Video Overlays

Using Video Overlays
     Today’s technology advances and changes so rapidly that it is hard to stay up with what is current.  When I think of the advances that have been made since 1973 when Kodak employee Steven Sasson invented and developed the first digital camera I find it hard to believe.  Sasson’s work was quickly followed up in 1976 by Steve Wozinak and Steve Jobs who began marketing a machine (the Apple 1) capable of manipulating the new digital images.  In just 42 years we have made advances that are unparalleled and unequaled in history when it comes to cameras, computers, and image editing software.
     Think this might be overstated?  Consider this, paper was invented by the Chinese somewhere around 100 BC, but it took until 1857AD, (a mere two-thousand years) befor a man named Joseph Gayetty invented and began selling a product called “toilette paper.”  The first bow and arrows were apparently used about 10,000  years ago, but it took another 7,500 years for man to improve upon it and develop the first crossbows!  I could go on forever but the point of all this is that ever since Texas Instruments rolled out its first integrated circuits in the early 1960’s we have been on the fast track when it comes to advancement in computers, software and particularly how they relate to the photographic fields.
     Fifty years ago it took huge studios who employed hundreds if not thousands of people and utilized immense movie lots and stages to produce a single moving picture like “Gone With the Wind”.  Today small groups of technologically gifted wizards can produce computer generated effects that would stun Jack Warner or Cecil B. Demille all from the comfort of their office chairs seated in front of a computer.  While most of us cannot hope to equal the talent of these digital magicians there is a video effect that can produce some pretty impressive results even in the hands of an amateur for an almost paltry cost.  That tool is the overlay or layer tool utilized in video editing software.
     Let’s take a look at what we can do with a simple overlay in a video editing program, if you have read my other posts then you know I primarily use Corel products and in this case I will be using Corel Videostudio 8.5 Ultimate.  The primary thing I wish to show you is how to overlay a photo or video over another photo or video, but I am also going to be touching on the advanced motion tool which I think you will like.  I have posted a set of progressive photos here to show you some of the steps involved and finally I have created a short video to show you the results.

Videostudio 8.5

Video Tracks

So lets start with Image 1, as you see it is a snapshot of Videostudio 8.5 completely blank except for two image icons, one of a cartoon desert, and one of the moon on a
blue background.  Now the primary or base image will be the desert scene which we will place
in the main video track window.  The image of the moon which will be our overlay is then placed into the first overlay track, and let me mention here that by going to track manager you can open as many as 20 additional overlay tracks.

Open Chroma Key

Blue disappears 

     Next I double click the image in the overlay track and a new box appears and I select the Mask & Chroma Key option, when that opens I select the box marked apply overlay options.  After I have done this you will notice that the blue background around the moon has disappeared, and now I am ready to add some motion to my overlay image.  Next I will open the Advanced Motion box by selecting it and add some motion to the overlay.  I will start by making the moon image smaller and placing it in the upper left corner of the display, if you look at the time line you will see that the first diamond is red.  I then selected the end diamond and move the endpoint on the screen to the lower right corner and make the moon image much larger.  Then I click okay and the effect was applied, and finally I exported the finished 5 second movie out in MP4 format so it would be compatible with the internet.  I have posted the short film here so you can see the effects in action.

Advanced Motion

Setting the motion path

     In conclusion, overlay tracks are probably the most useful tool a video editor has at their disposal and they can be manipulated to create some great finished products without requiring a masters degree in programing to use.