think(box)

OK .... The tears have dried after the show about Sheri. Oleg, that is just what we needed. Thank you! I found that I could pay attention to a lot more detail with manual control. I even noticed that there were a few slides with no English translation for comments (previous & new tutorial were same), but I got the idea. Playing both shows simultaneously I could see that the slides were mostly the same - except for that dreamy image of a woman's face that appears at about slide 28 (after the space/stars background tutorial, showing finished work) in the sync version. This was expected after about slide 18 in the non-sync version, but was absent - and missed! You have provided a nice little bonus: Since the new, non-sync show has no music I could choose either Vanessa Mae or George Benson by simultaneously playing a previous "create background" show from either June 22 or July10 with the new show "on top". This is excellent

I wish to thank Sheri's family and friends for their touching show about her heroic battle with Cancer Kind regards and my deepest condolences

Harold, Sam, Al - I would like to thrown in my 2 cents: If P2E show is inaccurate (bad timing) or incorrect (functional error) or slow in performance (e.g. load time) then the change is welcomed! I do not want things to stay as before under those circumstances. Most of this topic thread is related to inaccuracy. Igor's endeavor to achieve the best tradeoffs is just perfect. That all sounds more or less like violent agreement with everyone, with a healthy dose of gratitude to Igor. Regarding Microsoft changing things on us: Look at what happens to our user interface and operating environment every time they release a new version of Windoze. I think Igor should be applauded for how he has resisted reinventing the world with each new PTE release. Unlike as with Microsoft, we do not have to relearn the basics as each new version of PTE is released. In Microsoft's defense though, their software is all about a "user interface" and the "engine under the hood". How can they improve it without driving us to distraction? XP's yesteryear mode (classic Windoze interface) is there for just that reason.

By the way, I checked out the two links mentioned in your "signature". It is a chilly 1C/34F in Santiago right now according to ECOLYMA site. Brrrr. (Oh yeah, it's winter in Chile while we're sweating summer in US). The second link didn't work for me though (http://www.ecolyma.cl/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi). Maybe it is off-line. You have some nice photos and links for organic horticulture - thank you!

You're most welcome Ernst. I think you have another option that gets closer to what you're looking for. The "Run application or open file..." button action can be selected instead of "Run application and exit" in your "Menu" show. Then the Menu show will still be there after you escape-close from the "looped" show. Just be sure that you don't play any music in the Menu show since it will keep playing during shows started from its buttons. If that is not sufficient, I have an idea for a more complete, general solution to running "old" shows: I have been working on utilities that control (run, close, minimize, activate) other shows by various means. One potential way to end or close looped shows is by the show run time. If you are running a sync show that takes an exact amount of time before it loops or repeats, then a timer utility can force-close that show. The same utility that stops the timed show can restart a "Menu" show. One problem I haven't yet solved is that not all shows have a "window title" that may be used to close them. By that I mean a title that Windows displays in the taskbar for the show. I may be able to close the show by other means. It's just most easy to control using the window title. By the way, this .PTE file entry sets the show window title: opt_scr_caption=Show selector I made that example have a title that could be used for the special Menu show. You do not have to match the .exe show name made with PTE "Create" button to the window title. PTE doesn't modify what you've called the window, and in fact it usually leaves that show title line blank (no name). If I get a general timed show utility working anytime soon I'll post about it in the forum and send email to you if you want. It is possible that this dialog will surface someone who has already made such a utility though.

Igor, regarding your request: I have a Mega-Music show that has 101MB of MP3 music. In PTE v4.01 it took about 13 seconds to open In PTE v4.10 beta #8 it opens instantly! And it plays perfectly. Thanks Igor!

For those who may have missed it, SYNC SHOW PAUSE and BUTTONS are now possibly in next version PTE! And the visual object editor has improvements coming too. Here is a quote from Igor: This is from the following topic reply: "PTE Request, Allow pause and resume" (click to view) Thanks Igor!

Igor, Harold, regarding the CPU performance needed: I proposed a feature in PTE that addresses this in a previous topic. Here is a link to it: Click to see post about PTE "Performance required by show" proposed feature It may take a bit of work to code PTE with performance understanding mechanisms, but this will be universally helpful to all P2E show developers. No change is needed to produced shows, just to PTE for the show developer. I think this is worth the effort Igor.

Hola Ernst, PART1: Against repeated requests for control in a sync show there is still none, and there are no functional buttons. Many agree that a simple sync show pause by "Pause" key that stops music and allows arrow key navigation to go back a slide or two etc. would be very handy. This is still on Igor's wish list. Look for this in next PTE version! (Click here to see) PART2: Ernst, the new v4.10 PTE does what you need! The new feature, "Customize Slide -> (Main) Advanced options -> Run external application" solves it for you. Make your shows SYNC as you want. Customize last slide in each SYNC show with the "Run app" set to run a NON-SYNC "selector" show. The "selector" show is a separate NON-SYNC show with "Run app and exit" buttons to select from multiple SYNC shows, even the same show again. The "Customize Slide -> (Main) Advanced options -> Run external application" feature works in SYNC shows! NOTE: Under "Project Options -> (Main) Show settings" don't use the option "When show ends keep last slide in show on screen" since the shows won't close. Instead use "Close show after last slide" in every show.

Thanks for the limits information Igor! It is true that pushing per-slide graphical object counts to high values is not a mainstream showmaking method, but for anyone who tries it the help is here. I spent many hours designing and building a show format that (accidentally) exceeded the Win95-98-ME limit. Had I known the limits I would have worked within them. I have since figured out how. The loss could have been worse had I built the show in WinXP since it would have worked fine while I made the show, until later when I gave it to someone with WinME or earlier. This is all to say that this documentation is worth making, probably more than we all know. Based upon your reply I will use a limit of about 400 GDI resources maximum per slide in order to have all-Windows compatibility. Translated, this means about 200 maximum graphic images placed within the object editor for a given slide. This is a reasonable limit, however from what you say even this value may fail depending upon how graphically complex the other app windows are on a given Win95-98-ME system. Obviously, lower counts have lower risk. When people can use scripting or macros to generate the .PTE show file, the limits that you think are high will be easily exceeded. Case in point!

Thanks Igor! So this is a Windows GDI (Graphics Device Interface) limitation. That explains why even Windows crashed, not just PTE. You would think Windows could be more graceful at handling limits, but of course the application developer can work around almost any Microsoft feature limitation. I have posted a topic to keep for show developer reference regarding combined Windows and show software limits. Igor, we would appreciate it if you could reply to this new topic with more info, so that we don't lose this information in a beta version message thread. Here is a link to the new topic: Windows graphical limitations, PTE/P2E advanced user reference info This is oriented to advanced users. Anyone who adds a very large amount of material in the object editor is an advanced user

The Windows GDI (Graphics Device Interface) has graphical limitations that most show developers will never encounter. When you do exceed these limits even Windows can crash, not just PTE. You would think Windows could be more graceful at handling limits, but of course the application developer can work around almost any Microsoft feature limitation. Further, the show developer can work around any combined limitation of Windows and show software. This topic is aimed at providing reference information for advanced show developers who push the limits but want to make sure that anyone viewing their show has no problems. All PTE users are very grateful to Wnsoft for providing such world-leading show software and this forum. To begin, here are Igor's words from the v4.10 beta topic series scratching the surface of understanding for this issue: Here is my response, along with a request for clarification: I see what you are saying for how to make P2E work with Windows in this case. Both techniques combine graphical elements or element references within PTE or P2E so that the Windows GDI is given less objects to display. Since the changes to support high per-slide object count are extensive, could you provide some guidelines to permit advanced showmaking without surprises across Windows versions? Here are some questions. You may know of other considerations to add. How does the object limit differ across all versions of Windows? Is the GDI object limit a system-wide limit, such that other app's consume from the same pool? Approximately how much do we have for per-slide object count limits at two GDI objects per graphic image? Does P2E have *any* residual objects from previous slides? (The now fixed memory leak was important here) Does any main slide photo file format or display method require more than two GDI objects? Can the background photo require more than two GDI objects? How many objects does the P2E navigation bar require? How many objects does the P2E help box require? In the object editor does any added object (photo, link, button, text) require more than two GDI objects? Does a greater number of GDI objects in a given slide cause greater CPU demand to display? Does a greater number of GDI objects in a given slide cause greater CPU demand in fades? If we understand how this works we can make successful shows that challenge, but stay within, the Windows and show software combined limitations. Thank you for the insight!

Regarding Harold's request: Igor, does built-in music player make it easier to simply halt music and picture with "Pause" key in sync show? This would be a great addition to the v4.10 series. And if you grant us that wish, can you make the keyboard arrows operable (during "Pause" only) to allow back and forward slide movement during sync show pause? and If Igor can't give us sync show pause: Oleg, could you release the "Create BG" tutorial in non-sync show? Harold has a good point and a universal need: To be able to switch between his Photoshop window and the paused still frame of tutorial while working. In a non-sync show the arrow keys can be used to manually advance the tutorial when ready. Regarding cc's request: I agree. I would like to see background and object editor graphics optionally scaled to 100% of screen area setting. The main slide photo already has optional "Percent of screen" in "Fit to screen" display so that framed pictures may be displayed identically at any screen area with really nice shadow options. With background and graphics scaling we will be able to make shows that display identically (except for image resolution or sharpness) on any screen area setting. I believe that this major enhancement is a rather large effort to implement in PTE, so it may be for a later version at best. Any comment on this Igor?

Update to Igor: The demo did indeed open in beta #7 after restart, and then crashed Windows on a strange "Canvas drawing" error in PTE. Be sure to use beta #6a or earlier if you have any trouble. EDIT TO THIS POST: Further testing reveals that you can get the same error in beta #7 as in all earlier versions. There are a few ways that this failure occurs.

Igor, I just emailed the object editor lockup example to you, and then noticed your beta #7 release. I installed it and found that my lockup demo will not even open in beta #7. It locks up on opening the .PTE file itself in beta #7. It does not have this problem under beta #6a and earlier. Who knows, maybe a Windows restart will change that, but you may have to use v4.10 beta #6a or earlier to debug the lockup problem example that I sent. It fails the same way in anything from v3.80 (earliest tried; although v3.80 lacks the transparency support used in demo, it still fails) through v4.10 beta #6a. Thank you!

Rob, I can add some help and I'll let Pete fill in more details. In PTE, select the slide to add buttons, click on "Object Editor" button, then click on one of three link object types (or simple text object) in top left of screen. Suppose you click on the button graphic at LEFT of screen that says "OK". This places a clickable button in top left of picture. Click "Properties" button, or right-mouse select new button and click "Properties" in menu. Enter your own button title or "Caption", button size, text font, font color, transparency (see-through button with outline) etc. Under "Action on mouse click" I think you want to select "Run application and exit". Now there will be a place to put the name of show you want to run when intro.exe is done. Here is a way to make this work: Enter the name of second or further show without drive letter, and without folder name. The ".exe" suffix is optional for shows, but it is good practice to use it. Next, when you make your CD put the second and further shows at root folder level (top-level, not in a folder on CD). Done! Assuming you've followed all of the other tips about autorun.inf etc., when anyone puts this CD in a drive with autorun enabled (most have it this way), your autorun.inf specified intro show plays. When the person viewing clicks the button you just made, the second show runs. This works even when someone else's PC has the CD-ROM on a different drive letter. That is why you should not enter the CD-ROM drive letter in the object editor button Run App info. By the way, if you use "Run application or open file" then second show will run and first show will not exit. You can not "pass control" between shows using PTE features, so it might be best to use "Run application and exit". I will leave it to Pete and others to fill in more helpful info on this.

Stu, Thanks! - anyone running external applications will usually need to control what application is on top and/or not on top. For clarity, are you looking for a PTE capability to set "AlwaysOnTop" or "NotAlwaysOnTop" for P2E itself or is this for external applications started by P2E, or both? This function could be done with up to a few lines of AutoIt script, but native control by P2E show is best.

Good luck with the nail Harry - they use a hard stainless steel casing. Be sure to wear all applicable safety gear and see if you can find a weak spot. I've thought about throwing bad hard drives against a concrete wall, though I've never actually done it. Aren't computers fun? More seriously, if you think you will want to increase hard drive space (new drive) and make other minor changes from time to time, you might want to consider learning more. There are books for newbies about this at all big computer stores, and when you buy a hard drive they tell you just what to do in helpful installation sheets and booklets.

Wow Oleg, your styles and techniques are very impressive. And the way you match themes in photos and backgrounds - it makes the example show segments so pleasing. I find this inspiring and will try to mimic at least the slightest fraction of your talent and I'm sure, take some steps beyond. Er, let's be realistic here - backwards??? And then for the tutorial style: It worked so well that I was concentrating on the artistry, not the show technique. Thank you!

Oleg, your shows are always a pleasure to watch - and the music is so nice. This one made me wonder though, why "Love Is Blue"? Is it the sky, the blue shades in the snow and the wonder of nature? Thank you for another good one. I know this one was released on July 6 but I was away on business so I am catching up on the forum and Beechbrook shows (thanks again Bill).

Greetings Harry - I've encountered many hard drive crashes on many computers. Only once ever was the drive repairable. You have provided sufficiently complete information that I can predict that your second hard drive, drive D: is history. Your CD-ROM drive is probably OK. STOP where you think these steps are going too far beyond what you believe you should be doing and seek assistance. If this were my system I would put a Hard Drive Installation/Diagnostics diskette in drive A: and see what it says about hard drives installed and their "health". If you're up to it, figure out what brand of drive you have for second drive and go to the manufacturer's web site and download the installation diskette contents. Follow web site instructions to get files copied onto a diskette, insert it and restart the system. Of course if you or someone you know put the second drive in the system, see if they have the diskette. Usually when you put a second drive in a system you make it drive C: for its speed and capacity, and you move the "old" drive to the second drive position and it becomes drive D:. So you may be stuck loading a diskette. Follow instructions for things like BIOS check and NON-DESTRUCTIVE diagnostics (be sure you read what is data-destructive and what it not before running any diag's). If only ONE drive is found and you believe this is C: drive, then you have to remove the bad drive and see that your CD-ROM drive starts working, in order to have high confidence that the hard drive removed is history. Most likely you won't even get so far as to be running diagnostics, since the failure should be detected right away. I suggest extreme care about anything that they say may cause data loss. Be sure you know what drive you are diagnosing and working on. If your second drive has failed and manufacturer diagnostics say it is not repairable, return it for replacement under warranty (usually up to 3 years) if you can. Contact the manufacturer for that. If this is the case, your data is lost if not backed up. The manufacturer will not recover it. If your second hard drive is repaired by the drive diagnostics it may be OK for use once again, but all data will likely be lost. Some tech terms and info taylored to your system age and your Windows software: IDE cable is "Integrated Drive Electronics" cable; controllers operate drives attached to gray cables. IDE controllers exist for "primary" and "secondary" IDE interfaces, each with its own gray ribbon cable. Each IDE cable has two IDE "ports" or connectors to plug into hard drives, CD/DVD, ZIP etc. (NOT diskettes). Unless your system uses jumpers to configure drives, the end connector is "Master", middle is "Slave". Master and Slave are stupid terms. They may as well be "First" and "Second" system start-up ordering. Drive C: MUST be connected to the "Master" connector (at end of cable these days) on the "Primary" cable. If your system was UPGRADED to Win98 2nd ed. then it is older and may use jumpers to set drive as Master/Slave. If your system uses jumpers (little connecting devices pushed onto pins on drive) to set drive as Master and Slave then NO jumpers will be installed in the position labelled "Cable select". "Cable select" is better (must be supported by a system) because you never have to change jumper positions in your drives. Look for jumper diagrams on hard drive paper label, or instructions if you have them, or from help on manufacturer's installation diskette. To confirm diagnosis and get your CD-ROM drive working until you have a new hard drive, EJECT DISKETTE, if any, to avoid later confusion and follow these steps: SHUT DOWN AND UNPLUG POWER CORD FROM BACK OF COMPUTER. DO NOT JUST "SHUT DOWN". ALWAYS KEEP ONE HAND FIRMLY IN CONTACT WITH BARE METAL OF FRAME TO PREVENT STATIC DAMAGE. 1. Open the system box and determine which of the two drives is installed as drive D: It is very likely that your second drive is sharing a gray ribbon cable with the CD-ROM drive. It is very likely that the CD-ROM drive has the center connector of the ribbon cable plugged into it. If that is true, the end of the ribbon cable will be plugged into the second hard drive. 2. Disconnect the gray ribbon cable from the second hard drive by VERY GENTLY PULLING ON CABLE PULL TAB, IF PROVIDED, OR THE CABLE ITSELF FROM NEAR THE CONNECTOR AT DRIVE. If your system was sold new with Windows 98 second edition then it should be new enough to figure out what is attached to the gray IDE ribbon cables all by itself after you make a change. 3. Disconnect the white plastic connector also plugged into hard drive (has four thick wires that supply power to drive). 4. Push in any loose cable connectors that you may have disturbed, close box, plug in and start system. 5. See if CD-ROM drive is now available in Windows (should be). If any of these steps stops fitting your system's description and you aren't 100% confident about what to do, stop and read about it or ask friends or the forum for help before proceeding. Be safe and good luck.

Igor, the www.wnsoft.com server wasn't responding. It's back now for v4.10 beta #5b download. Thank you! Separate note: Welcome back guru! I have been away on a business trip and now I'm back. Sorry about the lapse in beta testing, but I had no spare time while traveling! I have confirmed another "old" issue (existed before v4.10) with the object editor that I will describe to you in email. It's a lock-up that still happens. Thank you for all of the great work on PTE/P2E and those nice little extras that we're all requesting from time to time, e.g. the run application and exit at end of show that you've promised for a v4.10 new beta (to the forum, I checked - not there yet! - that one will be after beta #5b). I have a special new feature to request: In the v4.10 slide customization new feature that will "Run application" can you add "Goto slide number"? This allows show flow control to selector slides in multi-section shows without "selector slide duplication tricks", which is the best we can do today. This amounts to a custom "goto slide #" that activates when the customized slide has displayed for its custom time period (that differs from Run Application, which is immediate when slide is displayed). Thank you!

Igor, that's really slick - to include WMA, OGG, etc. software segments only if used in a given, created show! I don't know how much this technique is already used for other P2E show features, but for everyone who wants to email their show every little bit that a show file is smaller helps. Those email attachment size limits are a pain!

Good trick Robert - not having "read that message below", considering that you said so 20 minutes before "that message" was posted :-)

Two2go try downloading freeware IrfanView (click this link). Install it and go into IrfanView file menu and select "Browse". The thumbnail browser that starts will make browsing for images a true pleasure (better than XP browsing features in my opinion). Once you know the folder that has your desired photos, navigate to that folder in PTE starting from the drive letter and you can add pic's to show. Follow forum members' advice just given, regarding navigation in PTE. By the way, in IrfanView browser you can double-click any image to see full size.