Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

A PiP (picture-in-picture) effect allows you to insert an image, video or object onto an existing image or video clip in your video, effectively overlaying a picture-in-picture within the existing clip. You can modify the degree of transparency of the overlapping clip, as well as its position, motion and other properties using the PiP Designer*.

PowerDirector pipdes22 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer
A – Upload to DirectorZone, B – PiP Effect Properties Tab, C – PiP Effect Properties, D – Motion Tab, E – Save Custom Template, F – PiP Masks Tab, G- PiP Object, H -Master Video, I – TV Safe Zone/Grid Lines, J – PiP/Keyframe Timeline

To open the PiP Designer:

  • select an item on the PiP Track and then click Modify.
  • within the PiP Objects room, click on PowerDirector add ne69 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to create a new PiP object template from scratch by importing a custom image.
  • within the PiP Objects room, select an existing PiP object and then click on PowerDirector edit t72 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to edit the existing template.

Modifying PiP Effect Size and Position

You can change the size, position and orientation of the media clip or object in a PiP effect. Resizing options are unrestricted. You can reduce the clip to miniature size or enlarge it to completely obscure the underlying media file.

PowerDirector note Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Note: click on PowerDirector tvszgl73 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to use the TV safe zone and grid lines to help with the precise movement of the PiP effect on the master video. Select Snap to Reference to have the PiP effect snap to the grid lines, TV safe zone and boundary of the video area.

To modify its size, position or orientation:

  • click and drag a corner or side to resize the PiP object.
PowerDirector note Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Note: deselect Maintain aspect ratio to resize the PiP object more freely.

  • click on the PiP object and drag it to a new position.
  • click on PowerDirector rotate53 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer above the PiP object to change its orientation.

Modifying PiP Effect Properties

Within the PiP effect properties tab, you can:

  • select the check box and then click on PowerDirector chroma34 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to add a chroma key effect to your PiP object. Within in the chroma key window, select a color within the picture or video clip, and then use the intensity slider to reveal the image or video behind it. In effect, the selected color becomes transparent.
  • select the check box and then click on PowerDirector pipsha91 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to add a shadow to the clip or object in a PiP effect. Available options allow you to change the shadow’s color, direction, and distance from the PiP effect. You can also set the transparency and blur levels of the shadow using the available sliders.
  • select the check box and then click on PowerDirector pipbor93 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to add a border around the clip or object in a PiP effect. Available options allow you to change the color, direction and size of the border. You can also set the transparency and blur levels of the border using the available sliders.
  • select Enable flip object to flip the PiP object upside down or from left to right, depending on your selected preference.

Adding Motion to PiP Effects

Within the PiP motion tab you can add motion* to a PiP effect, allowing it to move across the screen. You can choose from a number of predefined motions or create your own custom PiP motion. You can also set the transparency level of the PiP effect, rotate the effect, and add a fade-in or fade-out effect.

PowerDirector note Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Note: * optional feature in CyberLink PowerDirector. Check the readme file for detailed versioning information.

Adding PiP Effects With Predefined Motion

To add a predefined motion to a PiP effect, click on the motion tab to display the PiP motion options and then select a predefined motion from the available list.

Customizing PiP Effect Motion

The PiP Designer uses keyframes to customize the motion on a PiP effect (and transparency if required). Keyframes are frames of your video that define the
start and end points of an effect, which in this example is motion or transparency.

PowerDirector note Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Note: some objects have predefined motion already applied.

To customize the motion of a PiP effect:

  • drag an existing keyframe to a new location in the preview window. The PiP effect will move along the new path to get to the changed keyframe.
  • drag the path line to alter the path the PiP effect will take to get to the next keyframe.
  • click the add keyframe button PowerDirector keyfra18 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to add a new keyframe where required.
  • click on PowerDirector dupkeyfr Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to duplicate the previous or next keyframe on the keyframe timeline. Doing this will copy the properties of the indicated keyframe to the new position.
Customizing the Speed of PiP Effect Motion

You have full control over the speed to the PiP effect’s motion. The following three factors determine the speed of the PiP effect’s motion.

Duration of the PiP clip in the timeline

The longer the PiP clip, the slower the PiP object’s motion will be. For example, if the PiP clip is 10 seconds, it will take the PiP effect 10 seconds to complete the applied motion.

Distance between keyframes

The distance between each keyframe also contributes to the speed of the PiP effect motion. The further the distance between each keyframe, the quicker the PiP effect will have to move to get to the next keyframe.

Keyframe timeline

The keyframe timeline is located below the preview window. Each keyframe in the motion path has a corresponding marker on the keyframe timeline.

PowerDirector keyfra39 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

If the PiP clip on the timeline has a duration of 10 seconds, the keyframe timeline will be 10 seconds long. To increase the speed of a PiP effect’s motion, drag a keyframe marker closer to previous keyframe marker.

PowerDirector keyfra41 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Setting PiP Effect Transparency

You can set the level of transparency of the PiP effect in the PiP Designer by using the transparency slider to set your desired level of transparency for your effect.

PowerDirector note Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer

Note: use keyframes to control the transparency of your PiP effect.

Customizing PiP Effect Rotation

To customize the rotation of a PiP effect, enter in the degree of rotation in the Rotation settings section you want the PiP to rotate in the available box, then choose whether:

  • to rotate the PiP effect counter clockwise PowerDirector piprot15 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer .
  • to rotate the PiP effect clockwise PowerDirector piprot95 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer .

Saving and Sharing PiP Templates

Once you finish modifying your PiP template you can save it to the PiP Objects Library for future use or upload it to DirectorZone to share it with others.

  • click on Share to upload your custom template to DirectorZone.
  • click on Save to save the modified template to your PiP Objects Library.
  • click on PowerDirector savepa50 Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer to save a modified PiP effect’s motion path as a custom path.

Adding PiP Effect Masks

Within the PiP masks tab you can use masks to overlay portions of the PiP effect or master video. Masks are useful if you want to show/hide portions of the master video or PiP effect on the final production. Use the transparency slider to set the transparency level for the mask if required.

Modifying PiP Effects in the PiP Designer