just starting video editing, you are far from being able to do this sort of thing (unless I'm wrong and it was done with drone).

VERY new.

What types of videos are you planning on making? Mostly photos with few videos, or a lot of both?

I was looking more for a video of photos - just a standard slideshow with animation added to the photos. The files I would use are just jpgs, not movies.

johnebaker wrote on 3/28/2022, 7:56 AM

@michelle-m

Depending on how much control you need on the final effects etc, I would suggest you look at the Slideshow wizards and Templates as a starting point - these are covered in the manual which is available for download under Help.

When you want to get more control, you can 'pull apart' one of the slideshows, by loading it and switching to Timeline mode, to see how it was done and the effects used.

A bit of a learning curve, however the manual will help a lot with this, and of course you can ask questions here.

Do note the trial version has a limited number of effects, templates etc and is limited to exporting a slideshow/movie up to 3 mins long.

HTH

John EB

browj2 wrote on 3/28/2022, 9:07 AM

@johnebaker

Hi John EB,

The intro looks like a drone shot - on the right of the guy on the rock you can see the brighter green trees moving relative to those further in the background.

John EB

That looks like a piece (of trees) that was added in, not part of the original image. It moves releative to the background as a block.

Look at the left hand side, bottom of the screen - the trees don't move as the camera moves forward. If this were a drone, I would expect to see the bottom left start to disappear.

Also, look at the edge of the rock outline, there is feathering and you can see the original trees extending beyond the rock edge, blended with the background.

I mentioned between the left arm and body, but it's really between the left packsack leg and the body - there is no mask. Follow it closely and you won't see the background showing through.

John CB