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KazuTa
Inspiring
September 6, 2025
Answered

change 16:9 footage to 4:3 without deselecting Uniform Scale

  • September 6, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 159 views

I have some archival that should be 4:3 but the file I received is 16:9 (640x360). Is there a way, other than putting the clip in a sequence, selecting the clip, Effect Controls / deselect Uniform Scale, to make it 4:3? The skinniest pixel I have access to in Interpret Footage is DV (0.9091). I guess the pixel aspect ratio should be 0.75 (480 divided by 640)?

 

A drawback of deselecting Uniform Scale is if my editors want to do push ins, etc. Without putting the clip in a Nested Sequence (a real hassle within a Production, as the Nested Sequence will keep getting duplicated every time we copy the sequence into another project), it's a challenge to quickly audition a push in without doing a bunch of math.

Correct answer PaulMurphy

You can use the Transform effect (separate from the built-in Motion effect) to adjust the aspect ratio of your clips. This way, you can still use Motion for push-ins and other position/scale adjustments without conflict.

An even better workflow is to apply the Transform effect as a Source effect inside your Production. That way, every time you use the clip, the ratio is already corrected. Here’s how:

  1. In the Production panel, locate and open the project that contains the clip.
  2. In that project’s Project panel, load the clip into the Source Monitor.
  3. From the Effects panel, drag Transform onto the clip in the Source Monitor (this applies it as a Source effect).
  4. Open the Effect Controls panel and make sure you’re viewing the Source effects for the clip.
  5. Uncheck Uniform Scale in Transform.
  6. Adjust Scale Width/Height until the 4:3 framing looks correct.


This workflow ensures the ratio is fixed at the source across all sequences in the Production, while leaving Motion available for push-ins and other adjustments.

1 reply

P
Community Expert
PaulMurphyCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 6, 2025

You can use the Transform effect (separate from the built-in Motion effect) to adjust the aspect ratio of your clips. This way, you can still use Motion for push-ins and other position/scale adjustments without conflict.

An even better workflow is to apply the Transform effect as a Source effect inside your Production. That way, every time you use the clip, the ratio is already corrected. Here’s how:

  1. In the Production panel, locate and open the project that contains the clip.
  2. In that project’s Project panel, load the clip into the Source Monitor.
  3. From the Effects panel, drag Transform onto the clip in the Source Monitor (this applies it as a Source effect).
  4. Open the Effect Controls panel and make sure you’re viewing the Source effects for the clip.
  5. Uncheck Uniform Scale in Transform.
  6. Adjust Scale Width/Height until the 4:3 framing looks correct.


This workflow ensures the ratio is fixed at the source across all sequences in the Production, while leaving Motion available for push-ins and other adjustments.

    K
    KazuTaAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 6, 2025

    This is WONDERFUL. Thanks again, Paul!

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