How can I add random motion pan/crop to images ? at DVinfo.net

David Delaney · June 3rd, 2009, 12:57 PM

I want to know if there is a way to add slight random motion to images - I have about 100 - I don't want to do it by hand if I can avoid it. I know that Ultimate S and Excalibur do, but I was hoping for a script that might do it.

Terry Esslinger · June 3rd, 2009, 03:57 PM

Thats basically what US and Excal are is scripts. But I suppose you are looking for something gratis?

Jeff Harper · June 3rd, 2009, 06:05 PM

David, I haven't hear of a free script that does that.

But if you do it regularly Ultimate S not only does that, but it allows you to set the parameters, the type and occurance of transitions, the length of transitions, etc. and to top it all off it will fit the image lengths to match the length of your soundtrack.

Basically after you set your parameters, in one click it gives you a finished slideshow with music. Instantly. It also turns on de-interlacing for the photos which should be done also.

You might already know all that it does, but I thought I'd point it out in case.

Obviously Excalibur does the same things, and many love it, but I haven't used it myself.

Jason Robinson · June 3rd, 2009, 07:07 PM

The only problem I have with these auto Ken Burns scripts is they don't know where faces are so they may panoff into nothing, or crop out important things. I run the script mainly to randomize my movements, and then I usually touch about every picture to tweak where the motion is goign or coming from.

I still think it saves me some time . . may be.

Jeff Harper · June 3rd, 2009, 07:57 PM

You are right about tweaking, but another thing is to mimimize the motion and the percentage of movement, which Ultimate S does. If you set your parameter correctly the amount of tweaking needed is minimal. Personally I do tons of tweaking and adjust every photo, but you can get away with almost none if you set the settings correctly.

Edward Troxel · June 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Excalibur and Ultimate S definitely both handle the task with ease. As you said, the movements are basically random but I still find it faster to run the script and then tweak over adding movements individually to each image.

One thing I do when using Excalibur, I can double-click an image (to get playback looping on that image) and then just click the video scrapbook button multiple times. It will only affect SELECTED images so only that one image will be changed. If I like the way it comes out after a couple of clicks, I can then double-click on the next image that needs adjusting.

June 3rd, 2009, 12:57 PM	#1
David Delaney Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Niagara Ontario Canada Posts: 1,121	How can I add random motion pan/crop to images ? I want to know if there is a way to add slight random motion to images - I have about 100 - I don't want to do it by hand if I can avoid it. I know that Ultimate S and Excalibur do, but I was hoping for a script that might do it.

June 3rd, 2009, 03:57 PM	#2
Terry Esslinger Major Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sacramento, Elk Grove. Calif Posts: 306	Thats basically what US and Excal are is scripts. But I suppose you are looking for something gratis? __________________ Puttin the wet stuff on the red stuff!

June 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM	#6
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Excalibur and Ultimate S definitely both handle the task with ease. As you said, the movements are basically random but I still find it faster to run the script and then tweak over adding movements individually to each image. One thing I do when using Excalibur, I can double-click an image (to get playback looping on that image) and then just click the video scrapbook button multiple times. It will only affect SELECTED images so only that one image will be changed. If I like the way it comes out after a couple of clicks, I can then double-click on the next image that needs adjusting. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

June 3rd, 2009, 06:05 PM	#3
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	David, I haven't hear of a free script that does that. But if you do it regularly Ultimate S not only does that, but it allows you to set the parameters, the type and occurance of transitions, the length of transitions, etc. and to top it all off it will fit the image lengths to match the length of your soundtrack. Basically after you set your parameters, in one click it gives you a finished slideshow with music. Instantly. It also turns on de-interlacing for the photos which should be done also. You might already know all that it does, but I thought I'd point it out in case. Obviously Excalibur does the same things, and many love it, but I haven't used it myself.

June 3rd, 2009, 07:07 PM	#4
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,997	The only problem I have with these auto Ken Burns scripts is they don't know where faces are so they may panoff into nothing, or crop out important things. I run the script mainly to randomize my movements, and then I usually touch about every picture to tweak where the motion is goign or coming from. I still think it saves me some time . . may be.

June 3rd, 2009, 07:57 PM	#5
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	You are right about tweaking, but another thing is to mimimize the motion and the percentage of movement, which Ultimate S does. If you set your parameter correctly the amount of tweaking needed is minimal. Personally I do tons of tweaking and adjust every photo, but you can get away with almost none if you set the settings correctly.