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February, 2005
Photo To
Movie 3.1.12
LQ Graphics
http://lqgraphics.com/software/
Macintosh/Windows
CD/download: $49.95
By David Saraceno
Software applications
targeted at creating the popular "Ken Burns" effect
using still images remain a work in progress. Invariably, they
are either inexpensive, and produce less than satisfactory output.
Or they are pricey with good output, but hard to use. Rarely
are they inexpensive, intuitive, AND produce great quality flicker
free images which I consider the three essential benchmarks
when evaluating this software. The available Mac suspects
Still Life,
Motion
Pictures, Moving Pictures,
iPhoto, FotoMagico, and various
plug ins and native support in FCP, After Effects, iMovie HD,
and others rarely can be all things to all people, and
inexpensive to boot.
PhotoToMovie 3.1.12, the app reviewed
here, is an inexpensive "pan and scan" package that
outputs exceptional images at an attractive price point. It also
provides virtually flicker-free video output when panning images
with sharp one- or two-pixel lines. The output, to my eye, is
noticeably better than software priced substantially higher than
PhotoToMovie. If there is a shortcoming with this application,
and there are few, it is in its interface which lacks some
necessary refinements. Fortunately, the developer is responsive
to suggestions.
PTM's main screen is representative of
what most packages offer. It displays a "canvas" where
images, motion paths, and key frames are shown, a timeline containing
thumbnails of sequenced images and audio and titling tracks,
and an inspector pane where various settings for these media
assets can be established. Other icons control project and output
settings, titling and audio input.
Files or images can be dragged individually
into the timeline or whole image folders can be imported. There
isn't a way to control how the images appear sequentially when
imported from a folder, although each image can be resequenced
after imported. The last image in the folder appears as the first
image in the timeline. The company is aware of this limitation
and is working to change it.
Once imported into the timeline, all
images accept the presets for motion and transitions you've established.
Or you can select all the images in the timeline, and reset the
parameters for the project. Transitions, slide duration, holds,
and other motion parameters can also be set individually for
any image after import. A useful interface improvement in a recently
released beta version provides a media bin to store the imported
files. Of use would be a way to tag those images as each is used
in your presentation.
The timeline displays ease in/out and
duration settings for each image, and the amount of frames allocated
to each transition. Other controls permit you to switch views
in the timeline to add key frames, titles, and audio tracks including
direct recording to the timeline.
You can view individual frames and adjust
the key frame or view for each frame by resizing or dragging
the images to change which portion of the image is viewed. Adding
an additional key frame requires a switch to the multiple key
frame view, and using the "add key" frame icon. PTM
representatives indicate that it would be difficult to change
this two-step procedure. Hopefully it can be done. Different
colored bounding boxes designate each key frame. Clicking and
dragging, using a slider bar, or entering numerical data will
change the size and position of each key frame. The key frame
bounding boxes are a little difficult to grab and resize, however.
As I stated earlier, the app supports
ease in/out, hold frames, Bezier curves for motion paths, rotation,
and multiple transitions. Placeholders or blank images can be
inserted and a fairly robust titler is included. Support for
aif, mp3, and ACC audio formats is provided, and narrative tracks
can be recorded in real time. The package supports QTVR files,
but you cannot combine still images and QuickTime movie files.
That would be a welcome addition.
What differentiates PTM from comparable
or higher end packages is its video output. PhotoToMovie provides
a few preset export options, although you can customize your
own export settings, but not save them. This may be remedied
in a future release. Output on flicker-prone images using the
"high quality" setting is fabulous, and worth the price
of admission. Test it with a competing application using thin
or one-pixel line images, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
PTM attributes this to a custom algorithm that doesn't utilize
blurring to minimize flicker.
Future updates include support for a
media bin, as mentioned earlier, HD output, and other minor refinements.
A short 18-page QuickStart Guide is supplied, and the CD includes
a full electronic manual.
I've urged the product developer to provide
a Pro version implementing some of the minor concerns I have
with product interface and features, and I am hopeful that the
company will consider this suggestion. Despite these minor gripes,
this package is an excellent value.
Copyright ©2005 David
A. Saraceno
David
Saraceno is a motion graphics artist located in Spokane,
Washington. He has written for DV Magazine, AV Video, MacHome
Journal, and several state and national legal technology magazines.
David also moderates several forums on 2-pop.com
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