Converting images can be achieved at three different times:
During Import
While it is in the Project Browser
When it has been placed on the Timeline
To resize during Import
1.
Select Edit > Control Panel (Figure 3.21).
Figure 3.21. Selecting the Control Panel.
2.
Click Image Import .
This brings up the Image Import Properties box (Figure 3.22).
Figure 3.22. The Image Import Properties box.
Most of the settings here are for various specialized image-related problems and configurations. Details on this can be found in Chapter 6 of the Pinnacle Liquid Edition Reference manual.
The two areas of greater interest are
Scale to fit: When checked this will import images to the current TV standard.
Image Duration: This defaults to 3 seconds, but most editors prefer a minimum duration of at least 10 seconds. You can set this here and dynamically resize it later if you need to.
3.
Check the Scale to fit box.
4.
Close the Image Properties box and import your photograph.
Figure 3.23 shows the original photograph imported with this setting. Don't worry too much about the black border running around the outside of the screen; remember, not all of the Inlay will be shown on most TV screens. You'll need to practice trial and error here to see what works for you.
Figure 3.23. The original photo reimported using the new settings.
Tip
The Lizard JPEG is one of the sample files that can be downloaded from www.peachpit.com/liquid6vqp.
Classic Interface
Users of the Classic interface gain access to the Control Panel by clicking the Start button, moving the mouse up, and clicking once on the Control Panel icon.
After that, each operation is identical to those descriptions given in this chapter.
To resize in the Project Browser or on the Timeline
1.
If you have already imported your images and you now want to resize them, right-click the image in the Project Browser (or on the Timeline) and select Properties from the pop-up menu (Figure 3.24) to display the Properties of that image (Figure 3.25).
Figure 3.24. Accessing the media clip's properties.
Figure 3.25. The media clip Properties box.
2.
Click the V tab to display the visual settings (Figure 3.26).
Figure 3.26. Click the V tab to display the options.
3.
At the bottom are three drop-down menus. Click the middle one, Scaling, and select Fit largest - Keep Aspect (Figure 3.27).
Figure 3.27. Select Fit largest - Keep Aspect from the drop-down list.
4.
Click the cross button to apply this, and then click the check mark button to exit the Properties box.
Figure 3.28 shows the photograph in the Source Viewer using this setting.
Figure 3.28. The photograph after it is has been adjusted.
Which One Is Best for You?
This will depend on the original physical dimensions of the image, but because NLE is nondestructive, you can freely experiment to find out which setting works best for each photograph.
Figure 3.29 shows the six different options you have for stretching a picture with the original image at top center.
Fit largest - Keep Aspect: Stretches each side equally
Fit X: Stretches only the vertical aspect and ignores the horizontal aspect ratio
Fit Y: Stretches only the horizontal aspect and ignores the vertical aspect ratio
Fit x - Keep Aspect: Stretches the vertical to fill the screen but keeps the horizontal aspect ratio correct
Fit Y - Keep Aspect: Stretches the horizontal to fill the screen but keeps the vertical aspect ratio correct
Fit Both: Stretches all sides, ignoring both aspect ratios
Figure 3.29. The six different options for adjusting an image after it has been imported.