Black background strip at the top and bottom of imported pictures

Hello...

I have imported several pictures into movie maker and a few of them have a
black (background) strip at the top and bottom of the picutre. I have tried
to resize the pictures but no matter how large I make them the black strip is
still at the top and bottom of the picture.

Please help!

Thanks

monetary wrote:
> Hello...
>
> I have imported several pictures into movie maker and a few of them
> have a black (background) strip at the top and bottom of the picutre.
> I have tried to resize the pictures but no matter how large I make
> them the black strip is still at the top and bottom of the picture.
>
> Please help!
>
> Thanks
===================================
Making the pictures larger is not the answer...
you need to change the aspect ratio. Apparently
the images you are importing are widescreen
format (16:9) and Movie Maker is not (4:3).

PhotoStory 3 has an option that solves this issue
during the creation of your movie. And is actually
a better app to use if your project consists of only
still images and music files.

PhotoStory 3 For Windows
http://tinyurl.com/4f869


If you prefer to continue using Movie maker
you will need to prepare (Crop) the images
before you import them.

The following free software has an option that
will allow you to Crop the images to the correct
aspect ratio.

FastStone Image Viewer
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm


Here are some instructions:

To achieve a particular size without
distorting the image, you must "Crop"
a portion the size you need. Imagine
cutting out a particular size with scissors...

If you download the freeware FastStone
Image Viewer...and install it...you can
open your image in the program and go
to...Edit / Crop Board...

On the Crop Board screen, you will see
a button below the image with three dots
on it...if you click it you will see a menu
of sizes to choose from. If the size you
need is not present, you can add it. Then
click OK. Now you can left click/drag the
corners of the selection box to frame the
portion of the image you wish to keep.
And you can reposition the box by
dragging the 4 way arrow.

When you are happy with the selection ...
click the Crop button.

Now...File / save As...choose a save
location / enter a name / click...save.

More info...

Batch Cropping In
FastStone Image Viewer
=====================
Open FastStone and go to...

Tools / Batch Convert / check the box
'Use Advanced Options' / Advanced Options
button / Crop tab / check the box 'Use Crop' /
Aspect Ratio / 4:3 / OK...

Browse to the folder that contains the images
you wish to batch crop...

Add All button.

Choose a format and a Save Folder...

Click...Start button.

If batch cropping removes important objects
(peoples heads for example) you may have to
manually crop some of the images.

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! -
Digital Image MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk

Hello John,

Thanks so much! Your answer was extreamly detailed and informational.

Donna

"John Inzer" wrote:

> monetary wrote:
> > Hello...
> >
> > I have imported several pictures into movie maker and a few of them
> > have a black (background) strip at the top and bottom of the picutre.
> > I have tried to resize the pictures but no matter how large I make
> > them the black strip is still at the top and bottom of the picture.
> >
> > Please help!
> >
> > Thanks
> ===================================
> Making the pictures larger is not the answer...
> you need to change the aspect ratio. Apparently
> the images you are importing are widescreen
> format (16:9) and Movie Maker is not (4:3).
>
> PhotoStory 3 has an option that solves this issue
> during the creation of your movie. And is actually
> a better app to use if your project consists of only
> still images and music files.
>
> PhotoStory 3 For Windows
> http://tinyurl.com/4f869
>
>
> If you prefer to continue using Movie maker
> you will need to prepare (Crop) the images
> before you import them.
>
> The following free software has an option that
> will allow you to Crop the images to the correct
> aspect ratio.
>
> FastStone Image Viewer
> http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
>
>
> Here are some instructions:
>
> To achieve a particular size without
> distorting the image, you must "Crop"
> a portion the size you need. Imagine
> cutting out a particular size with scissors...
>
> If you download the freeware FastStone
> Image Viewer...and install it...you can
> open your image in the program and go
> to...Edit / Crop Board...
>
> On the Crop Board screen, you will see
> a button below the image with three dots
> on it...if you click it you will see a menu
> of sizes to choose from. If the size you
> need is not present, you can add it. Then
> click OK. Now you can left click/drag the
> corners of the selection box to frame the
> portion of the image you wish to keep.
> And you can reposition the box by
> dragging the 4 way arrow.
>
> When you are happy with the selection ...
> click the Crop button.
>
> Now...File / save As...choose a save
> location / enter a name / click...save.
>
> More info...
>
> Batch Cropping In
> FastStone Image Viewer
> =====================
> Open FastStone and go to...
>
> Tools / Batch Convert / check the box
> 'Use Advanced Options' / Advanced Options
> button / Crop tab / check the box 'Use Crop' /
> Aspect Ratio / 4:3 / OK...
>
> Browse to the folder that contains the images
> you wish to batch crop...
>
> Add All button.
>
> Choose a format and a Save Folder...
>
> Click...Start button.
>
> If batch cropping removes important objects
> (peoples heads for example) you may have to
> manually crop some of the images.
>
> --
>
> John Inzer
> MS Picture It! -
> Digital Image MVP
>
> Digital Image
> Highlights and FAQs
> http://tinyurl.com/aczzp
>
> Notice
> This is not tech support
> I am a volunteer
>
> Solutions that work for
> me may not work for you
>
> Proceed at your own risk
>
>
>

monetary wrote:
> Hello John,
>
> Thanks so much! Your answer was
> extreamly detailed and informational.
>
> Donna
====================
You're welcome.

Thanks for the feedback.

--

John Inzer
MS Picture It! -
Digital Image MVP

Digital Image
Highlights and FAQs
http://tinyurl.com/aczzp

Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer

Solutions that work for
me may not work for you

Proceed at your own risk