Lin Evans

About "any" presentation slideshow software will display images in color, black and white and sepia. Presentation slideshow software displays what you feed it. If the original is black and white then that's what you get. If it's sepia then that's what you get. If it's color then that's what you get. If you are looking for presentation slideshow software which will change your color capture to black and white or sepia, then PicturesToExe is not that software. The developers believe that manipulating color is a job for image processing software like Photoshop, not a task for presentation slideshow software. PTE Deluxe allows you to create DVD's to display on a television set in either PAL or NTSC format. If you could explain what you mean by "automate the process with many stills" perhaps I can comment. I'm not certain what you want to do. You load the images into PTE, decide how long you want to display each image, decide which transitions you want to use, apply animation effects if desired and create your Windows or MacIntosh executable , AVI, MPEG, MP4 or burn a DVD, etc. Best regards, Lin

Hi Justin, Talented young ladies! Well presented. I think the rather abrupt ending could be ameliorated by fading the last few bars in Audacity - maybe the last six seconds with a fade out of the last image to match. Very nice! Best regards, Lin

Just a new kid on the block. ATI's latest offering (at $600.00 U.S.D.) is currently king of the high performance graphics cards. Read conclusions here: http://www.techspot.com/review/221-ati-radeon-hd-5970/page17.html Lin

Hi Glenys, No doubt you will be able to do any of the shows I have posted. It just takes a bit of time and using the features until you are familiar with them. Small steps and soon you will have it mastered. Best regards, Lin

Hi Dom, Very nice use of the effects - not obtrusive in any way! Best regards, Lin

You don't need to remove 5.6 to install and use 6.0 - just install it and you will have two icons; one for 5.6 and one for 6.0 Best regards, Lin

Hi Guys, Thanks - and thanks to Sherry (my hand model - LOL)... Lin

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/magicmac.zip http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/magicpc.zip About 18 meg - nothing special - just a PTE Promotional... Lin

Hi Michel, I agree with you that PTE needs sound improvements including fade in/fade out, etc. On the other hand, you are way off base that "all the other diaporamas software" have this kind of sound management. In fact, very "few" have this kind of sound management. The really expensive software such as Wings Platinum has, and others such as Proshow Producer, Memories OnTV Pro and a few others have more control than PTE, but they are a long way from being really "good" at sound management (I use them and can verify this), but the vast "majority" of presentation slideshow software (not video editing software) actually have less versatility than PTE has now, which isn't much. Hopefully, we will have more control over sound in the next version but PTE shouldn't try to become a "sound editor" in my opinion. I believe that fade-in/fade-out, volume control, the ability to add sound at any point on any slide, along with a visual indication on the two tracks would be nice, but in my opinion the developers should resist trying to make this product into a sound editor. Best regards, Lin

Hey guys, LOL - just can't get away from these "critters," they follow me around everywhere I go! Ken, it might be that it's pushing the video card a bit. One of the problems with mixing masks and big PNG's I suspect. Tom, I had to think about it for a while, but it is possible to animate sides of the cube. I suspect if one animated all six it might be a bit too much for most video cards. Peter, my shoes are worn out and since I can't afford the cobbler, I have to do it myself - LOL. Yep, you were right, it's a mule deer doe. Bill, thanks! Yes, hopefully we will have that video clip drop in before too long and it will exponentially increase the fun we can have with animation. Best regards, Lin

Hi Colin, You'll have to create the text in Photoshop CS4 Extended using their 3D features. Once you have the text then export it as a PNG and you can then animate it in PTE. Best regards, Lin

http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/snowglobe/critterchristmasmoonshadowpc.zip http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/snowglobe/critterchristmasmoonshadowmac.zip About 12 meg... Lin

Just messing around again: About 2.4 meg http://www.learntoma...snowcubemac.zip http://www.learntoma.../snowcubepc.zip Lin

Hi Ian, PTE, the main program has a lifetime free upgrade. VideoBuilder has a two year upgrade cycle. Best regards, Lin

Done, Best regards, Lin

Hi Peter, I suspect that the necessity of using only a black background may be obviated by one or two possibilities. First, if one doesn't adhere to the distinct same characteristic of the mechanical Rubik's Cube and make the inside of that part of the "cube" which is seen when the nine cube sections are rotated black (transparent) then it's possible to use any convenient color for a background. I chose a light grey color for mine. Otherwise, it would probably be possible to use a black side for those cubes on the segments visible during the rotation. I just let the actual color of that particular cube show rather than a strict adherence to black. Of course this all depends on the orientation of the cube at the time of rotation of the block. What works in one position doesn't work correctly in the opposite (180 degree rotation of the entire cube) necessitating construction of alternate cube configurations if you rotate segments at specific times. It can get complicated indeed. I used a black border surrounding each cube and this pixel space probably accounts for the difference between my -47, and 47 versus your -66 and 66. To get rid of the black as you did in your fade to a solid I would just duplicate the cube itself (one with the black individual facets to one with no facets) and fade between. Having said this, I discovered that neither -47, 47 nor -66, 66 works in all situations. Just why I've yet to discover. It could be possible that what you begin with in the form of "zoom" when you're working on the project impacts the percentages. At 100% logic dictates that 1/3rd of the total space is taken by each nine cube segment. This then should make each segment occupy 33.333 % of the total and would suggest a "push" of -66.33 and 66.33 for the "proper" figures. Why it was different for my second image than for my first I've yet to determine, but I will try to unravel the mystery. Perhaps in a future version Igor will provide an "option" of having opacity control under the parent. For some animations such as this, it would be very, very helpful but we don't want to give up the versatility of having it like it is now also so having an option "switch" would be the way to go in my opinion. In a true mechanical Rubik's Cube there are only 26 actual cube facets with the center one being the rotation "connector" so our simulation is slightly different in function but as they say, "good enough" I think! In any event, it's a great simulation which you presented. If having a different colored background is important in some future animation, you might try doing it as I have - there are many ways to "skin a cat" LOL. Here's a quick little single slides sample with only one portion of segment rotation (one of the two). http://www.learntoma...ubik2sample.zip Best regards, Lin

Hi Ray, What you had in mind can't be realistically done with PTE. There are a total of six sections of the Rubik's Cube which can be rotated, but only three sections can be rotated on any one slide with PTE. To rotate the other three requires a different construct and the two constructs can't occupy the same space at the same time without setting all individual (27 cubes) to zero opacity on all six sides. That would mean each time one of the alternate set of three sections containing nine "cubes" were to be rotated, 162 separate opacity setting would need to be keyframed out then back in. Since opacity is not "inherited" in the Parent/Child settings, it would be terribly complex to try to do this in real time - hence the necessity for doing this operation on separate slides where no opacity settings need be changed. Perhaps some day in the future if an option for parent/child inheritance of opacity becomes available, this might be feasible, but not today. Best regards, Lin

Hi Guys, For those who are mystified, just a brief explanation of how the Rubick's Cube is constructed using PTE. 1. Begin with a single cube as explained in my Cube Tutorial 2. Using the Parent/Child feature, combine three cubes under a single frame so that you have a single element consisting of three cubes side by side. Let's call this Cube sets A, B, and C. 3. Create three of these and place them one under the other so you end up with a total construct made with 9 cubes and place all three constructs under a parent frame. Let's call this Cube set AA 4. Create three of the nine cube constructs, each controlled by it's own frame. Call them AA, BB, CC 5. Set each of the controlling frames to respectively -47, 0, and 47 on the "Z" axis (pan Z). Set the entire 27 cube ensemble above under a single controlling frame. At first it will look a bit strange because you now must go to each individual "cube" in the set and turn off the "front" and "back" for cubes not seen from the outside of the individual component "cube sets." You can can check the accuracy by rotating the individual cube sets A, B, and C as well as AA, BB, CC. When you rotate the entire 27 cube ensemble with the controlling frame using the 3D transform (X an Y) you will easily see which cube faces need to be turned off. Rotate individual groups "AA, BB, CC" using O & A "rotation" to get the individual section "spins." Hopefully, in the future I will have a rather complex tutorial demonstrating the construction and manipulation of the Rubik's Cube. The above instructions covers rotation on one set of three components making up the Rubick's Cube. In order to rotate on the opposite axis, it's necessary to duplicate the entire above instruction set but using alternative cubes within the block and this construct, though identical in appearance to the first, will rotate the three alternative sets of nine cubes. However, they can't be displayed on the same "slide" so it's necessary to match the ending rotation angle, etc., with a "Quick, No Transition" on a second and subsequent slide to rotate the opposite three. So to simulate the actual Rubik's Cube action requires multiple slides. Best regards, Lin

Hi Eric, A couple things: First, if you will go to the "start" then "run" at Windows, type in "dxdiag" then click on "O.K." Windows will run a diagnostic. When it is finished, click on the "Display" tab and you can get specifics on your own system in terms of the amount of Video Ram, the type of Video Display Card, etc. Then you can go to this section of the forum: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10555 Click on the "Videocard Benchmark" link and search for your individual card. When you find the card, look for the number associated. A number of 900 or higher should run virtually "any" PTE show smoothly. A number of at least 420 is necessary for some of the more complex graphics shows, etc. If your card has less than 420, you might think about upgrading. If you will let me know the details of your video card, I can look up the performance characteristics and help you decide whether or not you need to upgrade. Graphics performance is a complex issue which involves many factors. The number of objects on a slide is one factor, but even a very old and mediocre video card can handle many hundred objects on a single slide if the objects are quite small. For example, one of our forum members made a demo using over 900 objects on a single slide which could be played on virtually "any" computer. The secret? The objects were very small in memory requirements and the motion was not complex. Likewise for masking. A simple, small mask can be handled by virtually "any" system, but it is very easy to create a complex mask which can challenge even moderate systems. A true "torture" test for video is when you have multiple large objects on a single slide in complex motion simultaneously and run complex masks and large images (large pixel dimensions) in the same animation. The most demanding graphic I've created and one I use for testing video cards with is linked below: http://www.learntomakeslideshows.net/sample/ptedemoshowfull.zip This one is about a 100 meg download. It begins with some complex snow animations including masks and 3D transforms. Most moderately good video cards will run the first part of the show fairly smoothly. An excellent graphics card will have no problems. The show then goes to a complex graphic of a wrist watch in motion with movement of all three hands, snow within the crystal, etc. This graphic can be seen smoothly on most moderately good graphic cards. The show then presents a moderately animated waterfall scene using multiple masks, fairly large PNG files and simultaneous motion. This portion usually is decent on most systems with a moderately good video card. The next scene uses masks but not large images and should work smoothly for most. The following waterfall and moving water scene has multiple masks and a medium large image and can be problematic for weaker systems. The next scene is a killer for weak systems. It consists of a rotating Earth circling a rotating sun simulation. This one uses over 650 large objects in simultaneous motion, masks, etc. Only really powerful systems will play this simulation smoothly. Systems will less than optimal resources will get the timing wrong, jerky motion, pause or simply hang up. The text will be displayed either at the wrong time or will flash so quickly it can't be read at all. Again, only really optimal systems will play this portion of the show smoothly. Finally, there are some 3D Transforms of OOB (out of bounds) images which most moderately good video systems will play smoothly, followed by an actual slideshow using 3D transforms and decent sized images. "Most" moderately good video cards will play the last section smoothly. This show is the ultimate torture test I have yet devised which will ring out the video card and let anyone know whether what they have is up to the test of playing about anything which might be built with PTE. Best regards, Lin

Hi Peter, Actually, he needs to just go to the "Tutorials" forum here and all my free tutorials are right there on the PTE Made Easy (PTE for Smarties) section. Link: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8 Best regards, Lin

Hi Peter, Very nice job and I'm certain a great learning experience for you! You and Dominic have much more energy than I to tackle such a project, but the "proof's in the pudding" as they say. Indeed PTE's new 3D transform has opened many doors for animation possibilities and will probably be even more useful as a tool as time goes on. I've been pondering JPD's use of the octahedron (or possibly an isocahedron) and trying to derive a basic formula for constructing it. Unlike the cube which is constructed on squares where jpg's can be used, the triangular shapes require png transparencies and I'm still contemplating the necessary angles and groupings necessary to put it into some sort of understandable tutorial. In my cube tutorial, I chose Dominic's basic pairs (frame pairs) approach since it is easier to explain verbally than my initial tiered, multi-child method used for the first demo. The easiest part of any tutorial is to explain "how" to construct some of these shapes. The more difficult part is to explain "why" certain elements need to be manipulated as they are. I can see that the future is going to be fun indeed - LOL... Best regards, Lin

Hey Ken, I'm glad is ran O.K. for you. The large, high resolution image takes a toll on the graphics environment. I runs fine on my nVidia 8800 GT card, but the "cubes" stutter a bit on Sherry's 8600 GT OC nVidia card.... Best regards, Lin

Thanks Bob, He's definitely an excellent lyricist and stuck to his convictions back in the 60's when the country was divided on the Vietnam issue. I think his "New Tennessee Waltz" was his parting shot at the politics of war and a turning point in his career. I will try your idea and see how it plays. I've reworked the ending in anticipation of possibly doing that with a future iteration of the Earth simulation. I have been searching for just the right NASA high resolution photo to let me do what I did with the ending. If you have the patience to sit through another 10 minutes, let me know what you think. This one is a killer on graphics cards so may not run the cubes smoothly - large, high resolution images take a toll ! Here's the Mac and PC links for the newer version: http://www.learntoma...gravity2mac.zip (Mac version) http://www.learntoma...ghravity2pc.zip (Windows version) Best regards, Lin

Hi Xaver, I think this is a bug. I believe time "should" be regarded as a personal setting just as transitions effects and so on. I will ask Igor about this... It seems illogical to have to change the time to another value, save, then change the time back to the default of 4 seconds and save again in order to get things back to the default for time. Perhaps this is how it is intended, but seems illogical to me. Thanks, Lin

Hi Gary, PTE will vectorize any font you have resident and "use" to create an executable or video slideshow but it doesn't provide the font for you to create a slideshow with. The essence is that should you have a particular font available and use that font to create a show, anyone who watches your slideshow will "see" that font rather than some Windows substitute font. What you are doing when using a "template" is substituting your images for the "place holder" images used in the template. Any special fonts not resident on your own computer and used in the template must be downloaded and available to PTE at the time of creating your own show in order to be "vectorized." PTE can't create the fonts out of thin air - they must be resident to be vectorized. Best regards, Lin