Video Output Container
Contents
Related article: PCB 3D Video
In support of PCB 3D Video output, Altium Designer 10 sees the addition of a new Multimedia output medium – also referred to as the Multimedia Publisher. Used solely for the generation of PCB 3D Video output, configuration of the Multimedia Publisher is simplicity itself. All that's required is to specify a file name for the generated video, the required format and associated export settings. The key frame sequence of the PCB 3D Video enabled for output is taken and seamlessly interpolated to produce a high-quality video.
Access
Add a Multimedia output medium to your Output Job file from the Output Media pane. Simply click on the [Add New Output Medium] button and select Multimedia from the list of media available.
Configuration
Configuration of the Multimedia output medium is performed from the Multimedia Settings dialog. Access to this dialog can be made by right-clicking on the medium and choosing the Multimedia Setup command. Alternatively, select the medium in the Output Media pane and use the keyboard shortcut, Shift+Ctrl+O.
By default, generated video output will be saved to a sub-folder of the main project folder – Project Outputs for ProjectName. The filename for the video will default to that of the Output Job filename. Change the output file path and video filename as required.
Additional options provide for:
- Generating a separate video per enabled PCB 3D Video output generator assigned to the medium. If this option is enabled, each file will be named using the entry for that output generator's name in the Output Job file.
- Prompting as to whether the medium should overwrite an existing file of the same name.
- Running the video after the publishing process has finished. When generating multiple videos as separate files, the PCB 3D Video output generator enabled as the first output (carries number 1 in its Enabled field) will be the one opened and played after export.
Use the Media Settings region to specify the type of video and required format, as well as the frame size. The following table summarizes the video types and formats currently supported:
Video Type | Supported File Format(s) |
|---|---|
Video (FFmpeg) | 3GP2 ( |
Video (Windows Multimedia) | Windows Video file ( |
Video (Windows Media Format) | Windows Media file ( |
Use the Advanced Settings region to fine tune export settings for the chosen video type and format. This includes nominating the Video Codec to be used. The following table summarizes the available Codecs, based on the chosen video type/format.
Video Type/Format | Supported Codecs |
|---|---|
FFmpeg / 3GP2 | H.263 / H.263-1996 |
FFmpeg / ASF | MPEG-4 part 2 Microsoft variant version 2 |
FFmpeg / ASF-Streaming | MPEG-4 part 2 Microsoft variant version 2 |
FFmpeg / AVI | MPEG-4 part 2 |
FFmpeg / Flash | Flash Video (FLV) / Sorenson Spark / Sorenson H.263 |
FFmpeg / FLV | Flash Video (FLV) / Sorenson Spark / Sorenson H.263 |
FFmpeg / MOV | MPEG-4 part 2 |
FFmpeg / MP4 | MPEG-4 part 2 |
Windows Multimedia | cvid Cinepak Codec |
Windows Media | Windows Media Video V7 |
For all video types/formats, the exported video will be generated using a default frame rate of 25 frames per second. For Windows Multimedia video, the default pixel format used will be 32. For FFmpeg video (all formats), pixel format is uneditable and set to Planar YUV 4:2:0, 12bpp, (1 Cr & Cb sample per 2x2 Y samples). Windows Media formatted video has no pixel format defined.
Use the Quality slider to specify the required quality of the generated video. The higher the quality, the better the resolution of the video, but the resulting file size will be greater.
To start generating PCB 3D Videos straight-away 'out of the box' so-to-speak, the default settings for video type (Video (Windows Media Format)) and video Codec (Windows Media Video V7) will allow generated video to be opened and played in Windows Media Player 11 and RealPlayer.
Associating PCB 3D Video Output Generators
Once you have added and configured the Multimedia output medium and the PCB 3D Video output generator(s) as required, simply select the Multimedia output medium, then click on the Enable field for each PCB 3D Video output generator to be included in the publishing process. An enabled generator will have a green line connecting it to the output medium.
To publish, simply click the Multimedia button above the Output Media pane (shortcut, F9). Publication will proceed and the video(s) will be generated and stored in the specified folder. If you have chosen to open the video after export, it will open and start playing – provided you have software installed on your computer with which to do so.
Selecting Which 3D Movie to Output
Configuration of a PCB 3D Video output generator is performed from within the PCB 3D Video dialog – accessed by double-clicking on the output generator, or right-clicking on it and choosing Configure from the context menu. Use the dialog to primarily select which 3D movie to use, from a list of those currently defined for the PCB document specified in the Data Source field.
source for the generated video.
Additional Movie Configuration
Two additional controls are provided in the PCB 3D Video dialog that can be used to further define the display of your PCB 3D Video. The button allows you to toggle the display of a shadow effect for the board.
Use the button to access an instance of the View Configurations dialog. From here, you can adjust the look and feel of your board, and change any settings for 3D Bodies and STEP models as required.