Comments

discdude wrote on 11/20/2001, 6:51 AM
In the past when I wanted to letterbox, I usually created a mask in Photoshop. Basically, what I do is just create image w/ three boxes, the top one is black, the middle blue and the bottom is black again. Then I chroma key the movie in. It's always worked well.

However, VF doesn't support chroma key.

Instead, I would try two things.
(1) If you have VF2, use the square (not rectangular!)cookie cutter. While I haven't figured how to control it to get the exact size I want, it seems the easiest way to get black bars.
(2) Create a graphic that has an alpha channel. You need a third party piece of software to do this.

Hope this helps.
Chienworks wrote on 11/20/2001, 7:57 AM
I would simply use the crop function from Pan and Crop tools. This lets
you create a rectangular mask. Bring the top down and the bottom will
automatically move up to match. You can also adjust them separately
if you wish. You will have to set the cropping for every clip in your
project individually, but it only takes a few seconds.

Make sure you do not check the stretch output to fill window box when
you render.
discdude wrote on 11/20/2001, 7:25 PM
Hmmm. Does that work? I could never get it work reliably in VF1 although I must admit I haven't even touched the pan/crop tools in VF2.
Chienworks wrote on 11/21/2001, 8:53 PM
It's always worked dandy for me, both with versions 1 and 2. The only
real annoyance is that you have to set it for each clip individually. It
would be nice if one could select a group of clips and then adjust the
cropping for all of them at once.
tkuzeja wrote on 11/21/2001, 8:58 PM
Thanks Guys... I'll give the suggestions a shot. Gee... I never have this problem with my Avid Media Composer (wink wink).
tkuzeja wrote on 11/21/2001, 9:01 PM
Even better guys... In the Video Event Properties there are presets for 16:9 widescreen in the Pan/Crop settings. I should have kept probing...