Circular Flash video files...

[BrucUK]

Hi,
I want to have an Articulate "slide", with a picture of a washing machine.
Within the circular door will be a "circular" Flash video.

Anyone have any ideas on whether this is possible, and how to achieve it? It may be that I do not have the tools to achieve this, but would be interesting to know if there is a simple way to achieve this. I have done similar with standard "Square/Rectangular" .flv output inside a PC screen, but is it possible with more interesting shapes?

Thanks
Bruce

[brianosmi]

If you are using QuizMaker you could actually layer the washing machine graphic over your video, creating the circular video effect... Pretty cool.

I don't believe that Presenter or Engage offers this same flexibility, however, which makes me believe that you would need to somehow incorporate the washing machine graphic into your video before importing into Articulate. If you have source files for your video this would be easy enough to do, but if not it could be a real headache.

I would be interested in seeing the end product if you are able to figure something out!

[Honshin]

I think this screenr may help you achieve your effect. It is actually creating a more complicated mask than the one you are trying to create. Your video would take the place of the image of the man and you would create the solid color circle in your washing machine image.

Screenr - @elearningart: What's up doc? Create bugs bunny effect using PowerPoint transparency. Good for splash screens.

[BrucUK]

Thanks for the suggestion, however, if I understand correctly in AP'09 the video always sits at the top layer, so this would not produce the correct result.
Thanks again tho' for explaining a useful technique.
Bruce

[DavidAnderson]

Great topic and ideas!

I'd never thought of doing anything like this, but couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday afternoon than figuring it out:-)

Video Encoder's Insert Logo recognizes transparency. Using transparent layering, we can take part of a washing machine and overlay that in Video Encoder. Publish out the video and insert into Presenter over the original washing machine image.

Here's what I came up with but would love to see other ways.
Preview: video-shapes

Screenr:

• How to use Video Encoder to create circular Flash videos in Articulate Presenter (pt. 1/3)
• Circular Flash videos in Presenter: Creating the graphics and masking layer for Video Encoder (pt. 2/3)
• Circular Flash videos in Presenter: Using Video Encoder Insert Logo to add the masking layer (pt.3/3)

[GerryWaz]

Very clever, David. Very clever. Nice work.

[brianosmi]

Originally Posted by David Anderson

Video Encoder's Insert Logo recognizes transparency. Using transparent layering, we can take part of a washing machine and overlay that in Video Encoder. Publish out the video and overlay in Presenter.

Wow, I love finding a new way to use a tool I already have - great use of a feature in video encoder that I never thought I would use

[DavidAnderson]

Thanks Gerry and Brian

Originally Posted by brianosmi

you would need to somehow incorporate the washing machine graphic into your video before importing into Articulate.

That's what got me thinking about Video Encoder. It works well if you have Fireworks, Paint.net, or something where you can slice up an image and then work with a selected area to bring into Video Encoder.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well I could stretch pixels in PowerPoint to create the cover effect. PowerPoint continues to step up:-)

[Honshin]

David:

Great tutorial! I had forgotten about the logo feature and would have never thought about this use. Brilliant.

[DavidAnderson]

I made a small update to the lesson. Rather than use a cover screen and re-create the washing machine door, I cropped the door and re-used it for the video mask.

video-shapes

Screencast:
Updated: Using Video Encoder to create circular movie files