How to Create a Picture-in-Picture Effect

Learn how to create a picture-in-picture effect in your video or slideshow.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Video Editing Software that allows moving paths. (We use Ulead Mediastudio Pro 8.0)
• Moderate experience in video editing.
• Basic math skills.

1. 
    
   Video Alignment

   The first thing to do is to determine which elements you will use to create the PIP. Arrange the pieces on the timeline where the effect will occur. Place the background video in video track 1. Place the overlay video in track 2.

2. At this point video 2 simply overlays video 1 completely. We need to adjust the size of video 2 so the background video will be visible. We accomplish this with the use of a moving path. You may use a preset moving path or customize one to have the exact size and placement on the screen that you desire.

3. 
    
   Moving Path

   For the purposes of this tutorial, we will choose to center video 2 over video 1 and give it a size of 360 pixels (width) x 240 pixels (height). This ratio is based on an aspect ratio of 3:2 (if your original video has a different aspect ratio, you will want to enter values that reflect its original aspect ratio, i.e. a 640 x 480 frame equals a 4:3 aspect ratio).

4. You will also need to set the video's position on the screen. For centering, I entered an x position of 360 and a y position of 240, as my project frame size is 720 x 480. If your moving path dialog has a key frame timeline, make sure that the ending values you enter are the same as the beginning ones for both size and position (unless you want the video to change in size or move across the screen). Also, your positioning coordinates may differ depending on where the moving path anchors the frame.

5. For an added twist, you can also add a pan and zoom filter to video 2. The moving path will hold video 2 framed and the pan and zoom can be used to move the portion of video that is seen within the frame.

Tips & Warnings

• For purposes of video placement using a moving path, the x axis begins at the left side of the screen and the y axis begins at the top of the screen.
• Be aware that using pan and zoom in addition to a moving path may require you to adjust the aspect ratio within your motion path to equal the output aspect ratio of your project to avoid distortion (i.e. if your output was 720x480 (3:2), your motion path size could be something like 360x240)
• Accompanying audio may need adjusted, as well.
• Again, don't forget to save your work often.

Resources

• Picture-in-Picture (see Kade's Dedication)

[starlet67]

on 4/17/2009 Great tips for your photos!5*

[ryno32]

on 4/16/2009 Thanks for the kind remarks.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 4/14/2009 Thank you for the article on creating a picture-in-picture effect. Very cool. 5*