Free File: Video2Photo

[Glad-I-Ate-Her]

I just download this program and it seems relatively easy to take still shots from video and convert them to photos. Its pretty straightforward and above all its free.

Here a link on where I found it:

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/fr...605626,00.html

By Dan Mitchell

In order to get a still image from a video, you need some kind of frame-grabbing utility to capture the screen shots. Some video cards have this feature built-in, but the rest of us need a program like today's free file, Video2Photo.

Video2Photo can capture stills from a camcorder, webcam, video file (AVI, DivX, MPEG, VCD, and so on), or video stream (this feature is still in development). Its wizard-based interface walks you through the entire process. Here's how it works.

First, select the video source or clip you want to work with. Click Next.

The video will now start playing. You'll notice four icons under the player. The first one marks an in point and the second marks an out point, so you can select a range of frames. The third button adds the selected range to the selection list on the right. The fourth button adds a single frame to the selection list. It takes a snapshot of the current frame. You can also play, pause, and stop the movie at any time, or use the slider to navigate through the video.

Once you've selected all the frames you want to grab, hit Next.

Now here's where things get interesting. Video2Photo lets you apply a bunch of different effects to each still. For instance, you can colorize, add noise, or make it look like an old-time photo. Just add the effect(s) you want to the corresponding frame(s) and you're in business. Hit Next when you're done.

Now it's time to select your output options. You can export your images as numbered frames, an HTML Web gallery (thumbnails in IE), or a slide show/movie/animation (Flash or Windows AVI). Adjust the settings accordingly and move on to the final stage.

You'll now see a source window and a destination window. Choose an output folder, add a title if you want, and hit the "render" button under the destination window. The program will then start applying effects and save the images in the format of your choosing in your output folder.

Please note: Your screen caps will be labeled with a little "Made with Video2Photo" tag. You can get rid of it by emailing the author to get the activation code. It's free. Also, you need at least DirectX 8.1 to run this program.

Posted February 2, 2004
Modified January 30, 2004



Glad

[bltzkriegmcanon]

Ok, this works in some situations, but I've been unable to make it function in my particular situation. Here's the deal. I'm trying to do an image capture directly from a wmv. This program's failing to measure frames, so therefore, everything is just one big black blob. I've googled other software trying to find what I need to do, but failed miserably. I'm tyring to make a sweet ass avatar from this specific file, and not being able to is a big frustration.

Thanks

EDIT: What you're seeing right now is just a placeholder for the hopefully much better image that I'm trying to capture.

[Holo]

If you just want to grab a certain section then just hit CTRL-I in WMP and save your capture as a jpg. if You want frame by frame I would use TMPGENC to convert the wmv to mpg and then open it in virtualdub, navigate to the frame you want and use the Copy Source Frame to Clipboard under the Video part of the menu. then paste the img in Photoshop or Irfanview or whatever you use and save as jpg. A little around the way but it works guaranteed.




conversion guides galore:


www.dvdrhelp.com



here are the links for all the free tools:


Tmpgenc:

http://www.tmpgenc.net/e_download.html


V-dub

www.virtualdub.org


Irfan:

www.irfranview.com

[bltzkriegmcanon]

Thanks for the advice, Holo. But, I'm still a little fuzzy on how Ctrl+I is supposed to work. I mean, am I supposed to hit ctrl+I then paste into paint, or what? Does Ctrl+I work for wmv's played in wmp9? Maybe I'm just an idiot.

EDIT: Dur. I am an idiot. Ok, so I followed your second path, and so far I've converted perfectly to an mpeg. I'll re-edit asap as soon as I get a jpg out of it.

EDIT 2: Thanks a ton, Holo! That did exactly what I needed it to! Woot! You da man.

[Holo]

glad it worked for you...the CTRL-I thing was in Media Player 9 you just Hit CTRL and hold and hit I right after and a save box will pop up to cap the frame to jpg or bmp.