Apple Shake 4 - Manual (Page 181)

Chapter 5 Compatible File Formats and Image Resolutions 181
Combining Images of Differing Resolution
When you composite images with different resolutions using one of the Layer nodes,
you can select which image defines the output resolution of this operation using the
clipMode parameter. This parameter allows you to select either the foreground (first
image) or background (second image) resolution to use for the final image.
For example, if you read in 50 2048 x 1556 images, you are working at 2048 x 1556. If
you composite all of the images over a 720 x 486 background, and you choose the
background resolution of that composite, then the foreground elements are cropped
to the video resolution, or you can choose to remain at the 2048 x 1556 resolution.
Because of the Infinite Workspace, you never have to crop a lower-resolution element
to match a higher-resolution element when compositing or applying transformations.
Note: You can view the resolution of an element in the title bar of the Viewer, or
position the pointer over the node and look at the help text in the lower-right window.
Changing Resolution
You can change the resolution of an element in your composition in several ways. In
the following examples, a 640 x 480 foreground element is composited over a 720 x
486 NTSC D1 element. The dark gray area designates space outside of the image frame.
Changing Resolution by Layering
One of the simplest ways you can handle this case is by using layering nodes to crop
the frame.
To set resolution by compositing two images of different resolutions:
m Select the background or foreground resolution in the clipMode parameter in the
layering node.
Foreground, 640 x 480 Background, 720 x 486