http://derstuhl.net/ahmd/uploads/Aces%20High%20Training%20and%20Help%20Movies/ahfilm_camerashots_tut.zipA tutorial I made on how to use the camera shots system. Static views either in the cockpit or external can become unimpressive after a while. The camera shots system can add a lot to making a movie.
Some quick tips.
- Windows Movie Maker can get the job done, but it fairly basic. If this is your first time making a movie or using any editing software, I'd recommend starting here because its free. It will help you learn the ropes.
- If you've used movie making software before, then I highly recommend Sony Vegas (currently I use ver. 8 Pro). Adobe Premiere is also a recommendation. Before sticking the $XXX money into these programs, I urge you to do their 30 day trials.
- Use Fraps - tried and true, simple and easy. The internal AH Film Viewer .AVI Export feature only supports up to 640x480. The previous movies I made I did widescreen at 720x480. Future movies I plan on making will be at least 1300x900 in resolution
- Your computer specs are similar to mine, you should have no real problems get an excellent quality movie.
- You can use Fraps for free, however the unpaid version watermarks the top of captured video and also limit capture time to 30 seconds before it turns the captured video into black and white. I think Fraps runs $30-40.
- You could crop your captured Fraps video to remove the watermark it places at the top.
- With your specs, I would use the same Fraps settings I use. Check these options:
+ Full-Size
+ 60 FPS
+ No cursor
- Recording Sound with Fraps is your choice. For a first time movie maker, I would recommend do not use recorded sound from the game. To get a proper representation of what in game sounds are really like, editing sounds and mixing in stock game audio is required. Time consuming.
+ A Test movie I did that took a considerable amount of time doing audio mixing:
+
http://www.derstuhl.net/downloads/filmtest_1c.zip- When recording in Fraps, if the captured FPS drops below 30 FPS - scrap the footage you just recorded. Set the shot up in AH Film Viewer again but set the playback speed to 1/2 (or .51, i dont think .5 is attainable on the slider). Your FPS will drop below 30 FPS again, however in your movie editing program you will double the playback speed of that clip. So lets say you captured that scene at 20FPS at 1/2 speed. Once you edit the clip to 2x speed, the actual frame rate for the scene has now become 40FPS.
- Jerky movies caused by low FPS recording are a pain to watch. Though you may see past it since its your creation, the internet is full of harsh critics and you will get drilled on it.
Any more questions, feel free to post or pm. There are several accomplished movie makers on this forum. Also use Google and Youtube for tutorials on using the Movie Maker program you choose.