This is the addendum text for ProView 1.3. In this current upgrade, we’ve added many of the most requested features. Also see the “ProView 1.3 Highlights” ProViewer included with this upgrade for a quick overview.
If you are upgrading to ProView 1.3, please read over the following text so you will be aware of the great new features ProView 1.3 has to offer. If you are a new user of ProView, please also read your manual as this text is only addresses new features.
The old version of ProView found on your CD-ROM is no longer valid! Please copy and use the version of ProView 1.3 that is on the upgrade diskette. Remove any older copies of ProView you may have on your hard drive. Of course, you will still want to refer to the demos on the ProView CD-ROM.
To initialize ProView 1.3, please use the serial number that came with your manual.
Following are the new features and fixes you will find in ProView 1.3. For your convenience we have included information on new features added in both ProView upgrades 1.2 and 1.3.
New Features in ProView 1.3:
• Crop Picture
• Tile Background Picture
• Align Objects
• Auto Start First Movie
Crop Picture
Crop Picture allows you to drag a crop-rect across an image to immediately mask the unwanted area. The masked portion of the image is stored in memory during the creation of the project so you can re-edit the highlighted image.
To Crop an image.
Select only that image and choose "Crop Picture" from the EDIT menu.
The cursor will turn to a cross-hair then click and drag across the portion of the image that you want to remain.
The image will immediately crop to your select rect.
To Cancel the Crop Picture.
Simply click without dragging.
To Uncrop an image.
Select a cropped image and choose "Uncrop Picture" from the EDIT menu. (Notice "Uncrop Picture" will be in the same location as was "Crop Picture".)
NOTE: when the ProViewer is created, the unwanted area of a cropped image is not saved, therefore reducing the memory requirement. Resizing, tiling and dragging works the same with a cropped images as it does with uncropped images. The way to change a crop-rect of an image is to uncrop the image and crop again.
Tile Background Picture
With this feature you can repeat the back-most image to create a Tile Background Picture.
To use this feature, bring up the "Page Info" dialogue box by either double clicking on the background or choosing "Page Info" from the PAGE menu or toolbar when no other objects are selected.
Check the “Tile Background Picture” check box and click OK. The image in the back-most layer will then repeat itself to fill the screen and create a tiled effect.
,
You may select another image and use the “Move to Back” feature to swap the Tile Background Picture image. In full screen mode, the Tile Background Picture will fill the screen no matter how big the monitor.
To Turn off the Tiling, bring up the "Page Info" dialogue box and uncheck the “Tile Background Picture” box.
Align Objects
Allows multiple objects to be aligned to six different spatial coordinates.
To use this tool, simply select multiple objects (you may select pictures, text boxes, hot spots and movies) and choose “Align Objects” from the EDIT menu. A hierarchical menu gives you the option to align the objects to top, bottom, left, right, vertical center or horizontal center. The alignment is based on the coordinates of the first object selected.
Auto Start First Movie
ProView now allows you to have movies automatically play as soon as the Page is opened.
To use this feature, bring up the Page dialogue box by either double clicking on the background or choosing "Page Info" from the PAGE menu or toolbar. Check the "Auto Start First Movie" box to initiate this function.
If there is more than one movie on a page, the Auto-Start Movie will be the last movie that will be selected before saving the page.
HINT: Use the loop movie feature along with the Auto Start First Movie function to create an automatic continuous animation directly on your page.
“Fade Between Pages” is available from the CONTENTS menu, the “Project Info” dialog and as an option when creating ProViewers.
When enabled, a short fade down followed by a fade up occurs when opening or switching between pages.
This option is available from the CONTENTS menu while “Full screen” is selected. This is true for both ProView and ProViewers. You may also choose this as a preference for your project in the “Project Info” dialog.
FADES ONLY WORK IN FULL SCREEN MODE.
Fading in Slide Shows
“Fade Between Pages” may be used while running a slide show independent of the selection in the normal mode.
This option is available for both ProView and ProViewers.
A ProViewer created as “Slide Show Only” may also implement this feature.
Color Eyedropper
“Eyedropper...” Added to Color Menus
The eyedropper may be selected from the COLOR menu for page backgrounds, text box backgrounds and text, or by pressing Command-Shift-E. (See Key Commands below.)
When selected, a movable dialog is displayed showing the current color along side the new color. The cursor will change to an eyedropper allowing color to be picked up from anywhere on the screen including windows of other programs.
Using the Eyedropper
Clicking anywhere on the screen will pick-up that color and instantly change the new color box in the eyedropper dialog.
The mouse button may be held down as the cursor is dragged around the screen. The new color box in the eyedropper dialog will continually reflect the color the eyedropper is picking up.
The selected color may be accepted by clicking “OK” or ignored by canceling out of the dialog.
Import JPEG
Adding JPEGs
Images compressed and saved as JPEG files may be added directly into ProView the same way you would add any PICT file.
This feature also works with Drag and Drop.
Don’t Recompress JPEGs
When creating ProViewers, there is an option - “Don’t recompress JPEG files. Selecting this option will add previously compressed JPEG images to the ProViewer without recompressing them. This both speeds up ProView as well as giving you the option to use different amounts of compression on your images.
If the picture is resized in ProView, this option is ignored.
Drag and drop
A full set of drag and drop procedures have been implemented allowing ProView to easily move (import/export) pictures, text and movies to and from other applications. Pictures, text, movies and hot spots may also be moved between pages in ProView. Using the drag and drop features of ProView 1.2, you can instantly create a complete ProView project.
Quick Project Create
Start ProView 1.2 and create a new page. At this point you may save and name your project or allow ProView to save it automatically. (See Auto Project Saving below.) Now select a group of image files from the finder, drag them over your project page, hold down the option key and drop the selection into the page. ProView will add the pictures to your project, creating a new page for each picture and naming it after the picture. You are now ready to create a ProViewer and run a slide show. Or you can build on the project adding text, sounds, movies and hot spots. A complete description of the drag and drop features follow.
Auto Project Saving
While dragging items into ProView, you may exceed the current memory allotted to the program.
Should this occur while ProView is in the background, the project will be automatically saved. If the project has been saved before, the file will be saved normally. If this is a new file, ProView will automatically save the project as “Untitled.001” (numbers will be automatically incremented) to the top of the drive on which ProView is running.
Should ProView run out of memory while ProView is in the foreground, ProView will present you with the standard “save file” dialog.
Drag and drop works differently depending on what is being dragged and from where, and into what it is being dropped. A full description of how ProView handles drag and drop follows.
Pictures
Within the same page
Dragging a picture within the same page operates as always.
To another page in the project
The receiving page is selected and the dragged item is cut and moved from the original page and pasted into this page. If the option key is down, a copy of the dragged item is pasted into this page.
To another application
The picture data and the picture’s file information will be made available to any applications that accepts interapplication drop and drag transactions.
From another application
Since ProView works from picture’s files, picture data being dropped from another application will be automatically saved as “Untitled.001” (the numbers will automatically increment) to the top of the drive on which ProView is running.
If the other application sends the file info, ProView will open the picture from that file.
From the finder
Either a single picture file or multiple picture files may be dragged into a ProView page. A single file will be opened as a normal “add picture”. You have several options when multiple picture files are dropped onto a ProView page.
If the pictures are dropped normally (with no modifier keys held down) all of the pictures will be added to the same page. Dropping multiple picture files with the option key held down will create a new pages for each picture and name the page that of the file name of the picture. The new pages will be opened with the default settings of the last page saved.
You may also hold down the combination of the option and control key. In this case each page will be resized to the picture. You do not need to press the modifiers until just before you drop the pictures (in case they conflict with other programs). Once the pictures are dropped, you do not have to keep the keys pressed while ProView adds the pictures. However, you may subsequently press any of the resize modifier key combinations during the add process and they will effect the pages being created. (These subsequent modifiers must be held during the creation of the pages.)
You can stop a multiple picture drop by pressing command-period [ -. ]. This is very useful (as we found out in testing) if you drop many pictures (we’ve done this with well over a hundred pictures) and decide you’ve changed your mind.
Movies
Within the same page
Dragging a movie within the same page operates as always.
To another window in the project
The receiving page is selected and the dragged item is cut and moved from the original page and pasted into the receiving page. If the option key is down, a copy of the dragged item is pasted into this page.
To another application
The movie’s file information will be made available to any applications that accepts interapplication drop and drag transactions.
From another application
Since movies are alias’ to files, ProView will open the movie from that file.
From the finder
Either a single movie file or multiple movie files may be dragged into a ProView page. A single file will be opened as a normal “add movie.” When multiple files are dropped, all of the movies will be added to this page.
Hot spots
Within the same page
Dragging a hot spot within the same page operates as always.
To another page in the project
The receiving page is selected and the dragged item is cut and moved from the original page and pasted into the receiving page. If the option key is down, a copy of the dragged item is pasted into the receiving page.
To another application
Hot spots are an internal data format and therefore are inaccessible to other applications.
From another application or from the finder
Hot spots are an internal data format and therefore can not be imported from other applications or the finder.
Text and text boxes
Within the same page
Selected text may be cut and dragged from text box to text box.
Selected text may be cut and dragged within a text box.
The option key may be used to copy the selection.
Selected text may be dropped directly onto the page and a new text box will be created.
To another page in the project
If the whole text box is dragged to a different page, the page is selected (which page? receiving or export) and the dragged item is cut and moved from the original page and pasted into the receiving page. If the option key is down, a copy of the dragged item is pasted into this page.
If a text selection is dropped onto a different page, the page is selected and either a new text box is created (at a default size) or the text selection may be dropped directly into a pre-existing text box within the existing text at the mouse point. In either case the text is moved, unless the option key is down, in which case the text is copied.
To another application
The text and style data will be made available to any applications that accepts interapplication drag transactions.
From another application
A text selection may be dropped onto a page; in which case a new text box is created (at a default size) or a text selection may be dropped directly into a pre-existing text box within existing text at the mouse point.
From the finder
A text file may be dropped onto a page. A new text box is created (at a default size) or the text selection may be dropped directly into a pre-existing text box within the existing text at the mouse point.
Multiple Selection
ProView allows selecting of more than a single item. Multiple selections may be moved, cut, copied, pasted just the same as a single selection. They may also be dragged and dropped from page to page within ProView; and depending on the items in the selection, they may be dropped into other programs supporting drag and drop.
The selection outline for a multiple selection is slightly thinner than that of a single selection. Each item of the selection is outlined.
No “grow box” is attached to a multiple selection. Growing a multiple selection is not supported.
While multiple items are selected (or copied), the menu functions will now “Cut Items” or “Paste Items” and so on.
Drag selecting
Multiple items may be selected by clicking on the page and dragging the cursor across the items to be selected. All items that intersect the “drag rect” will be included in the selection.
By holding down the shift key while drag selecting, each item intersecting the “drag rect” that is not selected will be added to the selection. Items already selected that intersect the “drag rect” will be removed from the selection.
Shift -Click selecting
While one or more items are selected, shift-clicking on an item not selected will add it to the selection. Shift-clicking an item already include in a multiple selection will remove it from the selection.
NOTE: When Items are added to a single selection, the selection outline change to the multi-selection outline without a “grow box”. When all but one of the items are removed from a multiple selection, the selection once again will have a single selection outline.
You may also use the “Select All” selection in the EDIT menu to select all items. (See Key Commands below.)
Items Info
Selecting “Items Info...” from the PAGE menu or clicking on the “Info” button on the toolbar while there are multiple items selected will bring up the “Items Info” dialog box.
The dialog box reports how many items are selected. This number is of course not editable. Also, the top and left coordinates of the largest rectangle that could enclose all of the items is reported. These coordinates are relative to the page and may be changed. If the coordinates are change and “OK” is pressed the objects will move together to the new location. (Just try it - you’ll see what we mean.)
Improvements in ProView 1.2
Slide Show
Hides cursor during slide show
Cursor hides automatically during slide shows except when slide show is paused. (Pause slide show by hitting the spacebar).
Auto fade in and out of slide show
A fade in and out of slide shows is implemented automatically whether “Fade Between Pages” is enabled or disabled. This feature may not be turned off.
Fade between pages
“Fade Between Pages” is available for Slide Shows. (See “Fade Between Pages”).
Sound
As with sounds attached to pages, sounds attached to hot spots sounds will continue to run even when the page is closed.
All sounds may be looped while running in the slide show mode.
Sounds will not restart until they have completely finished even if the sound is cued. (i.e. The same page is opened from which the current sound was started).
Compression Dialog
The compression dialog displays an actual picture from the project. The picture may be moved around within its display box so that any part of the picture may be viewed. This is helpful for determining the best compression to use for the ProViewer.
Moveable Dialog Boxes
Many of the dialog boxes have been changed to moveable dialogs. This allows greater visibility of back windows and the ability to switch to other programs from within these dialog boxes.
The most notable use of this type of dialog box is when using the eyedropper tool to pick up color. (i.e. The dialog box may be moved to get to the color desired. The program may be switched to find a color in another application window.)
Text Box Gutter
A four pixel “gutter” has been implemented between the text within a text box and the frame of the text box. This makes for much cleaner looking text boxes.
Please be aware this may change the look of the text in projects created in earlier versions.
Transparent Text
Turning on transparency automatically turns off the text box border. Borders may of course be turned back on manually. Key commands have also been added. See below.
Spiffy Color Menu
Of course the big improvement in the color menu is the addition of the “Eyedropper” tool. However, we did want to note the spiffy look of our Color Menu!
Transparent Text Box:
A text box may be set to transparent by selecting “Transparent” from the Text menu. While selected, the text is displayed against its background color; however, once deselected, pictures will show behind the text. Transparency is also toggled off when the scrollbar for the text box is visible. (i.e., scrolling text will not be displayed transparent.)
Text Box Border Color:
Text box borders may be assigned any one of ten colors from the “Border” color menu under the Text menu.
Page Sounds:
You may attach a sound to any page by using the “Add Sound” button in the page info dialog. The page sound will start every time the page is opened or brought to the front. Unlike hot spot sounds, page sounds will not stop if the page is closed. Page sounds continue to play until another sound is started or until they are finished.
Soundtracks in Slide Shows:
The Slide show options have also been modified to include a “Wait for Sound” feature. With this feature selected: each page will open; play its sound, and remain open until its sound is finished; or you may choose to loop the page sounds. The sound will start when its page is opened and continue to play until another page with a page sound is opened. In this way, you may attach a sound to the first page that will continue throughout the slide show or you can have new sounds throughout the slide show.
Record Sound:
ProView allows you to record SND resource sounds directly from the Add Sound dialog.
Simply click on the Record Sound button to record a new sound. You must, of course, have a sound input device connected to your computer.
You will first be presented with a dialog which allows you to compress the sound.
Your options are:
* None - No compression. Larger file size, best quality.
* 3:1 - Three times compression. Smaller file size, less quality.
* 6:1 - Six times compression. Smallest file size, least quality.
You may have to do some tests to see which compression size is best for you.
You will then be presented with the standard record dialog. Here you may record, playback and re-record your sound. When you are satisfied with the sound, press save.
Name the sound and save it. It will be automatically added to your project. Since the sound was saved as a separate file, it may be used in this or any other project without re-recording.
Key Commands Added in 1.2
Color Eyedropper
Command-Shift-E
This command opens the “Color Eyedropper” dialog. If text is selected, the dialog opens to change the text color. If a text box is selected but no text within the box is selected the dialog opens to change the text background color. In all other cases the dialog opens to change the page color. (If no page is open this function is disabled.)
Select All
Command-A
This command evokes the “Select All” selection in the EDIT menu. If a text box is selected, Select All selects the entire text within the box. In any other case Select All selects all the items on a page. (If no page is open, or there are no items on the page this function is disabled.)
Resize Page
Five options for resizing a page and/or centering page items have been added.
Control Key Resize
Command-Control Key Resize
Holding down the control key while resizing the page (either through the menu selection or the toolbar) will cause the page to be sized to the current screen.
If both the control and command keys are held down, all items will be centered to the new size page.
This could cause items to be placed off the page.
Shift Key Resize
Command-Shift Key Resize
Holding down the shift key while resizing the page (either through the menu selection or the toolbar) will cause the page to be sized for a 640 x 480 screen with a menubar.
If both the shift and command keys are held down, all items on the page will be centered to the new size page.
This could cause items to be placed off the page.
Command Key Resize
Holding down ONLY the command key while resizing the page (either through the menu selection or the toolbar) will cause all items on the page to be centered on page. NO PAGE RESIZING WILL OCCUR.
This could cause items to be placed off the page.
Arrow Keys
With nothing selected or from within a ProViewer, the arrow keys may be used to scroll through the pages. The down arrow and the right arrow scroll forward. The up arrow and the left arrow scroll backward.
Within ProView, the arrow keys work as usual when an item is selected. When there is no items selected, the arrow keys flip through the pages.
Hot Spots
Command-Shift-R
This is the keyboard equivalent to Add Rectangle hot spot from the PAGE menu or toolbar.
Command-Shift-C
This is the keyboard equivalent to Add Circle hot spot from the PAGE menu or toolbar.
Command-Shift-F
This is the keyboard equivalent to Add Freeform hot spot from the PAGE menu or toolbar.
Text Boxes
Option-Click Text box
Holding down the option key while clicking on a text box toggles on and off the transparent text mode.
Control-Click Text box
Holding down the control key while clicking on a text box toggles on and off the border. When toggling the border, ProView remembers the last border color.
This key command replaces Control-Option-clicking on a text box.
Many of the new features have come directly from the requests of our users. We look forward to your suggestions and comments on ProView. E-mail us at comments@e-magine.com. For questions and technical support call or fax our info/support line at (212) 665-0030. We also have an Education Site License available to qualifying schools and universities. Please direct inquiries via e-mail to edsite@e-magine.com or call our info/support line.
It is our goal here at E-magine to make ProView not only the easiest multimedia authoring tool, but also the most complete for the jobs you need to do.
Please make sure you register your copy of ProView as soon as possible. We have even more new features on which we are working and we want to get them to you as soon as they are ready!
Look for more information on future upgrades at our new web site.
http://www. e-magine.com/
Please update this address in your browser!
And sends us copies of your ProViewers. We’d like to see them and display them at our web site.
