trakAx

Hopefully this has a simple answer that I’ve somehow overlooked.

I’d like to use a static image (JPG/PNG/etc) that is scaled larger than the viewport, and pan across it during the course of a segment (eg beginning with a map of the UK, then panning to the right to reveal the North Sea as the UK goes off-camera to the left, then across Scandanavia, then Finland).

So far, I have found no facility in tAx that allows me to do this. Am I missing something obvious, or trying to do something the software doesn’t accommodate?

Thanks for your help.

Hi ornoth

Thank you for your Post. We currently do not support a Pan effect on images such as JPEGS and other static photos. However, we are working on developing this feature and it will be included in future releases of the software.

We do offer you you the ability to zoom into an image: (video included in Wiki)

http://www.trakax.com/software/wiki/Category:Collage_Feature::Resizing_Image_using_the_Segment_Properties::Zoom_In_&_Out_Slider_&_Presets/

Catriona has also done a video for another user that shows this feature:

I hope you continue to use and enjoy the trakAxPC software and if you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Cormac

Hi Ornoth,

one thing I failed to mention in the video above is that you can control the “Zoom Placement” - ie. where in the image that you want the zoom to focus in on. Please see the attached screenshot:

http://www.trakax.com/images/uploads/zoom-placement.jpg

This can really assist you if you want to Zoom into a particular area. To access this window, click on the Zoom Parameters - see here for more information on effect parameters.

Hope this helps - as per Cormac’s reply, the ability to Pan is on our development list.

Thanks!

Catriona

Thank you C&C;for your quick responses.

I’m familiar with Zoom, at least with the parameters mentioned. In theory I could begin one segment zoomed in 150% to a starting point, zoom out to 100%, then have a second segment begin zoomed at 100%, then zoom in 150% to a different finishing point. It’s doable, but kind of an awkward visual effect if you want to highlight multiple points along a path across the image.

Alternately, if tAx recognized one “zoom placement” at the start of a segment, and a second placement at the end, I could achieve a panning effect by setting those parameters and zooming from, say, 150% to 151%. But that would still require a software update, and since it’s a very klunky way of implementing pan, it makes more sense just to wait for a dedicated Pan video effect.

Although that does bring up an obvious use case for you of how well Zoom and Pan video effects might work together, since you know your users are likely to attempt such a thing.

And, since I’m already on the subject of the Zoom effect, I have two suggestions for your consideration.

One thing I’ve noticed is that when the zoom displacement is not equal in the X and Y axes, motion along one axis finishes before motion along the other. For example, if I place the zoom placement 150 pixels right of center, and 300 pixels lower than center, tAx appears to move diagonally to +150/+150, then downward to +150/+300. Visually, the movement of the image appears to change direction partway through the motion, rather than appearing as a single, smooth motion. It’d be beneficial to make those moves proportional, so that there’s no apparent change of direction in the middle of the segment.

Another potentially beneficial option would be something along the lines of a checkbox that would constrain the zoom/pan motion such that the image always fills the video frame. In many cases, placing the zoom displacement off center causes the image to move such that it does not fill the entire frame. Sometimes that’s desired behavior, but sometimes it isn’t, so having the option of constraining the pan/zoom function so that the image always fills the frame would be useful in many cases.

As I say, these are just suggestions for your consideration. I think you have done a tremendous job with tAx thus far.

Hi Ornoth

Thank you very much for such a detailed suggestion and feedback. We really appreciate it. I have passed this on to our engineers to take into consideration.

Thanks again and best regards
Cormac

Hope to see pan effects as well.

I am interested in panning stills too. I cant always use video for interiors associated with my real estate business, so I have to resort to stills that are processed in Photoshop. It looks a bit odd when stills have no motion at all.
Ive an example video here

http://youtu.be/HQu72taCDVk

please be kind, Im working on it

Hi Sidecar,

Thanks for your post.

You can zoom into an image or video using trakAxPC by adding a zoom effect. To learn more about adding an effect please see our wiki with a video included.

http://www.trakax.com/software/wiki/Category:Audio_and_Video_Effect

It is not possible to pan on a video or image in the current version of the application but it is a feature we hope to add in future releases.

I hope this helps and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Best regards,

Hello,

I would also like a panning option for a photo presentation.
I love TrakAx for it’s zooming and fading control and many more things that can even make a photo clipshow more lively. The control over specific timing and level of the effects is great. But in the panning-department, I have to resort to <blasphemy>Movie Maker</blasphemy>, as a work around, saving the movie of a panned picture and add that to my TrakAx montage. It works, and I believe the quality stays OK, though I am currently still in consept stage of the project I am planning on.

ornoth - 22 August 2010 03:20 PM

In many cases, placing the zoom displacement off center causes the image to move such that it does not fill the entire frame. Sometimes that’s desired behavior, but sometimes it isn’t, so having the option of constraining the pan/zoom function so that the image always fills the frame would be useful in many cases.

I second this (I think, or something along those lines).