Lin Evans

Don't even try this unless you have a very strong video card. This one is just too much because of the masking, for any except a top-end card. It was too much for an MP4 as well. It runs smoothly on my nVidia 8800 GT, but crashes on my wife's overclocked 8600 GT and all the rest of my video cards. It's really on the ragged edge for even the 8800 GT. http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/xmas/xmastreepc.zip (Windows) http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/xmas/xmastreemac.zip (Mac) About 35 meg... Lin

Hi Mike, I'm assuming that Vimeo and Youtube request mp4 uploads for their conversions (they are both converted to Flash) because they get better quality that way. In general, the mp4 better supports the faster frame speeds and this is primarily why they give smoother action on some animations. Flash does take some toll on animation smoothness and doesn't, at least in my experience, give as good fade transitions as mp4, but AVI is generally not as smooth for pans and zooms as MP4 or the MP4 to Flash conversion. I think the best way is to try some of the tools such as the one on my link and see how they compare to AVI conversions before making a purchasing decision. Best regards, Lin

Hi Mike, It was discussed some time ago, but nothing lately. There really isn't a more direct way to convert your slideshow to Flash, but perhaps a "better" way would be to convert from MP4 h.264 to Flash. Here's one conversion tool which does this: http://www.video-to-flash.com/mp4_to_flash/ Best regards, Lin

Hi Bernard, Beautiful shots and great composition! 3D a plus too!! Best regards, Lin

Hi Brian, Do you mean the frame around the photo inside the globe? If so, you can't really remove the frame from the photo unless you want to just use the eraser in Photoshop. To do that, the easiest way that I know is to copy the entire snowglobe image, paste it on a transparency of the same size and then you can erase whichever portions of the image you want and add whatever you want. Since Panos constructs the globe in layers, you can just turn off the layer for the photo using Photoshop's Layers window and this will remove the photo itself. You can then switch off the shadow for the photo and that will leave you without the image automatically created by the snowglobe action. Likewise for the ice crystals, snow flakes, etc. If you just experiment with switching the various layers on and off you will see how the globe is constructed. For these simulations, I only use the globe itself without any content inside, then I create the images I want inside the globe, add my own snow, etc. If you go to the PanosFX site you can download my tutorial there which might help you better understand the process. The PTE basic template which I created for the animated snowglobe leaves the design pretty much as Panos built it, but removes the static snow and replaces it with my PNG snow effect. For these specialized effects I only use the basic globe construct then add a wide variety of effects and content. Best regards, Lin

O.K., I promise this is the last one on this theme - LOL http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/xmas/springsnowspc.zip (Windows) http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/xmas/springsnowsmac.zip (MacIntosh) About 29 meg Lin

Hi Ed, I read that thread and had "hoped" that perhaps they had corrected the issue, but after going to the Symantic site and looking around, I saw enough to convince me that they have issues with the Sonar module because they have an "exclude" feature which prevents Sonar from diddling with files you ask it not to. They also have a "patch" fix for that feature misbehaving. This is one way of a sort of "crippled fix" for the problem when the executable or other file is an application, but when the file is the construct of an application, such as our slideshows, this is not even remotely a solution. One would have to "exclude" every single executable created for it to work. They have elected to err on the side of caution, but apparently rather than fix their own software's faulty detection algorithm, they have created a work-around with this: http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20090903182949EN&pvid=nav_2010&selected_nav=6 It's not a solution for us so they need to come up with a better way. Best regards, Lin

He is, isn't he - LOL. You have to watch carefully or you will miss him poking his head around that tree when the flute music peaks his interest! Lin

Hi Igor, It was the latest PTE version - one of my zipped executables. I had him try several and it deleted them. It didn't delete the zip file, but removed the exe when it was unzipped. I also tried VirusTotal and no problems with any, but as you say, they have an older version of NAV. My friend has never had problems before, but this latest version of NAV 2010 with SONAR seems to be problematic. Best regards, Lin

I notified Igor by email a few minutes ago..... Norton Antivirus issue with false positive.... Version 17-1.0.19 - latest download update returning false positive with PTE files tonight. I have a friend in California (US Government employee) just installed and downloaded latest NAV update from Symantic site. SONAR returns false positive. Says "File Insight" "A Program is behaving suspiciously on your computer" then identifies the PTE file and prevents running the exe file. I thought the problem was corrected after reading the latest post in the thread, but it's not corrected...... More on this: I just looked at the Symantic site and discovered that they must be having problems with the SONAR module. They have an "exclude" "hotfix" which tells me that there are probably many other files which SONAR finds false positives with otherwise they would not have this - see link below: http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=20090903182949EN&pvid=nav_2010&selected_nav=6 Lin

LOL - probably better stick with the little coyote I just added.... Lin

Hi Ken, I'm thinking of a more dramatic use of the technique along with some other effects but haven't worked out the details yet. Best regards, Lin

LOL - it varies from zero to nine at the highest intensity. I'm considering putting one of my little coyotes in it, but I haven't found the one I'm looking for yet which I photographed about six years ago. Best regards, Lin

http://www.learntoma...s/conceptpc.zip (Windows) http://www.learntoma.../conceptmac.zip (MacIntosh) Youtube: About 32 meg Lin

Hi Jim, If you have time, download it again - I've made a few changes and improvements I think. Something I've suggested to Panos for an animation of a possible Photoshop action. Best regards, Lin

Hi Laszlo, That's an easy one for you to do as long as you have the EXE files which you want to run and the computer you want to run them from. Essentially you make a one slide "slideshow" with your choice of buttons or png objects, etc., to use as "objects" for the menu choices. Each object is seen on the one main slide and you can have text under or "on" the object or button. You simply create the number of objects necessary for each one to represent one slideshow to be called. Next click on one of the objects in the object list in Objects and Animations to select it. Next click on the "Properties" tab. Next click on the "Action on Mouse Click" button and choose "Run Slideshow With Return." Next click on the small "Open Folder Icon" underneath and navigate to and select the slideshow to be run. Repeat the above for each object's associated slideshow. Save the file as an Exe. When you run this Exe file then click on a choice it will run the associated slideshow and return to your "Menu". You probably will also want to dedicate one button or object to an "Exit". That's all there is to it.... Best regards, Lin

Winter comes quickly sometimes .... about 7 meg - short demo of the dawn of winter... http://www.learntoma...ntercomespc.zip (Windows) http://www.learntoma...tercomesmac.zip (MacIntosh) Youtube: Lin

Thanks Ray! And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to your and your family as well! Best regards, Lin

About a year ago I started a PTE Group on Vimeo, but never did anything with it because I wasn't yet happy with the performance there. I believe it has greatly improved and wish to extend this invitation to all PTE users who wish to upload to Vimeo to join the group. Hi, Lin Evans wants to share his videos with you on Vimeo. Vimeo is where people connect through video. It's fun and super easy to use. Join Vimeo today and start sharing video with Lin Evans and other cool people you find on Vimeo. http://vimeo.com/join See you there, Lin Evans http://vimeo.com/user724315

Hi Doug, Most photographers use on-line type ordering programs so that the customer can go to the website, choose the "event" and see the images in various formats. Then the customer can pick and choose among the photos and order directly from your website. A program like PTE can be used to easily make a CD or DVD of images, but interactivity is much easier via the web than by a resident software program unless the client can come to your studio to order and choose. You're correct that you wouldn't want to install any software on their own computer. It's much better to have all the private viewing and selection of photos over the web than trying to do it with the inconvenience of the customer traveling to your location. Here's a link to one such software. There are literally dozens, perhaps hundreds of these available: http://www.eventphotosoftware.com/index.html Take your time and find one which fits your own personal needs best, and use PTE for its intended purpose as a presentation slideshow product rather than a crippled sales tool. The software which is specifically designed to sell photos is much more useful for this purpose. Best regards, Lin

Link on Vimeo for those with less than optimal video cards here: http://vimeo.com/8110601 Lin

Does it "crash" when you load the Video Builder Key? Does 6.0 crash when you try to open PTE after installing the Video Builder upgrade? More information will help sort out the problem. Best regards, Lin

Actually, It would be "possible" to do this (zoom) now via the "show Window" feature, but I'm not sure all the work would be worth it. You could set a button for each image with the button (or area of screen) to show a zoomed window for image 1 or image 2 when clicked on. It's not difficult to program, but I don't think PTE is really designed for this type of interactivity in terms of "choice." It's really not that type of program even though it can be used to display full resolution slides. There are specific software packages which are "interactive" in that you can do these types of things while the program is running, but not as a show completed and made executable. I think for a photography business where the intent is to display side-by-side images, make a choice and proceed, PTE is not the proper tool. There are packages designed specifically for these purposes. Best regards, Lin

Hi Maureen, Beautifully photographed and masterfully presented! We believe you have captured the essence of not only the season, but the place as well. We thoroughly enjoyed this and hope someday to see it for ourselves! Best regards, Lin & Sherry

Hi Ken, I'm impressed that the 9600 card handles so much very well. ATI has done a great job with this on - you can watch TV or compute or do great graphics and animation! I was worried that the poor girl floating in the Manihi Lagoon might be scared right out of her bikini if one of those reef sharks cruised by. Then I would be left with an "R" rated show and have to censor my audience - LOL Best regards, Lin