How to Adjust Image Size?

Again, you only need to convert the still image sizes if you plan to export the movie back to tape or DVD. If your movie will only be watched over the Web, you don’t need to convert the image. The exact steps you should use to adjust the image size vary depending on the image-editing program you are using, but in most programs, they work something like this:

1. Open the picture in your picture-editing program.
2. Open the dialog box that controls the image size in your software. In Adobe Photoshop, choose Image➪Image Size.
3. Remove the check mark next to the Constrain Proportions option. Most editing programs have a similar constraining option (such as Constrain Size). Make sure it’s disabled.
4. Change the image size to 720x534 if you’re working with NTSC video, or 768x576 if you’re working with PAL video.
5. Click OK and save the image as a JPEG image file.

Save the image using the JPEG format because it can then be used in just about any video-editing program. If your picture-editing software gives you a quality option when you save an image as a JPEG, choose the highest quality possible if the image will be used in a movie program. Other versatile formats include BMP, PICT, and TIFF, but you should check the help system for your video-editing program to see which formats are supported.
Although the image may look slightly distorted after you change the size, don’t worry: It will look right when viewed with the rest of your video. Just remember that you only have to perform this modification if you plan to export the movie back to tape. If you plan to use your movie only on computer screens (or share it over the Internet), you don’t need to change the aspect ratio of the image.