We are in the 8th incarnation of SmartEdit and the 2nd version of BogartSE this year.

Here is a list of its main features:

Timeline - for the first time, Casablanca editors can choose between the much beloved storyboard editing and a timeline mode. The timeline follows the same mode of operation as the storyboard, so it is easy to use, but it has extensive zooming functions and an independent track for inserts, transitions, and image processing/titling. If scaled in deep enough, the first frame and the last frame of a scene is displayed. The timeline is available for the edit menu, the FX menus and the audio menu. It only works in the higher resolutions, so a VGA or DVI/HDMI monitor is required.

Effects Tool - now the Casablanca editor can create own effects, simply by combining individual image processing effects into one. This effect shows up in the effect list and can be used at any time in any project. For example, it is possible to use the image control effect to brighten a scene up, then the lens flare to make it more interesting, then the sharpen effect to let it look more detailed, and finally the film effect to give it an aged film look. This combination can be saved as "MyFilmLook", for example. This not only speeds up editing, but it also delivers better image quality as the raw material is only decompressed and recompressed once, whereas the "Scene" function adds one recompression for each effect used.

Font Import Tool - now it is possible to import a common font into the Casablanca and use that font the same way as the original Casablanca fonts. Using a font like "Arial" is no problem anymore (except legal issues, of course). Fonts can be brought in on a USB stick or CD/DVD. Truetype fonts only (.ttf files). You can bring in dozens of fonts if you like.

Two-scene-play for insert - (BogartSE only)! This new mode for insert editing plays both the background and the insert scene at the same time, in individual windows. This allows the simultaneous control of both scenes in motion. A great way to position an insert even more precisely.

Timecode Tool - many users asked us for a function to put in a timecode into the resulting video, so they can give a tape to the customer and ask the customer to give his feedback based on the TC in the video. This is possible now. You can freely decide the size and position of the TC, plus there is a choice between the original (camcorder) timecode, the internal Casablanca timecode, the recording time/date or any combination. *)

Logo Tool - in the Finish menu, you can now add a .png image generated by a PC or Mac, and have the Casablanca adding that logo to the whole video. You can freely position and size the logo. *)

Sorting Tool - now, the user can select scenes and move them to other locations, both in the scene bin and in the storyboard. A great way to bring some tidiness into a large project. Multi select feature allow to insert/copy/delete several scenes at once.

Scene markers - many users like the little triangle that marks the scenes already used in the storyboard. SE 8 and BogartSE 2 now will add a marker (each) for a scene that has been trimmed in, trimmed out, and been generated by an effect. This makes it much easier to find scenes that have been worked on already.

Audio scene joiner - now, you can select audio pieces in the audio menu, and join them into one scene. This scene can be automatically put into the storyboard or timeline, with the exact same location of course. It is like a "scene" function for audio.

Audio tools - (BogartSE only) Now, there are additional audio tools, like de-noise, de-click, three - and ten-band equalizers, and more. These audio effects stem from the media manager software already available for the BogartSE machines (audio archives), but are now selectable in the audio menu as well.

Countdown effect - this has been much enhanced. Free fonts, sizes, images, alpha - a whole new world of creative countdown generation!

Clipboard - this has been extended by a great deal. Now the window stays open until the clipboard jobs have been completed, you can access other projects directly, and even auto-correct image ratio differences between HD and SD projects (4:3 to 16:9 conversion and vice versa).

Image pool - now, animations can be used as well, and the 18-scene-limit has been increased to 60.

"Last used effects"-list - on the top of all of the effects lists, the effects last used will be listed first. Like the fonts in Word! A line separates the "LRU" effects from the regular, alphabetical list.

Selectable GUI image size for timeline - three different sizes allow a more flexible GUI.

Additional New Features
Acoustical signal (optional) at the end of lengthy renderings

96 db fade-ins and outs for audio (smooth fades all the way from/to silence, no more jump)

Presets for new scenes - 1 sec, 3 secs, 10secs, 30secs

Archive for own GUI screen colors

"Render all" button in edit menu

Enhancements for Powerkey

 

Planned release date in Europe: Early October

NOTE: Technical details subject to change
Price to be determined

*) This feature is available in Smart Edit only for SD projects.