How To Maintain Still Image Size?

jaegersing wrote on 1/18/2004, 3:02 AM

I am trying to bring a set of still images into a Vegas project. They have all been cropped to the final desired size, even allowing for pixel aspect ratio distortion.

Now, the problem is, I can't seem to find a setting that stops Vegas from stretching the images until one or both dimensions fill the screen (depending on whether maintain aspect ratio is checked in the Pan/Crop window). I would prefer not to resize the images inside Vegas, so I hope there is something I've missed.

Can anyone please help?

Richard Hunter

Comments

Zulqar-Cheema wrote on 1/18/2004, 3:08 AM

I think you right click on the image when it is open in the Pan & Crop window and select an option from there.

jetdv wrote on 1/18/2004, 11:33 AM

In the pan/crop screen, right-click the "F" window and choose "Match Output Aspect"

jaegersing wrote on 1/18/2004, 4:30 PM

Thanks. I didn't think of right-clicking. I'll give it a try!

Richard

rmack350 wrote on 1/18/2004, 4:41 PM

Problem here is that you have to do it to each image. There may be a script for this...

It's a bug-like feature of Vegas.

Rob Mack

Chienworks wrote on 1/18/2004, 6:40 PM

The default behavior for Vegas is to maintain the aspect ratio of the picture so it shouldn't be stretching them unless you've changed something. Plop a new picture on the timeline and it *should* stay the correct shape with black edges around two sides if necessary.

jetdv wrote on 1/18/2004, 7:20 PM

There IS a script that does this called matchaspect.js. It can be found at: http://www.ayizwe.net/VegasScripts/

jaegersing wrote on 1/19/2004, 4:21 PM

Hi Chienworks. The aspect ratio part is working properly, but I also want to maintain the image SIZE rather than have it stretch to the edges. Is it possible?

Richard

Chienworks wrote on 1/19/2004, 5:45 PM

Richard: that's what i'm saying. The default behavior should be to do exactly that: maintain aspect and size, leaving empty borders. That's what happens whenever i dump photos into a fresh project.

rmack350 wrote on 1/19/2004, 5:48 PM

Hi Ed.

Does the script also set the image to "actual pixels"? This is what's being asked for. If you drop a 1600x1200 pic on the timeline sometimes it's desireable to see a 655x480 portion of it rather than Vegas always, always, always sizing the image to fit into the frame.

Rob Mack

rmack350 wrote on 1/19/2004, 5:50 PM

Unfortunately, vegas always "sizes to fit". You then have to go into the pan/crop tool and zoom in to get "actual pixels". I maintain it's a bug-like feature.

Rob

travel_addict wrote on 1/19/2004, 6:58 PM

I have a problem bringing in a circle image at 655X480. It always goes into an oval no matter what I do.
Any ideas

rmack350 wrote on 1/19/2004, 10:49 PM

well...more details?

If you make a 655x480 document in photoshop and put a circle on it it will import to Vegas just fine. But, unless you select "Simulate Devce Aspect" it'll look a bit wide and oval. That's natural. On a tv it should look okay. This is a function of "Non-square pixels".

Rob Mack

jaegersing wrote on 1/20/2004, 9:25 PM

Hi Rob. I think it's probably not a bug, other NLEs share this "feature" too. But it would be a lot more convenient if it could maintain the image size unless told to change it.

richard

Chienworks wrote on 1/21/2004, 5:14 AM

Richard, i think the reasoning is that *most* folks would want the entire picture to be shown in the frame *most* of the time. Hence i feel that this behavior is probably a reasnable default. I simple workaround would be to open up the Pan/Crop window, enter the actual size of the picture, and uncheck Maintain aspect ratio.

jaegersing wrote on 1/21/2004, 9:26 PM

Hi Chienworks. I understand what you mean, but don't really agree with you. I have used loads of still images in many videos, and there are very few cases where the default was OK and I didn't need to make further adjustments to the size and position. Having 2 bars of background video showing at the long edges of the image is not very useful (imho).

My preference would be to have a selectable option to maintain the image size, so that those who didn't want it wouldn't be forced to use it. Vegas is very flexible in other areas, this would just be an extension of that flexibility.

Richard

rmack350 wrote on 1/21/2004, 10:51 PM

Richard,

First of all, the joke is "bug-like feature" Yeah, it's not a bug at all.

This is one of a few areas where a more detailed set of prefs could be useful. I can imagine the preferences tool getting to look more like "tweak UI". (Expansive might be a nice way to describe it)

Anyway, in my imagination you'd have a choice of behaviors like:

1-Always ask
2-Actual pixels
3-Fit in frame
4-Fill frame

Currently we get number 3 only but these could be choices for Vegas' default still image import behavior.

Rob Mack

Grazie wrote on 1/21/2004, 11:08 PM

I don't know if this is the case here, but when you spoke of "circles" it triggered my memory of the Marty Hedler tute on Stills and Aspect ratios. Look to the top of Marty's web site tutes and it is under the "Stills and Aspect" heading.

As I say, I don't know if this is near what you are looking for . . it helped me.

Grazie