Combining Separate Videos into One: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking for a way to combine separate videos into one, side by side? This article will walk you through the process of combining two separate videos into one left-right 3D video.

There are several methods to achieve this, but we'll focus on using FFmpeg and Imagemagick. These powerful tools allow you to manipulate video files and create stunning effects.

Method 1: Using FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free, open-source command-line tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks, including video processing and conversion. To combine two separate videos into one side-by-side, follow these steps:

1. Convert both movies to png still images using the following commands:

```

ffmpeg -i test01-right.avi frames-right/%09d.png

ffmpeg -i test01-left.avi frames-left/%09d.png

```

This will create a folder named `frames-left` and another named `frames-right`, containing the still images of both videos.

2. Use Imagemagick's montage command to put the still images side by side:

```

montage frames-left/$b.png frames-right/$b.png -geometry 320x240+0+0 frames-done/$b.jpg

```

This will create a new folder named `frames-done`, containing the combined images.

3. Use FFmpeg again to combine the combined images into a single video file:

```

ffmpeg -i frames-done/%09d.jpg sidebyside.avi

```

This will create a new video file named `sidebyside.avi` that combines both input videos, side by side.

Method 2: Using Ffmpeg with Overlay

Alternatively, you can use FFmpeg's overlay filter to combine the two videos into one. Here's how:

1. Use the following command to play the two files side by side:

```

ffplay -i inputleft.avi -vf 'movie=inputright.avi pad=iw*2:ih:iw:0 overlay=0:0 '

```

This will display both input videos side by side.

2. To combine the videos into one file, use the following command:

```

ffmpeg -i inputleft.avi -vf 'movie=inputright.avi pad=iw*2:ih:iw:0 overlay=0:0' sidebyside.avi

```

This will create a new video file named `sidebyside.avi` that combines both input videos, side by side.

In this article, we've covered two methods for combining separate videos into one left-right 3D video. Both methods use FFmpeg and Imagemagick to achieve the desired result. Whether you're a developer or just looking for a fun project, these tools provide endless possibilities for creative video processing.

Ffmpeg images to video pad image