Préamble :
It's "Laurent" who sent us this second method. This tutorial follows the first cloning method described by saby "special FX: Video Cloning" .
Here, we will not use an Alpha Magic transition, but a free plug in the JPS Effects pack. Our links page will guide you to JPsEffects home page where you can download JPsEffects version 1.1.4. fully compatible with Studio 9 and higher.
Before getting to the heart of the tutorial, I suggest you carefully read the beginning of saby tutorial: "special FX: Video Cloning" and in particular, the part concerning small stuff for video taping and its environment, which are also relevant. In summary, don't make any changes to the lighting, don't add decorations and don't have the objects move.
Step 1 : Download and install the plugin JPS effetcs
So, go to the JPsEffects page and download version 1.1.4. Installation is easy. After selecting the version of the plugin to install (Studio version 9 and higher), you should choose the installation language (English or German), then the type of installation : Select "Complete (no source)", then follow the instructions. At the end of the installation, launch Studio. You now have no fewer than 22 new effects (for free) for Studio, including our plugin, "Transparency".
Step 2 : Editing your video
In contrast, using the method by Saby, you need to have the Plus version of Studio with 2 video tracks.
On the main video track place the video that will be to the left, and on the overlay track place the clip that will be to the right.
If you use the monitor for previewing, you will have the video on the tracks superimposed, but we will rectify that shortly.
Step 3 : Apply the effect JPs Effects - transparency
Select the second video track (overlay). It is this video to which we will apply the effect.
| Now in the editing area of Studio, select the camera in the upper left to access the video toolbox: |
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| Then click the small plug, and click on the "Add a new effect” button, to add the Transparency effect: |
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After that, select the effects window, the "JPS Effects category - Misc" and then the "Transparency" effect:
Step 4 : Finalization of the effect
By clicking on the OK button, you access the configuration box for the "Transparency" effect:
Type : Select VERTICAL, then check the Invert box to clone your image.
Value : The default is 50. It's up to you, to decide if this option should be changed depending on the effect. For example, the value of 25, will display 25% of the left image and 75% of the right image. This setting would allow you to correct for a camera in the wrong position.
Border : This option is quite interesting. It allows you to soften the edges between the two videos in order not to have too sharp of a border between them. This option will among other things, correct some differences in brightness between your videos.
You should get something like this:
And finally, I can recommend saby latest commentary :"In fact, the most difficult part is to synchronize the movements of the two subjects if you want them to interact in the rendered video. For that, it's a no-brainer : a little imagination, a good chrono, a few unsuccessful attempts, and a lot of patience should do the job".
Although I will qualify it slightly. The timing seems a little easier through two distinct tracks by the placement of a transition, but that's up to you. And especially good fun!
{Thank to Laurent who sent us this great tutorial with its translation}
{Thanks to Loosecannon for the fine tuning}