9.1. Selection of Frames

Video Creators

First, you must choose whether to operate in Overwrite or Create mode. Usually, if you are interested in just applying a filter to existing video or to insert a transition between scenes you use Overwrite .

Overwrite affects a range of frames in your existing movie and then non-destructively replaces those frames. By non-destructive, we mean that Kino merely automates the process of editing the newly rendered file into place rather than actually modifying any existing DV file. You can set an overall time range, and then limit the range to the beginning or end for a specific duration. Often, the Limit to option is easier than specifying the exact range. Some notes follow:

[Tip] Tip

The typical sequence to setup a transition between a scene A and scene B is:

  1. keep Overwrite mode

  2. click scene A in the Storyboard

  3. check Limit to

  4. keep Closing

  5. change the Limit to duration if desired (defaults to one second)

  6. click Audio Transition

  7. click Video Transition

Create generates and inserts new frames into your project from a variety of sources.

Video Creators

Click Create to use a video creator, or generator. There are several from which to choose. You can apply audio and video filters and transitions in conjunction with a generator. The sections below describe each video generator that is available. The Frames field determines how many video frames will be created.

The resolution and video standard of the generated video is automatically based upon the first frame in your movie. If the movie does not yet have any clips, then it uses the values specified in Edit->Preferences->Defaults.

Colour Range

The Colour Range video generator fills the first frame with the From colour. Over the duration of the effect—as specified using the Frames field—the frame remains a solid colour, but the colour transitions to the To colour. It performs this colour transition by interpolating the RGB values.

Fixed Colour

The Fixed Colour video creator is simple—it completely fills the frame with a single colour over the entire duration of the effect.

[Tip] Tip

This generator makes for a nice background generator to the Titler and Superimpose video filters.

From File

The From File video creator imports an image file or image file sequence (e.g., animation). The creator supports many image file format because it uses GDK's pixbuf library, which has plugin system. Most systems have built-in support for the popular formats of PNG, JPEG, GIF, and BMP. You can find out what your system supports by running gdk-pixbuf-query-loaders in a terminal window. See the gdk-pixbuf documentation for more information.

To import a file sequence, you must enter a format string containing pattern-matching macros. See the printf or scanf man pages for more information. A pattern of "%6d" would match a number containing up to 6 digits. A pattern of "%d" would match a number with any number of digits, and a pattern of "%06d" would match a number contain exactly 6 digits, padding with zero where needed.

Gradient

The Gradient creator is a linear gradient generator that can change colour over time. The gradient is a smooth transition from the From colour to the To colour within a single frame. In other words, the frame is not a solid colour. Direction determines the line along which the gradient lies. In addition, using Start and End the gradient can change over time.

[Tip] Tip

The Gradient effect makes a nice background generator for the Titler and Superimpose video filters.

Random Noise

The Random Noise generator creates what appears to be a analog signal containing white noise. In other words, it looks like a bunch of flickering black and white dots.