The Powder Toy Video Tutorial

by JoJoBond

Required Software

GIMP

[[1]]

DBP (David's Batch Processor)

[[2]]

VirtualDub

[[3]]

Preparation

Set up a creation you want to film.

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0--10| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/-10.png]]

You don't have to hide the HUD, it will automatically be hidden.

Pause the simulation and activate your creation.

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0--20| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/-20.png]]

Step 1: Create Video Frames

Method 1

Press P and F on a rotating basis until the desired sequence is done.

Method 2

Use Gamax92's Video Maker to record the frames.

[[http:imageshack.us/m/196/3774/20110515114400.png| Template:Http:''imageshack.us/m/196/3774/20110515114400.th.png]]

Then press Start Recording and when the desired sequence is done press Stop Recording.

When you look into your PowderToy folder it should look similar to this.

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-114| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/114.png]]

Step 2: Convert Video Frames

Method 1

• Start GIMP.
• Open DBP:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-212| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/212.png]]

• Add the Video Frames:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-314| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/314.png]] [[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-410| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/410.png]]

• Select an output directory:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-55| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/55.png]] [[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-63| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/63.png]]

• Make sure the output format is set to 'BMP':

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-71| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/71.png]]

• Start the batch processing and wait until it's done:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-80| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/80.png]] [[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-92| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/92.png]]

• You can close GIMP now.

Method 2

Use Gamax92's video maker to convert the frames.

• Press Convert Frames and wait until conversion is finished:

[[http:imageshack.us/m/848/3913/20110515125222.png| Template:Http:''imageshack.us/m/848/3913/20110515125222.png]] [[http:img508.imageshack.us/img508/327/20110515125316.png| Template:Http:''img508.imageshack.us/img508/327/20110515125316.png]]

Step 3: Create the Video (Only for Windows!!)

Method 1

• Start VirtualDub.
• Go to 'File' -> 'Open video file...':

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-102| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/102.png]]

• Select the first frame (lowest number):

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-115| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/115.png]]

• Go to 'Video' -> 'Frame Rate...':

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-120| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/120.png]]

• Set up the desired frame rate (~50):

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-130| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/130.png]]

• Select 'Audio' -> 'No audio':

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-140| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/140.png]]

• Go to 'File' -> 'Save as AVI...':

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-150| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/150.png]]

• Choose a name and path for your video file:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-162| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/162.png]]

• Press 'Save' and wait until the rendering is done:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-170| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/170.png]]

Method 2

Use Gamax92 Video Maker to create the video

• Press 'Create AVI' and wait until the video creation is done:

[[http:imageshack.us/m/844/9785/20110515124718.png| Template:Http:''img844.imageshack.us/img844/9785/20110515124718.th.png]]

• You're done! Use a video player to view the result:

[[http:simplest-image-hosting.net/png-0-180| Template:Http:''i0.simplest-image-hosting.net/thumbnail/180.png]]

Files used

Here you can get the files from the example creation: [[4]]

Automation

User Gamax92 has created to make software to automate the process of pressing P and F a bunch of times. The software can also convert all the created ppm's to bmp's and can also turn those bmp's into an avi file.

[[5]]