Video Backgrounds

[Bungles]

Hi All,

Is it possible to somehow have a video background and still have a video preview? 

Something like this as a background...

 

[Bungles]

So been tinkering and only think this is possible if you make a full video theme like Retro.

Maybe in the future they can allow for mp4/flv background support.

[KlopjerO]

4 hours ago, Bungles said:

So been tinkering and only think this is possible if you make a full video theme like Retro.

Maybe in the future they can allow for mp4/flv background support.

I did some video in swf art layer for a couple of my older themes, I used adobe after effects to make the initial composition then exported that to a flash work file, open it in flash and published it as an swf. is this what you mean ? Here's command and conquer... I also did one for scorched earth.

Artwork2.swf

Microsoft_MS-DOS_-_Command_&_Conquer_(1995)_-_(klopjero).zip

Microsoft_MS-DOS_-_Scorched_Earth_(1991)-klopjero(20160701).zip

[Bungles]

11 minutes ago, KlopjerO said:

I did some video in swf art layer for a couple of my older themes, I used adobe after effects to make the initial composition then exported that to a flash work file, open it in flash and published it as an swf. is this what you mean ? Here's command and conquer... I also did one for scorched earth.

Artwork2.swf

Yes KlopjerO this !! So much this.. 

I need to learn adobe so much it seems!

There are quite a few nice fullscreen animated Game Wallpapers that would be amazing to use.

Then to layer over with the normal images and gameplay video in a frame etc. Would make for some epic Themes.

Not sure if you would be interested?

Let me know And I can assist where possible but my skills in Adobe products are slim to none.

 

[KlopjerO]

18 minutes ago, Bungles said:

Yes KlopjerO this !! So much this.. 

I need to learn adobe so much it seems!

There are quite a few nice fullscreen animated Game Wallpapers that would be amazing to use.

Then to layer over with the normal images and gameplay video in a frame etc. Would make for some epic Themes.

Not sure if you would be interested?

Let me know And I can assist where possible but my skills in Adobe products are slim to none.

 

Indeed it would. what you want isn't all that hard to do, depending on the adobe application you have installed.

If you have Adobe after effects and Adobe flash or animator(?) you could easily do this. the Full HD/Resizing is still a bother i suppose.
I'm doing this from the top of my head, but here it goes.
download the youtube video
start after effects and create a 1024x768 composition.
import the video you just downloaded and mangle it till it fits the composition.
then click file, export to Flash (fx3 I think the extention is)
it will ask a question if you want to do an image frame or FLV, do flv
then after it's exported open it in flash, and publish it swf. action script 3,

after you made the swf, the process of building the theme from there is like you always have.

I think that's all, from the top of my head anyway. it has been a while.

I'm not able to help you out right now as I've run into a creative wall with my ScummVM themes.. and I really do want to finish those but the thought of redrawing and cleaning up the artwork at this point makes me feel nauseous.

[KlopjerO]

@Bungles wow those witcher themes... you sure don't let grass grow over it. pardon the expression.. it's a Dutch saying that you move fast! Good job!!

[Bungles]

Those instructions.. were amazing. Thank you so very much!

Still not sure on my first release but they will improve I gather as I get used to the programs.

 

 

[KlopjerO]

I'm glad they worked I think there is a way to include the flv in the SWF. but this is good, I haven't loaded it up yet, where do you place the flv ?

[Bungles]

8 minutes ago, KlopjerO said:

... you sure don't let grass grow over it. pardon the expression.. it's a Dutch saying that you move fast! Good job!!

Haha, As we say in Australia. 

I don't screw around Mate..

 

[Bungles]

4 minutes ago, KlopjerO said:

I'm glad they worked I think there is a way to include the flv in the SWF. but this is good, I haven't loaded it up yet, where do you place the flv ?

The background mp4 was embedded into the swf via the techniques you discribed so its Layer Art 1. Then the rest is just normal layered art 2-4 and a video (mp4 renamed to flv) with an image frame.

Seemed to work well. Quality loss was abit daunting at first but as its background bluryness is ok, just the pixelation I dont like. 

I will investigate what options are in After Effects/Flash for improving quality. Just don't want to impact on performance too much and make the theme itself massive. 

There was something raised in another thread about memory leaks with animated wheels I think so I will keep that in mind also.. 

 

[dark13]

With flash you can embedd a video into the swf but the framerate will not be perfect and audio desync will happen. You can link a video to a .swf BUT the folder will be hardcoded.

If you want a second video in HS that play perfectly you need to use actionscript in the .swf. The problem is then you need a beefy cpu if you plan a 1024x768 mp4.

[KlopjerO]

Just seen the video preview. It looks bloody marvelous! Good on 'ya mate!

[Avar]

It looks good in theory and this is how cinematic themes started but it has a lot of issues with convenience, audio, bugginess, and some bitrate limitations that seem innate to the format.

The idea is good but I encourage you to at least keep backups of the videos you're using.

[KlopjerO]

50 minutes ago, Avar said:

It looks good in theory and this is how cinematic themes started but it has a lot of issues with convenience, audio, bugginess, and some bitrate limitations that seem innate to the format.

The idea is good but I encourage you to at least keep backups of the videos you're using.

lets not bring convenience into this

[Bungles]

As its all new to me Avar always keeping backups. I am yet to really find any issues with these themes but they are new to my system so time will tell I guess.

I am only to make a handful at most as it was more of an experiment for me than a new standard.

Also I got to play in Adobe products for the first time not using pre-scripted methods.

 

 

[Bungles]

The Star Wars Battlegrounds one seemed to go a bit better. I increased the jpeg quality when creating the swf. 

Still need to learn how to create a small fade transition at the start and end so its not so .. Bam, Start again.

[wesfranks]

Not sure if your process will allow it, but I always import artwork assets as an editable bitmap.

With this, you can use an uncompressed png, rather than a compressed jpeg which is the default setting. Compression causes pixelation and jaggy edges. You can even apply smoothing with this option (a must if you are doing animations-you end up with a stairstep effect upon movement without this).

The option for selecting uncompressed png/smoothing per artwork asset is on the bottom right of Flash (right click and select Properties). With png sequencing, the option to import as an editable bitmap is by selecting the multiple layers on the popup import screen. An options menu comes up on the right side of the import popup. 

With a png sequence, imported from a Photoshop psd, with judicious use of tools like the puppet warp and liquify, you can simulate extremity movements and subtle expression changes in your artwork and sequence it in Flash like flip-book animation. I only mention this part because in my mind the Witcher character was swinging the chain mace around his head. Save broad motions like entering the theme "stage" and aligning with other characters for HyperTheme.

BTW, not a pro tip. I just play around and there's probably a better way to do anything I do. 

[Bungles]

You lost me at Not Sure... Haha.

I am brand new to anything "Adobe" so It will take me a short time to find everything.

I will give it a good read through but for now my process is pretty much what @KlopjerO advised.

1. Find something nice and 1080p on Youtube and Leech it.

2. Start After Effects and create a 1024x768 composition.  (Settings below)

3. Import the video you just downloaded and mangle it till it fits the composition. (Usually just center it and force set the size to what Dark13's scripts do.)
// Scale from 1080p to 1024*768 and apply 16:9 ratio correction
                bmp_tl.scaleX = 0.53333 ;
                bmp_tl.scaleY = 0.7111 ;

4. Then click file, export to Flash (Fxl Extention)

5. Open Fxl File in flash, and publish it swf. action script 3.  (Settings below)

6. Set the SWF as the Background Image and go from there.

 

 

 

 

[wesfranks]

Glad you did that. I understood what klopjero was saying, but it was good to see the screenshots you put up demonstrating it.

However, that was what I meant by "process" (handling of video assets vs. an artwork asset). I was referring to artwork assets like the individual characters in your theme, not the video background. When you mentioned changing the jpeg value, it made me think you were talking about artwork. What I said wouldn't apply in your example.

As to video and Flash, most of what I know is the issues that Dark13 mentioned about variable framerates (based on target computer's cpu) and audio/video desync. 

I am wondering what would happen if you unchecked the SWF setting "Compress movie" in the middle of the last screenshot you put up? Not suggesting, just wondering. Potential huge file size vs. improvement in movie quality... hmmm.

[Bungles]

19 minutes ago, wesfranks said:

I am wondering what would happen if you unchecked the SWF setting "Compress movie" in the middle of the last screenshot you put up? Not suggesting, just wondering. Potential huge file size vs. improvement in movie quality... hmmm.

I think the damage is done in After Effects to be honest. As there was only a minimal at most change without compression. (That my old eyes can see anyway)
I will need to investigate further, maybe look to see if there are effects or filters I can apply to correct it.

Files to play with:

Original File.mp4

Star Citizen.xfl

With Compression.swf

Without Compression.swf

Granted in this case the original file was 720p I applied the same principal only changing the ratio slightly to fit the video to a 1024x768 resolution template.

 

 

[wesfranks]

I see the same that you do. (old eyes here, also)

Thanks for the example files. I hate wondering about something. BTW, cool project and great potential. I'm a fan of moving backgrounds whether animated or video.

[Bungles]

Yeah I just thought it might be something with potential. Also a neat little project to keep idle hands at bay.

It all started with my Full throttle theme and a dream to animate the clouds adding lightning and making the roads/terrain scroll to simulate riding etc.

I may investigate that one day but baby steps for now.

 

[Avar]

Prolly don't wanna waste time on getting your plans SWFd and hacked in.

 

[Bungles]

...

 

[Marcoqwerty]

Wow great topic...i had look around to find some way to made my own DEFAULT SYSTEM THEME...i have no problem to make video but if i made a theme and place inside the .flv for background (i dont need play per system videosnaps) every time i change the wheel the background reload and the bk video start again....

This is the bk video for my last project (Driving mame cab)