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Happy Spring Everyone!

I would like a tip on how to be sure lower thirds reach the horizontal edges of the video screen. I am having trouble with that. What happens is it appears to exceed the edges (left and right) in the storyboard, but when I export the video to client, the background video is visible on either the left or right side of TV screen (I edit for 720x480).

I make my lower thirds in the title window, using the graphics tool for color, texture, etc.

I think my problem is that in the boxes window, I don’t make the lower third with the “max size” setting, I start with the “min. size” setting, and then stretch it across both sides manually.

Also, - the button settings, for “Grid” and “Border”, how do they affect lower thirds placement? What is the best setting for “grid” and “border”. I have read in Smart Edit Manual, but still need more clarification on these two functions. Where can I look to get a thorough explanation of these two functions: Grid and Border. (I am using Renommee).

Many thanks!

Hello Kim,

To get your box to the exact position you want, when you have selected 'Move' in the Box Options of your titler, pay close attention to the top two numbers listed after 'Position' on the Choose Position menu prompt. The first digits represent the X axis (left/right) and the second series of digits (after the comma) represent the 'Y' axis or top/bottom placement. In an SD project the X axis is 0-720 and the Y axis is 0-480. If you want your lower thirds box to cover the entire screen you should make certain your X axis is '0' Then it's time for a little mathematics -- start with the Y position (for example 360) and add that to the the 2nd number of the 'Size' of the box. To go all the way to the bottom of your visible screen you should have a value of 120 (360+120=480... the total value of your screen top to bottom.

And be aware that the 'Preview' (playback in real time) is often way off, so do not use that as your guide. The numerical values will steer you clear -- then click 'Create' to see a preview while it is rendering (you could always cancel and re-set).

Hope that helps!

Regards,
Chet

Thank you Chet!
Kim

Hello Kim,

In addition to Chet's very good explanation of using the numbers to set where your lower thirds go, there is one more setting to most folks are not aware of.

It's the Small, medium, Large and full settings in both the Bogart and Smart edit systems under Project setting, then Image.

This adjustment only affects a new layer of effect that is added over the top of a normal background image. If you added a special effect like a glow, or color change etc. this size adjustment determines how small or large the new image is and whether or not it entirely covers the base scene under it. So if you have it set to small or medium, it will always run the risk of showing some of the base scene around the edges of the effect that you have added....so your lower thirds won't entirely cover up the base scene all the way to the edges. This is all dependent on how your monitor is masked and how much of the image is being covered up by that mask.

Set it on Full and you'll find that all your effects will go farther in covering up the base scene.

Hope this helps.

Good catch Jim -- another important step in creating titles.

And Kim, I thought my explanation was so esoteric it deserved a video explanation so last night I created a short Casablanca Expert Video Tutorial on the subject. You can view this 5-minute video on my website here: http://www.casablancaexpert.com/articles/20100504_3

Hope that helps!

Regards,
Chet

Thanks to you both!

Kim