Are You Well Presented?

The Workflow

In an attempt to simplify the workflow we developed the flow chart shown – ‘simplify?’ we hear you cry – you should see the complicated version! The workflow splits according to whether you are headed towards a CD or a DVD although you can use a Data DVD instead of a CD, if you choose. These are just a couple of options, some software is able to perform multiple functions such as both authoring and encoding. Image files are typically either saved from Photoshop as JPEGs or made directly as JPEGs in the camera. A program such as P2X or ProShow Gold assembles the slide sequence and feeds in the pre-prepared music, sorting out the transitions from one slide to the next and synchronising this to the music; this stage is called authoring. The output AVI file will be encoded into Mpeg-2 file. During authoring, menus, subtitles and navigation may be added so, for example, the DVD or CD will play automatically when it is inserted into the DVD player. The result of authoring needs to be put on a physical medium such as DVD-R or DLT tapes and this is the job of the Mastering stage.

Adobe Acrobat Professional 7.0

Adobe Acrobat is a special kind of software. It is always used in conjunction with other creative software to convert the content to its own format – the ubiquitous pdf (portable document format). Most people are familiar with the free, Acrobat Reader which should not be confused with its £340 Dad, Acrobat Professional. This is a much more serious bit of tackle and, as you can see from the picture, the Wiley Bible on its use runs to a massive 896 pages – older readers may also remember the other object in the image, placed to provide scale! Once Acrobat is installed, new icons should appear in your creation software (such as Microsoft Word, InDesign and so on) named ‘create pdf’. These will convert a mixed text and graphics document into a high-quality, compressed and almost universally readable format. However you can also add multimedia elements to your pdf and assemble pdfs from multiple files and documents. Assembly is reasonably quick, we collected 176 high-resolution JPEG files into one document in 2m 50s. Any of 40 slide transitions may be added, as can sound files. Sound files can be triggered by a variety of cues such as page turning or mouse clicking. You can trigger music to start on a particular page and include a number of pieces of music. You may, for example, place a commentary about an image to commence when the viewer ‘turns’ the page in Acrobat Reader.

Not everybody is interested in making slide shows to sell images to their brides. Acrobat has industrial-grade security and encryption facilities to prevent tampering with files, copying files or printing them. They may also be password protected to prevent unauthorised use or access. This can be beneficial if you have to provide a
client with full resolution images for approval which they are yet to pay for. Payment can be used to trigger the provision of the password to unlock the file. You might be reluctant to fork out for Acrobat Professional if all you wish to do is make shows for your brides or to loop one around at a bridal fair. However if your work involves mixing text and words, graphic design or provision of material for offset litho printing then Acrobat is the medium of choice – indeed Professional Imagemaker is now produced on an all-pdf workflow.

Music – the score

Music is a vital constituent of your slideshows, it adds mood and considerably enhances the experience (ie making the bride’s mother cry!).There is a ton of music about, the only problem is that it all belongs to somebody, else unless you are the musician and recorded it yourself. Adherence to copyright is very important if you wish to use somebody’s music for commercial gain or to make a public performance. You ignore this at your peril, there are big players out there who own music and they are both alert to misuse and diligent is pursuing transgressors – you have been warned! We spoke to AKM Music’s Anthony McTiffen for background information and visited their website for a look and listen. They have 70 CDs holding more than 3,000 tracks of music themed for easy cataloguing and searching. The CDs cost £32.95 and come with pre-cleared licences for commercial productions and public performance. If you visit the AKM website you may listen to previews of each CD, which are around 3-minute excerpts.

There are two types of CD available, the standard music type (which plays on your sound system) and CD-ROM in which tracks are formatted as .wav files. Your software may be able to translate CD tracks into a format suitable for your slideshowbuilding software, check before you specify your order.

Visit www.akmmusic.co.uk

CD DVD Software

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Photo Quote: You've got to push yourself harder. You've got to start looking for pictures nobody else could take. You've got to take the tools you have and probe deeper. - William Albert Allard