file importing issue

[sarac12095172]

Everytime I import a file (picture or video) it appears distorted like this:

This is the original picture:

Same thing happens with videos. Does anyone know why this is happening and how can I fix it? Thanks.

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

Read up on pixel aspect ratios and how they are used by compositions and footage items. Your comp very likely is using a non-square PAR due to your using an NTSC preset.

Mylenium

[sarac12095172]

Sorry, but what is a non-square PAR and an NTSC preset?

[Towerguy]

Hi, PAR means pixel aspect ratio, you used the NTSC preset when you started the project. Computers use square shaped pixels to make an image, video formats such as NTSC use rectangular pixels to make an image - so what is happening with you is the rectangular pixels are being squashed into a square pixel shape on your screen. To fix this there is a button on the bottom right of the viewing screen with a double headed arrow on it, press it and the image will show correctly - HOWEVER you need to know what you want to use your project for after you have finished it. That determines what PAR and what preset you should be using when you start a project, otherwise when you render it out it might not be usable. As Mylenium says, read up on it as it is very important and very basic information you need to understand. It should be covered at the very beginning of any "getting started" tutorial.