Creating a New Video Graphic in Photoshop
When creating a new graphic for use in video, you'll want to start with the Film & Video presets - there are presets available for many different screen resolutions and broadcast standards (such as NTCS and PAL). The following image shows a number of these presets in the Film & Video preset collection in the New Document dialog box:
These presets will make it especially easy to get started, as you can choose the preset that matches the standard and resolution you're working with and Photoshop will create the new file to the needed specifications.
When a new file is created, Photoshop will automatically add guides that indicate title safe and action safe areas.
Once the new document is created, you can then work on designing the graphic.
Saving a Video Graphic in Photoshop
When saving a graphic created for video in Photoshop, the following file formats are ideal:
- High-quality JPEG (.jpg): A high-quality JPG file will retain a smaller file size, while still providing a detailed image for screen use. All video creation programs can work with JPG images.
- Photoshop document (.psd): If you're working in Premiere Pro or After Effects, you can import a .psd file directly into either program. The file size will be larger than a .jpg file, however.
Saving a .psd version of a file is rather straightforward, as it's the default file format in Photoshop. Exporting a .jpg version involves a few extra steps, however.
Step 1. To export a .jpg version of an image, in the Menu bar,
Click File, Point Export, Click Export As...
The Export As dialog box appears:
Step 2. To change the file format to JPG, in the Format dropdown of the File Settings section, if necessary,
Click , Click JPG
Step 3. To change the quality to 100%, in the Quality dropdown, if necessary,
Click , Click JPG
Step 4. To continue the export process,
Click
Step 5. Navigate to the folder where you wish to save the file, and if desired, type a new name for the file in the File name field.
Step 6. To finish saving the file,
Click
Creating a New Video Graphic in Illustrator
When creating a new graphic for use in video, you'll want to start with the Film & Video presets - there are presets available for many different screen resolutions and broadcast standards (such as NTCS and PAL). The following image shows a number of these presets visible in the Video & Film preset collection in the New Document dialog box:
These presets will make it especially easy to get started, as you can choose the preset that matches the standard and resolution you're working with and Illustrator will create the new file to the needed specifications.
When a new file is created, Illustrator will create an artboard and automatically add guides that indicate title safe and action safe areas, and will also display rulers measuring in pixels.
Once the new document is created, you can start designing your graphic.
NOTE: In Illustrator, when a new document is created using the Film & Video presets, a second, extremely large artboard is sometimes created as well - this is due to a bug, and can be deleted using the following process: in the Artboard panel, Double-Click Artboard 2, Click .
Saving a Video Graphic in Illustrator
When saving a graphic created for video in Illustrator, the following file formats are ideal:
- Portable Network Graphics file (.png): Best format for images with large areas of single colors, or images that include transparency. Results in a relatively small file size.
- Illustrator file (.ai): If you're working in Premiere Pro or After Effects, you can import an .ai file directly into either program. Additionally, in After Effects, an Illustrator file can be animated if desired.
Saving as an .ai file is rather straightforward, as it's the default file format in Illustrator. Exporting a .png version involves a few extra steps, however.
Step 1. To export a .png version of an image, in the Menu bar,
Click File, Point Export, Click Export As...
Step 2. To choose the appropriate file type, in the Save as type: dropdown,
Click , Click PNG (*.PNG)
At this point, you can indicate if you want the exported artwork to conform to the size of the artboard, and not include any parts of elements that are outside the artboard. If you have elements that overlap the outside of the artboard and don't want to include them, or if you want your image to match the size of the preset you chose, you'll want to choose the Use Artboards option.
Step 3. To indicate you want to export using artboards, if necessary, under the Save as type: field,
Click the checkbox next to Use Artboards
Step 4. To continue the export process,
Click
The PNG Options dialog box appears:
From here, if desired, you can adjust any settings needed before completing the export process.
Step 5. To complete the export process,
Click