Ccleaner Updates

Ever since I have been using computers for video editing… which come to think of it has been a long time now, I have had a copy of Ccleaner running regularly on those machines.

In fact I seem to recall my first computer was powered by a small hamster running in a wheel hooked up to a generator.

Of course that hamster lacked the necessary power for video editing effectively so I soon moved up to a steam powered model.

Anyway I digress.

Originally Ccleaner was called Crap Cleaner which I thought at the time to be a pretty accurate naming of the product because that’s exactly what it used to do and still does.

However at some point in time the owners of the product must have decided it was time to grow up so they renamed it Ccleaner but let’s all be clear here.

The C stands for crap OK?!

The reason I have always used it and still do is because it is the nature of modern computing and especially modern browsing of the Internets to have all manner of stuff begin to collect on your machine in an attempt to “help” you.

Cookies, cached pages, strange log files… well the list goes on and on.

On top of that Windows and most of the Software you are running, if they were humans, would qualify for a visit from the local social services department and subsequently be branded as problem hoarders!

So that’s where Ccleaner comes in.

It runs quietly in the background for the most part and keeps your computer free of all that crap but in reality that’s only the tip of the iceberg of what it does.

One of the main purposes I have for the software which is more specific to video editing is to make sure my computer’s registry remains completely uncluttered and for other tasks necessary when trying to debug problems with video Editing Software.

You can see more about dealing with editing software problems here.

The biggest problem the software has always had is that it was originally designed by a programmer as a tool for other programmers.

That resulted in an interface that was challenging to say the least.

It would ask if you wanted to do something but never tell you why it was asking the question!

Most of the time the average user’s answer to the question was, “I don’t know!”

To address this problem they have just this week released a completely new version of Ccleaner offering what they call an “Easy Clean” option.

It is still the same software but now there is a more guided interface that tells you why it is asking the question in the first place and what the possible outcomes are.

For anyone running a computer for editing I would highly recommend this great little tool.

I have been running the “pro” (paid) version for years now but they are still offering the old fully functional free version on their site.

• CCleaner.com – Introducing, Easy Clean

How To Get Super Smooth Shots – Without A Gimbal

Now that just about everyone is shooting in high definition of some flavor the need for addressing “smoothness” in your shooting has become a vital point to consider.

Good old standard definition was immensely forgiving of unwanted motion at the shooting stage whereas high definition will kick your butt on it every time!

There are quite a few things you can do to avoid unwanted camera motion or shake but if you check out the video below you may find a few you haven’t heard of before.

In fact there are a couple I was unaware of yet as soon as I saw them I thought of course, that makes total sense.

One of them that I think you should take particular note of is the first tip covering resolution and here’s why.

These days most of us will be using a video editing program that will have some pretty good shot stabilization features built-in.

What I didn’t realize was that if you shoot handheld for instance at a higher resolution than you will need then when you bring the footage into the program it has a better chance of stabilizing effectively.

Of course now that I have seen it, it makes total sense.

The higher resolution provides your software with more actual data allowing for a better process.

There are others tips in the video and it is well worth watching.

How I Make A YouTube Video (From Scratch!)

One of the main reasons people start a YouTube channel, stick with for a little while and then finally walk away is because they get to point of realizing it’s “all too hard.”

The fact is that operating a successful YouTube channel does require that you consistently produce content that appeals to an audience BUT! That’s not the problem.

The problem is that most people fail to establish a process and the importance of a process cannot be overstated.

Failure to identify and stick to a process will always result in the work of creating those videos to be just that… work!

It will become tedious like work, repetitive like work and ultimately unrewarding… just like work!

The video below is a complete overview of one “process” and given the success of the creator that made it, well worth watching.

How I Shot A Commercial Photo/Video Project by Myself

These are some awesome tips and an excellent explanation of the planning process for a project and why it is so important.

It is especially interesting to take note of the example used in this one.

There is a style of video you will see very often these days that makes it look as though the video was shot as the day or the event was unfolding.

It’s a sort of run and shoot kind of feel and gives the viewer the sensation that he or she was there at the time and along for the ride.

It all looks as though it came together on the fly and always has great energy.

Of course the reality of those kinds of video is something completely different.

They are planned down to the last detail and shot with military precision!

How can you tell the ones that aren’t?

They always look like a hot mess of confusion!

When it comes to film and video, spontaneity has to be carefully planned and executed!

7 Ways to Enhance Your Drone Footage

These are some great effects you can add to drone footage to enhance the what you already have.

The demo itself is being done in After Effects but most video editing software with half decent features will allow you to do pretty much the same thing.

Animation 301: Advanced Keyframing – FilmoraPro Tutorial

This is the third of a series of tutorials put out by Wondershare showing the advanced animation controls in their newer program FilmoraPro.

PowerDirector – Multiple Use Of The Slide Text Motion In A Single Title

Although this tutorial doesn’t really end up with a spectacularly awesome title, it does give a great run through of the tools and controls available in PowerDirector for titling.

I think it is worth checking out because most titling modules in most of the current batch of video editing software pretty much offers the same thing or set of features.

Getting good looking titles that have a low cheesiness factor can be a pretty time consuming affair.

I have found over the years that the way to get good at it and also to get fast at it is through old fashioned practice.

I recall at one point throwing my hands in the air in frustration at how slow and fiddly the process was so at the time just decided I needed to reduce that pain.

My alternatives were to pay someone to create titles or just get better at the interface myself.

Due to budget restrictions, I learned through practice!

How To Quickly Make Transparent Video – PowerDirector 17

A simple run through of the opacity controls in PowerDirector showing how to both change the opacity as well as add keyframes to control the effect.

The post The Friday Roundup – Ccleaner Update, Fades and Dissolves and Smooth Shots appeared first on The DIY Video Editor.