I've been using this cool puzzle effect that I created in some of my slideshows recently, and thought someone may like it and want to learn how to create it.
http://www.movingmemoriesphotography.ne ... ampler.htm
First, I used the Panos puzzle effect in PE to divide my image into puzzle pieces- I've used this effect in both 6 and 20 piece puzzles, but I suggest using a smaller puzzle the first time, because it's very time consuming.
Next, I saved changed the visibility of the layers, selecting each puzzle piece one at a time, and saving it as a separate file, along with saving the whole thing (all layers) as a file, as well. So for a 6 piece puzzle, I will have 7 separate saved files.
Then, after opening a new file in Premier, I load all 6 separate puzzle pieces on top of each other on 6 tracks, making sure not to change the size and location of each piece. At this point, the 6 stacking tracks should line up in your monitor to look like the whole puzzle.
Now is the tricky part- I WORK BACKWORDS in the timeline. I decide on a finishing point when I want all the pieces to line up, and I select the motion keyframe button in all 6 tracks. (It helps to put a marker on the timeline at this point.
Next, go backwords in the timeline, and put a marker where you want the clip to start. The effect looks best if it goes fairly quickly, but you can play with that yourself to see what you like.
At this marker, select each clip individually, and move it around anywhere you like with the motion keyframe, being sure to put all 6 pieces in different parts of the frame.
Then, you can make it even more interesting by adding the 3D effect to each of the 6 clips. Again, working backwords, set all of the 3D settings to 0 at the endpoint, and hit the keyframe button. Then move to the beginning of the clip, and play with turning the pieces in all kinds of directions with the tilt and swivel toggles. The more you move the clips, the more interesting the effect will be in the end.
When you are satisfied with your results, I recommend saving the whole thing as an AVI and bringing the AVI into your slideshow. That way you aren't stressing Premier with too much confusing data, risking a crash in the middle of a bigger slideshow, and you don't have to worry about the 6 layers getting moved around accidentally. By the way, the 7th file (the one with all 6 puzzle pieces visable) is just for your sake so you have the complete puzzle to look at for reference. When I use this, I usually follow it with the same image without the puzzle effect at the same size and placement, with a dissolve transition between them - it makes it look like the puzzle is melting away into a single image.
Hope you like this effect, and that my instructions aren't too confusing. I did this for a private school grad slideshow with 20 pieces- one for each of their graduating students, and they loved it. I'll try to find time to post that example later.Let me know if you have any questions!
Gail Spiro