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Chapter 4:

Creating Your Story

Now that you have all of your media ready, this chapter will guide you through the 
process of turning your collection of media into professional-looking videos and 
photo slideshows.

PowerDirector Projects

Each time you start working on a new production, you create a new project that is 
saved as a PDS file and is used exclusively by CyberLink PowerDirector. Use the 

 buttons to save, create new or open existing projects within 

CyberLink PowerDirector.
The changes you make to your media in CyberLink PowerDirector do 

not

 affect 

the original media you imported into the program. Since your settings are all 
saved in the project file, you can trim, edit or delete clips, but still keep your 
original files on your hard drive, untouched. So let yourself get creative. If you end 
up changing things too drastically, you can always start over.

Setting Project Aspect Ratio

Before you start working on your project, you should set your project’s aspect 
ratio. The default aspect ratio is 16:9, which fully utilizes a widescreen TV or display 
device, as well as YouTube’s full video window. You can also revert back to 4:3 if 
required, just ensure that the aspect ratio of your media matches your project. To 
modify the aspect ratio for your media, see "Adjusting Video Clip Aspect Ratio" on 
page 53.

To set the aspect ratio for your project, click 

 > 

Edit

 > 

Aspect Ratio

 > 

4:3 

or

16:9

. The preview window changes according to the aspect ratio you select.

Adding Media to the Editing 

Workspace

Now you can begin putting your final production together by adding media and 
effects to the editing workspace. You can also use the Magic Movie Wizard or the 
Slideshow Designer to quickly create a production if you are short on time or to 
use as a guideline to get you started.