jkb

what about PTE, have you done a slow motion test with it?? Jill

Gary, why not use the Rotate C parameter? I use this often to get horizons etc level. Jill

When Pan, Zoom & Rotate were first introduced, way back in V5 I think, we did have to add the animation speed on all 3 otherwise it didn't always work. But maybe when Modifiers changed (in V9 ?) it was no longer necessary. I don't use them that much these days, so haven't noticed if needed or not. Jill

As you are using Framing to actually move the Map, then you need to add an 'Animation Speed Smooth' modifier to Framing on the first keyframe. The Smooth Animation gives a slower start & slower stop to the movement. To make sure that the Text follows you also need to add an 'Animation Speed Smooth' Modifer to the Pan. Again on the first keyframe. You are correct in saying you remember having to also add modifiers to Zoom & Rotate even when not using them, but in this case with the Text it works well with just the Pan. Igor - Not sure if we still need to add modifiers to all Pan, Zoom & Rotate in V11 ?? Jill

And keyframe 1 is not needed at all, it isn't doing anything. Jill

Hi Gary, I have had a look at this & I think it is because you are using framing to zoom the map rather than using the Zoom & Pan modifiers. The Framing modifier is altering the Map but not the Text. When you use Zoom & Pan then the Text stays in the same position relative to the Map. Also you only use Smooth Move Modifier to make a bezier curve & it should only be used on the centre of 3 keyframes. If you want the map to zoom smoothly then use the Smooth Animation Speed modifier. Jill

The filename is everything up to the .mp4 so by removing the .convert you are changing the filename. As DG says it is a Windows thing - the original file is in use by PTE, it is in the Slidelist. So you cannot change the name, that is why .convert is added to it. You could save it as a different name, which already exists but is not currently in use, then that file would be overwritten. When you Rename from the Filelist, the file is not in use by PTE - not in the Slidelist. When you change the Slide Name from Slide Options this is just the internal name shown within PTE not the physical filename. When you Adjust Time Range in O&A you are not physically altering the video length or size, it is still all there. You are just telling PTE to only use that portion. As I said you are over complicating things by trying to do this. You will save many more steps & time by just working with the original file. The only time you need to worry about file size is if you are Publishing to an exe as the final file. With MP4 it doesn't matter how big the original files are as long as your computer can handle them. Also if you are using several portions from a longer video, then you only need the 1 original, not several copies of smaller sections. Jill

I think you are correct Dave. But that is exactly what you are trying to do by removing the .convert. I think you are making things more complicated. If PTE will open & use the file there is no need to convert it. All changes in PTE are virtual, so you can work with the original file without worry of losing or corrupting anything. I know you are worried about file size, but you already have the original file with it's full size. Converting it to create another file (whatever it's name) you are simply increasing file size on your disk. All your files should be backed up on a separate removable drive anyway. Just work with the original file, do all your editing in PTE, create a Template or BIZ for backup once your project is complete & you won't have any problems. Jill

Maybe better to change filenames in Windows Explorer & then use that clip in PTE. Also not a good idea to overwrite a file unless it is already a copy of the original. Jill

5.2GB seems quite large, even for a 1 hour show I have no idea if you can strings shows together on a TV, as I said I don't have one. It is very easy to create a Playlist with VLC Player, I would have thought there would be something similar on a TV? If you can repeat play it, I would have thought there was a way to create a playlist of several shorter shows. Jill

How big is the file? Maybe it is just too large for the TV - no idea if there is a limit as I don't have a TV. Also you do realise that once an MP4 has been made the images are in that order & will be the same order every time it is played. It is only an exe that can randomise the images each time it is played. Jill

We weren't suggesting that you have a problem, just that it may explain why you don't see any difference. You have 4K monitor, so 4k files wouldn't look oversharpened. If I view a 4k file on my HD (1920x1080) monitor then they do look oversharpened Jill

Agree, I was just about to ask Gary what device he was viewing on. I usually find that 4k videos or very large sized jpgs look over sharpened on my 1920x1080 monitor Jill

If you are going to Publish as an MP4 then it doesn't matter what size your original clips are. Unless your computer is struggling to handle them, then reducing the size makes no difference to the Project. Jill

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. Just drop the original videos directly into PTE & then Publish as an MP4 at the default values set by PTE. It's what I do & never have any problems with quality. I never even look at the bitrate. Jill

No need to uninstall, all versions work side by side. So you can still use V10 while also using V11. The improvements in V11 are well worth upgrading to, have fun using them. Jill

Well done on getting this far. It will all get easier Jill

There are not as many dedicated AV Groups in the UK as there used to be. A lot of Camera Clubs have a few AV workers, but they tend to work in isolation. I help run the Wilmslow AV Group & we are now running totally online as our members are from all over the UK & abroad. We meet on a Friday evening & have an active membership. We used to meet physically near Manchester, but all our members were travelling long distances & numbers were dropping. Covid lockdowns forced us online & we haven't looked back. See www.wilmslow.av-group.org.uk We only have a few more meeting then stop until September. Jill

Ok to do this is easy - There is no specific name to the Technique. Basically - as it will be better for you to do it yourself rather than have exact step by step instructions. Add your background image to the SlideList (the slides along the bottom in the main window) Click on that image & then Click O&A (Objects & Animation) This where almost everything is done. You will see your background image & this should be highlighted in the Object Panel (bottom right) Click off this & click in a blank area below it, so it is no longer selected (the grab handles around the image will dissapear) Click Add Image - Menu bar top left - picture of an image - hover over each icon & you will see what it is Navigate to find the portrait image you want to add, select it & click Open This image will now appear on top of the background image Using the grab handles rotate & size it how you want. (or you can use the Animation Tab to change the Rotate, Zoom (Size) & Position properties In the Properties Tab of O&A you can also add a Border, choosing it's colour & width Once again click off this Image (object) in the Object Panel so that nothing is highlighted & repeat the steps to add another image as required. In the Objects Panel each image name should appear one on top of the other - like Layers in Photoshop You can adjust the Opacity of each item in the Animation Tab by changing the value in Opacity if you want to. If you want to change the order of the images so that a different one is on top, then simply drag the Object Name up or down If the Object Names appear indented one below the other, then you didn't click off & deselect an Object before you added the next one. Simply click & drag the name to move it in the Object List. Hope this helps. As I said just play & see what happens. Jill

I must admit I have never had any success with the Search function. There is a list of contents in the Online Help https://docs.pteavstudio.com/ I know it is difficult to ask the right questions as at this stage you don't know, what you don't know! As to aspect ratio it depends what you are trying to achieve with your shows. Do you simply want to show your individual images to some music, or are you trying to tell a story. If it is simply to showcase your images, then don't worry too much about aspect ratio, composition etc. If you are trying to make a pleasing show that has a narrative and one image blends into the next, then it is best to have all of your images the same size. Otherwise the viewer will be looking at the edges rather than the content. You can easily adjust sizes in O&A (Objects & Animation) simply drag the image using the grab handles to the size & position you want. It is the opposite of Photoshop in that it will keep the aspect ratio. To change & just adjust in one dimension then Hold Down Shift as you drag. PTE does an excellent job of upsizing if the original aspect ratio is not what you want. You are looking to line up horizons, angles, shapes so that they flow from one to another. To rotate an image put the cursor just outside a corner grab handle so you get a bent arrow & drag. To flip it is easier to use the Rotate X or Rotate Y modifier & set it to 180. Most of PTE is very intuitive (unlike Photoshop) and you are not affecting the actual image by making any changes. Everything is virtual. So just play in O&A changing different things until you get used to what each thing does. There is always the Undo button & unlike Photoshop it is not limited to a set number. Or just close the Project & don't Save. Don't worry about Terminology or Technique at this stage, just practice. Most of all have fun & enjoy experimenting. And come back & ask if you need help. No question is a silly one. Jill

Try unticking 'Synchronise Sound Track & Slides' in Project Options Advanced Tab. If your Slides are randomised the sound file may be stopping. Also in Audio Tab you could try ticking 'Loop The Soundtrack' This will ensure it will play all the way through. Jill

No, not as such. The text size is dependant on the Zoom parameter. If you want the same size, font and position on all slides, then set it for one and copy and paste to the others. Jill

Which icons? Can you post a screen grab. What is your monitor resolution. Which version of PTE. Jill

If the video has been produced as an AV then it will most likely have a black at start & end anyway, so no need to add extra. Most AV's (for competitions & shows) are now published as MP4's rather than exe. No problem at all for Windows, but with Mac you need to convert them to run from a Menu. Jill

Mike, Open PTE & add the MP4 to a new Project. Publish as a pteavshow It will then run from your Menu. Let me know if you need any more help & can always go through it after a WAVG meeting. Jill