Lin Evans

Hi Igor, I'll make a little demo today and post it to clarify my question. It concerns unequal time allotted to still images with video running in background. Best regards, Lin

Hi Igor, I noticed that, but does it pick up the individual display times for slides "if:" equal time is not allotted to each slide? For example, if slide one is to run for 20 seconds, slide two for 7.5 second, slide three for 11 seconds, etc.? In such a case is it still not necessary to adjust individual parameters? Thanks for the clarification, Best regards, Lin

O.K. - not intended as a work of "art" or even an interesting slideshow - just done to demonstrate the ease of using a video in the background with still images in the foreground. Essentially, you set the video on slide one to the master and copy and paste it as many times as you have still slides. Each of the secondary videos is set as "linked". Then you determine the run time for the video in seconds (assuming you want to use it all) and divide by the number of still slides to get the time to set each video and each still slide. This means you "change" the run time of the video on each slide to this "portion" of the total time that the individual still slide will occupy. You can manipulate the still slides just as you would in any slide show with opacity, 3D transforms, rotation, PZR effects, etc. I just threw in a few assorted opacity and 3D transforms for examples. It may take you a little time to do the calculations but the possibilities are very great. Though I didn't use still slides as the background with a running video it is actually easier to do that way. Just a sample folks - not a "production"..... http://www.learntoma...kgrounddemo.zip (about 23 meg) Best regards, Lin

The new video linking works great - just some observations to go along with the instructions..... 1, First - you can have it both ways - you can have still images rotating in the background while playing the video, 2, or you can have video for a background while rotating (sequencing) images. It's extremely "easy" to do number 1. Just place your image in a normal way, add the video to the first image or where ever you want the video to begin, copy and paste it to each slide then go to the properties tabe in Objects and Animations and set the video on the first slide to "Master Video Track" and make sure that the remainder of the pasted videos are set to "link" to the master. The video will then run continuously across the slideshow as the slides change in the background. To set it so that the video runs continuously in the background while the slides change, you repeat the process as above but of course reverse the order so that the video lies on the first layer with slides reduced in size. The first occurrence of the video should be set to "Master Video Track" and subsequent videos to "Link". Now here comes the "difference:" You must set the timing for each video on the slides to correspond to the slide duration. Without doing this, the first slide will simply run the video until it ends! Have fun!! Lin

Hi Brian, He purchased audio files from Apple and they came in m4a format which PTE doesn't recognize yet. He found a free utility which successfully converts these to mp3 for PTE. Best regards, Lin

Hi, I didn't say it was "free," I just offered it as a possible solution for conversion and as an explanation of the issue you were facing. As of yet, PTE doesn't support .m4a files so at least for now they will need to be converted to a format PTE accepts. You might Google for a free m4a to mp3 converter.... I found this one in about 10 seconds - whether it is any good or not I can't say because I don't use m4a format music myself. I'm sure if you use your browser's search engine you will find several converters which are "free." The issue with any freeware is that it may or may not be bug free and support may be minimal. http://www.maniactools.com/soft/m4a-to-mp3-converter/index.shtml I hope you find a satisfactory solution.... Best regards, Lin

The issue comes about because of the questionable use of using MP4 as a replacement extension for m4a which is the "audio" format. Just changing the extension will not make the files compatible with players which do not recognize that format which is an Apple thing. Here's a link for an explanation and a converter which can convert m4a (or mp4 which is being used only for audio) to mp3 which is compatible with PTE: http://www.coolutils.com/Formats/MP4 Best regards, Lin

Perhaps that's because mp4 is a video format? If you want to play sound files, then you should use a sound format such as mp3. Video files are recognized in Version 7 which is still in Beta test version. Right now, the latest release is Version 7 Beta 6. Though video files, of course, may have sound, they will not play in versions of PTE earlier than 7.0. You can "create" MP4 videos with earlier versions, but you can't "insert" these videos as "slides" or as "music" because these earlier version of PTE do not support video. Best regards, Lin

Thanks Rick! I agree - this is definitely my favorite of his many great recordings. It's not well known except among his fans, but it should be as should be the history behind it..... Best regards, Lin

Thanks Ken! LOL - I'll have to try those on - HA! Best regards, Lin

Thanks Colin! My eagle gets around, doesn't she? Best regards, Lin

Thank you Paul! He sang this one from his heart... Best regards, Lin

Thanks Charlie, It was a fun little project... Best regards, Lin

Thanks Eric! I tried to keep it simple, like the folks it was about... Best regards, Lin

Hi Roger, Thanks! This song was only released on his Wildlife Concert Album which was recorded live. John wrote this about Olaus and Mardy Murie. Mardy was a great conservationst who did as much for preservation of Alaska's wilderness as perhaps anyone ever. Mardy and John were friends and when she lost her husband, Olas, John wrote this. You can read about Mardy's work here: http://www.muriecenter.org/ Best regards, Lin

Thanks Greg, He was a great singer and lyricist as well. Best regards, Lin

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/debbie/asongforalllovers.zip (zipped PC Exe file about 3 meg) Lin

Hi Xaver, I doubt if there are any members - senior or otherwise - who "make" people believe that technical applications of PTE are in any way "the high art of AV." I believe that the tool is used by forum members for a variety of purposes which include, but are certainly not limited to serious Audio Visual presentations. Each user of PTE has their own purposes and individual preferences in creating a slideshow or a demonstration. Some of the forum members are perhaps qualified to critique the finer points of Audio Visual presentations via their experience with shows and "contests," while others have no relevant experience in that arena. I would place myself in the later category. I can only comment on what I like or dislike about a particular presentation, and I never try to give advice where my advice would only be "opinion" and have no real value to the presenter. I think there are a sufficient number of forum participants who do give critical commentary to help those who have an interest in improving their skills in AV presentations. There are also a sufficient number who are willing to lend their experience and skills in helping those who are interested in "technical aspects" which some forum visitors and regulars seem to want to learn. I believe that we must keep in mind that not all users really "care" about the fine art of AV creation and presentation. Some only want to create simple displays of their photography for family and friends while other simply like to "play" with ideas and use PTE as an enjoyable hobby pursuit. The nice thing about this very fine tool is that it has appeal to many different people for many different reasons. As I've said in the past - I think those who post links to their presentations should indicate whether or not they welcome critical commentary. If there is no indication from the poster that he/she wants "advice" about how the presentation could be improved, then responders should limit their comments to perhaps whether or not they "enjoyed" the presentation. A lack of response would simply indicate non-interest. If each of us who regularly use the forum, would lend their own skills to helping those who "want" help to achieve their goals, then everyone might benefit. Of course it would be useful if one could be certain that the "teacher" actually had the skills they were offering others. This could be demonstrated by having each post some of their own demonstrations and work so that others could see the results and know that the advice they were getting was valid. I'm reminded often of certain photography forums I've visited for years where some of the most critical people who tell others what's wrong with their photographs have never posted one of their own for critical commentary. I've always believed that the "proof is in the pudding." As an example, I would never take "lessons" from a martial arts instructor who couldn't put me down quickly. I want to "know" that what I'm being taught is valid and not just someone's considered opinion. Just my thoughts...... Best regards, Lin

Hi Mary, The "start" time actually is the amount of audio you want to "omit." from the beginning of your audio selection. For example, let's say you had a three minute audio and you wanted to start it at the two minute position. You would then set the start time for 120 seconds and the audio would play the last minute of the song or voiceover, etc. I know - it's a bit confusing. But the thinking is like this: WHEN do you want to Start the playback along a timeline from beginning to end. If you think of it like that, it makes more sense. The "offset" determines when you want the "beginning" of your musical or sound track to start. The start time determines how far along in the playback you want it to begin. You can also alter the end time and functionally "cut" or stop a sound playback before the end. You can also fade in, fade out, cross fade and use the envelope feature to create volume level changes or actually kill the sound for any period of time during playback, then bring the sound back. You may want to watch these videos: http://www.picturest...ls-by-1colibri/ The above series of four videos was done by one of our French PTE users (Jean Claude) and are very helpful. I've got to go to that section and slightly modify the title because it is somewhat confusing since it refers to "streaming videos." Actually, the "streaming videos" are AVI format tutorials on "Audio"..... Best regards, Lin

Hi Mary, You go to the "Music" tab in the Project Options. Put in an "Offset" equal in time to the running time of slide one. This will hold the start of the music for the duration of display of slide one and begin it with your second slide. Best regards, Lin

Hi Sheila, It was back in 2009 in November, I believe, when I made the demo. I dug it up and emailed you a link. I doubt that your 3-D spatial awareness is really a "problem" - more likely it's just that girls generally grow up playing with dolls, learning arts like cooking and knitting, etc., and and concentrating on those areas of life and nature which are traditionally the female domain; while boys grow up taking things apart and playing with mechanical toys. Since our orientation begins differently because of our culture, guys tend to spend more time fiddling with numbers, measuring things and seeing how they work. I believe that all of us are fairly equal in "potential" for visualization, it's just that we don't all spend the same amount of time "practicing" that skill. If you want to see a man scratch his head in disbelief, try introducing him to an art such as complex knitting stitches, etc. I believe that with practice, you could visualize in three dimensions as well as anyone. One way to approach this is to make paper or cardboard cut-outs and play with them until you acquire a "feel" for how things will look when they are assembled. Another area which can help is to study origami. It is true that we differ in the extent of use of our right or left hemisphere, but I doubt it is, in general, genetic in nature, but rather more an acquired difference. Obviously, there are genetic components, but my own studies into this area tend to make me think that environmental issues are far more important. Best regards, Lin

Hi Sheila, Yes, it can be done. It's not terribly difficult but may be easier to "show" you rather than try to "tell" you how it can be done. Here is a link to a little demo I did quite a while back which uses a variety of cube and pyramid type constructs. If this looks something like you have in mind, email me and I'll dig up the PTE file and link you to it so you can examine the construct. email to: [email protected] http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/alleycat1080.zip Best regards, Lin

Hi Igor, The bottom line is that it will be virtually impossible to have a single product (PicturesToExe) which has all the needed features and bells and whistles for the advanced user, yet is "simplified" for the casual user or beginner. To try to greatly "simplify" a complex product will ultimately result in the destruction of the very utility and power which makes PTE the "choice" of the professional AV user. It seems to me that the solution cries for two products: PicturesToExe Lite and PIcturesToExe Pro. Just like we have Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Premier Pro and Premier Elements, etc., we need PTE Pro and PTE Elements. One product for the casual user with an upgrade path to the more sophisticated and powerful product which, I believe, should eventually be "linked" to the primary features of PixBuilder in an integrated fashion. Just a thought.... Best regards, Lin

Now yet - you can "mute" the sound, but PTE 7.0 is only in early beta version - perhaps in the future..... Best regards, Lin

Hi Barry, I have a similar problem with MOV from my camera, but I don't believe this is strictly a PTE issue, but rather perhaps a system or possibly software conflict. Try going to "Properties Tab" in Objects and Animations - click on the video to be sure it's selected then click beside "Don't include file to EXE". Create your executable and place the video in the same folder with the exe file and see if this makes a major difference. I'm betting that when you do this the MOV file at HD will play perfectly. The problem is yet to be resolved - but something is different on your system, my system and Igor's system. He doesn't have this issue with MOV files inside an executable on his system so the "cause" of the jerky response is yet to be determined. Best regards, Lin