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If an average user can figure this out why can't Cyberlink provide a useful method of making custom masks? It would be a very useful feature and something I would actually use. A link could be put on Directors Zone for uploaded custom masks from users.
With over 30 years experience programming computers, i wouldn't call myself "an average user." hehe ![]()
Patience grasshopper... a new tool cometh!
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Today I have been working on a utility that will convert a bitmap (.bmp) image into a PD7 mask data file (.msk). It just converts all white pixels into the transparent areas of the mask. Anything non-white is translated into the mask part in the resulting .msk file.
I am now writing documentation for it in the form of a readme file. I should have it up here within a few hours (after initial testing).
I consider this a beta version but I probably won't be able to provide support for it. I may not even upgrade it. It depends on interest, feedback and donations.
I designed it for myself really, to make it much easier to create .msk files. However, I am making it available for FREE to the public. Because I'm such a nice guy. hehe ![]()
Note though that it is designed for more advanced computer users.
As soon as it's ready I'll post a link to the download.
-Charles
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Charles,
I am the Moderator!
No, I didn't move it... just in case you wondered.
Dafydd
[Moderator]
![]()
I'll assume it was just a bug in the forum software then. ![]()
Cheers!
-Charles
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Here's a left-half 16x9 mask.
http://www.charlesforsyth.com/downloads/44-lefthalf_16x9.zip
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Charles,
Please attach your file again - it's not there. (must be less than 100kb).
I have been following your post - and would like to look at what you came up with. Heck it's really good.
The masks are not gradient in PD7. Would be cool to have a few.
Dafydd
It was there before. I wonder if a moderator removed it?
I'll attach again and give you a link to download it.
http://www.charlesforsyth.com/downloads/43-righthalf_16x9.zip
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OMG Charles - how can I hold my breath? You've taken it away completely!!!
I can't believe you've just said EXACTLY what I was going to say. Just amazing
Tony
I'm such a geek. It was a puzzle that I had to solve. I'm that way. I solve problems. ![]() I can't help it.
I've been programming computers since I was 8 years old (33 years ago) so that experience helped. I know that most developers write binary files pretty much the same way. It wasn't hard to figure it out.
Say, Tony, do you know if the mask values are gradients? I mean if I enter 3F instead of FF will it be a partial mask (semi-transparent)?
I suppose I'll probably figure that out before you have a chance to post a reply. But I may as well ask. hehe
I'll likely develop a windows program that will provide a GUI for editing these mask files. That is, if enough interest is shown and maybe a promise of a donations or two upon completion. ![]()
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Confirmed.
I was able to build a 16:9 ratio mask that masks out the entire left half.
If you have a hex editor you can make your own file too.
The first 8 bytes, as I said in the previous post, represent the resolution of the mask. You need a resolution that is divisible by 16 (hexidecimal) that's why I went with 864 x 486.
So to use 864 x 486, your first 8 bytes (in hexidecimal) need to be 60 03 00 00 (a 4-byte integer equalling 864 decimal) followed by E6 01 00 00 (a 4-byte integer equalling 486 decimal)
Attached is a zip file containing the mask and png image that I created. Hopefully people will be able to download it. If not, I'll post it on my website and provide a link.
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I beleive I've figured out the .msk file specs. Fairly simple actually.
The header bytes in the .msk file (first 8 bytes) signify the resolution of the mask.
The first 4 bytes (D0 02 00 00) signify the X axis (720)
The next 4 bytes (1C 02 00 00) signify the Y axis (540)
This is a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Starting at the 9th byte, the next 720 bytes represent each pixel on the first row of pixels.
Each byte has a value of either 00 (0 decimal) also known as false, or FF (-1 decimal) also known as true. In computer terms, it is likely that any non-zero number is "true." I'm not sure if there are "shades" of alpha or not. There might be. Further testing would be required to determine if that is the case or not.
These 720 bytes that make up one row are repeated 540 times, one for each row of pixels (Y axis).
So taking this information in account, I am making an educated guess that if we change the resolution in the first 8 bytes of the file to 864 x 486 (16:9) and then follow those 8 bytes by 864 bytes for each 486 rows we can build our masks in 16:9 format.
I'm going to do further testing. I'll report back my findings. But don't hold your breath. ![]()
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So the answer is "no."
Unfortunate and very disapointing.
:::Sigh:::
If someone would give me the specifications for the .msk files I might be compelled to build a GUI for editing them. ![]()
I'm assuming the PNG files are only used to give the user an idea of what the mask looks like.
Wouldn't it be cool if they used a PNG alpha channel to designate the mask area? Nah, that would be too easy on the end user. We don't want that. ![]()
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Is it possible to create and use a custom mask in the PiP designer for PD7?
I need widescreen 16:9 masks, not 4:3.
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Your problem is easily solved. In Menu Designer, click on the little spanner icon (Create Disc Preferences) at the bottom - click on the Menu tab... change the setting for User defined menu duration (default is 15 seconds).
Interesting. I saw that option before. But since it appeared under the "Enable Video Thumbnail" option I assumed that it was tied to that feature.
In other words, I assumed that the duration you set there is how long the video will play in video thumbnails. I did not expect that setting to control the video loop on the main page. I'll have to change that setting and see if it works. Unfortunately, I have to burn a DVD to test this though because I can't tell if it works in the preview mode.
If this is the case, wouldn't it be nice to be able to control the video loop duration for each page separately (Main Page, Chapter Page and Caption Page)? I have different music for each. ![]()
Also while I have you, is it possible to change the background music for new templates you create so when you pick them in the main environment you don't have to change the background music?
Thanks again.
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Thanks for your reply Tony.
I found out that the DVD Menu loops every 15 seconds. I can't seem to change this.
When the menu loops it stops playing the background music and restarts it from the beginning. It doesn't matter how long my background music is.
So maybe I'm missing something.
Where can you set the loop for the DVD menu so that it matches the length of the background music? Mine seems stuck at 15 seconds (which is not long enough)
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Just a few suggestions...
Using the Create Disc interface, after selecting a Menu Template, it would be nice to be able to move objects in the screen by using the arrow keys like you can in the edit menu template interface.
It would also be nice to be able to align objects within this interface like you can in the edit template interface.
In the edit template interface itself, it would be nice to be able to evenly distribute objects that are currently selected, either horizontally or vertically.
When editing the Chapters of a movie (Chapter Room), it would be nice to have a feature that allows you to set a point where playback will stop and go back to the main menu. This way I can create multiple short movies on one DVD allowing the user to play one movie (which might have multiple scenes) and be automatically returned back to the main menu when it finishes. Also, a "play all" button/feature that ignores this "return to main menu" marker would be a nice feature. That way all of the short films can be played and not return to the main menu until all have completed.
I have more ideas, but these are my highest priority ideas. ![]() I'd love to see them in the next version. (I hope other customers agree)
You guys have done a great job on this product! I have tried many other video editing tools and while some have features I'd like to see in PowerDirector, none really compare. Excellent work!
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I have a few questions on this topic.
1) Is it possible to change the duration of the loop in the various menu screens?
2) What is the default duration of the loop for DVD menu screens? I would like to create my own background music and I need to know how long it should go before it loops back
3) Is it possible to change the volume of the background music DVD menus when you utilize the Magic Music feature? The background music I use always comes out WAY too loud. It blows out my speakers so I have to turn down the volume on my TV. Then when I play the movie, I have to turn the volume back up to its normal setting.
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