Cyberlink PowerDirector - 3.0 Instruction Manual
CyberLink
PowerDirector 3
User’s Guide
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Fax 886-2-8667-1300
Copyright © 1999-2003 CyberLink Corporation
Contents
Introduction.............................................. 1
Welcome ................................................................................. 2
Where to Begin Reading ...................................................... 2
The Movie-Making Process ........................................................ 3
Pre-Production .................................................................... 3
Editing ................................................................................ 3
PowerDirector Projects ......................................................... 4
Ready to Burn ..................................................................... 4
General Preferences .................................................................. 5
System Requirements ................................................................. 7
PowerDirector Versions .............................................................. 8
Visual Overview ........................................ 9
The PowerDirector Program ..................................................... 10
Capture Mode ........................................................................ 12
Edit Mode .............................................................................. 13
Library ................................................................................... 14
Media Room ..................................................................... 15
Effect Room ...................................................................... 15
Title Room ........................................................................ 15
Transition Room ................................................................ 15
Audio Mixer ............................................................................ 16
Voice-over Recording Room ..................................................... 17
The Workspace ....................................................................... 18
Timeline View .................................................................... 18
Storyboard View ................................................................ 19
Preview Window ..................................................................... 20
Media Viewer ......................................................................... 21
Media Editor .......................................................................... 22
Production Mode .................................................................... 23
Burn Mode ............................................................................. 24
Capturing Media .................................... 25
Capture Preferences ................................................................ 26
Capture Options ..................................................................... 28
Capture Limit Options ....................................................... 28
Profile Options .................................................................. 29
Analog Video Capture Options .......................................... 30
Audio Capture Options ..................................................... 31
Webcam Video Capture Options ........................................ 32
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CyberLink PowerDirector
CD/Microphone Capture Profile Setup ................................ 33
Captured Clip Options ...................................................... 34
Capture from DV Camcorder ................................................... 35
Capture a Single Scene ..................................................... 35
Batch Capture .................................................................. 37
Capture from TV ..................................................................... 40
Capture from Webcam ............................................................ 41
Capture from Microphone ....................................................... 42
Rip Audio Tracks from CD ....................................................... 43
Record a Voice-over ................................................................ 44
Working with Media Clips ....................... 45
Managing Media in the Library ................................................ 46
Load Clips into the Library ................................................. 46
Sort Clips in the Library ...................................................... 47
Remove a Clip from the Library .......................................... 48
Rename a Clip in the Library .............................................. 49
Restore a Clip’s Original File Name .................................... 49
View Clip Properties .......................................................... 49
Detect Scenes in a Video Clip ............................................. 50
Managing Clips in the Workspace ............................................ 52
Add a Clip to the Workspace ............................................. 52
Move a Clip in the Workspace ........................................... 54
Cut/Copy/Paste a Clip in the Workspace ............................ 55
Remove a Clip from the Workspace .................................... 55
Editing Clips ........................................................................... 56
Split a Clip ....................................................................... 56
Trim a Video or Audio Clip ................................................ 57
Take a Still Snapshot of a Video Clip .................................. 60
Change the Speed of a Video Clip ..................................... 60
Stretch the Audio Portion of a Video Clip ............................. 61
Mute the Audio Portion of a Video Clip ............................... 61
Change the Color of a Visual Media Clip ............................ 62
Set a Video Clip’s Interlacing Format .................................. 63
Change Audio Clip Volume Levels ...................................... 64
Add a Fade Effect to an Audio Clip ..................................... 65
Mute an Entire Audio Clip .................................................. 66
Restore an Audio Clip’s Volume Levels ................................ 66
Preview a Clip ................................................................... 67
Working with Effects................................ 69
Managing Effects in the Library ................................................ 70
Sort Effects in the Library .................................................... 70
Restrict the Display of Effects .............................................. 70
Add an Effect to My Favorites ............................................. 71
Remove an Effect from My Favorites .................................... 71
Managing Effects in the Timeline .............................................. 72
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Table of Contents
Add a Video/Title/Transition Effect ...................................... 72
Replace an Effect in the Timeline ........................................ 73
Delete an Effect ................................................................. 73
Move an Effect in the Workspace ........................................ 74
Cut/Copy/Paste an Effect in the Workspace ......................... 74
Modifying Effects ..................................................................... 75
Set an Effect’s Hold Time ................................................... 75
Split a Video, Title, or PiP Effect .......................................... 76
Set an Effect’s Duration ...................................................... 76
Modifying a Video Effect .................................................... 78
Modifying a PiP Effect ........................................................ 79
Modify a Title Effect ........................................................... 87
Preview an Effect ............................................................... 91
Producing Your Movie ............................. 93
Preview Your Movie ................................................................. 94
Preview Your Movie in the Preview Window ......................... 94
Preview Your Movie in the Media Viewer .............................95
The Production Wizard ............................................................ 96
Produce a Disc ....................................................................... 97
Create a File ........................................................................ 101
Create an AVI File ........................................................... 101
Create a DivX File ........................................................... 108
Create an MPEG1/MPEG2 File ........................................ 110
Create a Streaming File ......................................................... 112
Create a WMV File for Streaming ..................................... 112
Create a RealVideo File for Streaming ............................... 114
Create a QuickTime File for Streaming ............................. 117
Write Back to DV Tape .......................................................... 120
Appendix.............................................. 123
Technical Support ................................................................. 124
Web Support .................................................................. 124
Fax Support .................................................................... 124
Telephone Support .......................................................... 125
Hotkeys ................................................................................ 126
FAQ .................................................................................... 133
The Right Technology ............................................................ 139
CD vs. DVD .................................................................... 139
NTSC vs. PAL .................................................................. 142
Video Quality ................................................................. 142
Glossary .............................................................................. 144
Index.................................................... 151
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CyberLink PowerDirector
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Chapter 1:
Introduction
This chapter introduces CyberLink PowerDirector and the digital
video editing process. It provides a discussion of the different
kinds of technology you will use in the digital movie-making
process, as well as system requirements for working smoothly with
CyberLink PowerDirector.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Welcome on p.2
• The Movie-Making Process on p.3
• General Preferences on p.5
• System Requirements on p.7
• PowerDirector Versions on p.8
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CyberLink PowerDirector
Welcome
Welcome to the CyberLink family of digital
video tools! PowerDirector is a digital video
editing program that can help you create
professional-looking video movies, complete
with music, voice-over, special effects, and
transition effects.
If you don’t have experience making movies, don’t worry.
CyberLink PowerDirector provides home users with a simple
tool to help them do something a little more creative with their
home videos. You don’t have to be a video professional or have
aspirations of a box office hit to enjoy using PowerDirector.
Where to Begin Reading
Of course, we hope that you will read through the entire User’s
Guide for complete information on working with CyberLink
PowerDirector. However, some people like to just jump in and
get working on specific projects. If you are one of those people,
please refer to the list below for the page numbers of the
information you are looking for.
• If you have questions about the program or the digital
movie-making process, start by reading the Introduction
on p.1, then the Visual Overview on p.9.
• If you want to capture media, read Capturing Media on
p.25
• If you want to put your media clips together into a story,
start by reading Editing Clips on p.56.
• If you want to modify your media clips, read Working
with Media Clips on p.45.
• If you want to modify your story, read Working with
Effects on p.69.
• If you want to create a disc, start by reading Producing
Your Movie on p.93, then Burning Your Movie to Disc on
p.123.
2
Chapter 1: Introduction
The Movie-Making Process
The digital movie production process involves a
combination of artistry and technology, beginning
with raw video footage and ending with a movie
production. CyberLink PowerDirector provides the
easiest way to produce your finished movie and
publish it to the medium of your choice.
Pre-Production
Before you edit your movie using CyberLink
PowerDirector, you must first create (or gather)
its component parts: video clips, photos, music,
and narrative voice-overs.
You may collect raw footage yourself with a camcorder or other
recording device, or you may simply use non-copyright
protected media files that you have on hand.
You should have all of the bits and pieces of your movie on hand
so that the video editing process goes as smoothly as possible.
Editing
When you have your raw footage on hand, you might expect to
use CyberLink PowerDirector to perform the following tasks:
1. Acquire video and audio content.
2. Trim video and audio content to a desired length.
3. Add a special effect to a video clip.
4. Adjust the sharpness, contrast, and color of a video clip.
5. Mix your background and voice-over tracks.
6. Add transition effects between video clips.
7. Preview your production.
8. Burn your production to CD/DVD.
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CyberLink PowerDirector
PowerDirector Projects
Whatever changes you make to your video clips, audio files, or
photos in CyberLink PowerDirector does not affect your original
media. Since your settings are all saved in the project file, you
can trim, edit, or delete clips in PowerDirector, but still keep your
original files on your hard drive, untouched. So let yourself get
creative! If you end up changing things too drastically, you can
always start over.
You can open and save a PowerDirector project file just like any
other file in Windows. You can also create a new file or save the
current file under a different file name.
Ready to Burn
When you are ready to burn your movie to
disc, you should have several discs on hand
that are compatible with your burning drive.
Make sure not only that the media type is
correct (i.e.: that you have DVDs for a DVD
drive and CDs for a CD drive), but that your
discs are all in the correct format (for example,
CD-R or DVD+RW).
Keep several discs on hand in case your drive encounters errors,
or to make duplicate copies when you are satisfied with the
results.
4
Chapter 1: Introduction
General Preferences
CyberLink PowerDirector offers a range of choices to set your
video production environment to better suit the way you work.
To set your working preferences, do this:
1. Click Edit > Preferences... The Preferences dialog box
opens.
2. Set your preferences:
• Import directory: Set the folder where PowerDirector
looks by default for media clips when you load media
files. To change this folder, click Browse and select a new
folder.
• Export directory: Set the folder where PowerDirector
saves captured media files by default. To change this
folder, click Browse and select a new folder.
• Durations: Set default durations (in seconds) for image
files, titles, transitions, and video effects.
• Undo levels: Enter a number (between 0 and 100) of
levels of undo you would like to make available while
you work on your movie production. Setting a higher
number of undo consumes more CPU resources.
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CyberLink PowerDirector
Recently used file list: Enter a number (between 0 and
•
20) of recently used files that you would like to make
available in the File menu when you open
PowerDirector.
• TV format: Select the TV format (NTSC or PAL) of the
region in which you would like to produce your movie.
This format should correspond to the format of the
region in which you plan to play your movie (if you burn
it to disc).
• Always prompt me when TV format conflicts: Check
this option to enable a warning message when you add a
video clip to the workspace whose TV format (NTSC/
PAL) conflicts with that of the video clips already located
in the workspace.
• Default mode: Select to open PowerDirector in Timeline
or Storyboard mode by default.
• Production preview: Select On to enable the video
preview window during production. Select Off to
disable the preview window during production and
reduce production time.
• Automatically load the most recent project: Check this
option to load the project you have been working on
most recently whenever you open PowerDirector.
• Enable file deletion from hard drive and ask me for
confirmation: Check this option if you would like to be
able to delete files located on your hard drive using a
menu option in the Library.
3. Click OK.
6
Chapter 1: Introduction
System Requirements
The system requirements listed below are recommended as
minimums for general digital video production work. You may
find that your system, while meeting these recommended
minimums, requires expanded capacity during specific DV
editing tasks.
Minimum Recommended
Screen
Resolution
OS
Memory
CPU
HDD
Space
Video
Capture
CD/DVD
Burning
Mic
1024 x 768, 16-bit color 1024 x 768, 32-bit color
Windows XP/2000/ME/
98SE
128MB 256MB DDR
• Capture/Produce AVI: P2-450
• Capture/Produce MPEG-1: P3-600
• Capture/Produce MPEG2: P4-2G
• Optimized for CPU with SSE, SSE2, 3DNow!, and
HyperThreading technology
• 1GB for making VCD/
SVCD/MiniDVD
• 10GB for making DVD
• PCI or USB1.0/2.0 capture device compliant with WDM
standard (For example, PC Camera and TV tuner with
WDM driver)
• DV/D8 camcorders connected via OHCI-compliant
IEEE1394
CD or DVD burner (CD-R/RW, DVD+-R/+-RW) is required to
burn VCD/DVD/SVCD/MiniDVD titles
A microphone is required to record a voice-over
Windows XP/2000
• 3GB for making VCD/
SVCD/MiniDVD
• 15GB for making DVD
• 7200RPM drive
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CyberLink PowerDirector
PowerDirector Versions
PowerDirector is available in many different OEM versions and
the full retail version. File format support, editing features, discmaking functions, and other features vary depending on the
version that you have. For information on the availability of
specific functions in the PowerDirector version that you are
using, please check the PowerDirector Readme file.
8
Chapter 2:
Visual Overview
This chapter introduces the CyberLink PowerDirector program
and the components that are available in PowerDirector’s
different modes. Descriptions in this chapter focus on the
appearance of the program, not on procedures for using the
program. For instructions on how to use the program, refer to the
many function-specific sections throughout the rest of the
manual.
This chapter contains the following sections:
• The PowerDirector Program on p.10
• Capture Mode on p.12
• Edit Mode on p.13
• Library on p.14
• Media Room on p.15
• Effect Room on p.15
• Title Room on p.15
• Transition Room on p.15
• Audio Mixer on p.16
• Voice-over Recording Room on p.17
• The Workspace on p.18
• Preview Window on p.20
• Media Viewer on p.21
• Media Editor on p.22
• Production Mode on p.23
• Burn Mode on p.24
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CyberLink PowerDirector
The PowerDirector Program
When you first open PowerDirector, the program appears as
follows:
Library
Contains media clips, effects,
and transitions
Preview window
Mode buttons
Click to switch working
modes
Provides playback controls to
preview clips and movies
Smart Guide
Provides function-specific tips
10
Media tracks
Insert media clips here
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
PowerDirector has four modes that enable you to perform
different tasks: Capture, Edit, Produce, and Burn.
Click to switch to the capture interface. See Capture
Mode on p.12.
Click to switch to the editing interface. See Edit Mode
on p.13.
Click to switch to the production interface, which
opens the Disc Wizard. See Production Mode on p.23.
Click to switch to the burning interface, which opens
the PowerProducer tool. See Burn Mode on p.24.
The PowerDirector program changes appearance depending on
mode. (By default, the program opens in Edit mode.) In addition,
certain parts of the program may change within a specific mode.
For example, the Library changes display when you click an
editing function button, and the workspace can toggle between
Timeline and Storyboard views. The different modes and the
varying appearances they bring to the PowerDirector program
are all described in the sections that follow.
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CyberLink PowerDirector
Capture Mode
When you click the button, PowerDirector enters
Capture mode, in which you can capture media from a variety of
capture devices. In Capture mode, the program appears as
follows:
Capture preview window
Displays media clips during capture.
Captured Clips area
Displays media clips after
capture.
Capture device selection area
Allows you to switch capture devices
and set capture limits
Information display area
Displays information about
captured file size and
available HDD space
For more information on capturing media, see Capturing Media
on p.25.
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Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Edit Mode
When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Edit
mode, in which you can edit your video production. In Edit
mode, the program appears as follows:
Edit function buttons
Open editing rooms dedicated
to a specific task
Workspace view buttons
Click to switch between
Timeline and Storyboard views
For more information on editing a video production, see
Working with Media Clips on p.45 and Working with Effects on
p.69.
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CyberLink PowerDirector
Library
The Library is the storeroom in which all of the media clips used
in your projects are kept. In addition, the Library displays all of
the different types of effects that can be applied to media clips.
The Library appears as follows:
Filter drop-down list
Library menu button
Load media button
Library contents
Detect scenes button
Which contents the Library displays depends on the edit
function button you click. These buttons are shown below:
Media Room button
Effects Room button
Titles Room button
Transitions Room button
Audio Mixer button
Voice-over Room button
Each of these buttons opens an editing ‘room’ dedicated to a
specific task. By default, the Library opens to the Media Room.
However, the Library retains the same buttons and functions in
each of these views.
14
Media Room
The Media Room is the storage area for the media
that you will use in your video editing project. Which
type of media clips appear in the Media Room
depends on the selection you make in the Filter dropdown list.
Effect Room
The Effect Room contains all of the special effects that
can be applied to video or image clips in the
workspace.
Title Room
The Title Room contains all of the title effects that can
be applied to the workspace.
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Transition Room
The Transition Room contains all of the transition
effects that can be applied between video or image
clips in the workspace.
15
CyberLink PowerDirector
Audio Mixer
The Audio Mixer contains audio mixing controls for
the different audio tracks in the workspace. The
Audio Mixer appears as follows:
Audio mixing controls
16
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Voice-over Recording Room
The Voice-over Recording Room contains controls for
recording a narration from a microphone while
watching the video clip the voice-over is destined to
accompany. The Voice-over Recording Room appears
as follows:
Recording options buttons
Record button
Recording volume controls
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CyberLink PowerDirector
The Workspace
The edit interface consists of a workspace to which you can add
clips. You can set which view opens by default in the Preferences
dialog box. You can also switch views by clicking the Timeline or
Storyboard buttons.
Timeline View
When you first open PowerDirector, the program opens to the
Edit interface in whichever mode you have set in your
preferences.
To switch to Timeline view, click . The workspace
appears as follows:
The Media Tracks
Video
Effect
PiP
Title
Vo i ce
Music
18
Contains your movie’s main video and/or image clips.
Contains special effects that apply to the video or image clip
in the Video track at the same location.
Contains video/image clips, which are overlaid on any clip
in the Video track that appears during the PiP effect’s
duration.
Contains title effects that appear over any clips in the Video
track that occur during the title effect’s duration.
Contains a narrative voice-over or second audio clip.
Contains your movie’s main audio clip.
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Resizing the Ruler
You can resize the ruler for a more expanded or more condensed
view of your production. The graphics below show the effect of a
condensed versus an expanded ruler:
Condensed ruler:
Expanded ruler:
To resize the ruler, click inside the ruler and drag. Expand the
ruler for more a precise view, which is especially handy when
aligning clips and effects, or condense the ruler for a global
overview of your entire production.
Storyboard View
You can switch to Storyboard view while editing your movie for
a simpler view of the clips that your movie contains.
To switch to storyboard view, click . The workspace
appears as follows:
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CyberLink PowerDirector
Preview Window
The preview window to the right of the Library allows you to
preview both media clips located in the Library as well as your
entire movie production.
Slider
Time display
Volume
Open Media Viewer/Media Editor
Fast forward
Next frame
Previous frame
Stop
Play
Movie mode
Clip mode
20
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Media Viewer
The Media Viewer allows you to preview media clips as well as
your entire movie production in a large, resizable window. The
Media Viewer appears as follows:
Preview window
Provides playback controls to
preview your movie
Playback controls
Allow you to control playback of clips
21
CyberLink PowerDirector
Media Editor
The Media Editor is similar to the Media Viewer but offers
additional functions for trimming video clips. The Media Editor
appears as follows:
Preview window
Provides playback controls to
preview your movie
22
Playback controls
Allow you to control playback
and editing of clips
Precise Cut sliders
Allow you to trim long videos
accurately
Chapter 2: Visual Overview
Production Mode
When you click the button, PowerDirector enters
Production mode, in which you can compile your movie into a
file that is ready for a variety of destinations, including burning
to disc. In Production mode, PowerDirector opens the
Production Wizard. The Production Wizard appears as follows:
Preview window
Provides playback controls to
preview your movie
Information display area
Information display area
Production mode buttons
For more information on producing your movie, see Producing
Your Movie on p.93.
23
CyberLink PowerDirector
Burn Mode
When you click the button, PowerDirector enters Burn
mode, in which you can burn your produced movie to disc. In
Burn mode, PowerDirector opens the PowerProducer. For more
information on burning your movie to disc, see PowerProducer
help.
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