Igor

Thanks for letting me know about so different opinions! It's difficult to answer and solve quickly, but I feel that timeline after such all-round discussion will be the most optimal! Marianne, I've fixed this moment and this info will be shown (in beta #5) on the fly as earlier. Jill, Presently can't say about locked slides, maybe later. I've added this idea to my list. Thanks! Integration of the timeline to the main window is a subject of future versions. Probably it can be realized later! We like this idea, but it's difficult to do right now. In beta #5 "New transition" will does only inserting of a new transition point (as in previous version). (Currently when all points added it moves nearest point.) For now I suggest the next ideas: 1) "Insert Slide" button in the timeline window. It will show fullscreen file panel (as you press F3 key in the main window). And when you selected one two new images you press "Insert" button and this fullscreen window will be closed. Now you move mouse to specify position on the timeline for inserting those new images. 2) "Replace image" action in popup menu (of time-line). 3) Maybe "Automatically add transition points for new slides" option. So Andrew can disable this option and always all transition points will be added only manually.

Don't worry, Granot! "Run application..." action will be fully functional as earlier.

Please confirm, how v4.40 beta #4 works now? Does it provide usual comfortable work as with earlier versions, concerning moment with time-line and synchronization? And how about stability of the new time-line? Idea about integrated Slide list and timeline is wonderful, but it a long additional work. Please let leave it for the future. speacock, It's a very strange problem! Because I've added only "Show TV safe zone" option. I just sent you email with request about small testing.

No, these potentially dangerous commands are not prohibited yet. We'll block them in the next betas of v4.40 Such cases didn't happen yet, but we must block potentially dangerous usage. Thank you, Tom, for this information!

We understand the importance of the problem. 1) Please always check up any .EXE files with antivirus before running. 2) Concerning "Run application" action in slide-show. The solution for now seems in creation of potentialy dangerous Windows' commands list, that to be prohibited to execute. For now dangerous files and command are the following: at attrib call cmd command copy del deltree erase for format fdisk move net net1 ren rename replace rmdir rd recover regedit rundll qstart start sys type xcopy regsrv regedt32 regsvr32 commands with '>' character are also prohibited. We'll appretiate any suggestions from you concerning this list. Please don't worry, these commands are not necessary for slide-shows and they *always* should be prohibited in "Run app." action.

Thanks, Al! You right about p. 4. We need to add special button.

Please write me in details what still should be reworked in current unified mode of synchronization? I've tried to realize the next important moments: 1) When you delete slides from Slide list (in the main window) it doesn't delete linked transition points. But you need to add same number of another new images, because when you open time-line it removes transition points for not existed slides. I've checked - it works exactly as in v4.30 and earlier. 2) I can delete some slide from Slide list (e.g. 4) and then insert there another picture. And it will use old transition point for old Slide #4. 3) In the time-line you can use "Delete Point" button to delete only transition points. So it should works exactly as in v4.30 or in earlier versions. Also there is "Delete Slide" button if you prefer new mode. 4) If you've selected all transitions points and delete them, you use "Add transition point" button to add new transition point at the specified place on the timeline. But when all transition points are added to all slides (e.g. 10 points for 10 slides), "Add transition point" button work as in previous betas - it takes nearest point from the right side and moves it to a specified place. Please explain me. P.S. inserting of new images to some places in the Slide list (main window), as Al earlier suggest is good idea, but it a little bit difficult. We have two problems: - some authors prefers to keep unchanged their transition points; - another prefer this new variant (e.g. inserting new transition point betwen 20:00 and 30:00). So it will require special option which also turned off by default. Maybe it better to add images to the end of Slide list and then on the timeline more exactly places these new transition points? As you see, moving of transition points moves and their linked slides.

PicturesToExe v4.40 beta #4 is released http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/apr_beta.zip (1,5 MB) What's new beta #4: + As earlier you can delete transition points on the timeline without deleting of linked slides. You can work exactly as earlier or with new style. + PTE remembers last scroll positition of the timeline when you open again this window. * Fixed bug of previous betas of v4.40 where undo didn't work in "Customize synchronization" window, if you at least one time clicked "OK" button during work with PTE. * Fixed several visual bugs in "Customize synchronization" window. * Fixed several another minor bugs.

PicturesToExe works with SP2. The only possible problem was with earlier versions before v4.31 (with v4.31 and v4.40 all is OK) when main program of PTE (not slide-shows!) could don't work on Windows XP with SP2 on Opteron/Athlon 64 bit CPU if you had highest level of NX-protection. With v4.31 and later all is OK. Also all .EXE files of slide-shows created with any versions of PTE work OK on Windows XP with SP2.

Try WinBITS (freeware) http://www.darvin.de/WinBITS.zip (155 KB) It's not our program, just I've found it and very wondered how it's comfortable! Just put the URL for downloading and forget. You can close this program, but it continue downloading in background (because uses special BIT service in Windows 2000/XP). It doesn't slow openning of Web page in browser, because this intelligent service immediately pauses downloading when you load pages in the browsers. You can even disconnect modem and after re-connection it automatically resumes downloading! Looks like a dream.

Ok, I'll check moment with Visual editor. Very strange bug! It seems that I'll leave new Navigation bar for the coming v4.41 (as v4.31 was released in 1,5 month after v4.30). We already have a list from 20 new functions for this new flexble Navigatation bar! I will work on it right now, but I will not add it to v4.40, because I'm afraid testing of it will take additional weeks and delay release of v4.40.

We suggest the next plan: 1) On the time-line: Two buttons: "Delete transitition point" and "Delete slide". Two actions in the popup menu: "Delete all transition points" and "Delete all slides". So you can work as you wish - with real slides, or with points as earlier (and even use both ways together). 2) Main window, Slide list. a) By default, I suggest to keep unchanged transition point(s) if you delete slide(s). So it works as earlier. You can even delete all slides from Slide list, but transition points will be leaved unchanged. Only please let me know, apparently it necessary to add option "Apply changes to transition points when work in the Slide list"? When this option turned on, and when we delete a slide from the Slide list it also will remove linked transition point. Re-arranging of slides in the Slide list will re-arrange linked transition points, too. Or this option is not necessary? So this way we will reach "Unified Synchronization theory" (UST)

Andrew, Please don't worry! These topics and were started to discuss such important possible changes. This problem reminds me "gordian knot" I'll try to realize both variants (exactly as earlier and new mode) and prepare tomorrow plan for discussion.

1) As we've discussed and decided earlier, I'll add ability when after inserting in Slide list new slide(s) between another slides (e.g. between slide #4 (20:00) and slide #5 (30:00)) it will be inserted at 25:00. Thank you, Al and another members for detailed suggestions and explanations! 2) It's undesirable to have both systems (linked to particular slides and not linked as earlier). It may brings bugs. 3) So I suggest always delete linked transition point when we delete a slide in the Slide list. 4) I can add new button to delete only transition point(s) on the time-line and keep linked slide (as earlier). For example you can delete 7th transition point or 36th transition point. But because new system requires to have equal number of transition points and count of slides, last slide will be without transition point and after deleting of 7th transition point PTE will automatically add for the last slide transition point at the end. 5) Also I'll try to add "Insert new slide" button in the time-line window. The most important question. I will try to explain new style of work with the time-line. If it's not enought simple please let me know! a) So you have new slide-show with 30 slides and some music track. You open time-line and see that you already have 30 transition points for all slides. But you can't delete all transition points to to add them on-the-fly as earlier? Because deleting of points means deleting of slides. It's confusing, because you would like to work with empty time-line. c) Because of this, I suggest to press ">>" button and call "Shift all points to right" (or Alt+R). Now all points will be moved *outside* of music track(s) (do you see red vertical line?). Now you see empty time-line. d) You can press Play button and during music playing you can click "Add transition point". It works exactly as earlier. e) What "Add transition point" button doing now? It takes nearest transition point from the right side and puts it where the cursor located. Please try how it works and write me what you think about it.

crazygranny, I'm sorry about this problem! We'll solve it ASAP. Please keep this uploaded EXE file on your ftp, I'll download it and explore for exact reason of the problem. Please make two another tests: 1) Rebuild .EXE file again in v4.40 beta and let me know about result. 2) Open this project file in previous verson 4.31 and build there .EXE file. If mistake still exists after rebuilding in v4.40, please send me your .pte project file (I just sent you email) and let me know about average JPEG file size and picture resolution (e.g. 1024x768, 200 KB), file size of music file (4 MB) and exact time duration of each music file.

I very grateful, Guido! With great pleasure we'll add the link to our web site and to PTE's help system.

PicturesToExe v4.40 beta #3 is released http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/apr_beta.zip (1,5 MB) I very grateful for all responses regarding work of the time-line! I've tried to leave only one new style of the time-line in v4.40, because it easy to have only one code without variations (for old and new styles). But I see now that many people prefer to work with both modes. I need to think how to implement both ways and keep stable and maximally simple code. If it really necessary - I'll work on it in the next beta #4. Jill, Den, I've improved this moment in this beta #3 for "Run app and exit". Barry, Thank you, I'll try to fix this problem ASAP. Did you tried in Preview mode or with created .EXE file? Please let me know full path and name of main slide-show, full path of second slide-show and exact example of Run command. What's new beta #3: + Improvements in "Customize synchronization" window: > Added "Import Points from Another Project..." function. > Press Ctrl+Up/Ctrl+Down keys (or < >) to move cursor between slides and strips of effect durations. > Added hot keys for new functions in "Customize synchronization" window. > Various minor improvements. + Alternate scrolling of Slide list, File panel or Time-line. Hold Alt key, press mouse button and move the mouse (as in PageMaker, or in Photoshop). * Fixed bug of slower show of the time-line in earlier betas for 400-1000 or more slides. + Fixed bug of previous betas when "Customize slide" button wasn't visible with enabled waveform.

PicturesToExe v4.40 beta #2a is released http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/apr_beta.zip (1,5 MB) What's new in v4.40 beta #2a: * Fixed bug of previous betas where full screen Preview in "Cust. synch" window used old values of transition points (before recent changes). Ednys, This beta should fix the bug which you have found. P.S. now I'm working on fully new Navigation bar for this v4.40

I was very worried that new mode of time-line requires a little adaptation. To work as earlier, please don't delete transition points (which are slides now): 1) Press new ">>" button (near to "Waveform" button) and then click "Shift All Points to Right". 2) Click "Play" button and as earlier press "New transition" button or "Insert" key. Friends, Please try this new way and let me know - do you consider this enough for comfortable work?

Andrew, No problem! Of course, sometimes it necessary to re-install Windows. Ednys, No, you are right concerning this bug! Really full screen Preview has old time values of slides and after saving it works as shown on time-line. I'll fix this bug tomorrow. So stupid mistake. Thank you!

Andrew, Glenys, I hope there it's not necessary reformat hard drive and re-install Windows in case of PTE, because it doesn't change any system files. However I'm continiously checking up all new moments to find any possible mistakes. Glenys, I'll carefully check up program code for this situation on Monday. I've read your new topic about this problem. But now please, try to create absolutely new slide-show and check up for this moment. RNB, We've added new music player already in v4.10. So no changes since v4.31 Yes, for this new music we've took high-quality mp3 decoder. It's an one of the best and very popular mp3 library. WinAmp 5.x or iTunes also should sounds very very well.

Please download and try more new v4.31 or higher where we've fixed similar mistake.

PicturesToExe v4.40 beta #2 is released http://www.wnsoft.com/apr/apr_beta.zip (1,5 MB) What's new in beta #2: + Improvements in "Customize synchronization" window: > Added "Arrange Selected Points" option; > Added "Set Time of Points..." option. * Fixed bug of beta #1 when after pressing Cancel button in "Cust. synch." window the program loses personal parameters of the Curling of page effect. P.S. I'll try to answer soon on new messages in the "Suggestions" topic.

1 Gb of RAM is not reason of problem with Preview, of course! If you run EXE and it works, preview from any slide should works too. Because full screen preview - it also running of (temporal) EXE file. Please do the next small testing: 1) Open any synced project with mp3 music. 2) Open Time-line window. 3) Select 4nd slide 4) Press Ctrl+R and you should see full screen preview from 4nd slide. 5) The close preview and close time-line window. 6) In the main window select 7th slide 7) Press Ctrl+R and you'll see full screen preview starting from this 7th slide. Please let me know about result.

Ok, I'll check moments with Preview and with Cancel/Undo. By the way, now it possible to change effect duration right on time-line. And using multi-select you can edit even several slides (e.g. to assign one transition effect or background). How improved waveforms work? Do you noticed that they all can be displayed simultaneously?