LumenLux

Thank you for taking time to comment. I will try to respond to most. I know silence can be uncomfortable, and misunderstood, and it appears it has not been useful in this case. I was uncertain myself and no one has suggested yet that it was "effective" in the way I intended. I thought I had rid the sequence of the dust on sensor spots! Obviously I need a better proof viewer person. Guess I'll have to look again. Thanks for noting the waterfall scroll, I like that result too. I'm sorry you could not understand the lyrics. I seldom use lyrics but these had exceptional relevance to the situation of the Native Americans living there. When viewing AV's of others, I often feel badly that I can not understand some of the carefully composed lyrics, even spoken rather than sung, which are done with a fine accent of the British Isles. Both these may be a case of getting better as I went along. I wanted to use the vertical of the chocolate falls and didn't quite know how. I rationalized that the tiled instances of the falls could convey the concept that the area was really an environment of many water falls. My thought was the rain evidenced during much of the front of the show would be adequate explanation of the muddy brown and red water. But I can understand your confusion by not all of the brown water appearing before all the blue water. And the large Colorado River actually was still running very brown after the Havasu Creek was running blue. All in all, even with 35 minutes it was beyond me to cover all the possible story lines. I'm sure a well done narration could add something. I do think it would require a careful effort to avoid disrupting the visual flow I try to produce. Thanks again for your thoughtful viewing and pointing out also the parts that you found especially appealing.

Gosh Ray, you are right on target with two things I know I don't fully understand - "containers" and "codecs"! It did not occur to me that PTE's Create/HD Video for PC and Mac was utilizing PTE VideoBuilder. You state that using the other .avi method in PTE offers wider compatibility of 3rd party software. On the other hand, what is then the main benefit of h.264? It does appear to me that from within PTE Presets, the h.264 makes higher resolutions possible than does the .AVI output of PTE? If I do want to use the PTE .avi output (F7), can I conclude that I have an h.264 codec available on my pc, if that is what VideoBuilder is already using for h.264? When I open PTE's AVI Video Codec window, several codecs list and include Microsoft h.261 and h.263, but I don't recognize any as h.264. But am I correct that I will need to actually identify and select an h.264 codec for it to be utilized for producing the .avi extension instead of the .mp4? If, the h.264 codec's claim to fame is HD in larger screen sizes, does h.264 offer any benefits if the desired result is only 1024x768? Does "HD" honest defintion encompass h.264 and is "HD" meaningful in small screen size such as 640x480 etc.? Finally - if the main object is to view PTE production in a video format for web viewing, can a matrix be constructed showing what PTE/Video is best for each given screen or view window dimension?

You can watch it here: rather personal The video is about 3 minutes, made mainly with PTE but also an animation program that adds a little "silly" element and required the conversion to video. And I do think all the back-and-forth and conversions did take a small toll on the sound with annimation sync. Never the less, any comments would be welcome. More details regarding PTE's h.264 output use, is in another current topic here.

Thanks Brian. With your "endorsement" that Avidemux should be capable, I will take a look. Last night, I had downloaded the same program, but in the wee hours of the night, I could not even figure how to setup or run the program! I ended up downloading a 30-day trial of a $100 program to try. But that program would not even accept the .mp4 file that PTE produces when h.264 is chosen. Finally in desperation I used another converter program to convert PTE's h.264 (.mp4) files to some other .avi that the commercial editor would then accept and allow me to join. I did then upload the resultant video to YouTube and it has decent quality. But I do want to find the way yet to just append the h.264/mp4's as they come from PTE. Then I can compare to what I already have posted to see if the result is more pleasing still. If you or anyone wants to take a look at the current state, you can watch it here: rather personal The video is about 3 minutes, made mainly with PTE but also an animation program that adds a little "silly" element and required the conversion to video. And I do think all the back-and-forth and conversions did take a small toll on the sound with annimation sync. Never the less, any comments would be welcome.

Ray, I have not even viewed yet your latest, but am downloading now. I would be very interested in your project file that would "teach" how to do this with masks "ease".

As Igor's H.264 video output is so good, is there a Freeware program out there to do simple edits, specifically to just join multiple H.264 files from PTE? All my commercial editing software seems to be too old to support such a simple task with the latest formats. I have spent hours seeking freeware or shareware for the task. It almost seems that Igor has recommended a program, but my Search of our PTE forum does not find it. What are you using? Or what are you aware of to handle the task?

Mark, thank you very much for your observations. I know it takes a special effort to not only watch, but to keep track and comment. I hope to reply more completely to your comment - but at this very moment my wife and I are headed out the door for our wedding anniversary trip that just happens to be a photo destination of which I am very excited. Thanks again, and I will get reply further.

Life is simple, until we try to understand it.

A daughter, her husband, and friends made a "rim to rim" late October just past. They loved it and are planning a repeat this summer, maybe in the opposite direction this time. Are you doing the hike in a single day, or staying in the bottom for a night or more? Everyone I know who has done a one day rim-to-rim" involve the "North Rim". Is that where you are planning? Could/should be a great experience, albeit with similarities and differences compared to Havasupai. I appreciate your comments, including the music. I must say, the soundtrack didn't happen without considerable thought but I am very interested in the experience of any viewer of the show. I too, think the silence is unusual and maybe, in at least your case, "confusing." My intent was two-fold. I wanted to isolate the quick lead-in to the actual hike. The wet, dim drive to the canyon rim, and the unusual trail head, operated by the Indians. Waiting out the rain in the parking lot, figuring out whether our packs would really end up with us, the old motor home with a Coca Cola license plate, the dogs, the porta-johns, all contributed to a feeling of uncertainty for us. I felt the silence could help express this and focus on the packmaster Indian as he was eyeing the situation. Maybe even cause the viewer to ask: "What is going on?"And then by having the silence, I could use the music as a metaphorical sunrise as we finally start down the trail. Do you think, because of the silence, you paid less or more attention to the pre-hike slides? The Green Leaves of Summer, which I understand you liked, but felt "didn't seem fitting"? I understand your reaction. Yes, that shift was much more sudden than I would expect or normally seek. I needed the native-american sound as "the" key element as we hiked down to Suapi, the Havasupai village. I think the rhythmic beat was just right for trekking into the canyon. Then I wanted eventually to reflect "sheer beauty" of some of the scenery. And I also wanted to express the "excitement" I often felt. Realizing how long the soundtrack would be, I thought without variety it would surely be a sedative! Green Leaves of Summer comes in at a point where we all felt like we were suddenly in Hawaii instead of Grand Canyon. I thought the "syrupy" sound, along with the silly "hula?" pose, was a "fun", if unexpected change, at an opportune point. I also thought, if anyone did happen to remember the name of the music, it might be fitting imagery as well. I must admit, not just with the music, but also with slide order, story line, etc - it all required more thought than ususal, because of the length of the production. All of which just makes me more appreciative than ever when someone makes a comment or two. Thank you guys.

If you can't stop them at their source, the mail can be blocked in your own email settings in Outlook Express or whatever you use. Or, back to the Forum settings, can't you, or have you already, set it to "digest" style so you only have one email to delete. Or - close out your forum account and open a new one where the default does not send email. Or, just keep the problem in your pocket as an excuse to go insane as you have proposed.

I really like your presentation of Venice. Your composition of each photo and transitional compositions are top rate in my view. The dissonant tension in the music was getting old for me, but evolved in time to be enjoyable for the rest of the sequence. Of the many presentations I've seen of Venice, this is among my favorites. I've visited Venice twice, but the most recent, 12 years ago, was so fast paced, I now enjoy each Venice sequence as a chance see what I mostly ran by in person. Thanks for interpreting and sharing your experience.

During the course of making my recently posted Havasupai, (topic here) I purchased a larger monitor. So midway in making the pte project, I decided to size my files to 1600x1200, instead of my customary 1024x768. I thought the larger file photos looked wonderful, but I soon realized how huge the .exe file was destined to be. At that point it was over 600 mb! I realize that would be fine for my in-house use, but not likely to be very "shareable". My "conclusion", if not a "solution", was to revert and make a version @ 1024x768 which I have posted, and even that is 155mb, but presumably a little more accessible to a broader audience. The essence of my question is - Those of you who are using larger monitors, how are you dealing with the situation? Is anyone using PTE's window mode? Is my understanding correct, that such use would dictate that a 1024x768 show would not be clarity-degraded by watching it on a monitor set at 1600x1200, or 1920x1200, etc.? Alternatively, if I use default full-screen mode at 1024x768 and you watch it on your 1920x1200 or larger monitor, do you have anyway to know that you are seeing a larger but less beautiful image than I saw? In other cases, where total file size of .exe file is not a concern, is there any situation where a 1600x1200, viewed on a 1024x768, will be less desirable than a 1024x768 when viewed on a 1024x768? What are your other considerations? Oh, and one more: If using an older projector with 800x600 resolution. Does the projected image get less quality as file sizes get larger and larger?

This feature-length presentation turned out so long that my first thought was to charge admission. But I decided maybe you might need your money to buy caffeinated popcorn. Havasupai is 155mb download and runs for 35 minutes. I did leave the keyboard controls active so you can stop, forward and reverse. Click Havasupai to download via Beechbrook. I am personally excited because the .pte has languished "in process" for a year and a half. Just happy to have it done, and in the meantime, Igor brought us the mask feature, which I was able to try out in this one. If anyone is able to watch the whole thing, I'd sure like your comments. Of course I'll entertain your observations whether you make it through or not. Personally, I love to watch it.

Lin, the desire of your many friends is clear. Our Father also wants your success and will bless you and yours.

I'm beginning to think maybe I was comfortable in my "confusion." But really, thank you again. Glad you didn't leave us out on a limb.

Good work Jim, and enjoyable to view. I think you have done exceptional with creating or using animated snow of the right "character" for the scenes. I mean it is difficult to have the falling snow look like the same snow that is on the ground and structures. To me, the falling snow was a "possible" texture compatible with what seemed to be a "wet" snow on the ground. There are still some photos where the brightness of the falling snow conflicts with my brain's expectation vis-a-vis the darker snow on the ground. I am certainly amazed how you, and Lin, and a few others have "perfected" the idea of artificial/artistic snow fall. If I have one suggestion for further "accuracy" - I think your mix of flakes should use fewer "elongated" flakes. Too many of that shape tend to make me think of pulled cotton rather than clinging snow flakes. Did you make your own flakes or are they from Lin or someone? Can you share your technique and maybe even a portion of your project file (.pte)? Finally, I enjoyed especially several of your photographs beneath the scrutinized falling snow. And, 2nd finally - what is the location of your photos?

This has been a question/confusion. Thank you.

Thanks Steve, I can't remember what I updated and what I did not. Your own experience with PTE 5.xx on Win98SE is useful. And if I failed to state it earlier, my Win98 is Win 98SE.

Following Lin's example, I think you can enhance your desired effect by zooming about 1- 2% and then back out. Do this just on the divide line of the two slides such that the magnification takes place in end of blur-slide, and contracts in transition of clear-slide. This effect can be varied depending on if you are imitating manual or auto focus.

Thank you gentlemen! In this digital/internet age, there is always more-than-abundant information. But it is always so nice when real people you can trust, can funnel the information that is sought. Thank you.

I experienced this problem while trying out a particular ATI graphics card I was testing on my desktop pc. With a different new card (Nvidea), the symptom was gone. An earlier ATI card that came with the pc, had not ever shown such a problem.

Thank you Igor for the information. Totally understandable. I was also wondering if Flash video is also not viewable with Win98, or if more ram would make it possible?

Hello Torin, welcome to the PTE Forum. The place where every frustration can be solved. The Tutorials & Articles section of this forum will have virtually everything you are seeking. Included in the first topic of Tutorials is Pan, Zoom & Rotate, a video tutorial by Lin Evans of this forum. On the same page you will find many other excellent tutorials and guides. I received also your email, but I think the above will get you on your way. If not, let us/me know. This Forum tends to be the best in the world, so don't hesitate to stay involved.

Nah, missed him. I was trying to read the music of the military ensemble, but was not clear enough. I think Lin would have had that with his method. Or JPD? Or?

From time to time, some fellow forum members have come forth with some outstanding implementation of "zoom" in PTE. With that in mind, I am posting intact a message-link I received. This is truly impressive. On the other hand, if one is concerned with the potential of "boring" pans in our PTE presentations, the capability displayed here could mean "disaster." 2009 Inauguration Photo - SUPER HI-DEF This is absolutely the BEST in 'high definition'..... Really amazing. Zoom in ('double-click' any area) ....and watch it focus. Then zoom some more... and wait for focus. What a surveillance tool this is! This picture was taken with a robotic camera and weighs in at 1,474 megapixel. (295 times the standard 5 megapixel camera) It was a Canon that pulled together over 200 individual shots. Each zoom in takes a second to focus ...and then you can see some amazing reactions. Bonus points if you find Yo-Yo Ma .... Taking a picture with his iPhone. To open, click on the http line below, and don't forget to try double clicking on various areas of the photo. http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.p...6648c2b4b06233c