Arrows/lines on maps on DVD

[curlyween]

What I would *like* to do is supplement travel videos (DVD) with maps that show arrows/lines to indicate where we went, but these lines would appear when and where I want them to. I would also want the map graphics to look decent. i.e. not blocky or jaggy when converted to mpeg.
Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions of software or procedures that might achieve what I'm after? Perhaps some graphics program that has video capture in AVI, or would I just be best stringing together a series of still images that looks like continuous video? Any thoughts?

[thecoalman]

Media studio pro will do that on the video, you could even trace your route along the map if you wish, or you could just make a still image with the arrows and insert it into most editors on the timeline.

[curlyween]

Thanks Coal Man. I have the trial of Media Studio Pro so I'll have a go at it. But maybe still images might be the easiest (quickest) way.

[thecoalman]

Sure images would be easiest. You could use two images one with the arrows and one without. Cross fade the one image into the other.

To animate lines on video you need to use the infinity component or the paint component. I haven't done anything like that but there was a example in the manual using the paint component very similar to what you want to do. If your really wanted to you could animate a car along a path with the infinty component.

[northcat_8]

If you are wanting to create an animated line in your video...

Make a duplicate picture of your map. On the second picture draw your path that you want to appear to be animated.

Open your video editing application, drop the original map pic in, then drop in your path painted map and use a gradient wipe transition between them. set the time on the transition to match the speed at which you want to reveal. The gradient will reveal the path making it look animated.