Lower thirds at DVinfo.net

Tony McGuire · April 23rd, 2018, 04:32 AM

Mods if this is in the wrong place please move it.

I am trying to create a bit of graphic for the lower thirds as backround for a persons name or for something like that.

I am trying to work out what size or scalling would you use so it dose not look big when the video is played back on a tv or projector. Even if I knew what size of font would be use the most would help me out.

I the video editing software I use is Corel VideoStudio X10. There is some samples with it but I don't like them and would like to create some of my own with a logo and without a logo.

Jeff Pulera · April 23rd, 2018, 01:24 PM

In your paint program, create a video-sized image, such as 1920x1080 pixels for HD video. Now you can work on the lower third within that video frame to better visualize how it looks/fits, versus trying to just make a graphic as its own element.

When you SAVE the result, you are saving the entire 1920x1080 image, although most of it is empty space. Save to a format that keeps the transparency (alpha channel) of the background area outside of lower third graphic. Use .png or .tga or .psd format for instance that supports alpha.

Then in the video editing software, you can just drop your graphic onto a layer above the video and there is no need to position or scale, since graphic is already properly located in the frame and just works! And of course video shows through the alpha channel portion automatically.

I just did a web search for "free lower thirds" and a ton of hits came up. You might find one you like, or at the least, use them for reference for sizing and positioning of your own creations.

Thanks

Pete Cofrancesco · April 23rd, 2018, 04:04 PM

I export a small section of the video with the thirds and play it back on a tv. Trust your eye. You can even take a picture of something on tv you like and use that as a template.

Tony McGuire · April 23rd, 2018, 04:58 PM

Thank you Jeff & Pete for your replies will indeed look at the "free lower thirds" I was to look for a guide on making one but not looking for free ones.

I will try pete idea out and see what it looks like on the tv screen

Chris Harding · April 24th, 2018, 05:32 AM

Hi Tony

I have used a lot of these and they look pretty much OK on most commercial projects "size wise" so maybe try them out ..They have nice animated thirds too!!
https://www.videvo.net/

Tony McGuire · April 25th, 2018, 04:45 PM

Hi Chris,

I have been looking at the link to the site you have posted and have downloaded some and have tried some of them out and have now a fair idea on the size and best place for some.

Thank you and all who have replyed

Ed Roo · April 27th, 2018, 06:35 PM

Its easy to do in Motion.

Simply select a stock lower third to edit, import the graphic, drag it to where you want it, resize it, delete the other elements, select SAVE AS and your done.

April 23rd, 2018, 04:32 AM	#1
Tony McGuire Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Donegal Ireland Posts: 119	Lower thirds Mods if this is in the wrong place please move it. I am trying to create a bit of graphic for the lower thirds as backround for a persons name or for something like that. I am trying to work out what size or scalling would you use so it dose not look big when the video is played back on a tv or projector. Even if I knew what size of font would be use the most would help me out. I the video editing software I use is Corel VideoStudio X10. There is some samples with it but I don't like them and would like to create some of my own with a logo and without a logo.

April 23rd, 2018, 01:24 PM	#2
Jeff Pulera Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 691	Re: Lower thirds In your paint program, create a video-sized image, such as 1920x1080 pixels for HD video. Now you can work on the lower third within that video frame to better visualize how it looks/fits, versus trying to just make a graphic as its own element. When you SAVE the result, you are saving the entire 1920x1080 image, although most of it is empty space. Save to a format that keeps the transparency (alpha channel) of the background area outside of lower third graphic. Use .png or .tga or .psd format for instance that supports alpha. Then in the video editing software, you can just drop your graphic onto a layer above the video and there is no need to position or scale, since graphic is already properly located in the frame and just works! And of course video shows through the alpha channel portion automatically. I just did a web search for "free lower thirds" and a ton of hits came up. You might find one you like, or at the least, use them for reference for sizing and positioning of your own creations. Thanks __________________ Jeff Pulera Safe Harbor Computers

April 23rd, 2018, 04:04 PM	#3
Pete Cofrancesco Inner Circle Join Date: May 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,995	Re: Lower thirds I export a small section of the video with the thirds and play it back on a tv. Trust your eye. You can even take a picture of something on tv you like and use that as a template.

April 23rd, 2018, 04:58 PM	#4
Tony McGuire Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Donegal Ireland Posts: 119	Re: Lower thirds Thank you Jeff & Pete for your replies will indeed look at the "free lower thirds" I was to look for a guide on making one but not looking for free ones. I will try pete idea out and see what it looks like on the tv screen

April 24th, 2018, 05:32 AM	#5
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Lower thirds Hi Tony I have used a lot of these and they look pretty much OK on most commercial projects "size wise" so maybe try them out ..They have nice animated thirds too!! https://www.videvo.net/

April 25th, 2018, 04:45 PM	#6
Tony McGuire Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Donegal Ireland Posts: 119	Re: Lower thirds Hi Chris, I have been looking at the link to the site you have posted and have downloaded some and have tried some of them out and have now a fair idea on the size and best place for some. Thank you and all who have replyed

April 27th, 2018, 06:35 PM	#7
Ed Roo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Columbus USA Posts: 312	Re: Lower thirds Its easy to do in Motion. Simply select a stock lower third to edit, import the graphic, drag it to where you want it, resize it, delete the other elements, select SAVE AS and your done. The Stearman on Vimeo