Video Mode helps you capture your projects in seconds. Save camera locations, and then string them together with transitions to generate professional, smooth, and captivating videos.
Getting to Video Mode: In order to take videos of your project in Video mode, go to the Finalize Phase.
Version 3: Single left-click the Video Mode button to load a 3D View with black border. To move around in 3D, use the standard mouse controls to rotate and pan and Walk (CTRL + W) and Fly (CTRL + F).
Version 2: Single left-click the Video Mode button to load a 3D View with black border. To move around in 3D, use the standard mouse controls to rotate and pan and Walk (W) and Fly (F).
Camera Locations
Save camera locations and then string them together with transitions to create professional videos.
New Camera Location: Press this button to add your current 3D view as a new camera location to the storyboard. You can also press (+) on your keyboard. To change the order, select the new location and hold down the left mouse button to drag it to the correct position.
Add Image/Media: Press this button to insert an image into your storyboard. The image may be in the .bmp, .jpg or.png file formats.
By default the image will appear in your storyboard twice as Location Slot A and B separated by a Hold Position. If you select a different transition, the image will appear once.
Footprints: Press this button to enter Walk mode. Walk mode plants your feet firmly back on the ground so you can walk around. Press Esc to exit Walk mode and return to the Storyboard.
Balloon: Press this button to enter Fly mode. Fly mode allows you to “fly” anywhere in the 3D view. Press Esc to exit Fly mode and return to the Storyboard.
Location Slot Number: Left-click on the preview image to move to that saved location. To change the Location order, select the location and hold down the left mouse button to drag the saved location to the correct position.
Camera Pin: Press this button to update/change the Location Slot to the current view or different time of day.
Trash: Press this button to Delete the saved camera location. All locations after the deleted slot will move forward one place.
TIP: Copy and Paste locations between Photo Mode and Video Mode. Select the Location, press CTRL+C then CTRL+V to add the copy of the location.
Video Transitions
Transitions control how your video plays from one video clip or picture to the next. You can add a transition between two pictures, video clips, or titles in any combination on the storyboard.
Move: This video transition will move the camera smoothly from one location to another.
Move speed: The move speed is based on seconds. Select one of the three arrow buttons for slow, average and fast speeds. Or you can enter a second value manually.
Hold Position: This video transition will keep the camera location steady for the amount of time set in the Duration window.
Once Hold Position is selected, a 2nd Location Slot “B” of the same 3D View will appear.
Chains: This icon shows the two locations (A & B) are linked.
Feature the sun setting in your video in a few quick steps:
- Add your desired 3D View as a new Camera Location
- Select “Hold Position” transition and set the Duration to 10.0 (Once Hold Position is selected, a second Location Slot “B” of the same 3D View will appear.)
- Select the new Location Slot “B”, set the Time of Day to Night and press the Camera Pin to save the new view.
- Done! Press the Preview Video button to watch the sun set.
Hard Cut: This video transition will switch between two camera locations and instantly go to the next. If added at the end of the video, it will instantly end the clip.
Fade to Black: This video transition will fade to black at the end of the video, based on the amount of time set in the Duration window. This transition is only available on your last location slot.
Cross Fade: This video transition will blend two camera locations together to create a smooth transition. The amount of time set in the Duration window determines how fast the two clips merge.
Cross Fade is Vip3D Exclusive
Stage Options
Storyboard Length: This box shows how long the rendered video clip will be.
Preview Video: Press this button to see a preview of the Storyboard. The Preview will start at the currently selected Location. Not all transitions, such Fade to Black or Cross Fade will be visible in the preview.
Create Video: Press this button to render the storyboard into a MP4 video file. The file will be saved in your Project > Videos folder.
360° Video: Add a green checkmark to record a 360° Video. To record standard videos, simply place a red X.
Gear: When you press the Gear the Storyboard Settings box will come up (See below for more information)
Down Arrow: Press this button to minimize the Storyboard Tool Bar.
Storyboard Settings (Vip3D Exclusive)
Storyboard Name: Give your Storyboard a name.
Resolution: This control will allow you to select a resolution for your video. You may select SD, HDTV 720p or HDTV 1080p from the drop-down list. Higher resolutions will increase the quality of the video as well as increase the video’s file size.
Frame Rate: (Vip3D Exclusive) This control will allow you to select the number of frames per second for the rendered video.
Record Sound FX: Add a green checkmark to record environmental sounds such as water and fire. To turn off sound, simply place a red X.
Delete: This button will delete the current Storyboard.
360° Videos (Vip3D Exclusive)
360° Videos allow you to share with your clients the easiest, most engaging way to explore every detail of their future outdoor living space.
With 360° Video, use the mouse on your PC or the screen on your tablet or smartphone, to let your clients explore your design in any direction.
Toggle the 360° Video button On. Create new camera locations or you can simply turn on 360° Mode and render your existing storyboard as a 360° Video.
Creating 360° Videos will take significantly longer to render than standard videos. This is because the video is being recorded in all directions, instead of just one.
Once the 360° video is recorded, upload to Facebook or YouTube to interact with the video. Left click and drag the image using a PC mouse, or use a mobile device such as smart phone to move the view with your device.
Standard image viewing software will not display the video as a 360° or interactive video, but will upload correctly to Facebook or YouTube. For more information, check out the 360° blog.