I've been working with EMC 9 for a couple of months now and I'm really starting to break through the basics. I'm in the process of creating some pretty unique movies/slideshows, however, I get to points where I realized I should have done something a different way to get the look I'm after (i.e. added photos as overlays instead of inserted photos directly into Storyline to get the effect I was looking for). In addition, there are other things I'm wondering if EMC 9 can do (create transitions in between overlays, among others). My question is this; Is there a manual (other then the User Guide) that really gets into the details of the software, like the really creative, advanced techniques it can do?

Might this be useful to you?

Well, not really. I've already been using the User Guide to get me through the basics of how each element of EMC 9 works, but I'm looking for something that shows me how to create different styles of movies/slideshows. I guess what I'm really looking for is how to get the absolute most out of VideoWave so that my movies look fabulous, not just like, well, slideshows, ya know? I've been a software guru for many years (Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Office Apps. etc.), and EMC is something I've never really used until recently. Now that I know the basics, I want to check out what this baby can REALLY do for my movies.

Besides, I'm old school and really like to have a manual to refer to (preferably a book purchased at a store, not 200 plus printed pages off my printer). Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Beerman!

The best way is to experiment on your own, unless you have a specific question on how to do something. Folks here are always willing to help.

To do some of the more "advanced" techniques I think you will have to use the trial-and-error method. The manual only covers the basics. Most of us have learned the ins-and-outs from experimenting and from asking question/reading posts here on the forum.

As far as I know, you cannot apply transitions to overlays. A workkaround might be to create your overlay in a separate production, output to a avi or mpg file and then use that clip as your overlay.

See if anything in here helps http://forums.support.roxio.com/index.php?showforum=124

Thanks, myguggi! I never thought of that. That would also open the door to other ideas I had regarding creating an intro movie where a photo album is shown....then zoomed in....then the cover opens.....and the movie begins. I just wish there was a book with all the answers (of course, doesn't everybody for everything in their lives...ha).

Thanks everyone. I'll keep "playing" and will be more than likely posting questions on the software in the appropriate forums. I'll probably be in Tips & Tricks or How To quite a bit.

Please come back and post some of the tricks & tips you develop - thats how we all learn!

I know there was a book for EMC 8 which is very similar to V9 in many ways. Look for "Roxio Easy Media Creator 8 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) by Greg, PhD Harvey" at Amazon. But it may not have that much advanced stuff in it.

I had the one for V8 and could have written it after about one hour with the program and the Roxio manual -- that is - nothing advanced in it.

The is a recent post about Digital Juice (expensive) that can really show off your videos/slide shows. Most of it works well with V9. gg is the person you could talk to.

I am still looking for suggestions for demo videos that will be beneficial to many people. They take to long for one that is something that only a few people would want.

Well, I know I would love to see a demo video with everything that VideoWave can do, i.e., video intro, overlays, background image, transitions, all types of effects, audio, you know, something with a little of everything in it. That would give users a great idea of what can really be done with all the features. Maybe do the video on EMC 9 as the subject? Kind of like a movie/slideshow of the products features? Just a thought.

Sorry Roxio doesn't pay me enough to do that -- in fact they don't pay me at all.

Did you look at the tutorials under EMC 8. These are high level with not much detail. They are also good for V9 (mostly).

LOL. Well, so much for asking for a raise

I've checked out a few of the tutorials, but it's been awhile. I think I'll revisit and check them out. Thanks sknis. I really appreciate your help and guidance.

Actually, it is possible to do this -- If the overlay is on the internal track, then any transition applied to that track will also affect the overlay.

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