Simple title overlay question

jeff lackey wrote on 1/28/2007, 12:39 PM

I know there is an easy way to do this, and I'm doing it the hard way, so I'll ask. ;)

I simple want to create an overlay title, text on a solid background, that I can overlay on the video throughout a segment of footage. For example, "Chicago, Illinois" in white inside of a black rectangle. I would like to be able to size this text box and move it to the location that I need it to show on the footage in the frame. I'd like to be able to see in the preview window as I'm placing and sizing.

I tried the text in the media generator, using a solid background, and I can move the text itself around, using the placement tab. But the background is full frame, and sizing it seems fairly awkward (and for some reasons messes up the text.) Am I using the wrong tool?

Comments

rustier wrote on 1/28/2007, 4:29 PM

you can add a rectangle cookie cutter to your text, just change the cutter to one rectangle and adjust the size.

You may want to consider just adding shadow text. It is pretty versatile and you can make distinctive text on top of your clip.

jeff lackey wrote on 1/28/2007, 4:49 PM

This is going to sound really dumb, but what is a cookie cutter? I couldn't find it in the help or manual?

jeff lackey wrote on 1/28/2007, 8:23 PM

found it, but it doesn't appear that you can adjust the dimensions independently, i.e. if I want it wide and not very high.

rustier wrote on 1/29/2007, 7:37 AM

try the color gradient in media generators tab - choose the rectangle - adjust your control points and color(s)