Xara Video Pro - X5 Instruction Manual

Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right to duplicate, circulate, and translate, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective manufacturer. This product uses MAGIX patent pending technology.

Preface 3

Preface

Thank you for choosing MAGIX Video Pro X5! Your new software offers video editing and postproduction on a professional level, comprehensive format support, powerful performance, high-end audio editing and all options for DVD authoring and export.

The fully developed MAGIX Video Pro X5 operating concept helps you get top results after only a short familiarization period. This documentation offers you an overview and a quick start at the beginning. The sections at the end provide a detailed and systematic description of the numerous functions.

Have fun with your projects and MAGIX Video Pro X5 from

Your MAGIX Team

Table of Contents

Package Contents 13 Installation 13 Serial number 14 System requirements 15

Introduction 16

What is MAGIX Video Pro X5? 16 Features 16 Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users 18 Projects, movies and scenes 20

Quick start 22

Program start 22 Select, load, and play back videos 23 Import video material from memory card 26 Video editing 28 Publish videos 34

Edit mode 36

Standard mode 36 Basic mode 37 Switching between standard and basic modes 40

Work screens 41

Activate main screen 41 "Edit" screen 42 The "Burn" screen 67

Video recording 68

Select the recording method 68 AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra 69 HDV camera 72

DV camera 72 Video 79 Audio 82 Single frame 85 Screen 88 Edit after recording 89

Objects 91

Insert object into the project 92 Select and group objects 94 Duplicate objects 94 Move Objects 95 Extract sound from videos 95 Object handles 96 Object borders 97 Trim Objects 97 Transitions (fades) 100 Search for gaps 102 Simple cut 103 Two-point cut 103 Three-point editing 105 Four-point editing 107 Move the contents of trimmed objects 107 Zoom preview 107

Table of Contents 5

Markers 108

Playback marker 108 Project markers 108 Ranges (in and out points) 109 Chapter markers 110 Scene markers 112

Multicam editing 113

Preparation 113 Source tracks and preview images 114 Multicam edit functions 115 Synchronize video objects using the audio track 116

Title 117

Title editor 117

3D Text 118 Advanced settings 119 Creating titles using a template 120 Create titles without a template 120 Edit titles retroactively 121 Position titles 121 Fade in date as title 121 Timecode 122

Effects 123

Apply effects to objects 123 Preview rendering 125 Video effects in the Media Pool 128 Movement effects in the Media Pool 137 Stereo3D in the Media Pool 142 Audio effects in the Media Pool 143 Design elements in the Media Pool 144 My Presets in the Media Pool 144 Additional Effects 144 Animate objects, effect curves 147 Create effects masks 152 Attach to picture position in the video 158 Create overlay graphic/animation 158 Image stabilization 159 Image improvements for the entire movie 161 Image improvements for individual objects 163

Stereo3D 164

3D basics 164 Record 3D 165 Prepare 3D editing 166 Set playback mode for 3D 167 Align videos and pictures for 3D 168 Turn camera movements into 3D videos 169 Export and burn 3D videos 170

Audio editing 172

Load and edit audio files 172 Audio effects 173

Mixer 190

5.1 Surround 193 Set multiple sound tracks 198 Scrubbing 201

Edit disc menu 202

Preview and editing 202 Menu 203 Templates 204 Edit disc menu 205 Edit DVD menus with Xara Xtreme Pro or Photoshop 212

Burn disc 220

Burning wizard 220 The burn dialog 221 Memory 222 Encoder settings 224 Use Quick Sync Video, Open CL or CUDA for rendering 226

Export movie 227

Video as AVI 227 Video as DV-AVI 228 Video as MPEG video 228 Video as MAGIX video 228 Video as QuickTime movie 228 Uncompressed movie 229 Video as MotionJPEG AVI 229 Movie as a series of individual frames 229 Windows Media Export 229 Video as MPEG-4 video 230 Export as media player 231 Audio as MP3 232 Audio as wave 232 Export as transition... 232 Single frame as BMP file 233 Single frame as JPG 233 Animated GIF 233 Export movie information as EDL 233 Upload to Internet 234

Table of Contents 7

Upload to Internet (MAGIX Online Album) 235 Export to device 236 Output as media player 236 Output as video file 237

Settings for and management of video projectors 238

Movie and project settings 238 Program settings 246 Proxy and Preview Rendering 253 Backup copy 255 Load backup project... 256 Importing & exporting EDL files 256 Clean-up wizard 257

Special functions and wizards 258

Proxy editing 258 Automatic scene detection 259 Musical cut adjustment 260 MAGIX Soundtrack Maker 264 Slideshow Maker 266 Produce panorama pictures 270 Batch conversion 271 Blackmagic Design video cards 274 Use movie templates 275

Menus 277

File Menu 277 Edit Menu 284 Effects Menu 292 Windows Menu 298 Help Menu 301

Context menu (right click) 303

Video objects 303 Image objects 307 Transitions 310 Audio objects 310 Text objects 313 MAGIX 3D Maker objects 315 Project folder 318

Track 318

Problems and solutions 320

File will not load 320 Choppy or uneven playback 320 Problems and Remedies regarding the Auto Remix Assistant 320 Activation problems 321

Online functions 322

Integrated browser 322 MAGIX News Center 324 Embed Flash videos into your own web page 324

Keyboard shortcuts 326

Playback functions 326 Scroll and zoom 327 Monitors 327 Arranger view 327 Move view 328 Mouse Modes 328 Context Menu 329 File menu 329 Edit menu 330 Effects menu 331 Windows menu 332 Help menu 333 Edit keyboard shortcut 333

Table of Contents 9

Activate codecs 335

Free activation of codecs 335 Fee-based DVCPRO and AVC-Intra activation 336

Annex: Digital Video and Data Storage 337

MPEG Compression 337 General notes on AVI videos 337 Overview of the different disc types 338

MPEG-4 encoder 341

Video codec 342 Audio codec 349 Multiplexer 351

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 352

General settings 352 Video settings 353 Advanced video settings 354 Audio settings 355

MPEG glossary 357

Motion estimation 357 Bit rate 357 Block 358 Chroma format 358 Field 358 Frame 358 GOP 359 I frames 359 Interlace 359 P frames and B frames 361 Prediction 361 Quantization scaling 362

Glossary 364 If you still have questions 379

Tips for program help 379

Index 380

Support 11

Support

Dear MAGIX customer,

Our aim is to provide fast, convenient, solution-focused support at all times. To this end, we offer a wide range of services:

• Unlimited web support:

As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net, including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user reports that are constantly updated. The only requirement for use is product registration at http://pro.magix.com

• The online community, on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:

MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at www.magix.info, which includes approx. 150,000 members and offers the opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials and a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock at www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within minutes of a question being posted.

• Email support for MAGIX products:

For every new MAGIX product you will receive, as of date purchase, 12 months of email based customer service. Premium email support: For priority support, or if you want the MAGIX support team to help with nonMAGIX related hardware problems you can purchase a Premium email support ticket. Log in at http://support.magix.net and click on "Purchase access code", the ticket is for a specific problem, and is valid until it is solved, it is not restricted to an email.

Please note: To be able to use the Premium email support and free product email support via the Internet, you have to register your MAGIX product using the serial number provided. This can be found on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.

• Additional telephone service:

Besides the large number of free customer service offers, we also offer a feebased telephone customer service.

Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers: http://support.magix.net/

Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden, Germany

Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Please make sure you have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),

sound card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

MAGIX Sales Department

You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the following questions and problems:

• Orders

• Product consulting (pre-purchase)

• Upgrade requests

• Returns

Europe

Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

U.K.: 0203 3189218 Denmark: 45 699 18763 Sweden: 46 852 500713 Finland: 35 89 42419023 Norway: 47 210 35843

North America

9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri Phone: 1-305-722-5810

Before You Start 13

Before You Start

Package Contents

Installation & multimedia content DVD

The MAGIX Video Pro X5 installation manager is included on the installation DVD.

Printed and PDF manuals

The printed manual contains an overview of the most important functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5.

If you have further questions, please read the complete documentation and a shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Video Pro X5. To read it, you will require the free Foxit Reader program.

Installation

Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation program starts up automatically in Windows. If the disc doesn't run automatically,

• open the Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD/DVD drive.

• Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Video Pro X5, click on "MAGIX Video Pro X5". The MAGIX Video Pro X5 installation program will appear.

Simply follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation process, and then click "Continue". All files are copied onto the hard drive.

Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm by pressing "Finish". You can start the program at any time using the Windows "Start" menu

Serial number

A serial number is included in each product. This serial number is required for the installation of the software and enables usage of additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do? With a serial number your MAGIX Video Pro X5 is clearly assigned to you and only you. This way improved and more targeted customer service is made possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented with a serial number, which ensures that optimum the price/performance ratio continues is guaranteed.

Where can the serial number be found? The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If your product is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For the versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download versions), you'll get your serial number for activating the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number? The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video Pro X5 for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product (free), since only then are you entitled to download updates and use MAGIX support (view page 10) services.

Unlocking MAGIX Video Pro X5

After MAGIX Video Pro X5 has been installed and the serial number has been entered, the software can be used for 30 days. After these 30 days have expired, MAGIX Video Pro X5 must be activated.

Before You Start 15

System requirements

For Microsoft Windows XP | Vista | 7 | 8

Minimum configuration:

• Processor: Intel Core Duo with 1.83 GHz, AMD Dual-Core with 2.0 GHz

• RAM: 1GB

• Graphics card: Onboard graphics card with a screen resolution of at least 1024 x

768

• Sound card: Internal sound card

• Hard drive space: 1 GB (for minimum installation)

• Optical drive: DVD drive

Minimum requirements for HD/3D editing:

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad-core processor with 2.83 GHz (Intel Core i7

recommended), AMD Quad-core processor with 2.8 GHz

• RAM: 4 GB

• Graphics card: Dedicated graphics card with 512 MB VRAM or more

• Sound card: Multi-channel sound card recommended for Surround sound editing

• Hard drive space: 4 GB

• Optical drive: Blu-ray burner to create Blu-ray Discs

Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Pro X5?

MAGIX Video Pro X5 is a professional video editing program for Windows PC. All common video formats can be imported directly without any conversion into a proprietary format in an open timeline. The Hybrid Video Engine supports GPU processing with OpenCL, CUDA and QuickSync. Editing options include realtime effect editing, efficient three- and four-point cuts, intelligent mouse modes for fast editing and a Multicam mode with auto synchronization on up to nine tracks. Based on the high end audio engine from Samplitude, perfect synchronization of audio and image is realized in realtime. Finished projects can be exported using efficient batch rendering into broadcast formats to DVDs, AVCHD- and Blu-ray discs or uploaded directly to common video portals and mobile devices.

Features

Recording

MAGIX Video Pro X5 features the following recording options:

• AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra/Video-DSLRs/XDCAM/NXCAM (and other

drives)*

• HDV camera: HDV camcorder

• DV camera: Mini DV camcorder or DV video recorder

• Video: Analog TV, video input, VCR, webcam

• Audio: Microphone, cassette recorder, MiniDisc player, record player

• Screen: PC monitor.

• Single frame: Single and series images from webcams, video recorders, video

cameras, or TV cards

*Import of AVC-Intra and DVCPRO possible after fee-based activation (view page

336)

Analog capture requires capt be performed through an OHCI-compatible IEEE 1394 host adapter (FireWire or iLink). A TV card can be used to record programs from TV or from your video recorder.

ure cards compatible with DirectShow. DV capture can

Introduction 17

Import and export formats Supported import formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, M2TS, MJPEG, MKV, MTS, MXF, MXV, QuickTime, WMV(HD), VOB

Audio: AAC, Dolby®Digital Stereo/5.1 (downmix to stereo), MIDI, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA

Photo: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA

Supported export formats:

Video: AVI, DV-AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MXV, MJPEG, Quicktime, WMV(HD)

Audio: DolbyDigital Stereo, DolbyDigital 5.1 (with video), MP3, WAV

Photo: BMP, JPEG

Note: For copy protection reasons, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and Dolby Digital Stereo

must first be activated. Initial activation is free of charge. MP3 export requires installation of Windows Media Player version 10 or higher.

Multicam editing

MAGIX Video Pro X5 enables multicam editing (view page 113) for up to 9 tracks. The different camera recordings can be played back in sync and edited together as a single version.

Editing

• Program and source monitors: To provide an optimal overview, these two

separate preview monitors are integrated for the source material and movie arrangement respectively.

• The project folder is used for storing your material. It's useful for selecting the

necessary media for your current project. Use it to store video, audio, titling files, and even edited versions or sections of films for use later in your projects.

• Picture optimization: This includes color improvement (RGB, saturation),

sharpness (focus, feathering), brightness regulator (brightness, contrast), and the anti-flicker filter.

• Sound optimization: The equalizer allows you to manipulate the frequency

spectrum, which is useful for reducing peaks, for example. The compressor limits the signal's dynamics. The StereoFX processor controls the position of the sound within the stereo panorama. The De-noiser and De-hisser are professional noise reduction tools for removing noise and hisses.

• Video effects: Such as creative filters, distortion, video mix (chroma key),

movement effects (e.g. camera/zoom or rotation), cropping, picture-in-picture collages, video effect plug-in support, etc.

• Automatic scene recognition

• Slideshow Maker turns photo collages into spectacular multimedia shows

automatically.

• MAGIX Soundtrack Maker creates background music automatically.

Burnable disc formats

You will find the following burning options in the "Burn" area:

• DVD

• Blu-Ray disc

• AVCHD disc (on DVD and Blu-ray Discs)

In the "File" menu you can make and burn backup copies.

Multimedia editable disc menus

Included are many disc menu templates which offer selection options for movies and chapters on the screen. Many of these are also available in 16:9 format. They can be included during burning and give the disc a professional appearance.

Every menu template may be customized with personal photos, thematic animations, 3D captions, sound, intro videos, etc.

Notes for MAGIX Movie Edit Pro users

If you are used to working with MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, you can change the window appearance to MAGIX Video deluxe "classic" view by going to "Window"> "Window appearance" > "Minimal".

For all those who haven't used MAGIX Movie Edit Pro before, we recommend the "Standard" window appearance. You have the most options available in this mode.

Below you will find a rough overview of the differences between MAGIX Video Pro X5 and MAGIX Movie Edit Pro.

Video monitors

• In the "Minimal" mode you will see only one preview monitor like in MAGIX

Movie Edit Pro, which is used as both a program and a source monitor. When the project is stopped, you can select files in the Media Pool and play them back using the transport controls. To play the arrangement again, you first must click on the arranger.

Introduction 19

• The "Standard" appearance offers two preview monitors: a program monitor for

project preview in the arranger and a source monitor for preview of Media Pool files. Both preview monitors have separate transport controls, so that Media Pool preview and project playback can be controlled separately. For additional information about the preview monitors, please read the corresponding section of the "Interface" (view page 64) chapter.

Keyboard layout

The preset keyboard shortcuts are different and can be displayed in both modes via "File -> Settings -> Keyboard shortcuts". MAGIX Video Pro X5 also allows familiar shortcuts from Movie Edit Pro to be loaded if they are easier to work with. More information about keyboard shortcuts can be found in the chapter "Keyboard shortcut" (view page 325) and in the shortcut pdf located in the program folder of MAGIX Vide

o Pro X5.

Load files

• In MAGIX Video Pro X5, files are dragged (drag&drop) to the desired position in

the arranger or loaded via the commands from the insert menu. To learn more about the paste menus, please read the "Paste Modes" section in the "Interface" chapter.

• In Movie Edit Pro, files can also be loaded form the Media Pool by double clicking

them. Videos and images are placed in the first track at the position of the playback marker. If another object is already located there, the new object will be placed after the last object in the first track. Titles will appear on tracks 3 and 4, additional audio material on track 5.

You may also change this behavior under "File -> Settings -> Program" via the tab "System" and under "Behavior on double click".

Space bar behavior

In either program, use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop. Pressing the space bar again produces different effects according to the respective program:

• In Movie Edit Pro, the playback marker is placed at the last stop position.

• In MAGIX Video Pro X5, the playback marker is kept at the current position. This

corresponds with the functionality of a tape recorder when stopped.

Playback behavior may be switched via "File -> Settings -> Program" and then the "Playback" tab.

Project folder

• In Movie Edit Pro, the project folder function is not available.

• MAGIX Video Pro X5 features the project folder as a separate folder on the right

side, which serves as an intermediate store or catch-all for all kinds of project

material. More information about this is available in the section "Project folder (view page 62)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

Projects, movies and scenes

MAGIX Video Pro X5 works with "Projects", "Movies", and "Scenes". In order to work quickly and intuitively, is it important to know the differences between these three hierarchically-ordered terms.

Project A "Project" includes everything that you want to include on a disc.

Normally this means one or more movies and a menu structure for selecting movies for playback. Projects can be saved as "MVP" files on your hard drive and can be loaded later to do further editing to the movies.

Movie A "Movie" can be one single video clip or a combination of clips and

photos. It can also include music, titles, transitions and much more. Each movie can be exported individually as a video. The "project" can be considered a type of drawer into which you can put multiple movies that

will be edited together and burned to the same disc.

Scene Scenes are the main components of a movie. They may contain

integrated photos that are displayed as still shots or animated images. Along with photos and videos, a movie has many other elements such as titles, transitions, decorative elements, music, voiceover commentary etc.

Summary: „Projects“ contain „Movies“ and „Movies“ contain „Scenes“. When you burn a disc, the movies of a project appear as menu items and the scenes are the menu items for each movie.

Introduction 21

Project management

The "Edit" area can be used for editing films and also for managing your projects, i. e. here you can sort the order of the movies, add new movies, remove existing movies from the project or rename the movies.

Each film in a current project can be controlled through its own tab above the tracks.

To rename, sort, load or delete movies, the easiest way is to right-click on one of the tabs. You can then select the action you want from the context menu that appears.

Quick start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5 with a step-by-step introduction. A systematic description of all program functions can be found in the following chapters.

Tip: Use the online tutorial videos that can be accessed in the "Help" menu. This feature requires an Internet connection.

The program keyboard shortcuts (view page 325) for commonly used processes and functions are also very helpful.

Program start

When you start MAGIX Video Pro X5 for the first time, the start dialog will appear.

This dialog allows you to either "Load an existing project" or "Create a new project". You can also "Create a new project folder". All files belonging to this movie will be saved there.

Additionally, you can also use movie templates (view page 274). Movie templates offer a structur included placeholders.

If you are looking for a quick start into the basic functions of MAGIX Video Pro X5, we recommend switching into the "Basic mode" (view page 37), which can be found under "Edit

e for quickly developing certain standard projects with the help of

ing mode".

Quick start 23

We're still at the very beginning, so let's stick with keeping an overview of everything. Click "OK" to end the dialog and continue.

Select, load, and play back videos

In the beginning, it's probably best to load a video file for test purposes and to get to know the program functions.

• The Media Pool appears at the top right; four tabs provide access to all important

elements that are required for video projects. The first tab displays all usable files (besides movies, also photos, images, audio files, and even RTF text files for captions) in the current folder.

• Navigation works just like in other file managers: folders can be opened with a

double-click. Arrow buttons allow you to go one level up or down. You can also display a folder tree featuring the folder hierarchy and then use the search function (view page 57) to locate files according to different criteria.

• All files opened in the file list can be loaded and used. Find a video file, e.g. in the

format *.mpg, *mxv, or *.avi.

• In the upper-left area, you will see two preview monitors.

• The left program monitor is responsible for playback of objects in the arranger.

The right source monitor displays a preview of files in the Media Pool.

• To enable playback of movie files from the Media Pool in the right source

monitor, double-click the file in the file list first. Double-clicking loads the file in the monitor first.

• This method lets you select and play back different video files. Drag the selected

file (hold down the mouse button) from the Media Pool down into the arranger. An object appears at the location on the track where you release the mouse button to represent this video file.

• Each object can be moved in any way in the arranger with the mouse, horizontally

on a track as well as vertically between tracks. Drag the video object on the first track all the way to the left to the beginning of the track.

Note: If the video also has an audio track, it will be displayed in the same track. You can learn how to separate image and sound in the "Objects" (view page 95) chapter.

Quick start 25

• Now the first file is in the Arranger, where it can be cut, edited and exported.

Now you can load additional files and videos and combine audio files on the tracks.

• To play back the arranger, click the play button on the transport console under

the program monitor to the left.

Tip: An even easier way to control playback is by pressing the space bar on your keyboard.

• During playback, a vertical line will move across the Arranger: this is the playback

marker that displays the current position. It can be set directly with a mouse click in order to jump to certain positions.

• You can also define playback ranges, e.g. to freeze a certain position independent

of the playback marker. Clicking in the range bar above the first track lets you define an in-point, i.e. the starting point of the playback range. If you right-click further on, the end marker will appear to indicate the end point of the playback range. The length of the playback area is shown in the center of the section display.

• The in and out points can be moved with the mouse: Left-clicking positions the

in-point, and the right mouse button sets the out-point.

• To play back the range, click the "Play back range" button on the transport

control under the program monitor.

Now you know how to load and play back media files in different ways. Would you like to try to make your own movie now?

• If you want to continue with your own video footage, select the "New movie"

option from the "File" menu and read the following chapters about video import.

• If you want to continue working with the test file, simply skip the following import

tutorial and begin reading the "Video editing (view page 28)" section.

Import video material from memory card

• Connect your memory medium (camera, USB stick, SD card or other) to the PC.

You may have to first turn your camera on.

• Click on the red button below the source monitor to open the record dialog.

• In the record dialog, click on "AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra".

Quick start 27

• The AVCHD import assistant will then open. Select your connected storage

devices as "video source". A file list will appear.

• In the file list, select all the recordings that you've imported from the device.

• You can preview all your recordings using the preview monitor in the middle of

the dialog in order to decide if they are suitable for your movie.

• After selecting all videos, in "Import options" you can select whether the

recordings should be directly placed into your movie project or simply copied to your computer's hard drive (you can select the location in the next dialog). You can also automatically delete your recordings after import.

Video editing

Timeline mode

All editing takes place in the arranger. All movies and scenes are represented in accordance to their duration in the "Timeline mode": The longer the symbol is, the longer is the scene represented by it.

Handles: All objects may be shortened by placing the mouse on one of the lower object corners until the mouse cursor turns into a stretch symbol. You can now squash the object as much as you like. At the top corners of every object you’ll find two fade handles that can be adjusted to fade an object in or out. The handle at the top center can be used to adjust the volume of audio objects and the transparency of video objects.

Note: Video objects with a sound track will automatically be displayed on one track. These have six, not five handles. For more information, read the "Objects" chapter.

Object selection: For advanced effects editing, the objects must be selected first. Individual objects can be selected with the mouse. Objects will change color to show

Quick start 29

that they have been selected. Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the "Shift" key. If you click next to an object, you can draw a rectangle with a held-down mouse key. All objects contained therein will be selected.

Effect editing: Selected objects may be edited with the help of effects sound in the Media Pool.

Settings for each effect may be found directly in the Media Pool. Most effects can be controlled using keyframe animation or effect curves. Effect intensity is controlled dynamically using single points (keyframes) or a drawable curve (effect curve). All buttons for keyframe and effect curve animation can be found in the lower part of the Media Pool after selecting the effect.

Note: To activate the effect curve, the first keyframe must be set first.

Context menu: The context menu also offers a number of object editing options. It is

opened by right-clicking on an object. Different trim editors can be opened which enable an exact cut with different transition parameters. For video objects, there is another context menu than for audio and title objects.

Remove unusable scenes

One of the most important work steps during import of your footage is cutting out unusable scenes from the material. There are two options for this:

• Variant 1: The complete material is loaded into your project first and the unusable

scenes are cut out.

• Variant 2: Cut the material prior to importing it, and then proceed to import only

the scenes you need. This process is recommended for long movies with a lot of editing; it functions either via the Media Pool or the project folder.

Cut videos in the project

Let's assume that you have already imported your film material into a project and would now like to edit it.

• Play back your video by clicking "Play" on the program monitor's transport

control (or simply press the space bar on the keyboard).

• If during playback you have reached a scene which you would like to cut out, click

on the playback button again. The playback marker stays near the start of the scene to be removed.

Tip: For long movies or for quick browsing, you can let the movie play fast forward and follow the action on the program monitor. To do so, drag the playback marker while holding down the mouse key across the timeline (but not too fast!).

• Set the playback marker at the start of the unused material. To get a better view,

we recommend using the zoom function (the +/- buttons at the bottom right of the arranger).

• Press "T" on the keyboard. This will have the effect of cutting the current scene

into two sections at the position of the payback marker.

Quick start 31

• Repeat these steps for the end of the unusable scene. Find the end of the scene,

place the play marker as close as possible to the end point, and then press the "T" key on the keyboard again.

• Now you have "isolated" the unusable scene and can simply delete it from the

movie using the "Del" key. Before this, the scene must be selected by clicking it with the mouse.

• If you didn't work accurately during cutting, then don't worry; you can use the

object handles to stretch or shorten the remaining objects to recover or exclude material from the deleted section.

• After deleting, a gap remains in your movie where the removed scene once was.

How do you remove gaps out of the film? Easy: You can drag the following scenes back until the end of the first scene "docks" to the later material. Remember to "take" all objects that are further behind, otherwise the gap will just be "passed" to the end. To pull up later objects, use "All tracks" mouse mode, since this automatically takes the objects on all tracks found later on the timeline along with the object being moved.

Note: If your project has both a video and an audio track, it is usually necessary to cut both tracks synchronously. After camera import, image and sound tracks are combined into one object, so all cut and move actions effect both in the same manner. However, if you have created a separate sound track, which isn't connected to the image material, it is recommended that you create a group before your editing operations. To do so, select the video object and the audio object via "Ctrl" + click, and in the "Edit" menu select the "Group" option (or click the group tool).

All cutting functions (as well as all other editing processes in MAGIX Video Pro X5) are non-destructive. This means that the original material on your hard drive will not be altered.

Importing individual scenes from longer movies

If you have saved a longer video as a file on your hard disk and only want to use a section of it for your project, then proceed as follows:

• Double click the desired file in the Media Pool. Double-click the file to load it in

the source monitor and play it back using the transport controls.

• Find the range which you would like to import. Position the playback marker

above the transport control at the start position of the range and click the "Set in point" button.

Quick start 33

• Next, position the playback marker at the end of the section and click the "Set out

point" button.

• The currently selected range appears highlighted in blue in the range display. You

can playback this range separately with the "Playback range" button.

• All range limits can be moved by holding down the mouse button and dragging.

Once the range matches the section that you want to import, click on the preview monitor and drag the section onto the track. An object will appear featuring the material you wanted to import. If you're not sure where you would like to use the section in the project, you can drag it into the project folder instead of onto the track.

Tip: You can also edit files that are located in the project folder in the same way. A shortened file also contains information in the project folder about in and out points so that you don't always need to reset these in case the video needs to be reimported at a later time. You can also drag each file directly from the Media Pool into the project folder.

Regroup scenes

You will often want to move specific scenes or even groups of scenes to a different place within a film. This happens completely intuitively: Single scenes can be selected in any view by clicking them and moving them to the desired position (drag & drop). You can also create scene groups which can be moved together: "Ctrl" + mouse click lets you select more than one scene, "Shift" + mouse click lets you select all of the scenes that lie in between.

Finally, here are three tips for more extensive arranger work:

• With the mouse modes "All tracks" or for "One track" (view page 45) doesn't just

the selected scene, but all objects that are located behind the object (one

move track) or all tracks (all tracks).

• The commands "Group" (view page 287) and "Ungroup" (view page 287) let you

bine any scenes into groups which can then be moved together as a block.

com

• If cutting and moving around parts of your project has left it a little unorganized,

try using the project folder. The project folder is better suited for intermediate storage of all of the objects you want to use in your movie. You can either move all of the objects directly from the arranger into the project folder by dragging them there (they will be removed from the corresponding track), or you can copy the objects and paste them into the project folder. Hold down "Shift" while you click to select multiple files. You can also drag sections of files or files from the Media Pool and drag them directly into the project folder.

Note: Please ensure that the project folder is reserved for the respective project at hand. The contents will be saved together with the project and made available the next time the same project is opened, but not when another project is opened.

Publish videos

Burn DVDs and Blu-ray discs with interactive menus

You can burn your projects onto DVD or Blu-ray discs with an interactive menu.

Note: Authoring for DVDs and Blu-ray discs is the same for both formats.

For multiple films that are subdivided into individual chapters, the disc selection menu becomes even more important, allowing you to jump to each movie or chapter using your remote control. To make sensible chapter divisions in your movie, it should be split into sensible sections. Place the play marker where you'd like to have it and choose the option "Chapter marker" from the "Edit" menu (keyboard shortcut: Shift + Enter). If you select the option "Automatic chapter markers", a chapter marker is automatically placed at the beginning of every scene.

Quick start 35

You can switch to the "Burn" screen by pressing the corresponding button at the top right.

The "Burn" screen has two views: "Preview" and "Edit". The "Preview" screen provides fast loading for a menu template followed by burning. More detailed editing such as activation/deactivation of menu entries, creation of new menu pages, or individualization of templates takes place via the "Edit" screen.

Once the menu is finished, you may burn a disc to watch via your player.

Export video as file

Besides burning the project, it may also be exported as a video file. During export, the entire arrangement will be recalculated into a single file, which will be saved in the indicated folder on the hard drive. The available export formats are listed in the menu "File -> Export film".

To place a video on the Internet, you fill find a direct connection to MAGIX Online Album and platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and Videocloud under "File" > "Online".

Edit mode

In the standard mode, MAGIX Video Pro X5 offers plenty of menus, toolbars and controls, which can confuse beginners.

For simple video editing tasks, such as a rough cut or format conversion, the full range of function in MAGIX Video Pro X5 isn't necessary. For this reason, the MAGIX Video Pro X5 interface can be switched to a simplified, or basic mode. In this mode control elements, menus and toolbars are reduced to the basic necessities.

Standard mode

The standard mode offers all MAGIX Video Pro X5 functions for advanced project editing.

• Program and source monitor

• Complete Media Pool with "Fades", "Titles" and "Effects" tabs.

• The arranger which can be activated as scene overview, timeline mode and

multicam mode.

• Complete menus and toolbars

• Project folder

Edit mode 37

Basic mode

In basic mode all elements, menus and toolbars are reduced to a minimum.

• The window layout corresponds to the arrangement in Movie Edit Pro with

program monitor, Media Pool and project.

• The Arranger is replaced by a one-track Storyboard (view page 37). Here,

mported video material can be cut and arranged. Controls and menu commands

i for effects and audio editing are hidden.

• Only standard fades and simple titles in preset fonts are possible.

• The Media Pool can be used solely for file import. The fades, titles and effects

tabs are hidden.

• Next to the buttons used for switching between the main screens Edit and Burn

(view page 220), there is an additional button Export (v the export dialog, the finished movie can be saved in various formats and uploaded to Internet platforms.

• In the Burn screen, the control elements for menu template editing are missing.

iew page 39). Along with

Storyboard in basic mode

In the "Edit" screen in basic mode, the Arranger has been replaced with a Storyboard. Pictures and video footage (including the audio track) are displayed as scenes in the Storyboard. The scenes are all displayed the same way, irrespective of how long they really are in the movie.

Note: With this kind of display, the playback marker moves in the movie at different speeds during playback. Correspondingly, it moves slower in longer scenes.

You can load a video or image file by dragging it into the Storyboard from the Media Pool using the mouse. To generate a preview of the video, drag the file into the program monitor. The transport console no longer applies to the Storyboard, but plays the video from the Media Pool.

A loaded file is made up of a single long "scene", which can be split into several smaller scenes. You can do this manually using the Cut button (view page 46) in the lower tool

hortcut Shift + Z).

bar or using the function Automatic scene detection (view page 259)

You can then re-arrange the scenes using drag & drop and delete unwanted scenes.

The following buttons are found on every scene:

Add titles and text: Click on the "T" button to add a title. Enter your text straight into the program monitor. You can also change the size of the title. The title is added at the beginning of the scene and is displayed for 5 seconds. Set volume: The volume in the soundtrack of each scene can be set with the loudspeaker button.

Edit mode 39

Export

Effects menu: This button provides access to a menu with copy/paste functions, some special functions ("Scene recognition", Audio/video offset for videos, "Cut automatically to fit screen" and "Change photo length" for pictures) and Object properties. Transitions/Fades: Click on the large button between the scenes and select a scene transition (or "Fade"). You can choose between a "Crossfade" and a "Thru black" that each last one second. Selecting "Cut (no fade)" removes the fade. Rotate image (only with image files): If an image or photo is on its side or upside down, click on this button. The photo will rotate 90 degrees. Display duration: The display duration for each scene is shown here in [Minutes]:[Seconds]:[Frames]. With image files, you can click the time display and adjust the display duration in the dialog that appears. This duration can be applied to all photos in the movie.

The "Export" button opens a dialog containing the most important export functions. With it, the finished movie can be saved in various formats, exported to various devices and uploaded to Internet platforms.

Save on computer (view page 226) Place on MAGIX Online Album (view page 235)

Export to device Upload to Internet (view page 234) Export as Media Player (view page 236)

Switching between standard and basic modes

To switch MAGIX Video Pro X5 into basic mode, select "Window" > "Editing mode" > "Basic mode".

Note: If you switched into basic mode by accident and your MAGIX Video Pro X5 project contains cut and edited audio and video material on multiple tracks, this arrangement will not be changed. However, it is not recommended to work in basic mode because the effects on other tracks during editing in Storyboard aren't predictable. For this reason, in this case you should switch back into standard mode.

Tip: If you switch from basic mode back into standard mode, by going to "Window" > "Window arrangement" > "Resent window arrangement" you can restore the previous arrangement of MAGIX Video Pro X5.

Work screens 41

Work screens

This chapter will provide an overview of the the screens that available in MAGIX Video Pro X5.

Activate main screen

MAGIX Video Pro X5 contains two views where all work is executed:

• The "Edit" screen is the main view. Load the videos here and edit them in a

project window.

• The "Burn" screen is a special view for burning discs. This especially involves

design on a selection menu, for example as used by DVDs and other storage devices.

The above right allows you to switch between these screens.

"Edit" screen

1 Top toolbar (view page 43): Here you will find buttons for quick access to

important commands.

2 Menu bar: This contains important MAGIX Video Pro X5 functions. 3 Program and source monitor (view page 64): Video and image objects are

displayed here

4 Media Pool: Using the four tabs, you can reach your PC's folders, various

transitions, titles and effects.

5 Switch for overview mode and Multicam mode: Here you can switch into

overview mode. In it, all objects on the first track are displayed, allowing quick scene re-sorting. The right button activates the Multicam mode (view page 113).

6 Lower to

modes for various edits, among others.

7 Timeline: Here you can define the playback range. It is equipped with a time

scale.

8 Peakmeter: The peakmeter shows the sum soundtrack volume at the moment. 9 Project clipboard (view page 62): Here you can collect all files nee

project.

10 Arranger (view page 50): All files can be dr

clipboard via Drag & Drop onto the tracks.

11 Scroll bars: The lower scroll bar can be stretched and contracted for zooming

with the mouse. The right scroll bar zooms into the tracks vertically. Click on the edge of the scroll bars while holding the mouse button to change the visible part in the arrangement window.

olbar: In Timeline mode, here you can select between various mouse

agged from the Media Pool or project

ded for the

Work screens 43

Note: Various interface elements are only available in the default, "Standard" display mode ("Window" > "Window arrangement").

Toolbars Upper button bar

The upper button bar can be found in the monitor to the top left. It has the following functions:

New project

Creates a new MAGIX Video Pro X5 project. A dialog with settings for a new disc project or a new film (view page 245) opens to get started.

board shortcut: Ctrl + N

Key

Load project

With this option you can load a project or a media file. Please note that all media files associated with it must be loaded along with a project. MAGIX Video Pro X5 will search for all used sounds and video files in the folders in which they were located when the move was saved.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + O

Save project

The current movie is saved with the name displayed in the project window. If you have not yet specified a name for your project, a dialog will open wherein MAGIX Video Pro X5 asks you to do so.

Please note: In the project file (*.MVP), all information about the used media files, cuts, effects, and titles are saved, but not the picture and sound material itself. This is found in the recorded or imported media files that remain unchanged during the entire MAGIX Video Pro X5 editing process. To save the full movie into a dedicated directory, for instance to continue editing on a different PC, please use the command "Copy movie and media into directory".

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + S

Undo

With this command you can undo the last changes you made. This way, it's no problem if you want to try out critical operations. If you don't like the result, then you can always revert to the previous state by using "Undo".

Clicking on the arrow next to the button opens a list of changes made until now, allowing you to undo several changes made in sequence.

Note: You can adjust the length of the list to your needs in program settings. In general: The longer the list, the more RAM is used.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Z

Redo

This function undoes the previous "Undo" function.

Clicking on the arrow next to the button opens a list of changes made until now, allowing you to undo several changes made in sequence.

Note: You can adjust the length of the list to your needs in program settings. In general: The longer the list, the more RAM is used.

Keyboard shortcut: Shift + Y

MAGIX News Center

The MAGIX News Center features links to current online tutorials and tips & tricks on the software application examples. The "News" is indicated by color according to content:

• Green indicates practical tips & tricks for the software

• Yellow reports the availability of new patches and updates

• Red for special offers, contests and questionnaires

If no new messages are present, the button will appear gray. When the MAGIX News Center is clicked, all of the available information will be displayed. Click the messages to reach the corresponding website.

Work screens 45

Lower toolbar

The lower toolbar is located just above the first track. It has the following functions:

Object

This is the preset mouse mode for individual objects that is used the most often.

Left clicking selects an object. Holding down the mouse button moves the selected object. Right clicking opens the context menu.

Shortcut: 6

One track

This mouse mode behaves similar to the mouse mode "All tracks". When moving objects, only those objects will be moved that are located on the same track after the selected object.

Keyboard shortcut: 8

All tracks

This mouse mode behaves similar to "Object" mouse mode. However, when objects are moved, all of the objects behind the selected object are also moved.

The complete background component of the arrangement, i.e. all objects and gaps on all tracks, will therefore be maintained during any movement.

This is useful for moving a complete arrangement, e. g. to insert new opening credits or to close gaps.

Keyboard shortcut: 7

Mouse modes

MAGIX Video Pro X5 offers special mouse modes for different kinds of editing. These may be selected using the small arrow next to the button.

Stretching

This special mode enables the length of objects to be adjusted. The object is played back completely and the playback speed is adjusted to the stretched object length.

Video objects are therefore accelerated or decelerated accordingly. Audio objects are stretched or pinched via timestretching, but without creating any changes to the pitch itself.

Attention: If the object is to be animated with effects curves, then the option "Connect curve length with object length (view page 150)" should also be set.

Shortcut: 0

Curve

This mouse mode is used especially for drawing effects curves.

Effects curves control the level of the effect: The higher the curve point is, the more intense the respective effect parameter will be at this position. These may be used for the video and image objects of the image tracks as well as for the audio objects of the sound tracks.

More information about this can be found in the chapter "Animate objects", section "Editing object effects curves".

Shortcut: 9

Preview audio

This mode allows you to preview audio objects (as long as the mouse button is held down).

In this mode, objects cannot be moved or changed.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt + 6

Cut button

MAGIX Video Pro X5 offers various modes for video editing. They can be opened using the small arrow next to the button.

Work screens 47

Split

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned. This way, two free-standing objects are created.

Shortcut: T

Remove start

This command cuts a scene at the point where the playback marker is positioned and removes the material before the playback marker.

Keyboard shortcut: Z

Remove end

This command cuts a selected object at the playback marker position and removes the material behind the playback marker.

Shortcut: U

Hint: If the commands "Split" and "Remove beginning/end" are applied without a selection, all objects at the position of the playback marker are cut.

Remove scene

This command allows you to completely remove selected objects. The parts that follow will be automatically moved to the end of the object in front of the object to be removed.

Shortcut: Ctrl + Del

Split movie

Splits movie at the playback marker position into two sections within one project. These can be individually controlled using the "Window" menu or the button "Select movie for editing" (see above).

Shortcut: Alt + Y

Special functions to insert new objects

MAGIX Video Pro X5 has various modes for inserting new objects from the Media Pool. They can be opened using the small arrow next to the button.

Before inserting new files, the insertion mode should be checked or set. There are two options for using the modes:

• You can either first select one or several files in the Media Pool and then click on

the insert button in the lower toolbar

• Or you can hover the mouse over the file to be inserted and click on one of the

import buttons in the window that appears.

Apply automatically

Pastes the file selected in the Media Pool into the arranger. Video and image objects will always be placed behind the last object into the first track; audio and text objects are separated into different tracks.

Single-track ripple

Inserts an object from the Media Pool at the position of the playback marker and simultaneously moves the objects on the track following it.

• In contrast to automatic placement, with track ripple, all objects will be placed at

the position of the playback marker. Objects on the target track are automatically moved behind the inserted object. Bordering tracks are unchanged.

• Videos and images will be loaded to the first track, as usual. If another object is

found at the playback marker position, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted object (so that the inserted object can start exactly at the point of insertion).

Multitrack ripple

The object selected in the Media Pool will be inserted on the target track at the position of the playback marker. All objects found at the playback marker position will be split and moved down the length of the inserted object. All objects on the track located further on will also be moved.

• In contrast to automatic insertion, all objects will be inserted at the position of the

playback marker.

• Videos and images will be loaded to the first track, as usual. If another object is

found at the playback marker position, then it will be cut continued at the end of the inserted object (so that the inserted object can start exactly at the point of insertion).

• If other objects are located at the playback marker position, these will also be

separated and moved further along the track.

• Objects lying further along on all tracks will be moved further down.

Replace

Replaces the selected object with an object selected in the Media Pool.

Work screens 49

Overwrite

Overwrites the object in the target track at the position of the start marker with the object selected in the Media Pool.

Hint: In contrast to "Replace", no length adjustment takes place. With "Replace", any downstream objects are moved, while "Overwrite" overwrites downstream objects as well (sometimes only partially), depending on the length of the object being inserted in comparison to the object being overwritten.

Title editor

Opens the Title editor for the selected photo, video, or title object.

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + T

Set chapter marker

Places a chapter marker at the position of the playback marker. This creates a chapter entry in the disc menu in case the movie is being burned to disc.

You can rename the chapter markers by right clicking and selecting "Rename". The new name will appear in the chapter menu (view page 203).

Keyboard shortcut:

Shift + Enter

Object grid

Use this button to switch the object grid on and off. When the object grid is switched on, the objects snap into place beside one another so that everything fits in seamlessly.

Form group

All selected objects are assigned to a group which may then be selected and edited jointly by clicking the mouse.

Shortcut: G

Ungroup objects

This command splits an object group into separate objects.

Shortcut: Shift + G

Mute button

This button mutes the sound output. Clicking the triangle provides access to settings for scrubbing (view page 201) and selection of the audio track for multi-au

dio tracks (view page 198).

Mixer

With this option you can open and close the real-time mixer. Further information can be found in the Mixer (view page 190) chapter.

ortcut: M

Arranger

The arranger offers a professional editing screen for post-production.

Overview mode

The “Scene overview” mode is a special view that improves manageability and categorization of scenes. All scenes are listed one after the other (in multiple lines, like in a text program) and can be copied, cut, moved, deleted and inserted.

Work screens 51

"Overview" mode does not indicate start, playback, or end markers. The scene which is currently being played has a frame around it.

The zoom slider enables the view to be enlarged or reduced.

This controller also specifies how many scenes are displayed. The smaller the preview pictures, the more will fit onto the overview.

Maximize: Use this button to maximize the scene overview to fullscreen mode.

Timeline mode

In the Timeline mode, your movies and scenes are shown in proportion to their length: The longer the object in the track, the longer the corresponding movie.

You also have direct access to all media files such as titles, effects, etc. currently being used in the movie.

Multicam mode

The Multicam mode is an expanded timeline mode, where you can edit together scenes shot with different camera perspectives, a process called Multicam editing (view page 113). The top two tracks serve as target tracks for copyi

ng sound and video

from two different source tracks.

Tracks

The arranger offers tracks for multimedia material positioning and editing. The number of displayed tracks can be defined in "File" > "Settings" > "Movie".

In principle, any object type may be placed on any of the tracks. Video and image objects may also be combined with MIDI and audio objects on any of these tracks. The maximum length of a movie is restricted to 6 hours.

At the start of every track there is a track header.

Lock symbol: With this symbol you can lock the complete track and all objects located on it.

Track number: For quick orientation, all tracks are numbered.

Maximize track: Enlarges the track. This way, you can easier edit details, such

as edit transitions. Solo: Switches the track into "solo". Only this track will be played during arrangement playback. Hide video, image and title objects: All visible objects become transparent. Audio objects remain audible.

Transparency slider: Here you can set the transparency for the entire track.

Mute: Switches all audio objects on the track to mute. Video, image and title

objects will continue to be played back.

Volume control: Sets the volume for all audio objects on the track.

Track name: The name of the track. You can freely select the name by clicking

on the name field and typing the name. To apply, press the enter key.

A right-click on the track header opens the context menu, where you will find the following options:

• MultiCam > Source track: Here you can activate/deactivate a track as a source

track.

• Multicam > Master audio track: Here you can define the master audio track for

Multicam editing (view page 115).

D audio track: If you are planning to burn several audio tracks (for example,

• DV

for multiple languages) to a DVD or Blu-ray, for tracks containing only audio, you can determine the position on which the current track should be found. As soon as you select an option from a submenu, a dialog opens, where you must give your audio track a name (such as "English"). For more information, read the "Audio editing" (view page 198).

k height: Set whether the selected track or all tracks should be displayed as

• Trac

small, large or in standard size. You can also adjust the size using your mouse. To do so, drag the lower border of a track box downward using a mouse.

Work screens 53

Zoom

The vertical zoom function sets the number of visible tracks. On many tracks zooming is useful for selectively editing a track or an object in full view.

Use the horizontal zoom functions to set up the visible section of the arrangement on the timeline.

Clicking and dragging on the bottom border of a track allows you to adjust the height of the display.

Object zoom: Vertical and horizontal zoom stages are enlarged so that all of the selected objects are displayed at maximum size.

Optimize view: Displays the complete arrangement in full width. Zoom will be set to 100%.

When the function is turned off, the old zoom level will be reactivated.

Scroll

The scroll bars serve to navigate in the arrangement. This enables the visible section of the arranger to be moved.

The zoom level may be changed via the horizontal scroll bar by clicking the bar's edge and dragging.

Tip: To zoom and scroll, it is recommended to use keyboard shortcuts (view page

326).

Grid

The arranger surface features a frame-exact snap grid. This ensures that video and image objects snap exactly to the borders of a frame.

The snap stages depend on the frame rate specified in the movie settings ("File -> Settings -> Movie"). Choose between Europe's conventional frame rate for PAL (25 frames per second) and America's and Japan's conventional frame rate NTSC (29.97 frames per second) or any other manually set frame rate.

When moving an object, the position display indicates at which frame the first image of the object is shown.

The position is displayed in the form of a tooltip when moving the object.

It indicates "Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames".

Note: Audio objects may be moved sample-precise. That means that they do not move along a frame grid if they are not grouped with a video object.

In addition to the constantly active frame grid, an object grid may also be activated. This ensures that two consecutive objects will seamlessly snap together even if they are on different tracks. This avoids undesired gaps or overlaps.

The object grid may be activated/deactivated via the magnet symbol in the lower toolbar.

Preview rendering

You can access the preview rendering options by pressing this button.

Work screens 55

Media Pool

The structure and functioning of the Media Pool is similar to Windows Explorer with the only difference being that the Media Pool only displays usable files. This is used to access and load multimedia files of all kinds: photos and other image files, video files, audio files, transitions, titles, effects, and also complete projects.

Note: The Media Pool displays the files on your hard drive. If you delete files here, you won't be able to find them again using Windows Explorer.

If you hover the mouse pointer over a media file, three icons for the options will appear: preview, range import and complete import.

• Preview: All available media can be previewed using the preview function. If you

click on the playback icon, the file will be played back in the preview monitor. Video and image files are displayed and audio files are played back through the sound card. There are previews for the templates and effects included to make it clear how they will function.

• Range import: You can define an import range using buttons for setting an in- and

out-point in the source monitor.

• Complete import: This button will import the complete file into the Arranger.

When importing using the import buttons, you can set (view page 47) various insertion modes.

You can also load files from the Media Pool by dragging & dropping them. You can even drag & drop entire folders into the Arranger. If you want to load several files simultaneously, you first have to select them in the Media Pool.

• Click on the selected entries one after the other while holding down "Ctrl".

• If you want to load a sequence of files, hold the "Shift" key and click on the first

entry and then on the last. All entries in between will be selected.

• By holding down the left mouse button you can drag out a selection box over

multiple image files to select them. "CTRL + A" selects every entry contained in a Media Pool folder.

Tip: Improve access to your media folder by creating a link in the "Import" area of the Media Pool. You can do this by right-clicking on one of the entries and selecting "Create link". Select the media folder and click "OK" to confirm. Note: All links are automatically deleted if the function "Reset standard program settings" ("Edit" menu > "Settings") is used.

Preview function

A preview function for all of the files in the Media Pool can be started by double clicking or by pressing the playback button on the source monitor.

The transport control function in the source monitor allows you to select sections from a longer video file in the Media Pool and load them. Read the "Add objects into the project" (view page 64) section.

Importing Navigation buttons

The navigation buttons let you navigate through your computer’s drives and folders.

Forward/ back

Higher directory

Folder tree

These buttons access the previously viewed folders.

This button accesses the next highest folder level.

Here you can activate a folder tree to navigate through your computer system.

The search function allows you to find specific files quickly. You may specify your search according to file type, date, or certain folders.

Work screens 57

Browse history list and path details

The path information for the current folder is displayed in the center above. Use the arrow button to open the menu to find the folders you previously visited.

Options All functions of the context menu (switch views,

rename, or delete files, etc.) can also be accessed via the options button.

Display options

Zoom

Settings for how detailed the entries should be listed may be specified here.

A zoom slider can be used to set the number and size of visible symbols in the "Large symbols" view.

The Media Pool has an easy search function for finding files on the computer. It may be activated and turned off again with the shown button.

File name: Enter any part of the name of the file you are looking for in the "File name" field. The X symbol deletes the entry. A "?" may be used as a placeholder for a single character, and "*" for any number of characters.

File type: Here you can enter a file name extension. Multiple entries are separated using a semicolon. Below the entry field, various presets may be selected for oftenused file name extensions.

Date: Here, you can set time period limits on your search. Choose an entry from the list.

Folder: If you don't want to search the entire computer, but only look on certain drives or in a single folder, you can define a certain search path.

Search depth: Here you have various options that determine whether additional locations should be searched.

• Search indexed locations and the selected folder

• Search indexed locations, the selected folder and personal files.

• Search indexed locations, the selected folder, personal files and the project file.

"Indexed locations" are folders, which are searched and cataloged in Windows via the index list. If the index list is activated, the files in the indicated folders will be indexed while the computer is idling, so that the user's search query may be completed faster.

Note: In Microsoft Windows XP, the indexing service is usually deactivated by default. The search functions in Windows Vista® may be installed with the current version of "Windows Search". They make it possible to easily add to the indexing service. Please refer to the installation instructions from Microsoft.

Computer

The link button "Computer" displays the drives in the Media Pool. All drives will be listed along with their drive letters and can be opened with a double click.

User directory

The second button featuring the user's name opens their personal folder in the Media Pool.

My media

The "My media" button lets you select "Projects", "My videos", "My music", "My images", and "Recordings".

Projects: Here you can switch to the folder where your projects and films are usually stored.

You will find the "Show project contents" function in the context menu of a project. Using this function, you can display all objects of a project and copy them into the current project, retaining the editing and effect state of the object. This means that you don't have to edit the objects again to keep the status of the "old" project. But you can certainly continue editing the transferred object. These changes will be then saved in the current project.

My videos: Displays all usable files found in "My documents\My videos."

My music: Displays the contents of the "My Documents\My Music" folder. MAGIX

Music Manager also suggests this folder for importing your music collection into the database.

Slideshow music: This features the music that is included for dubbing.

My pictures: Switches to the "My documents\My pictures" folder. This folder is often

used by digital cameras and scanners to store transferred images by default. The included MAGIX Photo Manager program also uses this folder (e.g. during image import).

Work screens 59

Recordings: MAGIX Video Pro X5 specifies standards for all recordings.

MAGIX tools

The "MAGIX tools" link selects links to "Downloads", "Database", "Online Album", and "Internet Media".

XAR animations: Here you will find various elements, which you can design with the help of Xara Designer Pro and use in your projects. As soon as you drag one of the elements into the Timeline, Xara Designer Pro will automatically open with the corresponding element. You can find additional information about Xara Designer Pro at http://pro.magix.com.

Downloads: This buttons gives you access to media files downloaded with Catooh.

Data base: This button opens the program-spanning database view. Right clicking

opens the database search. The database first has to be created using the supplied additional program, MAGIX Photo Manager.

Online Album: With this button you can access MAGIX Online Album directly. This provides a shortcut to uploading and deleting data. To do this, you must first register on MAGIX Online Album.

There are many ways to upload data:

• While holding "Ctrl" down, select the data to be uploaded in the Media Pool, and

select "Copy" in the context menu (opened by right clicking). Switch to the MAGIX Online Album screen, open the desired folder, and select "Paste" in the context menu.

• In the Media Pool, click on "Online Album", and go to the desired directory. Open

the Windows Explorer, select the desired data with "Ctrl" held down, and drag it into the Media Pool.

Both options will result in your desired data being uploaded to your MAGIX Online Album.

Note: This function requires Internet access. To gain access, make sure you have your log in information (email address and password) ready.

Internet media: Opens the integrated browser (view page 322) from MAGIX Video Pro X5. It offers you the option of collecting media directly from the Internet, for example for use in your current project.

Fades

Here you can find all fades from MAGIX Video Pro X5, sorted into various categories. One click on a category displays all of the fades that are contained.

To load a fade, drag it with a held-down mouse key onto the object, into which you would like to fade.

You can find additional information in the "Fades" section of the "Objects (view page

100)" chapter.

Title

This displays the title settings and the title editor. These presets are sorted into different categories and may be loaded by double-clicking or drag & drop. The 3D title templates are also located here.

The text featured by title objects may be changed directly in the program monitor by double-clicking.

Effects

This provides access to the effects that are sorted into the various categories. Read more about this in the chapter "Effects" (view page 123).

Video effect templates

Here you can find pre-configured effect templates that can be dragged-and-dropped onto a video or image object. These effect templates consist of a combination of various effect settings which you can adjust in the appropriate effect dialogs.

In the "Video mix effects" subfolder you will find templates for mixing two video or image objects. To do so, two video or image objects have to lie on two tracks directly above or below the other. To use a mix effect template, drag on the lower object.

Video effects

Here you can find adjustable effects for video and photo objects. The effects can be set only after selecting an object in the respective effects dialog. For more information, go to the "Video effects in the Media Pool" (view page 128) section in the

Effects" chapter.

Movement effects

These are movement effects you can use to animate the frame by using zoom or camera movements. For more information go to the "Effects" chapter, section "Movement effects in Media Pool" (view page 137).

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Stereo3D

This accesses the program's Stereo 3D functionality. Please read the corresponding chapter "Stereo 3D". (view page 163)

Audio effects

Here you will find many audio effect templates such as echo, reverb, equalizer, compressor, etc. Read the "Audio editing" (view page 171) for more information.

Design elements

Collages: work similarly to picture-in-picture effects, but employ multiple objects. Depending on the collage, arrange the selected objects one after the other and drag the collage onto the first object.

Test images: Professional test images are available to calibrate your system.

Backgrounds: The color fields are a collection of various backgrounds that can be

used to create your own color fades or as backgrounds for text. The special "User" template opens a color selection dialg where you can choose the desired color.

Image objects: Here you will find various image objects such as black bars, arrows and symbols for illustrations.

You can find additional information in "Effects" chapter, in the section "Design element in Media Pool".

My Presets

Here you will find the folder for your own effect templates. For more details, please read the "My Presets in Media Pool" section in the "Effects" chapter (view page 144).

Additional Effects

Here you will find all available effect plug-ins. Please read the "Additional effects in the Media Pool" section in the "Effects" chapter.

Various file list view modes

All supported multimedia files and subfolders of the currently selected folder are displayed in the file list. Three different views (list, detail, large symbols) can be set by right-clicking on the Media Pool context menu.

List: Only file names are listed. This view mode displays the most files simultaneously.

Details: For each media file, its type, size and date of last change will be displayed next to its name.

Large symbols can be quite useful because they show a preview frame for each movie and picture file. This allows you to sort through the material quicker.

As soon as you activate this display, the zoom function will appear. With it, you can additionally magnify thumbnail images.

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Project folder

The project folder is a type of clipboard for files or objects. The possible applications in this case are diverse:

• Material storage: Interesting files

from the Media Pool can be combined in the project folder before loading them from there into the project.

• Cutting: You can cut different

sections from longer videos in the project folder in order to use them as separate objects in the arrangement.

• Exchange: You can move finished

objects from the arranger into the project folder in order to use them in other projects.

The project folder supports drag & drop in either direction which allows you to move elements from the project folder into the arrangement or move objects or object groups from the arrangement into the project folder.

The context menu (view page 318) for project folder elements enables these to be saved indiv

idually as takes (*.tk2) in order to use them in other projects again; the

entries may also be renamed.

Opens the import dialog. As an alternative to dragging & dropping from the Media Pool, this dialog enables a file to be loaded into the project folder. This adds a virtual folder to the project folder. No additional subfolders can be created inside a folder.

Save or load the contents of the entire project here in order to use it in other projects.

This button accesses the next highest folder level.

Search field: MAGIX Video Pro X5 searches through all file names in the project folder for the text entered and then lists the results.

Settings for how detailed the entries in the project folder should be listed can be made here.

Program and source monitor

MAGIX Video Pro X5 features two video monitors: a program monitor for object image output in the arranger and a source monitor for previewing files in the Media Pool or project folder.

Setting up the preview monitor

Program and source monitors can be set up in various ways:

• The size of each monitor can be adjusted. This can be done by clicking the screen

with the right mouse button and selecting the desired size from the context menu, either from the presets submenu or user-defined ("Other resolution").

• Every monitor can be positioned freely. To do this, click on the top bar of the

monitor window and drag it with the mouse button held down to the position you want. This may be a separate monitor, for example, where you can maximize the window.

Fullscreen view

The option "Video monitor fullscreen" in the context menu maximizes the monitors. Alternatively, you can simply double-click on one of the monitors or select the desired monitor with a mouse click and press Alt + Enter.

You can also shift the monitors in full screen mode and access the context menu (right mouse button). There, you can also hide and display the transport control, apart from the regular entries.

Tip: Using the "Edit video effects" option in the context menu you can display Media Pools effect settings and edit effects directly inside the fullscreen display.

"Esc" returns you to the normal view (or click on "smaller" button to the right in the fullscreen mode).

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Movie Overview

The option "Movie Overview" in the "Window" menu enables an overview of the entire Arranger. All objects in the Arranger will be displayed in the program monitor. The overview display is especially recommended for work with long movies because the reduced overview in the program monitor and the zoomed detailed view in the Arranger present a good combination.

The movie overview can be used for moving around in the movie and for editing certain parts:

• When you click on a certain object in the program monitor, the Arranger will

zoom into that object.

• You can use the mouse to draw a frame in the preview monitor – the

corresponding section will be zoomed in the Arranger.

• When you move the playback marker in the program monitor, the Arranger

playback marker will also move correspondingly.

Tip: If you use this option very often, then try using the corresponding keyboard shortcut ("Shift + A").

Monitor zoom

The preview images of both monitors may be zoomed in and out to examine specific details in the image more closely (zoom in) or to reduce the image so that black edges result for use of animations (view page 151).

ick on the preview monitor and zoom out of the video image by holding down

• Cl

"Ctrl" and using mouse wheel.

Transport control

Both transport controls enable the video material to be played back.

Range: Change the range between the in and out points by clicking above the playback functions.

Playback marker: This marker indicates the location of the image currently displayed on-screen.

Tip: In the menu "File -> Settings -> Program -> Playback", you can set whether the playback marker will go back to the start position (stop) after the second click or following the appropriate shortcut (space bar), or if it should stay at the current position (pause function).

Set in/out points: Defines the start and end of the playback range.

To the start: This button sets the playback marker to the start of the

current area.

Playback by a frame: This button sets the playback marker just behind the current frame and plays it back.

Play/stop (pause): The playback button in the middle starts playback. A second click ends playback.

Range playback: This button plays back the current range.

To the end: This button sets the playback marker to the end of the current

range.

Jog wheel: Using this wheel, you can move by single frames within the video and position the playback marker exactly at high zoom levels.

Shuttle control: The further the slider control is moved to the side, the quicker the arrangement is played in the corresponding direction. This way a certain position can be reached quickly.

Smoother playback with a click

If performance deteriorates due to hardware limitations, high-res source material or project complexity, you can "activate" a smoother preview during editing using this function.

In the selection menu, you can set which functions you want to use for the optimized preview when this button is activated: reducing resolution, reducing frame rate, deactivating plug-ins and/or effects.

"Reduce resolution" and "Reduce frame rate" are preset.

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If you have activated the proxy file function in the start dialog or inMovie settings (view page 239), you will additionally see "Use proxy objects".

Adjusting the workspace

The source and program monitors, the project folder, the arranger, and the Media Pool can be shut off completely or freely repositioned. Some "Edit" screen configurations can be saved and recalled at any time via "Window" > "Window arrangement" > "Save".

The first three user-defined window arrangements will automatically be assigned to F10, F11 and F12 keys, and by going to "File" > "Settings" > "Key shortcuts..." you can assign Keyboard shortcuts (view page 333) to any additional ones.

Tip: You can switch between the last used window, even if it's unsaved, and the current view using the Ctrl + F9 shortcut.

The "Burn" screen

1 Menu preview: Here you can see a selection menu preview. For more

information, read the "Edit disc menu" (view page 276) chapter.

2 Sw

itch views: Here you can switch between preview and edit views.

3 Remote control: Here you can check how your future disc will react when you

press the buttons of your player's remote control.

4 Output:Before burning the project, select the desired format.

5 Play preview: Play the preview menu and test how it works with the remote

control.

6 Template category: Select the desired section from various categories with

different menus.

7 Menu templates: Switch between different templates for designing your menus. 8 Use templates: Here you can select whether a template should be assigned to a

page, the menu or all menus on a disc.

You will find more information in the "Burning" (view page 220) section.

Video recording

Select the recording method

To start recording, click on the red "Record" button below the preview monitor.

The following selections are possible:

• AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra for AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra cameras, as

well as for digital cameras or video DSLR with memory cards or hard drives as well as P2 memory cards for XDCAM. This option may also be used to import media from removable storage devices, USB devices, or hard drives as a clearly laid-out alternative to the Media Pool.

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• HDV camera: For HDV cameras

• DV cameras: For mini DV cameras and DV video recorders

• Video for analog video cameras, analog TV, VCR, webcams and others.

• Audio for microphones, cassette recorders, MiniDisc players, record players

and others.

• Screenshot: Records directly from the computer monitor.

• Frame for snapshots or image series from analog video cameras, analog TV,

VCRs, webcams and others.

AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra

This option accesses a universal import dialog that is not only suitable for AVCHD, DVCPRO, or AVC-Intra cameras, but also for external hard drives, P2 memory cards, photo, and movie cameras that contain usable files equally. MAGIX Video Pro X5 automatically recognizes the file structures and shows only individual takes, making import convenient and easy.

Alternatively, these drives may also be controlled directly via the Media Pool. The import dialog also features its own display filters and additional options for convenience.

Note: DVCPRO and AVC-Intra import is optional and must be activated (view page

334) for a fee.

Connect camera

Suitable cameras are essentially available in three varieties:

• Cameras featuring removable data storage: These cameras have a slot for a

memory card. Your computer should have a card reader for the corresponding memory card, which you can then remove from the camera and insert into the card reader. Different camera models can also be connected via USB.

• Cameras which burn DVDs directly (usually 80 mm diameter instead of the

regular 120 mm): The DVD can simply be taken out of the camera and inserted into the computer. For so-called "Slot in DVD" drives, look beforehand in the operational manual whether or not 80 mm DVDs (also called 3" DVDs or MiniDVDs) are acceptable.

• Cameras with built-in hard drives: The camera will respond as a drive as soon as

it is connected via a USB cable to the PC. This additional drive will appear in Media Pool.

Hint: The listed options and procedures reflect our experience with what works. Still, we recommend you read the camera's manual for the exact sequence of actions and contact the manufacturer in case of problems.

Import

The option "AVCHD/DVCPRO/AVC-Intra" does not produce a recording as such, but rather "only" the transfer of the already created video file and its integration into the existing project.

On older systems, it may be helpful to transfer AVCHD files into MPEG-2 format during import. A corresponding query appears automatically as these files are imported.

Note: Before AVCHD import it is necessary to activate (view page 334) the MPEG4 codec and Dolby®Digital Stereo codec for copyright reasons. MAGIX Video Pro X5 offers this option as soon as the codec is required.

After you have selected a recording option, the following dialog opens.

Video source: Here you can select the drive that corresponds to your connected camera.

Save in folder: Here you can select the folder where the imported files are to be stored.

Advanced settings: Adjust various settings affecting the name and date of the files to be created.

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Preview monitor and transport control: Play and rewind the clips in the file list here.

Medium/general: An info area for the files is provided to the right next to the preview

monitor.

File list: The contents of the selected drive are shown here. Use the display filters to reduce the types of files shown. You can select every file separately using the little check boxes in order to import them later. At the top right of the list you can find options for displaying the files.

Note: The files are color-coded. The colors indicate recording times, so that you can quickly recognize which recordings were made at the same time.

Select: This offers self-explanatory options for file display ("all", "only new", or "none").

Display filter: Here you can select whether you want to view "Movies" or "Photos". With the option "Show only selected", all non-selected elements will be hidden. You should only use this option if you've already selected elements.

Insert into movie: With this option active, media will be inserted directly into the MAGIX Video Pro X5 Arranger as objects. When inactive, they will be simply copied into the target folder and may be selected from the Media Pool at any time.

Delete all media after camera import: This option deletes the selected media after importing from the camera.

Import: Starts the import process of the selected files into the target directory.

Cancel: closes the dialog without import.

Tip: In theory, the AVCHD import dialog is a universal import dialog, which can be

used for external drives, photo and movie cameras, containing usable files. If you find the display filters useful for your camera a s well, nothing stands in the way of connecting the camera to the computer and then activating AVCHD recording in MAGIX Video Pro X5.

HDV camera

Use this option to open the HDV camcorder record dialog. To do this, you have to connect an HDV camcorder.

The options in this dialog can also be found above in DV recording.

DV camera

Connect a DV or HDV camera

• Connect the digital output of the switched-off camera with the computer's DV

interface (also called FireWire or iLink).

• Insert a DV cassette or the storage device into the camera.

• Switch your camera’s operating mode to "Video recorder" or "Playback".

The camera is now ready to transfer video to the computer.

Note: You may also use a HDV camera in DV mode to, for example, transfer recordings in the old DV format. We have noted problems with this mode in many cameras, and therefore recommend that the Record mode of the camera is also switched to DV, switching the camera off and then on again.

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Capturing DV recorders or cameras

To start recording, click the "Record" button below the source monitor.

• Select "DV camera" from the recording dialog. Uncompressed DV capture

requires approx. 220 MB per minute of video. If you would instead like to record using the more space-saving MPEG format, then you should first activate the "Record DV as MPEG" option.

• This opens the actual recording dialog. Check to see if a DV camera driver has

been selected.

• Name your recording. It's worth choosing a logical name which will allow you to

find it easily again on the hard drive.

• You can access the appropriate place on the camcorder tape by using the remote

control buttons: shuttle forwards, backwards, and start/stop playback. To start recording, click on the "Record" button. Keep an eye on the remaining hard drive space.

• Cease capturing with the "Stop" button and exit the record dialog. You can see

the recording in the film-strip in the lower third of the screen.

Tip: In the DV recording dialog, you can set clips from the DV video which then will be recorded one after the other (batch capturing). Read more on this in the chapter "Batch processing" (view page 75).

"DV capturing" dialog

Note: Keep an eye on the available hard drive space before each recording. DV capture requires approx. 220 MB per minute of video!

Select DV device driver: The device driver for your DV device should be listed here. If "Record audio" is deactivated, then video without sound is recorded only. "Audio preview" activates the audio output of the recording.

Note: The audio preview is deactivated at first, since DV cameras usually include built-in speakers.

Save movie file as/save in folder: Enter the name of the movie to be recorded. You can also select the folder where you wish to store your video file. The default recording directory is set by default, but you can change the Path settings under menu item "File -> Program settings -> Path settings".

Edit after recording: This provides access to the automatic editing options.

Start the DV device automatically: Starts the DV recorder or DV camera

automatically when the "Record" button is pressed. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices.

Video recording 75

Video preview: On the preview monitor you can see a preview of your movie.

Original size: This option allows you to preview the video in the original size. To

return to the dialog use the "Esc" key.

Recording list

Set the start and end points for the capture here. This allows you to search the entire video for all captures to be used and list them for planned batch capture. This is then processed in sequence when the recording starts (via the red button). That way, you don't need to record each scene individually. Simply specify the recording time points and the computer takes care of the rest. To set precise start and end points, click "Enter start/end point (view page 76)

Record list: Press this button to view the available list of already recorded videos and scheduled recordings. All entries from the list may be selected and deleted.

Every batch recording is automatically logged. Conversely, every "manual" DV and HDV recording is transferred into the recording list in order to restore lost recordings without much effort.

Batch recording: Here the start and end points can be set for the capturing. This allows you to search the entire video for all captures to be used and list them for planned batch capture. This is then processed in sequence when the recording starts (via the red button). That way you don't need to record each scene individually. You simply determine recording time points, and the computer takes care of the rest. To set the start and end points precisely, click "Enter start/end point (view page 76)"

Record: Starts the recording process. Also contains the list of scheduled recordings. These are processed step-by-step (batch capturing).

Stop: Stops the recording process.

Snapshot! With the Snapshot! button, you can create a frozen image directly from the preview monitor. Start the camcorder and watch the preview window. When the image you want appears, click "Snapshot". Or you can navigate using the remote control to the position you want, and stop there in Pause mode. Stopped playback on the DV camera will not deliver an image! The images are saved in the record directory as graphics files in the set resolution.

Remote control

MAGIX Video Pro X5 also supports remote controls for most digital camcorders. This does not function with all digital cards/video devices. If your hardware does not support the remote control function, the buttons will not be usable.

The transport controls required for this are featured in the DV or HDV recording dialog.

Tape title: Enter a name for your tape here. MAGIX Video Pro X5 requires this name for the DV logging feature.

Recording information: Displays various information about your recordings.

Set recording start/end point: Enter the exact start and end point or the recording

length for a scene.

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Both values can be entered as ATN (absolute track number) or as a timecode in hours:minutes:seconds:frames.

DV as MPEG

This recording selection dialog option allows you to transfer DV recordings directly into the space-saving MPEG format on the harddisk.

From the "DV as MPEG" dialog window you can find MPEG encoder settings options under "Advanced". You can also burn your DV material direct to disc without any intermediate steps.

Recording list

Record list: Press this button to view the available list of already recorded videos and scheduled recordings. All entries from the list may be selected and deleted.

Every batch recording is automatically logged. Conversely, every "manual" DV and HDV recording is transferred into the recording list in order to restore lost recordings without much effort.

Logging

Logging means that MAGIX Video Pro X5 also saves the original save location, position and additional information (metadata, e.g. scene, take, rating, comments, etc.) about DV video and audio files.

Everything copied using DV recording, DV to MPEG recording and HDV recording appears in the recording lists of the corresponding recording dialog. Recordings for which the corresponding video material is no longer on the hard disk will appear as "planned recordings".

If MAGIX Video Pro X5 does not find the corresponding DV and WAV files during the loading of a video, it will ask that the corresponding DV tape is inserted into the connected camcorder again for automatic scene import.

You no longer have to save DV AVI and audio files (which can be very large). If at a later time you would like to work on a film again, but do not have the space to keep the material for it on your hard disk, then you can simply delete the bulky DV AVI and audio files.

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Video

This option allows a video recording to be made from analog sources.

Connect analog video source

Connect the video out of your video camera, DVD player or VCR to the video in (TV, video, or video-in graphics card) of your computer, and the audio out to the line in of your sound card.

Due to the variety of device configurations, it is difficult to say which cable will function best with your setup. If you’re not sure, check the manual of your VCR or your TV-, video- or graphics cards.

Example: Many VCRs have a SCART output and most DVD players have three RCA outputs (two for the stereo track, one for the image). In such cases, you will need a SCART to RCA adapter, a cable with 3 RCA plugs at each end.

SCART/RCA adapter Scart/RCA adapter with 3

RCA jacks

Stereo RCA/mini phone jack adapter

Most sound card inputs are mini stereo jacks. To connect the audio out of your VHS recorder to the sound card audio in, you will need a stereo RCA/ mini phone plug adapter.

You will have to purchase a cable with three RCA plugs and a stereo RCA/mini phone plug adapter.

Record dialog

Video/audio driver: Here you can make settings to you video or sound card before recording. In practically every case the driver software supplied with the hardware must be installed.

Input/tuner settings: Supports your video recording card with multiple sources; in cases when a TV tuner or multiple inputs (SVHS, composite...) are available, you can select the source to be recorded and the correct TV channel.

Save video file as/save in following folder: Enter the name of the movie to be recorded. You can also select the folder where your video file should be saved. The standard recording folder is set as default. The location of this folder may be changed via "Path settings" under "File -> Program settings -> Folders".

Edit after recording: This provides access to the automatic editing options.

Recording quality: You can select among various recording qualities depending on

intended use of the material and computer performance. These are sorted according to picture quality. Use Configuration to fine-tune the quality for the preset. Presets you have created yourself appear in this list as long as you use the default folder provided as the save location.

• Presets displayed with MPEG record directly in MPEG format.

• The preset "AVI: user-defined" enables AVI videos to be recorded via the codecs

included with MAGIX Video Pro X5. There are several codecs for various applications, e.g. "MSU Screencapture Lossless Codec", which is used for screen

Video recording 81

capturing. Please pay attention to the general advice for AVI videos (view page

337).

Tip: Use MPEG presets if you want to burn your recordings immediately after recording, because thanks to the so-called "Smart Encoding" additional lengthy encoding after recording won't be necessary.

Advanced...: Opens the video driver settings dialog.

Recording control: Here you will find the red record button and the stop button. Using

them, you can start and stop recording.

Timer recordings active/time limit: Specify the recording start time and length to turn your PC into a fully functioning VCR.

Snapshot!: With Snapshot! you can create a still frame directly from the preview monitor. The images are saved in the recordings folder as graphics files in the resolution you have set.

Recording information: Here you will find statistics about recording time, available disk space, recorded frames and "dropped frames". Dropped frames are frames that have been left out because the computer is too slow for the selected image format and recording quality and cannot accept all incoming frames.

Preview: With some graphics cards, system strain can be reduced by switching video preview off. If you hear an "echo", deactivate the audio preview.

Advanced configurations in the video capturing dialog

Here you can adjust certain settings for the video recording driver.

These dialog boxes, so-called “property sheets,” come with the video card drivers. These driver-specific performance properties may deviate depending on the cards. We also have a very limited influence on the behavior of these drivers. If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the video card manufacturer for the latest driver updates.

Source: Sets the crossbar of the video card.

The crossbar determines which video and audio input signal will be recorded. The crossbars are connected in series to the video recording chip itself. In the output field, the video output (for the crossbars) is the input for the recording chip (video or audio decoder-in) of the video card. In the “Input” field, select the signal source that will be used by the video card to capture for this input. Many video cards have separate crossbars for audio and video. If you have a problem, try out the different configurations until the right sound matches the right image.

Composite-in = the normal video input (typically a cinch jack) S-video = S-video input (mini-din jack)

SVHS-in = SVHS input (special cable)

Tuner-in = TV signal of the integrated tuner

Display

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & white or it flickers, the video standard may be set incorrectly. In mainland Europe, PAL_B is used.

VideoProcAmp: Fine-adjustment of colors, brightness, contrast etc. We recommend against changing any of the manufacturer’s settings.

Format: Please do not change anything here. The capturing format is set in the "Recording quality" option in the video recording dialog.

Station selection

This option is only available if a TV tuner is integrated into your video card.

Audio

Songs, noises, or instruments can be easily recorded in MAGIX Video Pro X5 using the audio recording function. A hooked-up microphone or various audio devices (especially a stereo system) can be used as recording sources.

Connecting the source for recording

First of all, the source of the audio material must be connected to the sound card input. Again, there are several possibilities which primarily depend on the type of equipment you have.

If you are recording from a microphone, then please connect the microphone to the microphone jack on your sound card (usually red).

If you want to record material from a stereo system, then you can use the line-out or AUX out jacks on the back of your amplifier or tape deck. This involves connecting them to the sound card input (usually red).

If your amplifier has no separate output (other than for the speakers), then you can use the connection intended for headphones for your recordings. In most cases, you will need a cable with two mini-stereo jacks. This type of connection has the advantage of being able to set the headphone input signal level with a separate volume. As headphone connections generally are not the best, it is advised that you use the line outputs if possible.

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When recording cassettes from a tape deck, you can connect the tape deck's line out directly to the sound card input.

When recording from vinyl records, you should not connect the record player's output directly with the sound card because the phono signal needs to be pre-amplified. A more suitable method would be to use the headphone connection or an external preamp.

Adjusting the Signal Level

Adjusting the signal level to the sound card is also recommended to get the best sound quality during digital recording.

Once a recording source is connected to the sound card, the "Record" button opens the recording dialog and starts the recording source.

You can now adjust the recording level with the help of the LED display in the recording dialog. For this, you must first check off "Show Levels".

If the adjustment is set too high, distortion occurs and the incoming signal must be reduced. If you have connected the source through either an amplifier or tape deck output to the sound card, you can only reduce the signal level in your sound card’s software mixer interface. You can access the mixer directly from within the recording dialog via the “Recording Level” button.

If you reduce input sensitivity by using the input fader, the resolution at which the analog signal is digitized is also reduced. Try to set these automatic controllers to the loudest sound level possible.

The maximum setting for an optimal level is the loudest part of the material. The loudest part should be adjusted to be the maximum. The actual recording begins when you press the "Record" button. At the end of the the recording you will be asked if you want to use the recording. Upon confirmation, the newly-recorded material will be placed at the next free position of the start maker in the arrangement.

Audio record dialog

Audio driver: Selects the sound card for the recording.

Save audio file as/ Save in folder: Here you can select the title of the audio file you

wish to record. You can also select the folder where you wish to store the file.

Recording quality: Sets the sound quality of the recording. In the preset menu you can choose between medium wave radio ("AM tuner"), UKW ("FM Radio"), DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and CD quality.

Display Volume control: Using the peakmeter, you can monitor the level of the incoming signal. Please read more on this in the chapter "Adjusting levels" (view page

83)

Record: This button starts the actual recording.

Stop: Click this

Normalize after recording: With this option activated, your material's volume is

raised to a proper level after recording is completed. In order to achieve good results, you should try to record the source as loud as possible without overmodulating it. To do so, refer to the peak meter reader in the recording dialog.

button to stop recording

Video recording 85

Play while recording: This option is particularly important for spoken commentary, etc. If activated, the selected movie (or selected scene if recorded in the "Edit" screen) is played while recording. This acts as orientation for the movie.

Advanced: Use this button to open a window where you can select from special features:

Advanced settings for audio recordings

• Mono recording: Activate to record in mono. This reduces the required memory

space in half. Mono recordings are recommended for voice recordings made using only one standard mono microphone.

• Real-time resample to project's current sample rate: Automatically matches the

sample rate of a new file to be recorded with the sample rate of the current movie's sound track (set in the video recording).

• Automatic volume reduction of other audio tracks ("ducking"): To add narration

or other sound material to a video that already has sound volume levels set, activate the option ”Automatic reduction of sound volume of remaining audio tracks”. This automatically reduces the volume of audio objects in the arrangement during the recording session (”ducking”). This is achieved using an automatically configured volume curve: Before and after the recording, other tracks will be faded in or out, resulting in a homogeneous total volume level. (Lowering of volume level during spoken comments is also called "Ducking".)

Single frame

Single frame recording may be used to record snapshots from the connected video source. This requires a DirectShow compatible video recording or TV card or a corresponding USB device (e.g. a webcam).

The time control function allows you to automatically take snapshots. This is useful for the following applications:

• to create slideshows using videos

• for animation films (stop-motion recording)

• for video surveillance

• or in time-lapse photography

The recorded images are added to the current arrangement.

Recording dialog

Video source: You may set the video card used to take pictures here.

Save picture as: Enter the title of the snapshot to be recorded here. Snapshots are

saved under this name and numbered consecutively. You may also select the file path for storage.

Recording quality: Set the solution for the recording here. This corresponds with the resolution options offered on the camera. Use the slider to set the image quality. Using higher resolutions results in larger file sizes for each recording. "Reset" resets the image quality to the preset value.

Advanced...: Opens the video driver settings dialog.

Camera sound during recording: This causes the program to play a clicking sound

each time a snapshot is taken.

Record controls: The red record button triggers a snapshot or alternatively a series of recordings when using the time control function.

Timer-controlled recording

Recording interval: When active, starting recording produces a sequence of images. Snapshots are saved according to the selected time interval and numbered sequentially. For example, if snapshots are taken every two seconds and then inserted every five frames into the slideshow, then a ten times accelerated time lapse recording will result.

Photo length in frames: Specifies how long the photos appear in the slideshow.

Video recording 87

Enhanced single-frame recording dialog settings

You can adjust certain settings for the video recording driver.

These dialog boxes, so-called "property sheets", come with the video card drivers. The driver-specific features may slightly vary from driver to driver. The MAGIX team has little direct influence on the performance of the various drivers. If you encounter any difficulties, then please contact the video card manufacturer for the latest driver updates.

Input: Sets the crossbar switch of the video card. This lets you define what video and audio signal is used in the recording. The crossbars are connected in series to the video recording chip itself.

Output: In the "Output" field, the video output (for the crossbars) is the input for the recording chip (video or audio decoder in) of the video card. In the "Input" field, you select the signal source to be used for this input by the video card during recording.

Composite in = the normal video input (typically a cinch jack)

S-VHS in = S-VHS input (special cable)

Tuner in = the TV signal of the built-in tuner

Video decoder: If the picture only appears in black & white or it flickers, then the video standard may be set incorrectly. PAL_B is used in Germany and most European countries (France: SECAM; US/CAN: NTSC).

VideoProcAmp: For fine tuning of colors, brightness, contrast, etc. We recommend against changing any of the manufacturer's settings.

Format: Do not change anything here! The capture format settings can be changed under "Resolution" in the "Recording" dialog box.

Screen

Use screen capturing to record everything that moves on your monitor. This process is called "screen capturing".

Use this feature to record your screen content. This process is called "screen capturing".

• Under Recording quality, you will find

various presets for different applications. You can either record the entire monitor ("fullscreen"), a frame of variable size (e.g. to film the Windows Media Player display), or a different video player. Click "Configuration" to make custom size adjustments.

Hint: Because many video players work with overlay, it is recommended to open each player before starting the capture! This way switching into "Overlay" mode can be prevented.

Tip: Use the fullscreen preset under "Recording quality". MXV, a video codec especially well suited for screen capturing, will be used.

• Click on the record button in the record dialog. An additional dialog with a red

record button, a black stop button as well as a frame with dashed bordering appears.

• Activate the option "Record mouse pointer" to record the movements of the

mouse pointer.

• If you like, you can deactivate "Animate mouse click", if you don't want to visually

record it.

Video recording 89

• Now select the screen area you wish to record, i.e. the screen of the video player

in which the video is playing. Drag the frame over the area you wish to record and adjust its size as required by dragging the edges and corners.

Note: If you previously selected "Fullscreen", the window will be hidden.

• To start recording, press the red record button. The recording starts; the record

symbol appears in the task bar (tray).

• If you are finished with everything, click on the record button or the stop button

to stop recording. Recording ends and the recording dialog is visible once again.

Edit after recording

The "Edit after recording" dialog can be opened from the "HDV Camera", "DV Camera" and "Video" recording dialogs.

This dialog offers the these options:

• Automatic scene recognition: This divides the footage into scenes. Please also

read the section "Automatic scene recognition" (view page 259).

• Automatically

set chapter markers: Please also read the section "Set chapter marker automatically (view page 111)" in the chapter "Edit" in the PDF manual (press "F1").

project immediately after recording: You can use this option to record and burn

Burn

to a disc in a single step. Simply select the format you would like to burn, insert a suitable blank disc into the drive, and press record.

Note: Make sure that the selected recording quality corresponds with the disc type (for DVDs the preset "MPEG DVD").

If you use your own settings for MPEG encoding (e.g. half image resolution for longplay DVDs) make sure that settings for recording and later for burning are the same so that no new encoding is necessary (Smart encoding).

After recording, the program automatically switches to the "Burn" screen, the burn window opens and the disc is burned. The last set layout is used for the menu layout for the DVD.

Tip: This function is particularly suitable for handling lengthy projects in one go. You can start recording in the evening and have the finished DVD by morning.

Export for mobile device: The recorded movie is immediately converted into the format of the selected mobile device and transferred. The preset in the list field is the device which has been selected in the Export video/audio dialog.

Settings: Opens the Export settings (view page 226) for the selected target device.

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Objects

In the MAGIX Video Pro X5 "Timeline" mode you are dealing with objects. The general term "object" includes all media types that are present on the arranger tracks. The following object types are found in MAGIX Video Pro X5.

Combination objects: Combination objects are video objects with an image track and an audio track. In the context menu, you can add the waveform representation of the audio track or add the sound as an independent audio object. Video objects: Video objects include a file extension typical for videos (e. g. *.mpg, *.avi, *.mxv). Depending on the length of the video object, you will see several frames representing various positions in your video. Image objects: Image objects are photos or other static images. They have a file extension typical for an image (e. g. *.jpg, *.png, *.bmp). In contrast to video objects, you'll always see only one frame. Audio objects: All objects that contain sound are considered audio objects. They have an extension typical for audio (e. g. *.ogg, *.mp3, *.wav). With a right-click you can add a waveform display to any audio object. Title objects: Title objects are created using the title editor and contain the text that appears in your projects. They have no file extensions.

In the following chapter you can read about what you can do with these objects. The workflow for all object types is the same.

Insert object into the project

Load Files

Media files can be loaded into the arranger from the Media Pool in several different ways:

• The fastest way: Click on the "Paste" option that appears when you move the

mouse pointer over the file in the Media Pool. Or you can simply drag and drop the file from the Media Pool onto a track. If an object is already present at this position, the file is inserted at the same time position on the next empty track below.

• Load several files: If you want to load several files, hold down the "Ctrl" key while

clicking on the entries you want to use. If you want to load a sequence of files, hold the "Shift" key and click the first entry and then the last. All entries in between will be selected. Then you can drag all of the selected files into the arranger by holding down the mouse button.

• Use insert modes: You can also use the menu commands that are accessible

through the "Insert Mode" button. For more about this, read the section "Insert modes (view page 47)" in the chapter "Workspaces".

sert through a two, three or four-point edit: These professional insert

• In

techniques will be dealt with separately later on (view page 103).

• Project temp

collect your material separately. It can be used as a sort of clipboard that stores files that might be used in the project. This creates a better overview and saves repetitive, annoying navigation through folders in the Media Pool.

Files with multiple audio tracks

MAGIX Video Pro X5 also loads VOB files that contain multiple audio tracks. After the VOB file has been loaded, simply click the audio object created and select the desired audio track.

folder: Using a project temp folder is recommended if you want to

Note: To view and select audio objects in the arrangement, Timeline mode must be

active.

Objects 93

Scene overview

"Overview" mode does not indicate start, playback, or end markers. The scene which is currently being played has a frame around it.

The zoom slider enables the view to be enlarged or reduced.

This controller also specifies how many scenes are displayed. The smaller the preview pictures, the more will fit onto the overview.

Maximize: Use this button to maximize the scene overview to fullscreen mode.

Loading parts of longer movie files

For longer videos, it is recommended to define the areas which should be loaded into the project before importing. An in and out point is set to define the area for this purpose. This can be done in the following way:

• Select a file from the Media Pool by double-clicking it. Play it back using the play

buttons on the source monitor to indicate the section which you want to use in the project.

• You can move the range borders directly by holding down the left mouse button

or you can set them using the buttons (or the keyboard shortcuts I and O). Keyboard shortcuts are particularly useful when setting precise positions with the shuttle or jog wheel.

• Click on the monitor image and drag & drop it into the arranger. An object

corresponding to the selected area will appear on the track.

• You can also drag your selection into the project folder and use it in your project

later by dragging it from the project folder onto the arranger. The file in the project temp folder in this case has the same name as the original file, extended by a running number (001, 002...).

• You can also drag a file from the Media Pool into the project folder first and then

cut it from there with the help of the source monitor. The in- and out-points created this way will be saved directly when the segment is removed.

• You can also do the reverse by dragging objects from the Arranger into the

project temp folder. If the object should appear both in the Arranger and in the project temp folder, just hold down the Ctrl key. All object-related settings (fades, effects, animations) are transferred as well. You can put together different edits of one and the same object and store them in the project temp folder for later use.

Select and group objects

To edit or delete objects using menus, you must first select them. To do so, simply click on the object you wish to select. Objects will change color to show that they have been selected.

When the Shift key is pressed, multiple objects are selected. You can open up a rectangle positioning the mouse over the object, then holding down the mouse button and marking all objects within the rectangle (”elastic band selection”) by left-clickdragging.

Any object can be combined with others to make up a group, to avoid the objects being unintentionally moved out of relation to each other. Once they are combined, clicking on one object of a group will select the entire group. To group or ungroup objects, use the buttons in the tool bar or the corresponding commands in the "Edit" menu.

Duplicate objects

Objects may be duplicated very easily. Click on the object to be copied with the mouse while holding down the "Ctrl" key. This generates a copy, which you can immediately drag to the desired position or cut separately.

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Move Objects

Hold down the mouse button to move selected objects to any tracks and positions via drag and drop. It is recommended to place objects that belong together on neighboring tracks and to create separate tracks for audio and video objects. For this reason, videos that should overlay each other should usually be placed on the same track.

If the Shift key is pressed, objects can be moved from one track to another, without the time position being changed.

Extract sound from videos

Video with audio material appears in the arranger as a combination object (audio and video in one object).

In order to edit audio and image material separately, right-click the object and select "Audio functions" > "Video/audio on separate tracks" from the context menu. Audio and video objects will then be grouped and appear on two tracks. With the "Ungroup" (view page 287) function in the "Edit" menu or using the corresponding key, the object group can b

e dissolved.

Now you can replace the audio or the video track, or process each file separately. Rejoin/regroup the tracks with the "Group" function.

Object handles

All objects can be re-sized with their lower edge “object handles”. Move the mouse over one of the lower corners of the object until the mouse pointer becomes a double arrow. Move the mouse over one of the lower corners of the object until the mouse pointer becomes a stretch symbol.

5 "handles": Length, fade, transparency (volume)

An object can be faded in or out with the handles to the left and right upper corners of the object. Cross-fades between different objects can be created by overlapped positioning of objects that are fading in and out. The length of the cross-fade can be adjusted with the handles.

Using the transparency/volume handle located centrally at the top of the object, adjusts the transparency of video and Bitmap objects, or the volume of audio and image objects.

If you adjust the middle handle of a video object all the way down, the object will become transparent. If a second object is located on a track above it, a black color will appear from below it, so that brightness will be reduced.

Object handles for combi objects

Combi objects have an additional, sixth handle.

• The four outer handles have the same function as with regular objects.

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• The lower middle handle regulates the object's track volume.

• The top middle handle controls the transparency of the object's image track.

Object borders

When you place the mouse pointer on a vertical object border, it will turn into a double line.

If the object doesn't border any other objects, the functionality doesn't differ from bottom handles, which means that you can stretch or compress the object. With a hard cut or a crossfade, the object transition will be moved, meaning that the object start and end of both neighboring objects will remain coupled to each other.

Trim Objects

Trimming provides exact placement of object borders or transitions. MAGIX Video Pro X5 has two different trimmers, and these can be opened using the context menu for a video or image object.

General advice for operating both trim editors

Play functions: The trim window contains its own play functions that allow the object to be played individually or in relation to the arrangement.

The right play button plays the arrangement normally. Replays can sometimes appear shaky because the processor may be over-worked. Those frames that the processor cannot calculate quickly enough are left out.

The middle play button plays the arrangement “frame by frame”, which means no frames are left out. Depending on the processor load, playback may thus be slower, but still smooth.

The left play button renders material before playing, i.e. the current settings are calculated first and then exported. This method ensures a smoother playback.

With the fast forward and rewind functions you can change the range start in the timeline. This allows for complete control of transitions between two videos.

Increments: A click on the arrow buttons in both trim editors moves the handle or the material within an object exactly by one frame. With the Ctrl key you can increase the frame rate gradually to 5 frames per mouse-click.

Object trimmer

A schematic display of the selected object and its handles can be found in the center of the trimming window.

Fade in/out (4, 5): These buttons adjust the upper fade handles of an object.

Object content (3): Here you can move the video material to be played without

changing the object length.

Position (2): Moves the object on the track.

First frame/End fade-in (7): Toggles the left monitor between the first frame of the

object and the end of the transition.

Start fade-out/Last Frame (8): Toggles the right monitor between the start of the transition and the last frame of the object.

Left/right arrow buttons (1, 6): Here you can adjust the lower object handles.

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Next object/cut (9, 10): The buttons below and to the right skip to the next/previous object and/or cut in the arranger. These buttons make it easy to move and trim objects in the arrangement without having to leave the trimmer.

Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + N

Cut trimmer

A schematic display of the selected transition and its handles can be found at the center of the trimming window.

Left arrow buttons (1): These buttons move the last frame of the first object while adjusting the second. The length of the transition remains. The display indicates the relative change in comparison with the starting situation when the trimmer was opened.

Position (2): Moves the second object. The length of the transition is changed. This corresponds with shifting an object in the arranger.

Object content (3): Moves the movie under the second object. The length of the object and the object itself are not changed.

Crossfade (4): Changes the transition’s length between both objects. The objects remain of equal length. The length can be numerically entered.

Middle arrow buttons (5): Shifts the existing transition. Both objects remain in their positions, but the transition’s center point moves.

Transition (6): Displays the type of transition. A mouse click opens a popup window from which you can select a transition.

Right arrow buttons (7): Move the first frame of the second object. The first object and the transition remains. Only the length of the second object changes.

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Start fade-out/Last frame (8): Switches the left monitor between the start of the transition and the last frame of the object.

First frame/End fade-in (9): Switches the right monitor between the first frame of the following object and the end of the transition.

Next cut (10)/Next object (11): The buttons below and to the right skip to the next/previous object and/or cut in the arranger. These buttons make it easy to move and trim cuts in the arrangement without having to leave the trimmer.

Keyboard shortcut: N

Transitions (fades)

When importing video files into the arranger, individual objects usually follow directly after one another. This is called a "hard cut". However, you can make scenes blend or “transition” into each other.

This means that for the duration of a transition, two objects are shown at once and can be mixed "faded" together in different ways. You will find numerous blends in the Media Pool’s transition directory.

Simple crossfade

A simple transition can be created in the arranger by dragging one object over another. A crossfade will be automatically created. During this standard transition, the brightness of both objects is increased, i.e. the first clip fades out while the second clip fades in. The duration of the crossfade is displayed in the arranger by white crossing lines. You can adjust the length of the crossfade by dragging the upper handle of the second object to the left or to the right.

To select a different fade click on the transition symbol displayed when an object is selected.

The fade menu opens. The transition icon will change, depending on your selection.