Quote: Looked at many videos supposedly explaining keyframes. I am in the dark, completely.

It appears that I would only need to understand and use keyframes for effects or animations.

Am I off base? Is it necessary for me to learn more about keyframing for simple videos with no effects?

If so, where to look. All videos take for granted I know what keyframes are.

B...........

Somebody may dispute me, but you do not have to learn about keyframes until you must use them.

Most things in Powerdirector can be done without using keyframes yourself.
The program does use keyframes, some effects you get a warning that if you perform this action, all keyframes will be reset.

You can usually continue, nothing bad will happen.

That said, keyframes are useful. I have finally learned to use keyframes for some actions in effects.
Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

Hi, Betty.

Like you, I was intimidated at first when it came to keyframes. Then, after learning a few basics about them, I realized that they are an editor's friend and nothing to be scared of.

For example, I might wish to move an object around against the background video. Obviously, the software can't simply read my mind and know what movement I desire. I have to tell it. But instead of thinking of this as something I HAVE to do, it is ALLOWING me to do these great things. It lets me decide where to have the object come in, what size I want it, where it should go, etc.

Think of keyframes as kind of a marker. At this point in the video, you want the object in this location, at this size. Create keyframes at that spot--very quick and easy to do--and voila: PowerDirector will do it just as you desire.

That's just one example, admittedly oversimplified. There are some good tutorials that show more. If your current project is simple enough, you might be able to get by without getting into keyframes. At some point, when you decide to have some fun, start learning a few basics about keyframes. You'll be glad you did.

Kevin

Thank you, Kevin, but I am not intimidated. I am just ignorant of the topic. But it does look like what you are explaining has to do with special effects and has little interest for me right now.

And Carl...again you have come to the rescue. I am not going to waste my time on that issue any longer. If it becomes necessary, then I will pursue it. I truly appreciate your answer.

So I can spend my time studying audio at this point. And so far I have found that Wave Editor sometimes does the job for me whereas Audio Director does not.

My thanks to you both.

B..............

Quote: Looked at many videos supposedly explaining keyframes. I am in the dark, completely.
It appears that I would only need to understand and use keyframes for effects or animations.
Am I off base? Is it necessary for me to learn more about keyframing for simple videos with no effects?
If so, where to look. All videos take for granted I know what keyframes are.
B...........

Hi Betty

Here's everything you wanted to know about keyframes (making a static object move) from the team at PDtoots:















Happing editing

Best Regards

Neil
CubbyHouseFilms
My Youtube Channel
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Hi Betty -

Each of us uses PowerDirector in a way that suits what we're trying to do. It's true what Carl suggested that you could get away with making videos without ever learning much about keyframes.

I'm with Kevin on this question. Keyframes give you control over what's happening on the screen, & how. Personally, I wouldn't want to give that up.

Sure you'll get away with it... as long as you're happy with static effects, static motion, static scale, static particles, static titles, static opacity, static rotation, static crops... you know what I mean.

BUT whatever you want is fine. To me, PowerDirector without keyframes is like a car without a gearbox. Everyone's different, eh?

Cheers - Tony
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