,
Adding a sequence of numbered images into OpenShot as a single video clip used to require a bit of research and some knowledge of string formatting commands, such as %d, %04d, etc...
The problem with that approach is that users are required to figure out these commands in order to import an image sequence. This has been the root cause of many bug reports and lots of user frustration.
[Import image sequence window]
A new feature has been added to OpenShot which automatically detects that an image is part of an image sequence, and prompts the user (just to be sure). If the user chooses to import the entire image sequence, they just need to select "Yes" on the prompt (pictured above).
[Import image sequence window]
The above window will appear when importing an image sequence. But now, it will already be filled out with the correct settings. All the user needs to do is click the "Import Image Sequence" button, and a new clip will be added to the "Project Files" section.
You might have noticed a new setting on this screen: Repeat Sequence. This setting will repeat the entire sequence as many times as desired. A good example is a walk-cycle, or some animation that needs to repeat. Of course, the more times you repeat a sequence, the longer the video clip will be.
[Folder with numbered images]
Remember, any folder with numbered images can be imported using this feature. Using a nice image editor (such as InkScape), it's easy to play around with your own "flip-book" style of animating. Just save each frame of your animation, and when you are done, drag one of the images into OpenShot. Enjoy!
January 19, 2011 6:04 PM
That is a really good feature for the stop motion film makers!
January 19, 2011 6:10 PM
Great! When this feature hits, I may give OpenShot a try as an animation editor/compositor. Now, if only you had audio scrubbing for lip sync... :D
January 19, 2011 9:44 PM
omg. It's like you're in my head... o.O I was just using another FOSS editor and banging my head over the complexity of importing image sequences (and how I had to keep changing settings like 1 image = 1 frame every.single.time.)
For anyone involved in *any* kind of animation (I do 3D rather than stop-mo) this is an absolute must. In fact, I find image sequences invaluable even when *not* doing animation as they bypass all the codec complexity / bugs associated with video formats (providing you have enough HDD / CPU, which I do :-)
Even more than the value of this feature itself, I really value that you guys share what you're doing (Open Development + Open Source > Open Source alone)
Keep up the great work. It's appreciated!
January 20, 2011 2:42 AM
I really appreciate that you blog more about openshot's new features. Better than reading changelogs on releases :)
January 20, 2011 2:07 PM
My digital camera puts a number at the end of the file name (before the extension), and I do not want to import them as image sequence. So, I hope this dialog does not become annoying to click through for each photo I plan to include. Kdenlive did this by adding a check box to the file open dialog. It is not as guided as a dialog because you have to know to look for this checkbox, but it is less annoying.
January 20, 2011 11:04 PM
Hey Dan,
Just looked at Add Clip -> Image Sequence in Kdenlive. Very slick and easy! Thanks for sharing!