Create a Video

This function can be used to create a video animation of an assembly model based on a command list. The program will create an AVI file out of a command list comprising the views generated by functions performed on the model during recording.

Things to note during video creation are: aspect ratio, creation of exploded views for the assembly, and the editing functions available during video recording. For more information, see Animations.

All editing functions performed on the assembly during recording are saved on a command list, which you can choose to be saved in the active project folder or another folder. You can edit the command list before creating the AVI file. Once the AVI file has been compressed, you can open it for viewing in Windows Explorer.

Create a video as follows:

1. In the model window, select Other Functions> Start Making Video.
2. Rotate, zoom and edit the assembly in the working window using context-sensitive functions. The function and the resulting view of the model are saved to the command list in the order you select them in the model window.

   All editing functions that can be selected during recording have been described in the section Animations.

3. You can add a pause between views in recording mode with the Add Pause function and define its length in milliseconds.
4. Stop the recording by selecting the context-sensitive function Stop Making Video.
5. Name the video command list and click the Save button.
6. Continue by editing the video settings, add texts or views to the command list or remove views from the command list using the functions in the Edit Video dialog box.

   Edit Video dialog box

7. When you are satisfied with the command list, start recording by clicking the following button:
   
8. Choose the folder in which to save the video. The default file type is AVI video file.
9. Name the file and click Save.
10. Choose the video compression codec and click the OK button.

    Choose, for example, MPEG-4 V2 or MPEG-4 V1 as the video compression codec. The available video codecs depend on the user interface.

11. The button color will change in the dialog box. Recording of the video is on.
    

    Select video creation, for example, from beginning to end by clicking the following button:
    

    Alternatively, you can select creation from the end to the beginning, or forward or backwards from a certain view, one view at a time. The program will display the video creation in the Vertex window. When the recording is finished the Edit Video dialog box is opened.

12. Finish the video creation by clicking the OK button.
13. Open the video file with Windows Explorer.