How to import a movie file into Blender and add 3D component

[Miller]

I'm still learning how to use Blender 3D, and I was interested in adding 3D effects and objects in a real time-movie. I am a bit familiar with doing this with a still image, but I have no idea how to do this with a movie file. Also, I would like to know if there's a specific file type that you need to use, Ex. avi,mpg, or mov for Mac. I am using Blender 2. 49(latest) on an Intel iMac.

[Barrett]

Her is a tutorial I found useful on the subject.
hxxp: fictionality. co. uk / doku. php?id=tutorials:matchmoving

It uses a program called Voodoo. It is available for free from here
hxxp: www. digilab. uni-hannover. de / download. html

The program is experimental. It should also be noted that the free version does not allow commercial use of the program. If your looking at using it profesionally then you should look into another program. This should give you the general idea of how the concept works though. Good Luck

Also, no one format is preferred over the other. So you are good to go on any of them.