nobeefstu

I think the ESC key feature works just fine ... its pretty much a universally accepted practice. ESC only closes the active window open (or window that has current focus). If a user gets click happy on the ESC key ... then each relative window that gains focus will ultimately get closed. However not all programs will close by ESC ... sometimes the programmer diables the ESC route or traps the ESC key. If some other Key function is enabled ... we would have to someway convey this function to the user at the start of the Show. This would make more work and things a little ugly from presentation design perspective As Al states, I too dont want any messages " Asking" me if its OK or am I sure I want to exit. Note: I understand Boxigs request and useful need for his posted option. Since we have the ability to run a external program at PTE close ... this would make it possible to run the external program even if the PTE Show is ESC or closed prior to it normal ending. The current or existing condition does not allow this to happen if we close prior to the shows ending

mannybr, This should be easily accomplished. If you RIGHT CLICK your .SCR files ... a pop-up menu should appear giving you several options : Things like Test, Configure, Install, etc ...this is the way it works on W98. I cant see XP being any different, if anything it should be alot easier and better ... since everybody claims XP does everything better.

Marco, Just to add to Al's comment. PTE will execute just about any file ... using the PCs default program that opens or launches it. The Users PC must have the registered file type associated with a particular program thats capable of opening it. (Un-registered file types will not open) Major Note : However, you can not use Parameters. PTE does not have this capability. The use of Parameters has been a suggested topic for a new feature.

M2, We here have all been "new" to PTE at time or another ... plus with the upgrades and changes implemented into new versions, we continue to learn new things all the time As for your slideshow timing differences : If you build your Show Settings using Syncronize slideshow to music duration ... this feature resolves the play/timing variance among different pcs. You have 2 types to choose from : Automatic syncronization or Custom syncronization to invoke your needs. Major Note : In using the Sync feature ... all mouse input/actions (button/object/navigation bar) are inoperable. Sync shows disable the mouse and disallows the user any control over your show. New features in future (real soon) PTE versions will enable the user some mouse control within a sync mode show.

Ron, See PTE Faqs 14. Question: How can I make my presentation (.EXE file) starts just after inserting CD into the drive? Answer: Create new document with name "autorun.inf" using any text editor (e.g. Notepad) and write the following strings: [autorun] open=YourPresentation.exe icon=YourPresentation.exe (Note: instead of "icon=YourPresentation.exe" you can write "icon=YourIcon.ico") where "YourPresentation.exe" is the name of your presentation. This file ("autorun.inf") must be copied to CD disk with your presentation. Note : Your own menu show name will replace the YourPresentation.exe in the above locations. Put all files on CD ROOT if you want to keep it simple ( not using folders or paths)

Eric, I would think by your PC specs all should be fine ... its not that old My first guess to start, make sure your video card/settings are all in order. (refresh rates,color depth,etc.) How about your monitor ? CRT or LCD ?

Ron Your issue may be due to using a SYNC show setting One major point to remember : Currently PTE does not allow use of the mouse during a SYNC mode music setting. The only way to have the mouse enabled to execute your button objects is to build your show without any SYNC. (Future release versions of PTE will enable mouse actions ... but not yet.)

bjc , I suspect the issue surrounds more UNISYS as the patent holder of the GIF and control of its use ... and not Igors. Heres a brief cut ...and maybe not such a well known fact to many users here :

MikeyUK, Any image program such as PS, PSP, etc can be used. Save your image as bmp, jpg,gif. One major note ... your new images when used as buttons will not react like normal push effect buttons that PTE uses. Import your button images into PTE Object Editor ... and give them a Action on Mouse Click to perform. If you want simulated push effect button of your button images ... overlay a PTE Button Object ontop of your button image. Size accordingly to cover image ... make the PTE Button Object properties Transparent and give the PTE Button Object ( not your button image used under it) a Action on Mouse Click to perform. Boxig has already given you options for :

Ron , That previous function is no longer required or needed in latest PTE versions ... therefor negating the choice to perform. As to your playing issues : What Settings are used ? Syncronized to Music ? Automatic or Custom Sync ? As a First Test : If your using Sync to music settings ... simply reconfigure your show to manual play advance(disable sync to music). See now if your show performs normally or has same issues. If your show plays without issues in manual ... it may then be some timing/settings you performed in sync creating your issue. Additional Note: I heard this before ... but verify each and every file size ... again. Some users accidentally allow oversized ones to sneak in unknowingly.

Joanna , My first guess is that you have used a direct path in your destination string labeling. Always use relative paths in your destination strings. Relative paths never use drive labeling (C:\,D:\,etc). Examples using relative : If both your exe files are in the same folder ... you need just the name of your file in the destination path string labeling (easiest choice for most users). myshow.exe If your using folders that contain each of your show exe parts ... you must show a relative path from the executing file location (or from the root pending upon your folder setup). \foldername1\myshow.exe

Igor, I use navigation controls quite often myself ... and enable/ disable the wheel mouse would be helpful. This would limit any surprises a user may encounter when fiddling with the wheel ... plus allow us more control over direction of play. I also think having this option would be helpful: Especially once you implement the navigation ability in Sync Mode shows. There are times we want the user to proceed as we prescribe ... and not have a backdoor approach (such as keys) that would overide the direction we may prescribe.

Bill, I totally agree ... as long as its " a very intelligent utility " . I imagine my main thought is if the PTE creator can create a "bug free" show that will run on any Users computer ... before they venture into changing the screensize of their Users.

Boxig, I live by this moto too ... 99.9% of the time : I personally wouldnt make "changing the screen size to fit the slideshow" ... as this can possibly promote lots of issues if the Users PC (monitor/adapter/settings) cant handle such screen sizes. Its not so bad in stepping down a particular screensize than the User is currently using. But where issues could arise is when the screensizes are stepped up. Plus, I think many Users are quite critical of their screensize/adapter/settings ... and would not prefer some outside force taking control of them. Some of us PTE creators use some vastly different screensizes ... so it be like force feeding another User to yourscreensize. I think its best for us PTE creators to create the various size shows if we want to support other screensizes ... and let the User decide what to do.

Welcome, Lukefoto No ... you are not missing anything. The customization you inquire about is not possible. Igor plans some modifications to the navigation bar in up coming versions ... but there is not alot of details on this subject yet available. You can ... but by only currently supported customized options. Note: Your only alternative at this point in time is to create your own Navigation Bar ... by using the Object Editor features. Once you create this file ... save it as a Template ... then you can use it again and again in future shows. However, this method still does not allow you to use as a Default.

Al, Wonderful ... a great piece of work ! Implementing naration into your tutorial greatly enhances the instructional value of this very informative tool ... making it much easier for users to learn. I suspect now ... you may get requests to support other lanuages

Ok, Robert I still have your email listed. I will package it and send today. I will also include the Comdlg32.ocx file separately (as a test to perform) just incase your XP config settings is not allowing it to function remotely. I will supply instructions (as it only needs to be placed in your window/systems folder. These XP setting/things can be irratating. Its also possible you already have it in your sys folder.

Al, Thats strange. In my post I used the Customized Slide and it worked just fine.The action is performed on the last slide before you actually exit out. I have not tried the from the Project Options /Advanced tab way as of yet.More Notes: I actually created a .url file(Internet shorcut file - Web Document Url) ... I did not use a .htm file. Its alot quicker and easier to create the .url file than a .htm file ... but using .htm will be more flexable for other options. A user cannot use just a oridinary short-cut file (.lnk)

Welcome, Ron You have a few options of how to apply the functions you require ... but one is not possible ... you cannot use annimated files within Pte. 1 option: Create photos/ images containing all your text and titles ( using a image editor as PS,PSP,etc. Add these photos/images as new Sldes. They can be 1 or several Slides... pending how fancy you want to be. 2 option: Add individual Text objects and Picture objects to an existing Slide using your Object Editor button. Then Group your Objects together ... this helps maintain their relative position to each other in diff screensizes Note: Using Objects in full screen mode shows that are played on different screensize than you created can influence not-exact object placement/location on their screenview. Option 1 is preferable for most users here now ... soon Pte will resolve this Object movement. Also there is several Pte Utilites created by Boxig ( a forum member) ... that may help/aid you to perform many other possible options in your show. Boxigs site : http://www.thailandphotoalbum.com/#programs

Very True, Bill The user must specify any errors encountered as exact as possible. It may be just as a simple filename used ... as some systems require short filenames and cant use long file names when launched from autorun inf. Most cases its something very simple and not complex .. but user input/output is required

Please do, Boxig As there is many possible options here the user can perform if they are a bit creative. They could actually go as far as creating/suppling their own webpages to work offline ... if a active connection is not performed. Be just like a web site on CD.

Sorry to hear that Robert Please verify that your using the latest ScreenPrints version 1.5. from Beechbrook. You may by accident happen to be using the older beta release version I initially sent you some time ago? That version did have issues if the users PC did not have required file ( Command Dialog ActiveX Control Dll). The final release versions resolved that issue. I also have a newer (unlreased version) that has a few more new features ... one of which performs a checks and balances prior to proceeding to the next session (checks to see if certain conditions are met and exist to proceed) I could personally email you this (unreleased version) if you like? Hopefully together we can resolve this ... keep me advised Note: Other new features include : Use of Html (or still use txt )message files -that way you can now have color and pictures in messages used. Option to go directly to View Previous captured images. Various file /operation improvements.

Graham, Does your users PC meet the MIN PC requirements as specified by WnSoft/PTE ? As far as required files for PTE to function properly on any PC: Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher Direct X (only required for older versions of PTE ... latest versions does not require Direct X)

lazlo, Create a Internet Shortcut file to your required site(the sites URL address) On the last Photo in your show ... select ... Customize Slide. Go to the (bottom) Advanced Options and enable the check box Run External Application Within the edit box ... place the name of the Internet Shortcut file you made. Use *all files filter and not just exe types if you browse to find your selection. Remove or use no paths in your filename string location. (Remember files need to be relative to each other ) Keep your PTE exe show and your Internet Shortcut file in the same location whenever you copy for distribution. The Internet link will open on the last slide automatically ... but ... you must have a active connection for the link to function properly.

Graham, No problems directly related to any Win98 versions ... at least with my setups. Is is that your CD wont play or load on his Win98 ? How about hard drive play? Or is it the PTE show itself that wont play ?