Tuesday, May 29, 2018

How to Make A Time-lapse Video with VideoPad

How to Make a Time-Lapse Video with VideoPad



Time just doesn’t seem to move fast enough for some of us anymore. A time-lapse video is a great way to observe change over time without having to literally watch grass grow. You can make a time-lapse video of anything you would like, such as a sunset, a cross-country drive, a plant growing, or anything else that you can imagine. With a simple and easy-to-use video editing software such as VideoPad, you can make stunning time-lapse videos of your own and share them with the world.


What is a Time-lapse Video?

There are basically two types of videos that are considered time-lapse videos. The first type is made when a video is taken on a camcorder and then later that video is sped up to quickly show the passing of a long amount of time. This can make everything in the video appear to move quickly or just certain objects in the video, depending on where the activity was in your shot and if your camera was still while shooting. Think about a sped-up video of foot traffic in a train station or of snow building up during a winter storm. The second type of time-lapse video is made by taking a series of pictures of the same object over time and then playing them all together in rapid succession. This method creates a video-like effect of that object changing from picture to picture.



Setting Up Your Camera for a Time-lapse 

Ready...

Make sure that your camera is fully charged and make sure that you have enough storage for the number of pictures you will be taking or the amount of time you will be filming. Make sure that your SD card is formatted and cleared so that there are no issues saving your images or recordings. When a camera is left on or left recording for long amounts of time, it can quickly drain the battery. Make sure that your battery is fully charged and that you have a spare ready just in case.

Aim...

The most common element of almost all time-lapse videos is that the shot typically remains stationary, while one particular object or area within that shot moves. Using a tripod is the easiest way to achieve maximum camera stability. If you do not have one available, find a sturdy and secure place to set your camera so that it can remain completely still and untouched. Look through your viewfinder or on your camera’s playback screen and set markers just outside of the shot so that you can line that exact shot up again later if you do move your camera.

Fire!!!

If you are taking a video, all you have to do is start your recording and remember to come back to stop it when you are finished. Making a time-lapse video with photos can be a little more labor-intensive. Depending on how fast your subject is moving or changing, you will want to use different intervals of time for taking pictures. Some modern cameras do have settings on them that enable you to set predefined increments of time to take a photo. Otherwise, you can set a timer and hang out with your camera. A couple of photos each minute is good for a sunrise, but for something like a plant growing, a couple of photos a day is better.

Photos or Video?

The main factor for this decision is time. How long is it going to take to capture everything you want in your time-lapse? Anything that takes longer than a day to capture would probably be better left to pictures. This is mainly because of storage. Video files are large, photo files are not. A 24 hour HD video won't even fit on most computers and would likely require 2-3 battery changes to film it all. Making a time-lapse with photos is great for capturing gradual change over time and then getting to watch it all at once in a matter of seconds. Using video is good when change happens quickly and you want to capture every second of it.

Making a Time-Lapse with Photos

Set up your camera on a tripod with your memory card formatted and your battery fully charged. Begin taking your pictures in even increments of time or allowing your camera to do so for you if it has the capability. Once you begin taking your pictures, do not move or disrupt your camera. When you get back to the lab, open the latest version of VideoPad Video Editing Software. There are two ways to make a time-lapse with photos in VideoPad.

Method #1

Add Images as Video in VideoPad 
You can create a great time-lapse video with pictures using VideoPad's Add Images as Video function. From the File drop-down menu, select Add Images as Video... You will be prompted to select the folder on your computer containing all of your photos. After that, you can set the frame rate. This is a fast and efficient way to make a time-lapse video from your photos. The lowest frame rate that can be set is 10 fps, though. If this is too fast for your photo time-lapse, you will have to make your video using the second method.
Images as a Video Output File

Method #2

Drag all of your photos into the media bin in VideoPad. Then drag them all onto your timeline in the order that they were taken. To adjust the duration of all of your images at once, click on the first clip in the timeline, hold down the shift key, and then click on the last clip in your timeline. This will select all of your images at once. Right-click on any one of the selected images in your timeline and then select Change Duration from the dropdown menu. You will see under the clip preview window that the default duration of 3:00 sec is now highlighted in blue and can be adjusted. You can experiment with what feels right for your time-lapse. Typically, for a time-lapse made of images, the duration of each image doesn't need to be more than 1/2 a second long. Anything longer and your video will look choppy and slow.

Change Duration of Multiple Images at once in VideoPad 


Making a Time-lapse with Video

Set up your camera on a tripod with your memory card formatted and your battery fully charged. Start your video recording. Once you start your recording, do not move or disrupt your camcorder or anything in your shot until you are finished. When you get back to the lab, open the latest version of VideoPad Video Editing Software. Drag your video clip into the media bin in VideoPad and then drag it onto the timeline. Right-click on your clip and select the option that says Change Clip Speed.

Change Clip Speed of a Video

That will open up the Speed Change function and allow you to adjust the speed of your clip as a percentage. It is default at 100% which is normal speed, so you can increase it from there. Remember that 200% is making your clip twice as fast, 400% is quadrupling the speed, and so on and so forth. You can adjust it to your liking and try out different speeds until it looks perfect. Click Set when you are finished and your time-lapse video is now ready for export. You can add music or captions to your time-lapse video and then export it to your preferred location or upload it directly to YouTube.
Increasing Clip Speed 4x


Tuesday, May 22, 2018

New Release: Switch Sound File Converter for Windows

Download Switch 6.20 now at www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X and Android at the same page

Friday, May 18, 2018

How to Save as MP3 - MixPad Multitrack Audio Mixing Software Tutorial

How to Save as MP3 with MixPad Multitrack Audio Recording and Mixing Software

How To Save as MP3


Download MixPad Multitrack Audio Recording and Mixing Software to get started.

This MixPad tutorial will teach you how to save your audio mixing project as a .mp3 file.

For more MixPad tutorials, visit: https://www.nch.com.au/mixpad/tutorial.html




How to Save as MP3


  1. Click the Export Mix button on the Home toolbar to open the Export Options  
  2. Select mp3 from the Output File Type dropdown list 
  3. Click the Export button to export your mix as an mp3 file


For additional information, tips and tricks, watch the full tutorial above.



For more MixPad tutorials, visit: https://nch.com.au/mixpad/tutorial.html


Do you need help using MixPad?

View the Help Manual: http://help.nchsoftware.com/help/en/mixpad/win/help.pdf

Visit the MixPad Forum: http://nch.invisionzone.com/index.php?/forum/69-mixpad/

Contact Support: https://www.nch.com.au/support/supportcontact.html?software=MixPad

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Monday, May 14, 2018

New Release: WavePad Sound Editor for Windows

Download WavePad 8.06 now at www.nch.com.au/wavepad/index.html. Also available for iOS, Android and Mac OS X at the same page

Just Released: Express Scribe Transcription Software for Windows

Download Express Scribe 7.01 now at www.nch.com.au/scribe/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X at the same page

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

DreamPlan’s Newest Tool Allows for Unlimited Design Possibilities

DreamPlan’s Newest Tool Allows for Unlimited Design Possibilities

Header image with examples of the DreamPlan Block tool

We are pleased to announce the addition of a brand new tool to the DreamPlan Home Design Software menu. If you haven't already, check for an update to reveal this new feature in your version of DreamPlan. We are always trying to improve our software with new and exciting features. The Block Tool is a great addition to DreamPlan and will help you take your home design projects to the next level. Try it out today.


What is the DreamPlan Block Tool?

The Block Tool is a new tool available for DreamPlan Home Design Software. This powerful and versatile tool allows you to create your own shapes in DreamPlan and use them to make customized home design masterpieces. You can add colors and textures to your newly drawn objects and adjust them as you please. You can also stack and connect multiple Block Tool objects to make truly unique additions to your projects.

How to locate the DreamPlan Block tool
The DreamPlan Block Tool


How do I use the Block Tool?

The block tool can be located under the Building tab where it is simply called “Block.” The tool works by drawing straight lines to create the outline of your shape. When you connect your shape's outline back to your starting point, the area of your shape will fill in. Once you have created your object, you can then adjust its shape even more by clicking and dragging the red and pink spherical touchpoints along the edges. The pink spheres allow you to make your shape convex or concave on any side of your drawing, while the red ones allow you to stretch and adjust corners. You can change the height of the shape and its elevation (distance off the ground) in the Platform Properties window.


Menu options for using the DreamPlan block tool
Using the DreamPlan Block Tool

What can I make with the Block tool?

The Block tool can be used to make a variety of new objects in DreamPlan. This tool puts the power in the hands of the user. If the content you want for your project doesn't already exist in DreamPlan, the Block Tool opens the door for you to create it yourself. Here are just a few examples of some of the great things that you can do with the new Block Tool.

Customized cabinets created in DreamPlan Home Design Software
Custom cabinets 

Build Custom Cabinets

The Block Tool can be used for creating your own custom cabinets. Use short walls for the cabinet sides and then use the block tool to make the top. You can adjust the texture and color to your liking and then add cabinet doors.



A modern floating staircase designed in DreamPlan
Floating staircase

Make a Floating Staircase

Make that floating staircase you've always wanted to give your home that modern feel. Use the Block Tool to create each step. Then adjust their elevation to your desired step height. Finally, move them onto the wall where you would like your stairs.

A brick fireplace hearth designed in DreamPlan
Fireplace Hearth

Add a Fireplace Hearth

The brick area around a fireplace is called the "hearth." Not only do they make your home more fire safe, but they also look great. Use the Block Tool to make your own. Draw it the size you would like, select a brick texture, and adjust the height of the object.

A C-shaped minibar designed in DreamPlan
Minibar 

Build A Stylish Mini-Bar

You can adjust the shapes you have made with the Block Tool to be less block-like if you would like. Try making a funky mini bar for your entertainment room.


A platform bed designed in DreamPlan
Platform bed

Make a Platform Bed

You can make a true platform bed with the new block tool. Combining blocks of different sizes allows you to build a platform and box in your bed. Then you can add the steps up to your new platform bed.






Retaining walls

Build a Retaining Wall

Use the Block Tool to build a retaining wall for your landscape projects. Make your retaining wall out of bricks and then fill it with plants and flowers from the content library.





Staircase landings

Make a Staircase Landing

With the Block Tool, you can now create a variety of different staircase landings. Decide if you want your stairs to switch back or make a right angle. You can place a staircase landing in the middle or at the bottom of your stairs.





New Release: Express Invoice Invoicing Software for Windows

Download Express Invoice 6.03 now at www.nchsoftware.com/invoice/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X, iOS and Android at the same page

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

New Release: PhotoStage Slideshow Producer for Windows

Download PhotoStage 5.02 now at www.nchsoftware.com/slideshow/index.html. Also available for Android, Mac OS X and iOS at the same page

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

New Release: DreamPlan Home Design Software for Windows

Download DreamPlan 3.10 now at www.nchsoftware.com/design/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X and Android at the same page