Igor

According Jean-Pierre suggestion, we can try develop one united system of sizes in next version to replace Fit and Cover modes. In true percents for width and height of parent/slide.

Peter, Where I can download this project in ZIP backup? Size in pixels shows in tool window is equivalent of percent size of Zoom values in Animation tab and it's visual size of an object. I really just found one bug - when user change Size values in Properties tab for Frame/Rectangle object we don't see updated values in Size/Position tool window. You have to deleselect and select the object again to see right values. I'll fix this bug. That's all I discovered.

Sorry, but I don't understand what a bug related with Frame/Rectangle? Please could you prepare test project with two slides. One slide has Frame as parent, another slide - real image as parent. Both frame and image has same size (say 1920x1080). If position or size of insered child objects are different on both slides - it can be a bug and I'll explore this problem. Thanks in advance. One important moment. When you add image it already has own size (say 1024x768 and aspect ratio as 4:3). Impossible to change this size in O&A editor, but we can transform image with Zoom parameter making image larger/smaller or distorting aspect ratio. When you add Frame/Rectangle object we don't have its size - it's an abstract object. So we have to assign virtual size say 1920x1080 and then this object acts as an Image object with same result - we can tranform it changing Zoom values.

Thanks, Geoff. I think if problem with v4.48 and v5.5 slideshows, it's can be problem of laptop. In these two versions we even use different sound engines.

Geoff, Including created with previous 5.5? And same slideshow play sound without problem on another PC/laptop?

I just posted my article on this issue: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....ost&p=58255

Replacement of "Original size" mode in v5.6 This subject is of interest chiefly to the more advanced and professional users of PicturesToExe. The features being discussed are not normally used by beginners and less advanced users. This topic is a continuation of: http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8594 and provides: Detailed explanations of the reasons why I removed Original size mode of objects An explanation of the new replacement feature Advice on how to use the new feature Firstly I must thank Jean-Pierre for his detailed suggestions written here and here. These suggestions raise several issues. It is difficult to discuss all questions simultaneously and so I'll concentrate on the main question now. This topic discusses only the difference between v5.5 and v5.6: between Original size mode and its replacement. Also thanks to Peter for his comments, additions and help with improving of this text. Why we added Original size mode: - Initially "Original size" mode for objects was added because some users asked for the ability to disable scaling of images to fit the screen. (By default all objects use relative size in percents which changes according slide/screen size.) - A second way of using Original size mode then developed in the user community to create complex slides with many objects. So we now have two different usages of Original size mode. Problems of Original size mode 1. The first major problem for authors and viewers of their slideshow comes from the incorrect positioning of objects that are defined in Original size mode when the sequence is played on a device of different display resolution: This problem is all the more serious because it is a “hidden” problem. If the author doesn’t change his display to another screen resolution he will not even know that the problem exists. This problem can also appear when creating DVD video disc for this slideshow, or video for Youtube. Jean-Pierre devised a special technique ("Cale") to solve the problem shown on the screenshot. He puts all Original size objects not directly onto the slide, but onto a special image (the “Cale”). This technique solves this problem but not all authors know about this trick (even I didn’t until Jean-Pierre told me). Original size mode in its pure state has logical problems and this worries me. If a feature exists it must work correctly in all situations. 2. The second problem is that we have significant difficulties supporting Original size mode with every new version when we add new features related to the use of objects. The code of Original size mode is very complex. It causes new bugs during beta-testing. So, in summary, it's a complicated mode with unsolvable logic problems. And it hinders us in making future improvements to PicturesToExe. Suggested replacement for Original size mode: In version 5.6 I have provided a replacement feature. 1. For those users who just used "Original size" mode to avoid resizing of images, they just need to enable "Fixed size of slide in pixels" and set particular slide size, say 1024x768. They can then use image files prepared in Photoshop as 1024x768 JPEG images. There is no need to change anything else. It remains a very simple solution. Image objects use "Fit to slide" 100% mode, but because the image file size and the displayed size are now, in this example, both 1024x768 there will be no resizing and the image will look very sharp. 2. For Jean-Pierre and other users who used Original size mode for complex slides with many objects I added a special new tool window. See "Size/position in pixels" button in "Common" tab of Objects and Animation editor. You can work with percents as earlier or with pixels for Size/Position. Please watch this video where I show how to use new Size/Position tool window for exact placing of several objects to create one united large picture (for special purpose or effects). Say there are 4 pieces 960x540 to make one 1920x1080 image. You can see how easy it now is; when you can define simple pixel values: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/help/5.6/SizeTool.zip (5 MB) The source project and the images are here: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/help/5.6/ComplexObjects.zip (700 KB) Please explore this new feature and try to understand my suggested solution. I think it's much easier than the old "Original size" mode. What about old projects created with Original size objects? When you open an old project file in version 5.6, PicturesToExe automatically converts the pte file to a new format. The EXE file and/or the video file created from this project using v5.6 should look the same as that created using the older version of PicturesToExe. If you want to continue making changes to this project you will need to work with the new Size/position tool window. Accuracy of calculations from pixels values to percent values After discussion with Jean-Pierre, in Beta 5 we will increase accuracy for internal calculations when you enter pixel values for Position and Size in the new tool window and that should be quite enough.

There is a speed problem with "Mipmapping" option (used in this demo) in current betas. I recompilied it with future Beta 5 and I think it should work more smooth now. Please try modified Mask2 demo: http://www.wnsoft.com/test/Masks2.zip P.S. 300_2310.jpg image had too big size 4288x2412, better to reduce it to 1920x1080, because no need in larger size and slides already are heavy with four FullHD images on each.

Umberto, We just reworked mipmapping option and it should work much better when mipmapping enabled. I'm sure it will fix the problem you've described. Please try Beta 5 when it's done.

I'm writing my reply right now, I think it will be ready today later.

Dave, Thanks, one more question: what is your video card and version of Windows.

Dave, Please let me know some more details: 1) Does it happens with all transition effects or particular? 2) And as I understood the problem when you watch Preview or created EXE file. Right? 3) Could you reproduce with problem with 2 or 3 slide test project and send created EXE file.

Ray, Of course.

potwnc, In next Beta 5 you will able use 2-pass encoding of H.264 video.

Thanks, Steev! I just reproduced this bug with this project and fixed it. Please wait for Beta 5. The problem happened when "Random show of slides" option was enabled.

Thanks, Gary. In this topic I would like to ask not for new/improved desired features, but about existing places (even whole window) in the PicturesToExe which are too complicated or confusing.

Patrick, Michel, You're welcome to the new topic I just created http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8948

This problem was raised several times and I agree probably PicturesToExe become more and more complex for average user and we must think more about this problem. So here is my idea. Please write as possibly briefly (better in one paragraph) for each point: 1) Some complicated important feature/place in PicturesToExe. Highlight the importance: High or Medium. 2) Your suggestion how to rework it. 3) What you think about adding of new professional features if they don't disturb current functions. Do they complicate the program or not? For example: Masks objects. Obviously if user is not a professional, he just can avoid using of this feature and program will not be too difficult for him. Is it truth? Thank you in advance!

Michel, It's important for me to hear all opinions and responses. Thanks. But it better divide temporal problems of beta-versions (bugs) and more serious problems. I'm thinking about your and previous signals concerning raising complexity of PicturesToExe. I'll write my suggestions and questions in several days. Even if I write in email for some problem - it is not a bug of PTE, please don't consider it as a final answer, I still try to find some solution, please be patient and probably better to avoid pessimistic predictions that doesn't help in solving of problems.

Michel, It's only earlier beta versions, I'm continiously working on fixing of discovered problems. If I can't fix some bug quickly it doesn't mean it won't be fixed in nearest beta releases. Final versions usually are very reliable. I'm trying to read personally all responses and reply to every request besides development of PicturesToExe, it is hard work, please understand. I remember about all important problems and questions but I need more time.

Thanks, I've understood now. I'm afraid it's impossible with slides due to various logical problems. All slides should have same size and be opaque. Probably we'll realize Swap 3D for objects later and you will able reach desired result.

Probably better to see the problem in demo slideshow.

Beta 4: http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/apr-deluxe_beta.zip (6 MB) * Fixed various bugs. * Improved reliability.

Please explain in more details what and where happens on 1224th slide. Do you mean watching of created slideshow or Objects and animation editor? And what exactlly happens. I wouldn't complicate <%SlideIndex%> script for so specific task. Better to solve the main problem. (However you can rename all JPEG images to 1.jpg and use <%MainImg.FileName%> script.)

Lin, The link above doesn't work anymore.