Igor

Dear Lin! I'm so sorry to hear about your wife Sherry. I send you all my support and reassurance.

PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.5 is available now We're grateful to all who helped us develop this new version! Download link: setup.zip'>http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/picturestoexe-setup.zip (8 MB) Press-Release: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/press-release/pte-65.html Key Features: Audio Editing and Manipulations Crossfading between audio clips. Multi-tracks and simultaneous playback. Tools for editing of an audio clip (start time, duration, fade in, fade out, time offset, etc). Envelope Tool for an audio clip. Animated GIF Support In addition to animated GIFs, professionals can use manually animated PNG/JPEG images specially processed in a graphical editor. New Features in the Objects and Animation Editor Better usability, special improvements for editing of 3D objects. Reworked a tree of objects with icons. Automatic naming of new objects. Video Output for iPad and iPhone 4 Watch slideshow in HD quality on mobile device. 1080p for YouTube Output FullHD quality for your slideshows now. Facebook Output (1080p) Share your slideshows with your friends on Facebook. Improvements in Slides A new feature "Insert blank slide". Name of slides displayed in the Slide list. Improved "Go to Slide..." of objects which can use a name of a slide in addition to a slide number. "Show Next/Previous slide" buttons in Slide properties window. A Full List of New Features: > Audio editing and manipulations: + Crossfading between audio clips. (See Project options | Music tab.) + Multi-tracks support. Click "Add track" and then insert an audio clip(s) to play simultaneously several audio files. + Each audio clip can be virtually edited (lossless editing): Start time, Duration, Fade In, Fade Out, Crossfading, Offset, Volume. + Envelope Tool and Waveform for a selected audio clip (Project options | Music tab or Sound comment). + Use "Offset" parameter to add silence before an audio clip. + Sound comments also has same features for editing. + New feature “Insert Blank Slide” is available now. (See the main menu | Slide or popup menu of Slide list.) > Improvements in the Objects & Animation editor: + You can choose and save default font for new text objects. See "Save and Use by Default" link in Properties tab of Text object in the Objects and animation editor. + You can choose and save default settings for new Image objects. See "Save and Use by Default" link in Properties tab of Image object. + To rotate an object in 3D space hold Shift key pressed, put the mouse cursor slightly outside of a side of selected object, click left mouse button and move the cursor. + Added icons to the tree of objects. An each kind of object has own icon (image, text, mask, etc). + The tree of objects remembers a state of its sub-items (collapsed/expanded). + Improved drag'n'drop of objects in 3D space. + “Adjust Image and Border” is a floating window now. + You can create an animated sequence of pictures from one image file. Choose a number of frames inside one image file, time interval and other parameters to see a picture like Animated GIF. (See "Properties" tab -> "Adjust Image and Border" -> "Animation"). + Automatic naming of new objects in the Objects and animation editor ("Text1", "Text2", etc). + Improvements in the main window of PicturesToExe: New/Open/Save buttons on the toolbar under the main menu. And a new button to change a drive for the file list below. + Improvements in VideoBuilder: - Added video output for iPad and iPhone 4 with amazing quality. - Ability to set custom filename for H.264 MP4 video file (PC/Mac). - Added support of 1080p output for YouTube uploads. - Added support of uploads on Facebook (1080p). * Improved compatibility of VideoBuilder with DVD writers. It should solve problems with DVD burning on some PCs. + Animated GIF support. + Improved function “Go to slide …” of an object. In addition to a slide number you can also point a slide name. Slide names should be declared in the Customize Slide | Main tab. + Slide list now displays names of slides (instead of file names of main pictures as it was earlier). By default name of a slide is equal to file name of the main picture but you can rename this name without renaming of real file on the disk. + Popup menu of Slide list has two separated functions: "Rename Slide Object" and "Rename Image File". + Added buttons to show Next/Previous slide in Slide properties window or use hotkeys Alt+PageUp/PageDown. + PicturesToExe remembers a last used image folder in the file panel and tree separately for each project. + Vastly reduced size of an executable file of a slideshow which contains many text objects. + Added "Set Graphical Editor" and "Set Sound Editor" options (See Main menu | Advanced Options). + Vastly improved smoothness/fluidity of animation on a slide with large PNG, GIF or BMP images. ! Removed support of MIDI audio files. Please use MP3, OGG, WMA or WAV files instead of. ! Removed support of Vimeo uploads. Vimeo doesn't accept direct uploads from slideshow software anymore. You can upload shows manually through their website. A Full List of Bug-Fixes: * Fixed an old bug (v5.5-v6.5 Beta 9) in the main window of PicturesToExe which caused "Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window" error message. * Fixed issue when saving of a project could fail and cause deleting of an previous version of this project file on a disc. * Fixed issue (all previous versions) with creating of AVI video files on some PCs. * Fixed issue with a slow playback of mono audio files in slideshows for Mac. * Fixed bug with a error message "Not executable file or file corrupted" which appears if call "Run slideshow" command and then terminate the show by Esc key. * Fixed bug with "Run application/slideshow on exit" commands which call a slideshow with a startup window. These commands launched two copies of a slideshow. * Fixed bug (v6.0-v6.5 Beta 6) with an incorrect view of a text object which contains some symbols in specific fonts. * Minor improvements in text renderer. Changes in version 6.5.1 * Fixed visual bug (v6.5.0) with drag'n'drop of several selected objects in the Objects and animation editor. * Fixed issue (v6.5.0) with audio clips in produced H.264 MP4 video files (including uploads for YouTube). The program has truncated last half of second of an audio clip. * Fixed issue of (v6.5.0) when the main timeline couldn't display a waveform. + Updated support of Italian language. Changes in version 6.5.2 + Added support of uploads on Facebook (1080p). + PicturesToExe accepts new license keys in text format. Old keys in files also are supported. Changes in version 6.5.3 + Fixed issue (v6.5.0-v6.5.2) with incorrect adding of animated GIF images in the Objects and animation editor in some cases. + Fixed visual bug in the Objects and animation editor when slide has tiled background picture and Mask object(s). + Minor improvements in the Objects and animation editor. + Fixed issue (v6.5.0-v6.5.2) with quality of preview of large images choosed in the File list. + Updated language files. Changes in version 6.5.4 * Fixed issue (v4.1.x-v6.5.3) with duration of some MP3 audio files. Playback stopped earlier on several seconds. * Fixed issue (v6.5.0-v.6.5.3) with incorrect visual size of a picture in fullscreen preview for a selected image in the File list. * Fixed rare problem (v6.0.0-v6.5.3) with freezing of the program when user tries to create executable file for PC. Changes in version 6.5.5 * Fixed problem (5.5 to 6.5.4) with freezing of the main program of PicturesToExe under Windows 7 with Aero Glass user inteface on some PCs with quad-core CPUs. * Minor change in German language file. Changes in version 6.5.7 * Fixed problem (5.6.0 to 6.5.5) with loss of details in lights and shadows in created H.264 video file (video file for PC & Mac, YouTube, Facebook, iPhone, iPad). * Fixed bug (6.5.0 to 6.5.5) with wrong title "No String" in Create menu called from the Objects and animation editor. * Updated German language file. Changes in version 6.5.8 + Add support of Hungarian language. * Fixed bug (v6.5.0-v6.5.7) with choosing of a category of video uploaded to YouTube. * Fixed bug (v6.0.0-v6.5.7) in the editor of DVD menu in VideoBuilder. Resizing and moving of an picture/title didn't resize its shadow. Also change of the title

Daniel, Thanks, I've received the project file you've sent me. I've inspected the file and it seems to be normal. No problem with sound comments. The problem which Peter has discovered related only with Windows Vista or 7.

Peter, That bug is a fault in design of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Now 32-bit application can't work with real files in common application data folder designed for that earlier, Windows moves files into isolated virtual storage. And we get two copies of one file - one in real folder and one in virtual storage. They are not synchronized. This is not a bug of PicturesToExe. I have an idea how to solve this issue but it may take significant time.

Dear Alan, I'm sorry for this problem! I just sent you the upgrade key for PicturesToExe. Please let me know when you receive it.

Uninstall doesn't delete templates (projects), just settings of the program. An alternate variant, just delete this VideoBuilder.ini file from "6.5 Beta 15" folder.

Ron, Please try uninstall Beta 15. Then install it again, and *SKIP* import of settings from any previous version. Then try to create HD MP4 video file with default settings (what the program suggests).

Thanks, Peter, I see same on my PC with Windows 7. Two copy of this file. But they are equal and don't cause that problem. Mistery. I'll explore this situation.

Ron, The most likely it's our bug. Please send me VideoBuilder.ini file.

Peter, After importing of settings from a previous version in Beta 15 do you see that at least part of parameters was imported successfully? List of recently opened projects in the main menu, the default folder in the File list, etc. You said that Beta 15 come with loaded project, this means that it imported at least *something*? Could you please make same experiment with a Beta 14? Uninstall + new installation with importing of settings from Beta 13?

Ron, PicturesToExe should work regardless of DEP mode. I just check up on my Windows XP - PicturesToExe and VideoBuilder work fine in both modes.

John, Thanks, I've understood your question now. Yes, it's what that we did designedly. It's not a bug. Peter, Thank you for sending me configuration files! I just checked up - both files are equal on 100%. Nor Beta 13 nor Beta 14 load template by default. LoadTemplate=0 DefTemplate= Last opened project in both versions is "Snakestones-2v8": opt_lastop=C:\Users\Peter\My Digital Studio\AV Sequences\Snakestones\Snakestones-2v8.pte It's very strange. Daniel, Send me please only one .pte project file which initially saved in previous version 6.0 I'll check up.

Ron, Thanks. Can I ask you some more information? 1) Where exactly the error message occurs: - right after you clicked "Create HD video for PC and Mac" in PicturesToExe - or when you choosed settings and quality of video and pressed Convert button? 2) Please send me full screenshot of entire desktop when the error message appears. 3) What settings you use to produce video file? Please send me screenshot. (Important note - please don't change any parameter - the problem may disappears and we will not find the true reason anymore.) 4) And please send me VideoBuilder.ini file. Run Windows Search for all files and folders (including hidden). On my Windows XP this file located here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\PicturesToExe\Versions\6.5 Beta 15

Ron, Please could you reply on my questions which will help me determine reason of this issue and solve it: 1) Will the problem happens with latest Beta 15? 2) Does the problem occurs only with particular slideshow or with all projects? If the problem exists only with a particular slideshow, please send me source files in ZIP archive of this one. 3) Will the problem occurs with a newely created simple project which consists from several slides and no music? Thank you in advance!

Peter, Yes, 1st file and 8th file. C:\ProgramData\PicturesToExe\Versions\6.5 Beta 13\apr.ini and C:\ProgramData\PicturesToExe\Versions\6.5 Beta 15\apr.ini John, Click by left mouse button to "Duration" label in a floating window of audio clip properties. It's interesting why Duration longer than real audio file. Do you mean this problem?

Peter, Can I ask you help me investigate this issue, please? 1) Uninstall Beta 15. 2) Install it again and import settings as you did before (from Beta 13). 3) Beta 15 will be started. Please don't close it. 4) In Windows Explorer try to find apr.ini file on a drive where Windows is installed. You should discover several copies of this file in different folders (NOT in Program Files). On my Windows XP they are here - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\PicturesToExe\Versions\6.5 Beta 15\ 5) Please send me two apr.ini files from "6.5 Beta 13" and "6.5 Beta 15" folders.

PicturesToExe Deluxe 6.5 Beta 15 is available It's Release Candidate. Download link: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/picturestoexe-beta.zip (7 MB) Changes in this beta: + Visual improvements in the main window of VideoBuilder. * Fixed issue (Beta 1-14) with the drive button in the main window of PicturesToExe on the toolbar. * Improved import of settings from previous versions when you install a new version. * Fixed old bug (all versions) when Copy/Paste for slides didn't work in the fullscreen view of Slide list (Lightbox) called from the timeline mode. John, Please make a screenshot to illustrate that issue.

Ken, The main part of video cards can't perform Bicubic resizing. Photoshop uses modified improved Bicubic algorithm (maybe Lanczos) and additionally adds unsharp mask. That's good for static picture. But when we use animation (Pan/Zoom) this sharp picture (after Bicubic + unsharp) will cause strong moire effect. The problem with sharpness of video mainly related with DVD output. Because by default we create interlaced video to record 60 frames per second. If you turn on "Progressive" mode it will vastly increase sharpness but reduce smoothness of animation.

Thanks to all! Cor, "Preserve hard edges (no interpolation)" too long for the interface. "Preserve hard edges" - this may cause confusion - side edges of a picture or edges inside a picture. Peter, I feel that we should avoid use of "sharpness". The pseudo sharpness is an illusion and side effect of low quality of this resampling algorithm. There are three known resampling algorithms for pictures: 1) Nearest Neighbor (current "Low quality of resizing" in PTE). This method provides the lowest quality of resized picture. 2) Bilinear (used by default for pictures in PTE). Acceptable quality. 3) Bicubic (used in Photoshop by default). Gives high quality. I think we should hint to an user that the first option (Nearest Neighbor) gives low quality and he should avoid this option for normal use and apply this one only for specific tasks. There is a danger that inappropriate name will turn user wrongly think that this option gives something better than without this option. For this reason I personally prefer add words "low": "Low quality of resampling" "Low quality of picture"

Yes, it's definitely a specific option for special effects.

Ray, Thanks, I've sent you PM.

We have and old translation file for Swidish language in PicturesToExe. It was not updated since version 5.1. So I've turned off support of it. You can find _Swedish.ini file in the main folder of PicturesToExe and rename to English.ini.

Jean-Cyprien, PicturesToExe can display given picture exactly pixel in pixel on a display: The simple example - 1024x768 images on fullscreen of LCD 1024x768. Or fixed size of slide. Please see my sample show: http://www.wnsoft.com/test/Nearest2.zip At the beginning of this demo there is no difference between Bilinear and Nearest. Because video card recognize this case and draw picture pixel in pixel without resampling. I used fixed slide size 512x512 and two pictures of 512x512 each. One placed onto Mask to show difference. This option "Low quality of resizing" is closely linked with resizing/resampling and I don't know what is the best name for this.

Gerard, "Resampling without loss" seems good. But wouldn't it force an user think that he'd better to turn on this option, it something that improves quality? Other variants "Low quality of picture" "Nearest (edged resizing)"

Please see the attached sample show: http://www.wnsoft.com/test/Nearest_vs_Bilinear.zip (500 KB) Jean-Cyprien, When a picture shown on the screen at its original size (pixel in pixel) no need to use Bilinear, Nearest or Bicubic resampling/resizing. So these algorithms are necessary only when we resize picture (larger or smaller). For this reason I think it isn't exact to call it sharpness. In future we can add real sharpen filter and it will cause a mess with two options.