paul alford

Thanks a million Lin and Tom. I did publish the test show with HD Video for PC - 800 x 448 (preset), 30 fps, Qualtiy 100, Audio 96 Bit Mono. The created MP4 wont import directly into DreamWeaver CS3 (I have) but not sure if the newer version will import directly. I took the new MP4 to zamzar.com to convert it to a FLV (free), which will import into DWeaver and its showing smoothly and nice...at least on my computer/browser. I havent uploaded it yet to see on the server. I will try it again at 500 px wide since I am trying to get it smaller on the webpage. Getting there. Paul

I am on version 7.01 and created a 30 sec "commercial" with static JPGs and videos, with background music. I am just testing for now to see how to get the final show and how the quality ends up on the website. I see the 2 options to publish in Facebook or YouTube, but I want to place my show on my own website, not theirs, so I cant use those. I have tried publishing as a preset HD video at 1920x1080 HD Mp4, and that works great (smooth video, good quality) but how do I get this MP4 now to 500 px wide...small enough to add to my webpage ? I changed the pixels in the presets to "custom" and resized to proportional 500x280 and it works, but quality is horrible (video is jerky and not smooth) I tried to search the forum for this but coouldnt find this so if this has already been discussed, can someone point me to the posts please ? Thanks in advance Paul

I just bought the 5d Mark 2 that has HD video capture too, and I already create PTE shows for my clients with all still images...and with the new video ability, I am hoping to add some segments of video of the same client session into the same slideshow. For example a baby session and while I am setting up and snapping stills, I should be able to sneak in a few "video captures" during the session. The goal is to incorporate both into the final slideshow. I love the layering effects (still and video at the same time). Are there any samples of this sort of thing already here on the forum... for just portraits. I am finding some others and I am getting ideas, but hoping to find more specific to portrait work too. Thanks ! Paul

Ahh, I knew you guys would come up with the solution. Cool. I will try that Lin. Thanks ! Paul

Thanks Lin and Jill. I failed to mention this final was to convert to Flash and show on my website...and I have created it since I posted this. The cell pic (with hole in it) does rotate and move with the transitions and its not that bad, kinda cool even. But I would love to know if there is a way to make it stay put (and other uses of this). Here is a link to the webpage that I put it on so you can see it. My link I created it in PTE, published as HD Mp4, then converted to Flash show (fla) and inserted into my webpage. Paul

Hi Paul, I accidentally deleted your question - but the answer is below I think.... I'll paraphrase your question here... you wanted to know if there was a way to keep an image of a cell phone still and unchanged except for the screen which would be represented via a PNG transparency with the screen of the cell phone acting as a "window" through which you would see your slideshow running. The cell phone would not be affected by transitions, etc. I apologize for deleting your original question - I hit the wrong key for my reply. It's one of the problems with moderator privileges when we are not super careful or tired - or all the above!! Hi Paul, I think you mean you want an "image" (rather than jpg) to stay put. The easiest way to approach this is to have a single slide with the telephone png file and run your slideshow as a video (use PTE to create the slideshow and output as a video) running inside the parameters of the cell phone screen. Set the display time for the single slide to the run time of the video. You can add a second slide at the end and/or a first slide to transition to the show if you like. This should give you the result you describe. Best regards, Lin

Thanks for all the input Lin. That helps alot. I think I will try the Convert to Flash option first. I think most browsers and sites are more use to seeing flash so that might be smoother in the long run too. Now... I have to find a MP4 to Flash converter. Any ideas ? Free or inexpensive to start off. Oh yeah, I downloaded the JW Player, but they want $90 to buy it so I think converting to Flash is the better option for me too.

Hi Lin I have Dreamweaver CS3 and it doesnt have the "insert MP4" as an option...and I hate to buy Xara WD just for this one thing. Are you familiar with Dreamweaver as well and know how to insert a MP4 video created in PTE to show on my webpage ? Also, are there "best settings" for the PTE output to show on the webpages ? Thanks Paul

I can create a cool show with lots of effects, music, etc.. the whole thing awesome lets say with 50 images, but HOW do I save this so I can just open it again and replace the old 50 images with 50 new ones, keeping all of the effects, zooms, etc.. the same ? I have Producer and can do it in there and was hoping PTE could do it too. I create slideshows for my client sessions and have been doing it in Producer, but now wanting to get a cool slideshow to the computer but dont want to have to recreate it from scratch each client session. I have about 30-40-50 images each session. Thanks for yor help Paul

I have been trying to red through the existing posts and threads but cant understand all this stuff. Can PTE now create a 1080p HD DVD ? I see in the video builder options - the format is 720x480, which is the low rez DVD. I am trying to get these shows much sharper on the DVD. Are there simple instructions out there somewhere ? Would I have to do the actual burn in another software like Roxio ? Thanks Paul

Its been a long time since I have been in this forum or created any PTE shows... so I am rusty. I am hoping someone can help me with a music question. I have created a main show, with the 1st slide being the "menu". I created objects on the 1st slide (menu) to click on to take you to other PTE executable shows. I want the main show to have a background music, that can plat through out other slides inside that main show... but IF a person hits one of the hot buttons to show another complete PTE.exe, then I want the main music to stop (or pause) since the outside shows already have music tailored to those individuals shows. Then once the outside show is over, I want to go back to the main show (already still running) and start that music again or pick up where it paused. Hope that makes sense. I did some searching on the forum for this type of thing but cant find this question Thanks in advance Oh yeah, I am still using an older version... 4.3 I think. Paul

Hi Mr D. Craig I am a 14 yr fulltime pro portrait and wedding photographer and have used PTE for years. Love it. Depends who you ask though... if you are going to use it for proofing, I might suggest a big watermark across the image as we all use to do with printed proofs. Eventhough PTE does prevent alt+prntscreen to screen capture - there are TONS of other ways to screen capture - so the images are not safe. We require a min order before we allow a proofer CD to go out and we still have a big PROOF across all images. We also use PTE for our portrait demo CD for potential clients right now (until I get the new DVD show produced). I like the PTE slideshow and can do some unique things with it, but now would rather have the clients sitting in the living room with remate in had with the rest of the family (not huddled around the 14" monitor or laptop). I rarely visit this forum but feel free to email me directly anytime. Paul Alford paul@paulalfordphotography.com

As it is with most forums, MOST people lurk in the shadows and just ask for help when needed... and usually dont "offer" much help when needed. Sad. Kinda like titheing at church... 20% of the people provide 80% of the total. Maybe it would help if igor sent out a mass email to the whole group advising everyone of this needed info. I didnt know about it until tonight and only because I "happen" to visit... which is very rare. So, in all fairness, maybe many folks dont know about it. And if I may add my grain of salf 2 cents, to you igor... You go boy !! Dont worry about trying to please 100% of the group - that will never happen. If the older hardware people get "left out" of the improvements, they have the option of still using the already great version 4 or simple upgrade the hardware. Its their choice, not yours. These same people must not own digital cameras !! We seem to buy a "new model" about every 6 months... sad really. These manufacturers are savy in getting all of our money. But again, its our choice. If you want to keep up with the big boys, you gotta run like the big boys. Otherwise, find your own pace and enjoy where you are and quit complaining. Just my 2 cents. Paul

I am a long time user of PTE but havent been here in a while... Thought I would ask this question. I know PTE can kill the alt+prntscrn already.... but is there a way to kill the whole keyboard (I guess except for the esc). Reason I ask is there are still 1000 screen capture programs that allow you to capture all of our images without using alt+prntscrn. You can set up these other screen capture programs to capture on the function keys or most anything. So just wondering if we had made any progress on deterring other ways of capturing ? Thanks Paul

Thanks Al Robin for telling me about the object arrows can nudge now... thats a help to get things lined up. Now, if I do a show in the windowed mode (800x600) is there a way to get the rest of the screen to go black ? I am still making most of my client proofing shows at 800x600 since I believe most still have 14" monitors... so I want to make them 800x600, but dont want the rest of the screen showing. Messes up the "look". Thanks ! Paul

My 2 cents... Several have mentioned the thumbnail sorting option.... maybe it would be too much to include in this program. Igor has already done too much... You all might try another app to do the job but then batch rename (for example) to get them in order for your show. Thats what I do in BreezeBrowser $30. So quick and easy, then make your show. 1. A NUDGE feature using the arrows maybe in the object editor or another way to get those buttons mined up, aligned, etc... 2. In window mode, a way to make the rest of the screen go black (unless we can do this already and I dont know). Like showing a 800x600 windowed show but the rest of the 1024x768 is black. 3. Others already mentioned. Thanks Igor, you do a wonderful job and I have gotten lots of other professional photographers using PTE. Keep up the great work !! Paul Alford

Thanks Cindy. Nice of you to say. I designed it and maintain my site myself after much time and learning. Decent photography helps too. Paul

Hi atomiton Are you a professional wedding photographer or is this just a family thing you are doing for him ? I create my image effects (sepia, b/w, other effects) in Photoshop and save each separately of course and just fade into eachother. I am a 11 yr pro wedding photographer in SC and would be happy to offer ideas. Might email me directly. Paul paul@paulalfordphotography.com

I discovered the "sync to music" does kill the keyboard (including arrows) so I guess I can use that. I would love to see Igor add a "kill the keyboard" check box if that is even technically possible one day. Sometimes I dont want to sync to the music since I want a slide holding longer since it might have text on it or some reason for the viewer to look longer at some slides over others. Paul

I did Ken, nav bar is out but the keyboard arrows still work.... Paul

I have noticed some shows I have seen created by PTE have the left and right arrows dead... but my arrows always advance the slides forward and reverse..... I want to be able to kill the arrows so viewers dont mess up my show. Is there a way to disable the keyboard or at least the arrows ? I see in options where it says left and right mouse clicks.. and I have that on NONE, but that doesnt kill the arrows on the keyboard. Thanks Paul

Robert, it sounds like you need to be using PShop and layers to create this effect (IMO). I would. Create the 1st slide with the first image (in Photoshop layer 1) Save as slide 1 - same file, open 2nd image and drag in to the first image, move it to where the final placement would be. Save as slide 2. Repeat until you get all 6 images where you want, save as each time. Now, once all 6 slides are done, use the slide in from the left transition to give the illusion of the 2nd slide fading out opacity. Adjust the times on each to taste. Try that. Is that what you are thinking ? Paul

Mark, I, too, am a fulltime professional portrait and wedding photographer and would be interested in hearing more about what you can offer for pros. I visited the Bespoke site and was impressed but do you have another place that we can sample other music/songs ? I agree with Bill about the softer, instrumental stuff for families, children, weddings, and faster hipper stuff for the HS seniors. I get some of our music from www.StudioCutz.com ($65/cd) now but am always ready to hear others. Paul Alford paul@paulalfordphotography.com

Gosh Bart, no worries mate. I appreciate your ideas. Thanks. We all are in those shoes from time to time. Take it easy. Paul

You hit the nail on the head AL !! I don't know WHY, but I went back in Dreamweaver and removed the pixel dimensions and re-uploaded and my browser now shows all of the images. That fixed the issue, now I have to figure out WHY. The 1 image is 120x80 and thats what was in the WxH in DW so I am clueless why it wont show with those numbers in there. Is there an option in the options for IE6 that has an "issue" with resizing or not images that on on web pages ? Hmmm. Thanks for the idea AL. I can sleep sound again. I hate not being able to figure something out that I should know. Paul