Timeline - yes, for the first time, Casablanca editors can choose between
the much beloved storyboard editing and a timeline mode. The timeline
follows the same mode of operation as the storyboard, so it is easy to use,
but it has extensive zooming functions and an independent track for
inserts, transitions, and image processing/titling. If scaled in deep
enough, the first frame and the last frame of a scene is displayed. The
timeline is available for the edit menu, the FX menus and the audio menu. It
only works in the higher resolutions, so a VGA or DVI/HDMI monitor is
required.

Effects Tool - now, the Casablanca editor can create own effects, simply by
combining individual image processing effects into one. This effect shows up
in the effect list and can be used at any time in any project. For example,
it is possible to use the image control effect to brighten a scene up, then
the lens flare to make it more interesting, then the sharpen effect to let
it look more detailed, and finally the film effect to give it an aged film
look. This combination can be saved as "MyFilmLook", for example. This not
only speeds up editing, but it also delivers better image quality as the raw
material is only decompressed and recompressed once, whereas the "Scene"
function adds one recompression for each effect used.

Font Import Tool - believe it or not, now it is possible to import a common
font into the Casablanca and use that font the same way as the original
Casablanca fonts. Using a font like "Arial" is no problem anymore (except
legal issues, of course). Fonts can be brought in on a USB stick or CD/DVD.
Truetype fonts only (.ttf files). You can bring in dozens of fonts if you
like.

Two-scene-play for insert - (BogartSE only)! This new mode for insert
editing plays both the background and the insert scene at the same time, in
individual windows. This allows the simultaneous control of both scenes in
motion. A great way to position an insert even more precisely.

Timecode Tool - many users asked us for a function to put in a timecode into
the resulting video, so they can give a tape to the customer and ask the
customer to give his feedback based on the TC in the video. This is possible
now. You can freely decide the size and position of the TC, plus there is a
choice between the original (camcorder) timecode, the internal Casablanca
timecode, the recording time/date or any combination.

Logo Tool - in the Finish menu, you can now add a .png image generated by a
PC or Mac, and have the Casablanca adding that logo to the whole video. You
can freely position and size the logo.

Sorting Tool - now, the user can select scenes and move them to other
locations, both in the scene bin and in the storyboard. A great way to bring
some tidiness into a large project. Multi select feature allow to
insert/copy/delete several scenes at once.

Scene markers - many users like the little triangle that marks the scenes
already used in the storyboard. SE 8 and BogartSE 2 now will add a marker
(each) for a scene that has been trimmed in, trimmed out, and been generated
by an effect. This makes it much easier to find scenes that have been worked
on already.

Audio scene joiner - now, you can select audio pieces in the audio menu, and
join them into one scene. This scene can be automatically put into the
storyboard or timeline, with the exact same location of course. It is like a
"scene" function for audio.

Audio tools - (BogartSE only) Now, there are additional audio tools, like
de-noise, de-click, three - and ten-band equalizers, and more. These audio
effects stem from the media manager software already available for the
BogartSE machines (audio archives), but are now selectable in the audio menu
as well.

Countdown effect - this has been much enhanced. Free fonts, sizes,
positions, images, alpha - a whole new world of creative countdown
generation!

Clipboard - this has been extended by a great deal. Now the window stays
open until the clipboard jobs have been completed, you can access other
projects directly, and even auto-correct image ratio differences between HD
and SD projects (4:3 to 16:9 conversion and vice versa).

Image pool - now, animations can be used as well, and the 18-scene-limit has
been increased to 60.

"Last used effects"-list - on the top of all of the effects lists, the
effects last used will be listed first. Like the fonts in Word! A line
separates the "LRU" effects from the regular, alphabetical list.

Selectable GUI image size for scene bin, timeline and storyboard - three
different sizes allow a more flexible GUI.

Additional New Features
Acoustical signal (optional) at the end of lengthy renderings, Backup to FireWire hard drives, Capacity meter for external drives, 96 db fade-ins and outs for audio (smooth fades all the way from/to silence, no more jump - can you believe this J ? ), Fixed Arabesk "Add Film" routine - now fixes corrupt frames instead of locking up the unit, the "NOP" procedure is obsolete, Multi-select for photo import, Presets for new scenes - 1 sec, 3 secs, Archive for own GUI screen colours, "Render all" button in edit menu, Enhancements for Powerkey
 

 

SmartEdit 8 and Bogart 2

Likely release late Autumn