Picture in Picture Overlay - Edges of image cut off - iMovie 11

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Level 1

37 points

Picture in Picture Overlay - Edges of image cut off - iMovie 11

Hi, I am making a movie in iMovie 11 and am using the PIP feature to add a .png image to watermark the video. I have it imported and overlayed, it shows up, however at various times in the movie when it is played back (uploaded to MobileMe Gallery) the left and right edges of my logo get cut off. They show up fine in the timeline before export, and find it other parts of the playback after export.

This seems to be from the Ken Burns effect that is auto applied to the image when placed into iMovie. When I edit that and us the fit option it turns the trasparent background black.

Any ideas out to get a fixed image with no effect, but retain the transparent background?

Posted on Sep 13, 2011 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 13, 2011 7:52 PM in response to Tony Dehnke

When you create the png file of your Logo, be sure to make it in the same aspect ratio as your project, (either 4:3 or 16:9 for widescreen)

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Answer 2

Tony Dehnke Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 13, 2011 8:21 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks.. I have it formated to 16:9 currently.. are there any dimension restrictions or file size restrictions? Do you know of any recommended sizes - IE 1920x1080 or 720x480 etc? Or is it just 16x9 restriction or 4:3 restriction.

Thanks for your help

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Answer 3

Sep 14, 2011 3:54 AM in response to Tony Dehnke

I usually do my projects in 1920x1080 so I would do my pngs in 1920x1080.

Also, avoid using the Crop/Fit/Rotate/Ken Burns tool with PNG files. This will convert them internally to JPEG with no Alpha Channel so you will get the black.

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Answer 4

elikness

Level 4

2,640 points

Sep 14, 2011 8:33 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Now that's a bit of good information, knowing iMovie does a format switcheroo behind the scenes. Good Advice, "hands off the buttons" if you want Transparent PNGs.

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Answer 5

Tony Dehnke Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 14, 2011 8:54 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks! So how do you place the image and not have it apply any of the options (Burn, Crop etc).

Everytime I add an image it applies the Ken Burns effect automatically 😟

So I'm thinking I should be doing 960x540 as that is the default import size I have setup

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Answer 6

Sep 14, 2011 9:17 AM in response to Tony Dehnke

Check your FILE/PROJECT PROPERTIES. There is an entry there that sets the default action when you add a photo to FIT, CROP, or KEN BURNS. Set it to FIT or CROP, (since these are equivalent when the aspect ratio matches.)

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Answer 7

Tony Dehnke Author

Level 1

37 points

Sep 14, 2011 9:19 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Cool!! Hadn't thought to look there.. was looking in Imovie preferences 🙂

Thanks so much for your help!

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