New tool for creating custom PiP masks available! Mask Converter 2.0

This message was edited 10 times. Last update was at 31/07/2009 00:24:20

Hello folks,

I am not affiliated with CyberLink. I'm just a software developer and a fan of PowerDirector 7.

Below is a link to where you can download my new "Mask Converter" utility. This tool allows you to convert a bitmap image into a PiP mask for use in PowerDirector 7's PiP Designer.

I am offering this for FREE. However, I ask that you please consider a donation, because I did spend considerable time on this. Even if you just donate $1, at least donate something to say you appreciate it.

Here are some screenshots:

Note: The most important thing to remember when creating your bitmap is to disable antialiasing and dithering. Only pure white pixels (#FFFFFF) will be used as transparent areas. All other colors will be masked out.

Here's the link to download it...

Download Mask Converter 2.0 (build 2.0.4)

And here's a link to the latest HOW TO video...

How to create a custom PiP Mask

HAPPY MASK CREATING!!!

Respectfully,
Charles Forsyth

Moderator notation: A contribution of $5 to $10 is a good figure, it is a thank you for a super tool.

One thing I wonder about; how does PD use these SD mask files for HD content??

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 02/05/2009 06:03:25

WOW

I am ready to translate the text for german users - if you wish!

Brilliant is all that there to say !

Georg (Video-Intern) wrote:WOW

I am ready to translate the text for german users - if you wish!

Thank you for your generous offer. If you provide the text, I'll see what I can do to build a version for German users.

Antiekeradio wrote:One thing I wonder about; how does PD use these SD mask files for HD content??

It is my assumption that PD probably does support higher resolution masks. I just went with those mask resolutions because they were the first I found to be divisible by 16. 1080 is not. (you can't define a half pixel)

I don't think the resolution of your mask needs to be that high anyway. It's just a mask. The image coming through the mask is still HD.

The only place you notice the mask's resolution is at round or diagnal edges. If your resolution is high enough, the human eye can't see it without magnification.

I believe the resolution I picked for 16:9 masks is high enough that circular and diagnal lines don't appear "stepped" or jagged.

Though if you want to do the math, give me dimensions for higher resolution that are divisible by 16 and I'll add them to the list of possible resolutions.

In a future version I might just allow any resolution, as long as it's divisible by 16. One thing I noticed already is that there are no "portrait" mask layouts. They are all "landscape."

I have photos that I take at 90 degrees (portrait) so they are 3:4, not 4:3.
Support for this will definitely be in the next version.

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 02/05/2009 10:30:34

Well done Charles.

The first test I carried out didn't work while the second test was fine.

In my first test I used a black background 16:9 image with a "few" squiggles and a 50% soft edge. The display just gave me a clear mask.
On my second test I used a beige background with a crisp white shape. Charles' Mask Converter worked a treat.

I think Charles asked about a gradient edge earlier in this post, that was the reason for my test I just wanted to see the result.

Microsoft .net is required for the Mask Converter to function.

Dafydd

1) A little donate is on the way

2) I make a little workflow for german users on my board. It is very easy to use, so I think I will wait for question from german users.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 02/05/2009 13:38:36

CharlesF wrote:The only place you notice the mask's resolution is at round or diagnal edges. If your resolution is high enough, the human eye can't see it without magnification.

I will try some diagonal lines, that was exactly the reason I asked.

(want to do a PiP with diagonal division of the whole screen)

Great work Charles – you have certainly moved at lightning speed to provide an answer to the question you asked only a few days ago. Staggering speed and a pretty definitive answer to your own question.

29 April, ’09: Charles asks the question.
“Is it possible to create and use a custom mask in the PiP designer for PD7?”

30 April, ’09: Time 1:50:12 – Charles posts a mask.
“Confirmed. I was able to build a 16:9 ratio mask that masks out the entire left half.”
Time 16:07:15 – Charles completes Converter version 1.
“Ok, the BMP to MSK Converter Utility v1.0 (beta) is done!”

1 May, ’09: Charles completes Converter version 2.
“Below is a link to where you can download my new "Mask Converter" utility. This tool allows you to convert a bitmap image into a PiP mask for use in PowerDirector 7's PiP Designer. This is version 2.0 and that means major improvements over 1.0.”

I’m away from home right now & PowerDirector didn’t come with me this time (!) – so, when we’re reunited , I’ll test the converter utility and post results.

Once again – well done Charles.

Cheers -

Tony

Dafydd Bevan - SoftDeko wrote:I think Charles asked about a gradient edge earlier in this post, that was the reason for my test I just wanted to see the result.

The key (perhaps I didn't put enough emphasis on this) is that only pixels with an RGB color value of #FFFFFF (pure white) will appear as transparent. Any other color should be masked out.

So if you use dithering or antialiasing your results will not be as clean as you hope.

I was told (I did not confirm) that PowerDirector7 does not support gradient values for each byte. So that means: Each pixel, defined in the finished mask file, can be either true [FF] (transparent) or false [00] (masked).

So, with that said...

I suggest that when creating your drawing using an line, oval or rectangle tool, make sure that you disable antialiasing. And if you resize your image, make sure you disable dithering. Resizing an image often uses dithering algorithms to help with distortion. This technique often change the colors of individual pixels. So areas that used to be white #FFFFFF, get changed to some other color.

Well, I hope this information has been usefull.

Georg (Video-Intern) wrote:1) A little donate is on the way

Thank you very much!

Georg (Video-Intern) wrote:2) I make a little workflow for german users on my board. It is very easy to use, so I think I will wait for question from german users.

Great! Thank you.
Would you like to perform voiceover (auf Deutsch) for the video? (Just kidding)

Hi CharlesF,

Just wanted to join the chorus of praise. Excellent work!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/05/2009 10:06:08

Would you like to perform voiceover (auf Deutsch) for the video? (Just kidding)

If you like, I can try

A very useful Mask Creation Tool.

Dafydd