«

I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
more distance, then pictures again, etc...

A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Randy

"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>
> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Randy
>


This is a very common question and has been answered many
times. Try some Google searches, look through the guides/how-
to articles at the usual sites: www.videohelp.com
www.afterdawn.com www.digitalfaq.com www.doom9.org

One approach that I ran across was to simply use an editor's
transition wipe function to have a controlled replacement of the
highlighted map image with the original map image. Reverse it,
and you have your effect.

Luck;
Ken

"Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
>"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
>>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
>> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
>> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
>> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
>> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
>> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
>> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>>
>> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
>> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Randy
>>
>
>
> This is a very common question and has been answered many
>times. Try some Google searches, look through the guides/how-
>to articles at the usual sites: www.videohelp.com
>www.afterdawn.com www.digitalfaq.com www.doom9.org
>
> One approach that I ran across was to simply use an editor's
>transition wipe function to have a controlled replacement of the
>highlighted map image with the original map image. Reverse it,
>and you have your effect.
>
>Luck;
> Ken
>

Yep, that was the method I came up with using my image editor
PaintShop Pro (PSP 8).

I was motivated by identical aims to yours, and wanted to make a short
movie clip to include in my DVDs made from MemoriesOnTV. I used
separate screen capture software, either Snagit (bought) or my
preference, CamStudio (free; e.g from
http://sourceforge.net/projects/camstudio/ )

The result I had in mind initially was a solid line gradually moving
along a route. Could be a country walk, a car drive, a flight path,
etc. The first method I came up with was to simply open my JPG map in
PSP 8, make sure I thoroughly knew the route I was about to follow,
start the capture program (configured to hide the cursor), and use an
appropriately set paintbrush to carefully mark the route.

Although that worked fine, it had some disadvantages. First, I had to
remember the route in order to place it accurately on a fresh map
background. And it was difficult to get a smooth, accurate, continuous
movement. Especially on say a long, twisty route, such as alpine
walks. And a sneeze or a phone call tends to spoil it...

So after experiment and learning the basics of using 'layers' I hit on
the approach of revealing a *pre-drawn* route. By using a large size
of 'revealing tool', that also eliminates the second disadvantage:
unless the route overlapped itself, all the detail can be revealed
progressively by a broad smooth sweep.

Here's a summary. It will obviously differ a little in PhotoShop, but
should follow same principles:

1. Open map.jpg.
2. Duplicate it with Layer > Duplicate so you now have a layer version
of the background map.
3. While in that map layer, draw a line of suitable type and width.
Ensure the background is the same colour as the line.
- For example, use the Line tool to draw a straight Vector, typically
an arrow.
- Or use the Paint Brush with a suitable setting to draw any shape of
line
- A particular case of the latter would be to use a Preset brush
shape, such as the silhouette of a plane
4. [For VECTOR line only] R-click on that layer in the layer palette >
Merge > Merge Down.
5. Edit > Clear, to delete the arrow. (Or use Eraser with left drag).
6. Start capture program.
7. In PSP 8, select Eraser and right drag across at a suitable speed.
Line smoothly reappears, making a good basis for video clip.

Here's the final frame of a video clip I made using a hastily-drawn
plane brush shape:
http://www.terrypin.dial.pipex.com/I...SP8-Route2.jpg (88 KB)

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>,
Terry Pinnell <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >
> >"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> >>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
> >> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
> >> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
> >> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
> >> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
> >> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
> >> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
> >>
> >> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
> >> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Randy
> >>


You didn't say if you were Mac or PC - but there's a great little Mac
app called "Road Trip Pro" that does exactly this.

Click your start, waypoint(s) and end point - then set line color, line
thickness, icons like planes and trains that leave the trail, fade
length if you want the trails to disappear, etc - and watch as the app
animates them over a still or video.

Result is a quicktime movie file.

Basic version is under 10 bucks. Pro version is $25.

Nice little tool.

--
Bill Davis
StartEditingNow.com
DVD editing instruction with Multi-Track Movies

"Terry Pinnell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>
>>"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>news:(E-Mail Removed) roups.com...
>>>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
>>> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
>>> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
>>> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
>>> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
>>> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
>>> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>>>
>>> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
>>> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Randy
>>>
>>
>>
>> This is a very common question and has been answered many
>>times. Try some Google searches, look through the guides/how-
>>to articles at the usual sites: www.videohelp.com
>>www.afterdawn.com www.digitalfaq.com www.doom9.org
>>
>> One approach that I ran across was to simply use an editor's
>>transition wipe function to have a controlled replacement of the
>>highlighted map image with the original map image. Reverse it,
>>and you have your effect.
>>
>>Luck;
>> Ken
>>
>
> Yep, that was the method I came up with using my image editor
> PaintShop Pro (PSP 8).
> --
> Terry, West Sussex, UK

Not what I was reffering to. A much simpler way is to use a Editor
and a wipe transition effect. It took me 5 min. to create this:
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/(E-Mail Removed)

Using Ulead VideoStudio 10, and the Paint accessory in XP. The
transition looks like one of the copies of the bus map I useed was
very blured, but the rendered results are as you see them. You can
slow/speed-up the transition or change the wipe direction in the editor.
Pretty much all the editing programs I know can do this.

Luck;
Ken

"Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>
>"Terry Pinnell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>> "Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>news:(E-Mail Removed) groups.com...
>>>>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
>>>> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
>>>> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
>>>> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
>>>> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
>>>> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
>>>> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>>>>
>>>> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
>>>> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Randy
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> This is a very common question and has been answered many
>>>times. Try some Google searches, look through the guides/how-
>>>to articles at the usual sites: www.videohelp.com
>>>www.afterdawn.com www.digitalfaq.com www.doom9.org
>>>
>>> One approach that I ran across was to simply use an editor's
>>>transition wipe function to have a controlled replacement of the
>>>highlighted map image with the original map image. Reverse it,
>>>and you have your effect.
>>>
>>>Luck;
>>> Ken
>>>
>>
>> Yep, that was the method I came up with using my image editor
>> PaintShop Pro (PSP 8).
>> --
>> Terry, West Sussex, UK
>
> Not what I was reffering to. A much simpler way is to use a Editor
>and a wipe transition effect. It took me 5 min. to create this:
> http://briefcase.yahoo.com/(E-Mail Removed)

It just took a long time to explain ;-) That flight example only took
a few minutes to do in practice.

>Using Ulead VideoStudio 10,

Don't have that.

>and the Paint accessory in XP. The
>transition looks like one of the copies of the bus map I useed was
>very blured, but the rendered results are as you see them. You can
>slow/speed-up the transition or change the wipe direction in the editor.
>Pretty much all the editing programs I know can do this.

Not MoTV. How about Womble? TMPG Enc 3.0 XPress?

Could it handle a tortuous walk track? I'm assuming the 'wipe' is in
one specified direction? Even if that covered any angle (not just
points of the compass), presumably that wouldn't work with complex
tracks.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK



>
>Luck;
> Ken
>
>

"yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>
> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Randy
>

The easy way:

Make a copy of your Map.jpg file renaming it: Leg1.jpg.

Then in PhotoShop, highlight the first Leg of your trip on the
Leg1.jpg.

Now add your Map.jpg (as clipA) and then your
Leg1.jpg (as ClipB) to your timeline (or use the
storyboard mode) in Elements. Then add the wipe
transition between the two .jpg. Set the duration of
the transition and the direction of the wipe.

Now export or save that transition as Leg1Clip.avi
(or whatever Element's native format is)

You can do the rest of the legs that same way, if you
want each leg to just show just it's progress, without
showing the progress of the earlier legs.

If you want to show the progress of the earlier legs,
you would make a Leg2.jpg from a copy of the edited
Leg1.jpg. You would extend the highlighted track
from where you left off on Leg1.jpg to the end of Leg2.
Then in Elements you would use Leg1.jpg as the "A"
clip and your Leg2.jpg as the "B" clip.

You could build your project in Elements or Memories-
on-TV, placing the LegClip AVIs between your slide
shows, on a timeline.

Luck;
Ken

"Terry Pinnell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

>> Not what I was reffering to. A much simpler way is to use a Editor
>>and a wipe transition effect. It took me 5 min. to create this:
>> http://briefcase.yahoo.com/(E-Mail Removed)
>
> It just took a long time to explain ;-) That flight example only took
> a few minutes to do in practice.
>
>>Using Ulead VideoStudio 10,
>
> Don't have that.
>
The original poster (OP), mentioned he had Adobe Elements,
I'm sure it can do a simple side wipe transition.

>>and the Paint accessory in XP.

You have that I assume?

>> You can
>>slow/speed-up the transition or change the wipe direction in the editor.
>>Pretty much all the editing programs I know can do this.
>
> Not MoTV. How about Womble? TMPG Enc 3.0 XPress?
>
Actually, given the nature of the program I am surprised if that is
the case, MoTV, ought to be able to apply a controlled transition
between two .jpg files. A simple side wipe should be one it can do.

The Womble MPEG Wizard Editing programs can do some
transitions, as I understand it.

As I've told you before, TMPGEnc 3.0 XPress is an Encoding
Program, not an Editing Program.


> Could it handle a tortuous walk track? I'm assuming the 'wipe' is in
> one specified direction? Even if that covered any angle (not just
> points of the compass), presumably that wouldn't work with complex
> tracks.
>

Yes, where there were a backtracking, so that it would involve an
earlier highlighted segment, you would simply make another clip with
the wipe in that direction. You would use the .jpg that was highlighted
up to the point of the direction reversal as the "A"clip and to be edited
to make the "B"Clip. You can even cross the original path this way.

You can edit the two .avi clips together, easy enough.

Luck;
Ken

"Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
>
> "yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
>> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
>> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
>> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
>> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
>> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
>> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>>
>> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
>> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Randy
>>
>
> The easy way:
>
> Make a copy of your Map.jpg file renaming it: Leg1.jpg.
>
> Then in PhotoShop, highlight the first Leg of your trip on the
> Leg1.jpg.
>
> Now add your Map.jpg (as clipA) and then your
> Leg1.jpg (as ClipB) to your timeline (or use the
> storyboard mode) in Elements. Then add the wipe
> transition between the two .jpg. Set the duration of
> the transition and the direction of the wipe.
>
> Now export or save that transition as Leg1Clip.avi
> (or whatever Element's native format is)
>
> You can do the rest of the legs that same way, if you
> want each leg to just show just it's progress, without
> showing the progress of the earlier legs.
>
> If you want to show the progress of the earlier legs,
> you would make a Leg2.jpg from a copy of the edited
> Leg1.jpg. You would extend the highlighted track
> from where you left off on Leg1.jpg to the end of Leg2.
> Then in Elements you would use Leg1.jpg as the "A"
> clip and your Leg2.jpg as the "B" clip.
>
> You could build your project in Elements or Memories-
> on-TV, placing the LegClip AVIs between your slide
> shows, on a timeline.
>
> Luck;
> Ken

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned the standard way of doing this effect.

In Photoshop, or something similar, import the map and lay down the "path"
on a separate layer.

Save the map with the line in some form that can be imported by the video
editing software.

In Photoshop (or something similar), delete the map layer, but not the layer
containing the path.

Apply a gradient to the path so that it is black on one end and white on the
other.

Save just the path as a separate file, with alpha channel preserved (use TIF
or PSD).

In you video edit, import both map files, i.e. the one with and the one
without the path, as well as the file containing the separate path.

Place the two map photos adjacent and apply a gradient wipe transition to
the photos. Stretch the transition so that it covers both completely. In
the gradient wipe transition controls, specify the separate path file as the
mask.

Render.

This will give a moving line that can even double back on itself, something
that a simple wipe transition cannot do. You can also use this effect for
doing "handwriting," where the words appear to write themselves onto the
screen. You can see this effect here:

www.travelersvideo.globe opening2.wmv

The words, "A Video Journal" were done using this technique.

There's also an excellent tutorial on Wrigley Videos here:

http://wrigleyvideo.com/videotutoria...remiere_6x.htm (it's the
"simulate handwriting" tutorial about halfway down the page)

If you have multiple video tracks, place one above the other.



>
>
>

"PTravel" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Ken Maltby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
>>
>> "yksmir" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>>>I use things like photoshop, adobe elements 1.0, memories on tv,
>>> etc... for converting our family vacations pictures/video to dvd
>>> videos. I'm wondering if there is some easy way to do a map animation?
>>> Something like taking a map of Poland which includes train tracks and
>>> having a highlighted line trace the tracks for a certain distance,
>>> then a series of our pictures play, then the map again highlighting
>>> more distance, then pictures again, etc...
>>>
>>> A jpg map I have but I really don't know where to proceed to turn it
>>> into an animated avi file to insert into adobe elements.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Randy
>>>
>>
>> The easy way:
>>
>> Make a copy of your Map.jpg file renaming it: Leg1.jpg.
>>
>> Then in PhotoShop, highlight the first Leg of your trip on the
>> Leg1.jpg.
>>
>> Now add your Map.jpg (as clipA) and then your
>> Leg1.jpg (as ClipB) to your timeline (or use the
>> storyboard mode) in Elements. Then add the wipe
>> transition between the two .jpg. Set the duration of
>> the transition and the direction of the wipe.
>>
>> Now export or save that transition as Leg1Clip.avi
>> (or whatever Element's native format is)
>>
>> You can do the rest of the legs that same way, if you
>> want each leg to just show just it's progress, without
>> showing the progress of the earlier legs.
>>
>> If you want to show the progress of the earlier legs,
>> you would make a Leg2.jpg from a copy of the edited
>> Leg1.jpg. You would extend the highlighted track
>> from where you left off on Leg1.jpg to the end of Leg2.
>> Then in Elements you would use Leg1.jpg as the "A"
>> clip and your Leg2.jpg as the "B" clip.
>>
>> You could build your project in Elements or Memories-
>> on-TV, placing the LegClip AVIs between your slide
>> shows, on a timeline.
>>
>> Luck;
>> Ken
>
> I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned the standard way of doing this
> effect.
>
> In Photoshop, or something similar, import the map and lay down the "path"
> on a separate layer.
>
> Save the map with the line in some form that can be imported by the video
> editing software.
>
> In Photoshop (or something similar), delete the map layer, but not the
> layer containing the path.
>
> Apply a gradient to the path so that it is black on one end and white on
> the other.
>
> Save just the path as a separate file, with alpha channel preserved (use
> TIF or PSD).
>
> In you video edit, import both map files, i.e. the one with and the one
> without the path, as well as the file containing the separate path.
>
> Place the two map photos adjacent and apply a gradient wipe transition to
> the photos. Stretch the transition so that it covers both completely. In
> the gradient wipe transition controls, specify the separate path file as
> the mask.
>
> Render.
>
> This will give a moving line that can even double back on itself,
> something that a simple wipe transition cannot do. You can also use this
> effect for doing "handwriting," where the words appear to write themselves
> onto the screen. You can see this effect here:
>
> www.travelersvideo.globe opening2.wmv
>
> The words, "A Video Journal" were done using this technique.
>
> There's also an excellent tutorial on Wrigley Videos here:
>
> http://wrigleyvideo.com/videotutoria...remiere_6x.htm (it's the
> "simulate handwriting" tutorial about halfway down the page)
>
> If you have multiple video tracks, place one above the other.
>
>


You can do a gradient wipe in Elements 1.0? Or use an effects
curve? For either method you normally need to spend some real
bucks. ( Although, even Magix has effect curves available.)

You could reverse direction by joining transition clips, as I
described. (Although the example of yours that I could get to,
the Wrigleyvideo handwriting, wouldn't look as good; without
making and joining a number of clips.)

Both approaches are the same, they use a replace transition
between one image and a copy of that image that has some
added material applied to it. Your example just adds in an
overlay with a complex gradient to control the wipe. (The
gradient must be created as the writing is applied, not after
it is in the image, or the effect would be the same as a simple
wipe. Apparently, PhotoShop can do that though.)

I think just copying a .jpg file, then drawing on the copy, is
a lot easier. Creating the "transition" clip should be simple,
even using Elements 1.0.

Luck;
Ken