Quote I just got the editor and was wondering if I could draw a custom crop around an object in my video. Also, is there a way to make the crop follow the subject. PiP is not an option as the rest of the video must be transparent.

I'm relatively new to PowerDirector but I found a lack of custom cropping which would be a natural fit in the clip resizing/repositioning feature. I eventually found (for my purposes) that the NewBlue Picture in Shape works for that. However, it seems that you have to apply it to the clip and not on the FX track. This is a nasty problem if you have lots of clips you need to crop and float. I just posted on this in another thread and hope that one of the wizards here can show us a better way.

There are other effects that can crop, but they like to crop opposite sides equally. How annoying!

As for following the subject? Maybe someone can weigh in on whether motion tracking will help you out (I haven't used it yet). If the subject does not move too much, you could use keyframes but don't do it in the Picture in Shape effect. Do it in the repositioning/resizing area in the clip attributes.

Len

Hi igtarr & Len -

Maybe what you need is masking, rather than cropping.

Something I haven't explored fully yet is PDR 15's ability to keyframe masks - position, scale, opacity & rotation.

Take a look at the attached packed project. When you open it, select the video & go to Designer > Mask Designer & you'll see how the keyframes have been set.

The mask can be any shape you like & it doesn't have to maintain its aspect ratio. I just did it simply to show the concept.

Because it's masked, that means the "black" is effectively transparent, so you can have another clip "behind" it.

Cheers - Tony
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