Harkening back to "prehistoric" times
 

Sometimes I'm not surprised that "newer" isn't always better and "older" can be more practical.

Over 5 years ago I was introduced to Premiere 6.5 and upgraded several notches over the years.

6.5 never found the trash bin as it is one of my tools that even to this day can do tasks easier,simpler & quicker than more modern versions. Here is such a case!

There are times when no amount of searching the manual or online documentation bears any fruit.

As we all know, when one imports a still whose dimensions/size don't cover the whole frame you get a black background by default to cover up the unoccupied space. Your picture is silhouetted in black which does not necessarily look attractive.

In 6.5 it was so easy as all one had to do was:

1) Right click on the picture/graphic
2) Select aspect fill color.
3) Select the desired color with the color picker.
4) Hit ok and you're done.

The only thing I can find in the help has to do with coloring titles which is barking up the wrong tree!

So, would someone please be willing to provide (or direct me to) the answer (for what used to be a snap and take seconds in 6.5) in either version CS2 or 3?

Adobe only supports the most current version over the phone, otherwise it's costly.

I'd like to hear this old 6.5 "dinosaur" roar yet one more time.

Thanks in advance.

Set your default to Scale to frame size and gone are the black borders, or use motion / scale.

Click "New Item", select "Color Matte". Set the dimensions you want, then use the color picker or hex value to specify color. Then drag this new asset from the bin to the layer BELOW the layer the still is on.

Craig, you are the man!

Easy as pie once instructed.

Harm, I'll try your way too and see how that goes.

I'm in the process of reconstructing my entire entry and exit sequences from scratch so that they are suitable for HD.

I hate ugly looking/artificial slide backgrounds.

My heartfelt thanks to you both.

Cheers