How to Turn 360° Video into a Regular Video in PowerDirector
Pick where the camera looks in your 360° footage and export it as a standard 16:9 video.
Updated Nov. 12, 2026 · 3 min read
In a hurry? Use the View Designer quick guide instead.
PowerDirector's View Designer turns 360° footage into a regular 16:9 video. You choose where the camera looks, and keyframes pan it from one view to the next. Use it to share a 360° clip on platforms and screens that only play standard video, while still guiding viewers to the best part of the scene.
- Drag your 360° video to the timeline and choose Create a conventional video using 360° footage in the View Designer.
- Select the clip, click Edit, and choose View Designer on the Tools tab.
- Choose a Projection mode.
- Set the starting view with the rotation sliders.
- Move the playhead and set a second view.
- Preview the pan and click OK.
- Click Export to save the video.
Steps to Turn 360° Video into a Regular Video in PowerDirector
Step 1: Add Your 360° Video to the Timeline
Import your 360° video. Its thumbnail in the media library shows a 360 badge. Drag it to the timeline, and PowerDirector asks how to use it. Choose Create a conventional video using 360° footage in the View Designer.
If your project is set to 2:1, PowerDirector asks to change it to 16:9. Click Yes.
Step 2: Open View Designer
Select the clip on the timeline and click Edit above it. On the Tools tab, click View Designer at the bottom of the list. It only appears when the selected clip is a 360° video.
Step 3: Choose a Projection Mode
In the View Designer window, open the Projection mode menu at the top left.
| Mode | What it shows | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 2D | A normal camera view of one part of the scene. | You want the video to look like it was shot with a regular camera. |
| Little Planet | The whole scene wrapped into a small round world. | You want a playful, eye-catching look for an intro or a social post. |
Step 4: Set the Starting View
With the playhead at the start, set where the camera looks first. Under Direction of view, X rotation tilts the view up or down, Y rotation turns it left or right, and Z rotation levels the horizon. Zoom widens or narrows the view. You can also drag the round control at the top left of the preview to look around.
This example tilts the view up a little (X rotation 8.0) and straightens the church (Z rotation 20.0).
Step 5: Add a Second View
Move the playhead to where the camera should arrive, then change the sliders again. A diamond on the Direction of view track marks each view, and PowerDirector pans between them.
This example moves to 5 seconds and turns the view to the canal (Y rotation 150.0). Keep Ease in/out checked so the pan starts and stops smoothly.
Step 6: Preview the Pan and Click OK
Move the playhead back to the start and click the play button to watch the camera move. When it looks right, click OK.
Step 7: Export Your Video
Back in the editor, the preview window plays the clip as a regular 16:9 video. Click Export at the top of the window to save it. See how to export a video for the format and quality settings.
We tested these steps in PowerDirector 365 version 25.0.11 on Windows.
Don't have PowerDirector yet? Turn 360° footage into regular videos and choose exactly where the camera looks.
Download PowerDirector Free →FAQ About View Designer
Yes. When you drag the clip to the timeline, choose Create a 360° video project. The project stays at a 2:1 aspect ratio, and you edit the clip as 360° footage.
No. View Designer is only listed for 360° video. For a 360° photo, right-click it on the timeline and choose Edit Image > 360° Start View Setting to set the view with X rotation, Y rotation, and Z rotation. It has no keyframes.
Use Tools > Enhanced VR Stabilizer. It's available when the project is set to 360° and the clip is selected in the media library.
