Brighten Video Overlay Clips

[Willard M]

I have several video clips that I took with my digital camera. I would like to add them as overlays to individual slides in a slideshow movie that I am making. My problem is that they are not bright enough. I was able to brighten them by adding them as an overlay to my background slide and then by using the Brightness, Contrast, Saturation commands available with the background slide and brighten the entire slide (background and overlay). This tends to over brighten the original background slide while making the overlay brightness acceptable. I have tried lowering the brightness of the background slide prior to adding the overlay, add the overlay, and then bring up the entire slide brightness with the Brightness, Contrast and Saturation commands but the result was not all that good and difficult to control. Does anyone know of a way to brighten video clips within the Creator 2010 program? If not what might my other choices be if any?

 

On my computer specs you will see Creator 10 showing. I did have that installed originally thinking that it was the full program when I bought the computer. I learned later that it was not so later I bought Creator 2010 which I am using.

 

Thank you

[Jim_Hardin]

No!

 

You need to have the overlay Finished before you add it to the Project. You will need to redo each clip you want to use as an overlay then Export As (I would give it a new name and then add them to your Project.

[Willard M]

Thanks Jim. Will go back and try your suggestion.

[Jim_Hardin]

I just tried it to see if there was another way but I could not find any

[Willard M]

Jim

 

I see that there are several programs out there that purport to brighten video clips but don't know much about them.

 

I tried this.....I started a new video production and added the video clip as the base clip. As it was the base clip I was able to brighten the clip exactly as I needed using the Brightness, Contrast, Saturation tools and saved it . I then exported it to a folder with a new file name but it saves as a dmsm clip. I then opened Copy and Convert so I could convert it to MP2 or any other format I could use but Copy and Convert didn't like the .dmsm clip and doesn't show on the list.

[bimicher]

Jim

 

I see that there are several programs out there that purport to brighten video clips but don't know much about them.

 

I tried this.....I started a new video production and added the video clip as the base clip. As it was the base clip I was able to brighten the clip exactly as I needed using the Brightness, Contrast, Saturation tools and saved it . I then exported it to a folder with a new file name but it saves as a dmsm clip. I then opened Copy and Convert so I could convert it to MP2 or any other format I could use but Copy and Convert didn't like the .dmsm clip and doesn't show on the list.

 

You did not export to a video file if you created a dmsm file. All you created is a project file which does not contain any video at all. If you use Export correctly you can create a mpg video file which you can add on your timeline. There is no need to use Copy & Convert.

[Willard M]

my gucci,

 

I did not see this as a choice in Export As so will go back and study some more....I went back and opened a new production. I added on of my video clips as the base slide. That is as far as I know the only way to change Brightness, Contrast and Saturation. I did this and I am seeing the exact video clip I need. I then went to Export as to see what choices I had. The drop down box only offers the choice of .dmsm that I can see. Could you please post some pics so i don't miss anything. Thank you

[bimicher]

I do not have C2010 installed so maybe it is not called Export but Output as. Maybe someone who has the old program installed can put up a picture

 

In any case the dmsm option only occurs when you do a Save As from the File option on the main meu bar

[Willard M]

mygucci,

 

i went back and pondered your comment. I opened a New Production. I added one of my overlays as the base slide. Using the Brightness, Contrast and Saturation tools I was able to manipulate a test video clip to exactly what I wanted. I then went to Output As. A large drop down box appeared. On this box are many selections. One of them is to Save as a Video clip. Another drop down box gives many choices for output format. I chose to Output As MP2. The program then processed my command visually and gave me the option of selecting the download. I directed it to my movie folder. I then opened my New production movie and put one of my base pictures in the movie as the first slide. I then added my new processed overlay. So far this looks like it is going to be work. I have attached a pic of the drop down box. It makes for some extra steps but saving those overlays will be worth it. Will let everyone knows how all this works out.

Thanks to all

[Jim_Hardin]

FYI - when you first click on Export As, it asks if you want to Save your Project. That is where the dmsm file was created

 

IF you do not rename it, the Export filename Defaults to your Project Name.

 

Looks like you already figured that out but I wanted to detail it.

 

You have pointed out an interesting feature that is lacking even 5 versions later... It would be nice to be able to edit clips or pics that are used in overlays without altering the basic clip or needing to create a new one.

[Willard M]

Jim

 

You have described it exactly. My difficulty was after opening a new production and using the tools to process my overlay. I was asked if I wanted to save the production. If I answered yes so I could delete the first overlay and reenter the next one I wanted to work on I would only get the drop down box showing only the .dmsm choice. (see pic) It was only by answering No did I get the larger drop down box that allowed for saving as an mpg file, What that required was restarting a completely new production for each overlay and then closing the program and reopening a new program for each one that I wanted to work on. It requires some extra steps but worth it to save the video clips.

 

One other thing. I wanted to change the line on my computer specs showing that Creator 10 installed on my machine when new. I was unable to find a way to do this. Can someone change it or show me the way to make it read Creator 2010.

 

I think my original question has been answered and we can say topic solved.

 

Thanks to all.

[bimicher]

Willard, I forgot about the part that first asks you about "saving the production" when you try the export. Sorry about that

If you answered Yes, you would save the project file and then you get the "large" drop down box for exporting the video file

 

To change your signature., click your Username near the top right of the screen, then "My Settings" and the Signature. You can now edit your Signature.