While there are many slideshow utilities out there, most, if not all of them, leave out one key functionality: Putting the PICT files in the proper order for display. The only way to determine the display order of the PICTs is to laboriously append each graphic with a number to force it into the proper alphabetical order, and thereby the display order. At the same time, you have to recall what the graphic looks like and whether it is visually compatible with the previous and following slide.
I created Lightable using Allegiant's SuperCard to address the above quandary. It does several things: Using the menu item "Import a folder of PICTs" it creates and places in a window thumbnails based on any folder of PICT files (limited to 80 PICTs) and then allows you to move those thumbnails around as if they were on a lightable. When you've got your thumbnails in the proper order, select "Build slidetray" from the menu and you will be presented with a dialogue asking what number you want to start numbering the original PICT files- this way you can build slidetrays of more than 80 PICTs (a limitation due to SuperCard). When you click "Okay", Lightable will then append a number series to the PICTs in folder you selected to import originally. Presto! Now your folder of PICTs is ready to be used with slideshow utilities, Debabelizer, or a Quicktime moviemaking utility. A third menu item will allow you to strip the numbers that you added previously, so that you may do a new slideshow order. Note: It will remove the first block of characters separated by a ".", so it is not recommended to use this utility on PICTs that have not been numbered by Lightable.
IMPORTANT: Due to internal Supercard naming conventions, you SHOULDN'T name files with one or two letter/number combinations. It will cause some serious weirdness with the thumbnails.
Lightable is freeware and FAT, and all the usual disclaimers apply. If you have questions or comments, direct them to: Nick Pausback, oblagon@aol.com.
