Inserting Images-Different Results-(SOLVED)

[goddi]

Greetings,

I have been using PTE for a long time. I just noticed something that I never noticed before.

I started creating a show in V8. It was only three images. The default slide duration is set at 5.0. I first dragged each image into the show. I noticed that each image had a different duration.

The first time, the durations for the 3 slides were:

12.328, 18.994 and 5.0.

I removed the images and dragged them down again. Now the durations were:

15.724, 22.516 and 5.

Then, I tried it again, but I double-clicked on each image to put them into the show. The durations now were:

5.0, 22.516 and 15.724.

I tried the double-click process again and got:

15.724, 22.516 and 5.0.

Then, I noticed I was in the Timeline and I realized that I should have been in the Slide View, where dragging down or double-clicking the images all came in at the default of 5.0.

So, my question is, why, when inserting these 3 images into the Timeline, does durations of each slide come out differently, seemingly at random durations, as shown above???

Gary

[Lin Evans]

Hi Gary,

Because you can change the duration of a slide in the timeline by dragging it to a different position the timeline is an unreliable way to place new slides into your show unless you intend to drag them to an exact position vis the timeline.

Do it from the slide list ...... There is no logical way to give you the flexibility PTE has without the risk of improper operator action. You "could" place your transmission in reverse on your auto when you want to go forward but that's not the proper way to achieve your goal. You "can" turn the key and actuate your starter motor with the engine already running in many cars, but the manufacturer doesn't expect the operator to do that. Just do it the right way and get on with making your slideshow - LOL

Lin

[goddi]

Hi Gary,

Because you can change the duration of a slide in the timeline by dragging it to a different position the timeline is an unreliable way to place new slides into your show unless you intend to drag them to an exact position vis the timeline.

Do it from the slide list ...... There is no logical way to give you the flexibility PTE has without the risk of improper operator action. You "could" place your transmission in reverse on your auto when you want to go forward but that's not the proper way to achieve your goal. You "can" turn the key and actuate your starter motor with the engine already running in many cars, but the manufacturer doesn't expect the operator to do that. Just do it the right way and get on with making your slideshow - LOL

Lin

===============================

Lin,

I agree that putting in images into a new show using the Timeline is 'unreliable', or at least confusing, as shown in my results. And that is my point. I am not a new user and this is a potential complication that a new user (or even a old user like me) can inadvertently fall into.

If images are inserted into a blank Timeline (when starting a new show), getting random durations does not make sense. It seems the durations should at least be whatever the default is set to. If I double-click on an image in the File List when in the Timeline, and there are images already in the Timeline, the image is sent to the end of the Timeline with the default duration. So, I think the result should be the same if there are no images yet in the show as there is with images in the show (inserted with the default duration).

I understand that if you are in the Timeline, and you drag an image into an existing image, the duration gets split between the two images and the total length of the show does not increase.

But this is an inconsistency that, I think, should be addressed.

Gary

[davegee]

It's all this dragging and dropping that's causing the problems!!:)/>

In the file list select your images to add to the project.

Whether in Slide View or Timeline:

Right click on a file and "Add Selected Images".

Slide View for Images

Timeline for Audio

Write it on a "Post-It" and stick it on the Monitor.:)/>

Happy New Year!!

DG

[goddi]

It's all this dragging and dropping that's causing the problems!!/>

In the file list select your images to add to the project.

Whether in Slide View or Timeline:

Right click on a file and "Add Selected Images".

Slide View for Images

Timeline for Audio

Write it on a "Post-It" and stick it on the Monitor./>

Happy New Year!!

DG

==============================

Dave,

Yes, that is a solution! But, you make my point. If I happen to drag images into the Timeline (there are not other images, yet, and I am starting a new show) you get random durations for the images. You should get the same results when dragging/dropping images (into an empty Timeline) as you do when doing the 'Add Selected Images'. Right????

I don't think you want to disallow dragging an image. ;)/>

Let's make 'dragging/dropping' imagaes (into an empty Timeline) and 'Add Selected Images' consistent. There is no reason to get random durations when dragging/dropping into a blank Timeline.

Gary

[Lin Evans]

Gary,

If your mouse cursor is in different places when you release the switch on sequential selections, then the images will be deposited in those respective positions. That's why you can "drag" images in the timeline to different positions. You are asking to have your cake and eat it too!

If you make your selections by holding down the CTRL key and left click on desired files, then right click and select "Add selected files to Project" then the images will be sequenced according to the default time. If you instead drag and drop them, they will be placed accordingly with the position of the cursor at the time you release the mouse switch and unless you know precisely where that position is, the times will appear random. They are indeed "not" random but rather the result of the position of the cursor when you "drop" the images.

My suggestion would be to do it as Dave suggested and not try to reinvent the wheel here. It works as it is intended to work.

Best regards,

Lin

[goddi]

Gary,

If your mouse cursor is in different places when you release the switch on sequential selections, then the images will be deposited in those respective positions. That's why you can "drag" images in the timeline to different positions. You are asking to have your cake and eat it too!

If you make your selections by holding down the CTRL key and left click on desired files, then right click and select "Add selected files to Project" then the images will be sequenced according to the default time. If you instead drag and drop them, they will be placed accordingly with the position of the cursor at the time you release the mouse switch and unless you know precisely where that position is, the times will appear random. They are indeed "not" random but rather the result of the position of the cursor when you "drop" the images.

My suggestion would be to do it as Dave suggested and not try to reinvent the wheel here. It works as it is intended to work.

Best regards,

Lin

=====================

Lin,

I am not trying to reinvent the wheel.

Try this. Start a new show with, say 3 images. While in the empty Timeline, drag each one down, one by one, into the Timeline. Why would you get random durations for these three images as I got in my original posting? Why would the images not get the default duration for each image as you would get when you did the 'Add selected files...'?

Just trying to tighten the spokes on the wheel.

Gary

[davegee]

As Lin said they are NOT random.

They land where you drop 'em.

DG

[goddi]

As Lin said they are NOT random.

They land where you drop 'em.

DG

=========================

I don't think you are following my example. They are dropped into an empty Timeline.

The first time, the durations for the 3 slides were:

12.328, 18.994 and 5.0.

I removed the images and dragged them down again. Now the durations were:

15.724, 22.516 and 5.

Then, I tried it again, but I double-clicked on each image to put them into the show. The durations now were:

5.0, 22.516 and 15.724.

I tried the double-click process again and got:

15.724, 22.516 and 5.0.

What do these durations have to do with 'where I dropped them'? They were dropped into a blank Timeline. Each time I got different durations.

Gary

[goddi]

As Lin said they are NOT random.

They land where you drop 'em.

DG

=========================

I went back and tried it again. I see there is a difference. When I drag one by one, I get strange, random durations. However, if I highlight the group of images and then drag them down as a group, they all get the same default duration, as expected. And this is dragging into an empty Timeline. So, I think there is a bug! :)/>

Gary

[PGA]

Gary,

When you work in the Timeline view you are not dragging in slides in accordance with the Project Options settings. You are dragging images to specific time points - those points where your cursor is when you drop the image. A "slide" is then created that starts at that point in time. This is the difference between working with slides (in the Slides view) and working with timepoints (in the Timeline view).

regards,

Peter

[goddi]

Gary,

When you work in the Timeline view you are not dragging in slides in accordance with the Project Options settings. You are dragging images to specific time points - those points where your cursor is when you drop the image. A "slide" is then created that starts at that point in time. This is the difference between working with slides (in the Slides view) and working with timepoints (in the Timeline view).

regards,

Peter

==========================

Peter,

I completely understand that. However, it is possible to drag/drop images into the Timeline that it is empty. For example, you are starting a new show. I am just trying to point out that if you drag/drop images into an empty Timeline, one at a time, it will give different durations to each image. If you highlight the same group of images and drag them down as a group to an empty Timeline, each image will receive the default duration. This is inconsistent and unexpected. Give this a try and tell me if this makes sense.

I am not talking about drag/dropping images into an existing Timeline with images already in the Timeline. When you have images already in the Timeline, I understand that you are drag/dropping them as Timepoints in the Timeline.

Gary

[davegee]

Gary,

New Project.

Empty Slide list in Timeline view.

Drag and drop first image.

Starts at zero - ends at default time - Correct.

I drag second image and drop it in the slide List at precisely 6 seconds - first slide duration changes to 6 seconds - Correct.

Second slide duration is default - Correct.

Drag third image in and drop it at precisely 14 seconds - second image duration changes to 8 seconds - Correct.

Third slide duration is default.

I could go on?

DG

[goddi]

Gary,

New Project.

Empty Slide list in Timeline view.

Drag and drop first image.

Starts at zero - ends at default time - Correct.

I drag second image and drop it in the slide List at precisely 6 seconds - first slide duration changes to 6 seconds - Correct.

Second slide duration is default - Correct.

Drag third image in and drop it at precisely 14 seconds - second image duration changes to 8 seconds - Correct.

Third slide duration is default.

I could go on?

DG

=====================

Dave, Lin, Peter....

Ok...I see what has be throwing me. When I drag/dropped the first image into an empty Timeline, and drop it at, say, 20 seconds, it come in at the default of 5 seconds, not 20 seconds. Only until I drag/drop the second image in does the first image's duration expand/shrink to wherever I dragged/dropped in the second image into the Timeline. Seeing that drag/dropping images as a group and all got the same default duration, it seemed like I would get the same result when I dragged/dropped images individually into an empty Timeline. Ok...I see the light. />

It is amazing what you can learn even after using this program for years!!!

Thanks for sticking with me... Gary

[davegee]

Gary,

You don't drag and drop images into the timeline.

You drag and drop images into the slide list in Timeline View?

DG

[goddi]

Gary,

You don't drag and drop images into the timeline.

You drag and drop images into the slide list in Timeline View?

DG

======================

Hi Dave,

Hmmm...I am not sure what you are trying to correct. When trying to create a post, it is usually, at least for me, difficult to come up with the correct nomenclature to use. But your comment about 'slide list in Time View' leaves me a bit confused. The two tabs in the 'Slide List' are labeled 'Slides' and 'Timeline'. Many times, the word 'View' is added to these two terms, 'Slides View' and 'Timeline View'. So when you say 'You don't drag and drop images into the timeline...', I don't understand your point. From what I have gathered from the above postings, you can drag/drop images in the Timeline. You just have to be aware of how it differs from drag/dropping into the Slides View. You just taught me that./>

One of the problems is that one of the Users Guide's pages just muddies the waters. In the attached image, it shows the #6 to be the 'Side list'. And then it also calls the 'Slides' tab as the 'Slide list' in #8. I hope Igor will now concentrate on making the program more user understandable from correcting text and labels to the Users Guide.

Also, if I may ask. You add the'?' at the end of many of your sentences. I am not sure if you are actually making a statement or asking a question. Is this a 'Wales' custom or just a personal method. I enjoy your comments and they are most helpful, but sometimes I am not sure if you are leaving a question or not.

Thanks... Gary />

[PGA]

I am just trying to point out that if you drag/drop images into an empty Timeline, one at a time, it will give different durations to each image.

Of course it will, because the duration is determined by the place where you drop each image and not by the slide duration value that you have specified in Project Options. To be precise, each image that you add will have your default duration until you add the next slide. When you drop the second image, the duration of the first slide will be changed to run up to the timepoint at which you dropped the second image. That might mean the first slide's duration increases or decreases, depending upon the cursor position when you dropped the second image. When you drop the third, the duration of the second will be changed, and so. When you work in the Timeline it is the points in time that are important - not the Project Options Slide Duration.

regards,

Peter

[davegee]

======================

Hi Dave,

Hmmm...I am not sure what you are trying to correct. When trying to create a post, it is usually, at least for me, difficult to come up with the correct nomenclature to use. But your comment about 'slide list in Time View' leaves me a bit confused. The two tabs in the 'Slide List' are labeled 'Slides' and 'Timeline'. Many times, the word 'View' is added to these two terms, 'Slides View' and 'Timeline View'. So when you say 'You don't drag and drop images into the timeline...', I don't understand your point. From what I have gathered from the above postings, you can drag/drop images in the Timeline. You just have to be aware of how it differs from drag/dropping into the Slides View. You just taught me that./>/>

One of the problems is that one of the Users Guide's pages just muddies the waters. In the attached image, it shows the #6 to be the 'Side list'. And then it also calls the 'Slides' tab as the 'Slide list' in #8. I hope Igor will now concentrate on making the program more user understandable from correcting text and labels to the Users Guide.

Also, if I may ask. You add the'?' at the end of many of your sentences. I am not sure if you are actually making a statement or asking a question. Is this a 'Wales' custom or just a personal method. I enjoy your comments and they are most helpful, but sometimes I am not sure if you are leaving a question or not.

Thanks... Gary />/>

Hi Gary,

I was trying to be brief.

This is the way I have always thought of it:

With the "Slides" Tab selected you are "viewing" the Slide List in isolation.(Settings / Slide List). You drag and drop images from the Files List into the Slides List.

With the "Timeline" Tab selected you are "viewing" the Slides List in relation to the Audio Files in their Audio Tracks.

My point was that whether you are in the Slides "View" or the Timeline "View", when you drag and drop from the File List you are dropping them into the Slides List. The fact that you are in Timeline "View" when you do it does not alter the fact that Images / Files are dragged into the Slide List. In the Timeline "View" (New Project) there are Greyed-out messages telling you where to drag the individual components. If you try to drag an image file into the wrong section nothing happens. Likewise, you cannot drag an audio clip into the Slides List.

There are a lot of people reading posts who never participate but just want to get information on how to use PTE. Many do not use English as a first language. The more precise we who use the forum are the better will be their understanding of how this great programme works.

You make some very valid points above, but the likelihood of Igor picking them up in the middle of all this is remote. Why not briefly and precisely mention them in the "suggestions" thread? That's a question./>

Best wishes,

DG

[goddi]

Hi Gary,

I was trying to be brief.

This is the way I have always thought of it:

With the "Slides" Tab selected you are "viewing" the Slide List in isolation.(Settings / Slide List). You drag and drop images from the Files List into the Slides List.

With the "Timeline" Tab selected you are "viewing" the Slides List in relation to the Audio Files in their Audio Tracks.

My point was that whether you are in the Slides "View" or the Timeline "View", when you drag and drop from the File List you are dropping them into the Slides List. The fact that you are in Timeline "View" when you do it does not alter the fact that Images / Files are dragged into the Slide List. In the Timeline "View" (New Project) there are Greyed-out messages telling you where to drag the individual components. If you try to drag an image file into the wrong section nothing happens. Likewise, you cannot drag an audio clip into the Slides List.

There are a lot of people reading posts who never participate but just want to get information on how to use PTE. Many do not use English as a first language. The more precise we who use the forum are the better will be their understanding of how this great programme works.

You make some very valid points above, but the likelihood of Igor picking them up in the middle of all this is remote. Why not briefly and precisely mention them in the "suggestions" thread? That's a question./>

Best wishes,

DG

========================

Dave and Peter,

Yes, I've got it now. I never used to use the Timeline. Now it is more a part of my workflow. But you have helped me to understand it more fully. I have made many suggestions to Igor but most seem to fall into the black hole. I make suggestions that I think would make the existing program more understandable and user friendly. There has been more attention to new features for the new version, which are important, but I hope Igor will now pay more attention to the 'intuitiveness' of the menus, terminology and the program in general. I might give it another try in the 'suggestion' section. Thanks for all your help.

Gary