Simple questions about v5

[thedom]

Hi everybody !

Some simple questions about v5 :

- is there a way to drag and drop new layers in a selected slide ?

- in a slide, is there a way to manually move (drag and drop) a selected object to put it above or under an other layer ?

- is there a way to manually preview the show (like in the "objects and animation" window) ?

- from within the "objects and animation" window, is it possible to skip to the previous/next slide ?

- within the "objects and animation" window, what are the purpose of the blank fields (just under "pan"/"zoom"/"rotate") ? It seems they can NOT be filled...

- is there a way to insert a "blank slide" beetwen two slides (or any color you want) ?

- is there a way to rename an object in a slide ?

- is there a way to display the transition effect between two slide in the timeline ?

- is there a way to display the display time of each slide and transition effect in the timeline ?

- is there a way to choose 16:9 output format (instead of 4:3) ?

- is there a way to choose the output resolution ?

- will final v5 be avalaible with captions (and possibility to zoom, pan, rotate, modify opacity, etc...) ?

Sorry, lot of questions !

Hope you can help me...

Thanks.

PS : I think PTE will be better than any professional software for slideshows.

The "objects and animation" features are just amazing and so powerfull !

The keypoints are a must !!!

Big respect for the development team.

[Lin Evans]

Hi everybody !

Some simple questions about v5 :

- is there a way to drag and drop new layers in a selected slide ?

- in a slide, is there a way to manually move (drag and drop) a selected object to put it above or under an other layer ?

- is there a way to manually preview the show (like in the "objects and animation" window) ?

- from within the "objects and animation" window, is it possible to skip to the previous/next slide ?

- within the "objects and animation" window, what are the purpose of the blank fields (just under "pan"/"zoom"/"rotate") ? It seems they can NOT be filled...

- is there a way to insert a "blank slide" beetwen two slides (or any color you want) ?

- is there a way to rename an object in a slide ?

- is there a way to display the transition effect between two slide in the timeline ?

- is there a way to display the display time of each slide and transition effect in the timeline ?

- is there a way to choose 16:9 output format (instead of 4:3) ?

- is there a way to choose the output resolution ?

- will final v5 be avalaible with captions (and possibility to zoom, pan, rotate, modify opacity, etc...) ?

Sorry, lot of questions !

Hope you can help me...

Thanks.

PS : I think PTE will be better than any professional software for slideshows.

The "objects and animation" features are just amazing and so powerfull !

The keypoints are a must !!!

Big respect for the development team.

1. No, there is no way to "drag and drop" a new layer, but it's even easier. Just click on the layer you wish to insert under (click on the "image" in the list on your right in the Objects and Animation View" - then right click your mouse then choose "add" from the drop down menu, then from the associated window choose "image." Negotiate the folder structure to your file and double click your file

Depending on which image (the main or anchor image is at the top of the list) you highlight, that's where the new image will end up.

2. No, but what you do is either right click on the selected object (image) within the green rectangle where you see the image itself or better right click on the word "image" at the level it is presently then choose "order" and you can bring the object to the front, back or up and down a level at a time with a click of the mouse.

3. I'm not completely clear on your question, but if you mean can you "walk through" the movements from the Objects and Animation window, the answer is yes. You use the little blue arrow on the time line and slide it forward or backward and you can see all the actual actions as it advances or regresses along the time line.

4. Yes you can change from one slide to the next forward or back by clicking on the little forward and back arrows up on the very top right of your screen just under the white "X" in the little red box.

5. These are for features not yet implemented in the beta version

6. Yes but you need to make the blank (black, white, green, whatever) slide in your graphics or photo software then save them to a folder which you can access. Once you have a "collection" of these you can choose them like any other image. There is no automated way to "create" the image via the software. Perhaps in a later version or the release.

7. Rename an object in the timeline.... yes, click on the one you wish to rename the click the "Properties" tab and you will see "image" or "image1" - rename as you see fit.

8. I don't believe there is any way to see the transition effect without using the preview, but you can "preview" from any position by clicking the icon located between the "Preview" and "Project Options" tabs.

9. You can display the display time and transition effect (only two transition effects "fade in fade out and circle" are presently implemented in the beta" by clicking on the "Slide" then using the "Main" tab to see or change the time and the "Effect" tab to see or change the transition and timing of the transition.

10. From the "Screen" tab in the "Project Options" screen you have a choice of five different aspect rations or you can set custom.

11. The output resolution is determined by the actual resolution of the images you use for the slideshow in terms of an executable file. For the not yet implemented AVI creation you will have choices.

12. You have captions now, but to use fancy text you need to create your text in a graphics editor which allows transparent background GIF or preferably PNG format. If you have no software to do this, I would recommend PiXBuilder (right here at Wnsoft). If you already have PhotoShop it's VERY easy to do. If you don't know how to do this let us know and we will direct you to instructions. It takes only seconds and you can have some seriously powerful text effects.

Lin

[thedom]

First of all, thank you very much for your very detailed answer.

My responses are in bold.

1. No, there is no way to "drag and drop" a new layer, but it's even easier. Just click on the layer you wish to insert under (click on the "image" in the list on your right in the Objects and Animation View" - then right click your mouse then choose "add" from the drop down menu, then from the associated window choose "image." Negotiate the folder structure to your file and double click your file

Depending on which image (the main or anchor image is at the top of the list) you highlight, that's where the new image will end up.

I knew but I think it's a little bit painfull. Lot of clic and time consuming.

The main problem with this solution is that you can't have the thumbnail view by default (if you have a solution to set it by default, I'm ready to pay you a lot ! )

The drag and drop solution would be quicker, don't you think ?

2. No, but what you do is either right click on the selected object (image) within the green rectangle where you see the image itself or better right click on the word "image" at the level it is presently then choose "order" and you can bring the object to the front, back or up and down a level at a time with a click of the mouse.

Yes, it's the only solution but again painfull (i know I'm a pain too !

Once again, don't you think the drag and drop solution would be quicker ?

3. I'm not completely clear on your question, but if you mean can you "walk through" the movements from the Objects and Animation window, the answer is yes. You use the little blue arrow on the time line and slide it forward or backward and you can see all the actual actions as it advances or regresses along the time line.

Yes, i meant "walk through" but in the main window.

Would be great if you could have the same little blue arrow in the slide list to have a manuel preview of several slides. But it seems it's not implemented (yet ?

4. Yes you can change from one slide to the next forward or back by clicking on the little forward and back arrows up on the very top right of your screen just under the white "X" in the little red box.

Great !!! I was so excited I didn't see it.

5. These are for features not yet implemented in the beta version.

Do you know if it's to have more control on effets (linear/acceletaring/decceleating/smooth option).

If it's the case, it would be awesome !

6. Yes but you need to make the blank (black, white, green, whatever) slide in your graphics or photo software then save them to a folder which you can access. Once you have a "collection" of these you can choose them like any other image. There is no automated way to "create" the image via the software. Perhaps in a later version or the release.

It would be a nice feature but not essential.

7. Rename an object in the timeline.... yes, click on the one you wish to rename the click the "Properties" tab and you will see "image" or "image1" - rename as you see fit.

Didn't see it. Thanks.

8. I don't believe there is any way to see the transition effect without using the preview, but you can "preview" from any position by clicking the icon located between the "Preview" and "Project Options" tabs.

Or with right-clic on a selected slide.

It would be great if you could watch the preview in the picture slide (from my point of view, you don't need full screen all the time).

9. You can display the display time and transition effect (only two transition effects "fade in fade out and circle" are presently implemented in the beta" by clicking on the "Slide" then using the "Main" tab to see or change the time and the "Effect" tab to see or change the transition and timing of the transition.

Too bad you can't change those parameters directly in the slide list.

10. From the "Screen" tab in the "Project Options" screen you have a choice of five different aspect rations or you can set custom.

Just great !!!

11. The output resolution is determined by the actual resolution of the images you use for the slideshow in terms of an executable file. For the not yet implemented AVI creation you will have choices.

Any idea when the avi creation will be implemented ?

12. You have captions now, but to use fancy text you need to create your text in a graphics editor which allows transparent background GIF or preferably PNG format. If you have no software to do this, I would recommend PiXBuilder (right here at Wnsoft). If you already have PhotoShop it's VERY easy to do. If you don't know how to do this let us know and we will direct you to instructions. It takes only seconds and you can have some seriously powerful text effects.

May be I'm wrong but the add Text feature is not implemented yet. Neither "add hyperlink", neither "add button"?

Btw, do you know what is the purpose of "add frame" (no effect for instance) ???

Thanks again for your answers !

[Lin Evans]

First of all, thank you very much for your very detailed answer.

My responses are in bold.

1. No, there is no way to "drag and drop" a new layer, but it's even easier. Just click on the layer you wish to insert under (click on the "image" in the list on your right in the Objects and Animation View" - then right click your mouse then choose "add" from the drop down menu, then from the associated window choose "image." Negotiate the folder structure to your file and double click your file

Depending on which image (the main or anchor image is at the top of the list) you highlight, that's where the new image will end up.

I knew but I think it's a little bit painfull. Lot of clic and time consuming.

The main problem with this solution is that you can't have the thumbnail view by default (if you have a solution to set it by default, I'm ready to pay you a lot ! )

The drag and drop solution would be quicker, don't you think ?

2. No, but what you do is either right click on the selected object (image) within the green rectangle where you see the image itself or better right click on the word "image" at the level it is presently then choose "order" and you can bring the object to the front, back or up and down a level at a time with a click of the mouse.

Yes, it's the only solution but again painfull (i know I'm a pain too !

Once again, don't you think the drag and drop solution would be quicker ?

3. I'm not completely clear on your question, but if you mean can you "walk through" the movements from the Objects and Animation window, the answer is yes. You use the little blue arrow on the time line and slide it forward or backward and you can see all the actual actions as it advances or regresses along the time line.

Yes, i meant "walk through" but in the main window.

Would be great if you could have the same little blue arrow in the slide list to have a manuel preview of several slides. But it seems it's not implemented (yet ?

4. Yes you can change from one slide to the next forward or back by clicking on the little forward and back arrows up on the very top right of your screen just under the white "X" in the little red box.

Great !!! I was so excited I didn't see it.

5. These are for features not yet implemented in the beta version.

Do you know if it's to have more control on effets (linear/acceletaring/decceleating/smooth option).

If it's the case, it would be awesome !

6. Yes but you need to make the blank (black, white, green, whatever) slide in your graphics or photo software then save them to a folder which you can access. Once you have a "collection" of these you can choose them like any other image. There is no automated way to "create" the image via the software. Perhaps in a later version or the release.

It would be a nice feature but not essential.

7. Rename an object in the timeline.... yes, click on the one you wish to rename the click the "Properties" tab and you will see "image" or "image1" - rename as you see fit.

Didn't see it. Thanks.

8. I don't believe there is any way to see the transition effect without using the preview, but you can "preview" from any position by clicking the icon located between the "Preview" and "Project Options" tabs.

Or with right-clic on a selected slide.

It would be great if you could watch the preview in the picture slide (from my point of view, you don't need full screen all the time).

9. You can display the display time and transition effect (only two transition effects "fade in fade out and circle" are presently implemented in the beta" by clicking on the "Slide" then using the "Main" tab to see or change the time and the "Effect" tab to see or change the transition and timing of the transition.

Too bad you can't change those parameters directly in the slide list.

10. From the "Screen" tab in the "Project Options" screen you have a choice of five different aspect rations or you can set custom.

Just great !!!

11. The output resolution is determined by the actual resolution of the images you use for the slideshow in terms of an executable file. For the not yet implemented AVI creation you will have choices.

Any idea when the avi creation will be implemented ?

12. You have captions now, but to use fancy text you need to create your text in a graphics editor which allows transparent background GIF or preferably PNG format. If you have no software to do this, I would recommend PiXBuilder (right here at Wnsoft). If you already have PhotoShop it's VERY easy to do. If you don't know how to do this let us know and we will direct you to instructions. It takes only seconds and you can have some seriously powerful text effects.

May be I'm wrong but the add Text feature is not implemented yet. Neither "add hyperlink", neither "add button"?

Btw, do you know what is the purpose of "add frame" (no effect for instance) ???

Thanks again for your answers !

On Drag and drop:

If all the files were in a single folder, drag and drop can work, but for someone like myself who has thousands of images (actually hundreds of thousands) it works better the way it's presently implemented. When I work with ProShow Gold I have thumbnails and "drag and drop" (not for layers) and the time and resources it takes to generate thumbnails in each folder I gather images from is very troublesome. I suppose it all depends on your workflow model.

On acceleration and slowing:

I believe this is on the table to be implemented - whether it will be in the first release or later I'm not certain.

On Add Text:

Yes, not implemented as of yet but will be there either in later beta or in the release. I'm not sure what the "Add Frame" is about yet. It appears to create nested rectangles when you click on it. The "add rectangle" is used to "group" objects so they share the same attributes. I'm unclear yet what the "add frame" does but perhaps with a little experimentation we can figure it out.

Best regards,

Lin

[thedom]

On Drag and drop:

If all the files were in a single folder, drag and drop can work, but for someone like myself who has thousands of images (actually hundreds of thousands) it works better the way it's presently implemented. When I work with ProShow Gold I have thumbnails and "drag and drop" (not for layers) and the time and resources it takes to generate thumbnails in each folder I gather images from is very troublesome. I suppose it all depends on your workflow model.

I don't work this way (put images in the same folder) but I respect your workflow model.

The thing i dream of is to have both possibilities to add objects...

On Add Text:

I'm not sure what the "Add Frame" is about yet. It appears to create nested rectangles when you click on it. The "add rectangle" is used to "group" objects so they share the same attributes. I'm unclear yet what the "add frame" does but perhaps with a little experimentation we can figure it out.

I will check tonight but I think "add rectangle" does what is says : add a plain rectangle.

And "add frame" is used to "group objects".

Tell me if you figure out more before I do...

[jevans]

Lin,

Looking at the questions which start this thread and your excellent answers, I wonder whether it might be time to start a detailed guide for the object editor window. I had a go at a guide for the Timeline for the previous PTE version. Initially this was for my own benefit, but having completed it and shown it to some of our photo club members, decided to make it available to the forum members. The idea was to identify every control or icon in the Timeline window and then explain what each was for and, breifly, and example usage.

I think this would be a good idea for Version 5 and I am willing to have a go. However I will need some help with understanding some of the features, as. like the questioner, I have not cracked them all yet. You answers make a great start. What do you think? Obviously it will need to be updated when Version 5 goes live but it might be an idea to start it now.

Jeff

[Lin Evans]

Lin,

Looking at the questions which start this thread and your excellent answers, I wonder whether it might be time to start a detailed guide for the object editor window. I had a go at a guide for the Timeline for the previous PTE version. Initially this was for my own benefit, but having completed it and shown it to some of our photo club members, decided to make it available to the forum members. The idea was to identify every control or icon in the Timeline window and then explain what each was for and, breifly, and example usage.

I think this would be a good idea for Version 5 and I am willing to have a go. However I will need some help with understanding some of the features, as. like the questioner, I have not cracked them all yet. You answers make a great start. What do you think? Obviously it will need to be updated when Version 5 goes live but it might be an idea to start it now.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Sounds like a good idea. I have about an 11 page tutorial on the web which I did the day after the beta was released. I haven't updated it to include the use of masks or some of the exotic capabiliies with 3D text, etc., but it's a start. After looking at it I decided that I need to recapture screen shots and use only one full screen then closeups of relevant parts because it's too difficult to see the tiny print in a full screen capture. Here's a link to what I have now:

http://www.lin-evans.net/p2e/index.html

[Boogie]

Hi Jeff,

Sounds like a good idea. I have about an 11 page tutorial on the web which I did the day after the beta was released. I haven't updated it to include the use of masks or some of the exotic capabiliies with 3D text, etc., but it's a start. After looking at it I decided that I need to recapture screen shots and use only one full screen then closeups of relevant parts because it's too difficult to see the tiny print in a full screen capture. Here's a link to what I have now:

http://www.lin-evans.net/p2e/index.html

Hi Lin

What a great job you did for us P2E V5 "beginners" with your tutorial http://www.lin-evans.net/p2e/index.html. It really was what I wanted. Please can you update it to add more and explain some more of the features.

Couple of suggestions for Igor -

1. It would be nice to have a "Close" button on the Objects page (rather than use the red/white cross at top right hand corner) - I hunted for a while to find a way to get back to the Main Front screen.

2. On the Main Front screen have an indicator against any slide that has some "Objects" attached to it. (a bit like the "P" button next to "Customize Slide" that depresses).

Thanks

Boogie

[Igor]

1. Yes, "Close" button will be in the next beta.

2. It's not simple question. Because even main image of a slide in fact object with Pan/Zoom.

[Hemjr]

I don't know if this should be another topic or not. So, I am posting another simple question here.

I am experimenting with the new Beta. I have three slides. The second slide starts prior to the first slide finishing. Thus cutting off the end of the effects of the first slide. I have tried lengthening the time for the first slide by customizing the time in the slide. What else do I need to try?

Thanks.

Howard

[davegee]

Create a keypoint at the beginning of the second transition on the first slide in the timeline. End your zoom/pan/rotate at that point instead of at the end of the incoming transition.

Keeping ALL PZR functions between the two transitions helps to prevent jerkiness for those whose Graphics Cards are not as "modern" as they should be.

Has anyone got a better way of describing the two transitions/grey areas in the timeline?

DaveG