JohnFeg

Tom, I'm working on a slideshow in which, as part of the introduction, I want to zoom in from a great height to an area of an island in the Aegean. I really would like to achieve it with a bit of video from Google Earth, but, they want $200 for that capability! Will Camstudio software you mentioned get round this little obstacle? At the moment I'm trying to "make do" with a photograph of a map (The Aegean) combined with an aerial photograph (the island) but, it isn't a totally satisfactory solution. John

Igor, congratulations on achievement of the excellent beta 4. I have, though, found one minor problem: If, in the main screen, I attach an MP3 file to a slide, using the "sound" function it does not play. However, the association of the MP3 file, with the slide, is registered in the box. The sound file (dialogue) being used is in MP3 Pro. format. Kind regards John

I’m creating a particular zoom effect and have come up against the buffers of ignorance! Principally it’s because, after all these years, I cannot remember how to do the maths. The idea is to use a high definition map (of the Aegean) onto which has been superimposed an even higher definition aerial photograph of the island of Ikaria. I find that I can zoom in from 100% to 30,000% with good results. For the last part of the zoom, because of definition constraints, the map component is at 0% opacity, it’s place being taken by a “blue sea” background. Now, as the zoom is linear the impression is that the rate of descent constantly decelerates. I have worked out a couple of (obvious!) points to make changes to the rate of zoom so that the apparent speed of descent is about the same at the beginning and at the end. i.e.: a) 100 – 700% zoom is achieved in 6.0 seconds 700 -1400% zoom is achieved in 3.0 seconds c) 1400 – 2100% zoom is achieved in 1.5 seconds This works, after a fashion, but, there is at each of the points of change an obvious change in the rate of zoom. Therefore, I want to put in more change points to try to smooth things out a bit. For the life of me, I cannot work out at what time I should set the changes for 200%, 300%, 400% zoom etc. Can anyone help? Or, tell me if I am going about things in the wrong way? John

Yes, and I suppose the problem is compounded because the image is spherical. However, I wont get a chance to try it out until the end of the week. I'm wondering if it might be better not to use a stitching application and join up using the transform tools in Photoshop. After all, we accept the distortion of geographical features inherent to the Mercator system of chart production. John

Thanks Ken, I'll give that a try. John

Thanks for that Ken, but, you're right, it's $200, for the version I need. So! another good idea bites the dust. I'll have a try at a sort of work round. See what I can cobble together using screen shots stitched together. I have an application called "Panorama Factory" with which I've had good results. I'll not get an opportunity to play untill next week, a gathering of the clans is in effect!, but I'll let you know if I get anywhere with it. Best wishes John

Thanks for that explanation Lin. It's a joy to learn something new almost every day. John

Dominique, did you ever resolve this issue satisfactorilly? I'm working on a new project and would dearly like to open the show with a short video. The idea is to use a "movie" sequence, generated in Google Earth, to illustrate the translocation from one geographical location to another, half way round the globe. Incidentally, before I recklessly splash out 20 dollars! upgrading Google Earth, I'd very much appreciate hearing from anyone, who has used the Google Earth Movie Facility, their views on the quality of the video material and the practicality of my plan. John

No problem. Send me a personal message and I'll mail it to you. John

Dominique, I have scanned, from an excellent CS2 Treatise, an article on the use of the Extract Tool. I found this little tutorial to be very useful. However, having scanned it at a reasonablr resolution (4 pages) and zipped it, it still comes out at 5.2 Mb. Let me know if you want me to send it. John

Brian, many thanks for bringing that "into the light" It just so happens I have an immediate use for it. John

Denis, as most images will require some sort of processing in an Image Editor (even if it's only sizing and sharpening) why not add your text there, at the same time. If you use something Photoshop or Elements etc. etc., there will be more scope to be creative. John

I have uploaded to Beechbrook Cottage a v.5 Demo called "Spanish Towns". It is, like it's sister sequence "Rio Guadalquivir" (also at Beechbrook and also hosted at Thedom's site) an extract from a larger slideshow (actually a bit like War & Peace!) that I have in course of preparation following a recent trip to Seville. Hope you enjoy it. John

Dominique, Firstly, have I made the "quote" correctly this time? I'd be more than delighted for you to host this demo. How do you want me to send the PTE project? You are correct in thinking the size is due to using PNG files. But, in addition, I had to make the main map JPG 3000 x 2200 px in order that the text remained legible when zoomed in. One mistake I made, that contributed to the size was in making the "background map" (which really only needed to be a narrow strip following the river's course) also a 3000 x 2200px PNG. I did this to ensure accurate registration. Since then I have found that registration can accurately be achieved by including, on the 2 images to be aligned, small dots on one image and small circles on the other. These can be, either: a) just out of frame cloned away in photoshop once alignment has been made. Incidentally, for the map, The text itself made excellent alignment markers. John

Dominique, I think I have completely misunderstood the purpose of "Quotations" in fact, I must be honest, for I'm still not entirely sure about this BB text thing. Give me another kick if I mess up again. Kind regards John

I have tried, over the past couple of days, to upload this show to the Beechbrook Cottage site. Each time I get an error message: Microsoft VB script runtime error 800 ao1 a8 Object required session/LM/w3SUL/40324522/root/global/asa.line 23 Does anyone know what I'm doing incorrectly? John

Karen, I don't know for certain if the situation in "Elements" is the same as in Photoshop. But, if it is, this is what to do. 1) Complete all the text items for the image as separate layers. Then: 2) on any of the layers create your Layer Styles: drop shadow, bevel & emboss etc etc. Having done so, a little symbol, Like a letter "f" will appear on the text layer. 3) Hold down Alt. and drag the little "f" onto each and every layer of text you want to create the same layer effect. Hey Presto! it's done. Good luck John

Igor, you are, without a doubt, being unduly modest. To say nothing of being a bit of a tease! We hang onto your every word with bated breath. Best wishes John

Thanks for that information Maureen, I'll check it out and compare it with the other I now have on my short list. Good idea that, about the name badge. John

Al, I had a look at Brinkster. It certainly looks suitable for my needs. The availibility of a "Website Creator" is a very appealing feature and, as you say, it's not going to break the bank. Will keep you posted. John