The photos in the upper bin are displayed as icons, while the music and sound files in the lower bin appear as text lines giving the file name and duration of each asset. Both bins support multiple selection, drag-and-drop reordering, and a context menu with just two commands:
Delete selected: The selected media are removed from the SmartSlide production. They remain available in the Library for other uses. (Shortcut: Delete.)
Open editor: This command opens the Corrections tool of the Photo or Audio Editor. Any modifications you make to the media apply only within this SmartSlide production. (Shortcut: double-click.)
SmartSlide settings
The settings on this subpanel customize the SmartSlide production.
Here the mouse pointer selects chronological order on the Media Order list of the SmartSlide settings panel. At the bottom of the panel are buttons for adjusting video settings for the generated project, and for starting over from scratch.
The settings entered will be used the next time the slideshow is generated. The video settings button lets you set up the timeline options that will apply if you take the production into the Movie Editor. The clear project button removes all media from the project and returns to default settings.
Title: Enter a caption to be used as the main title of the slideshow.
Adjust length to music: When this option is checked, SmartSlide attempts to adjust its timing parameters so that the generated slideshow lasts exactly as long as the music soundtrack you have specified. The information subpanel provides advice about how many images to employ when the option is in force.
Pan and zoom: Checking this option enlivens your presentation with simulated camera moves.
Fit image: Check this option to enlarge images that are too small for the selected format. For a more flexible approach, you can also consider correcting the asset with the Crop corrections tool.
Media order: Select an option for the order of slides, from ‘As defined’ (the sequence is set by you), ‘Chronological’ (according to the file timestamp), and ‘Random’.
SmartMovie
To open the SmartMovie tool, click the SmartMovie button at the bottom of the Library window.
SmartMovie, like SmartSlide, presents its controls on a panel that slides up into the Library from below. Again there are three subpanels. The leftmost presents information and advice concerning your SmartMovie. The center subpanel is a storage area with bins for video and photos (top) and audio. The right subpanel contains controls for customizing the show.
Adding media
The visual elements in your SmartMovie can include photos and other still images along with the video. Drag the assets you want to use from the Browser into the upper bin in the storage area. You can also drag thumbnails within the storage area to get the order you want. Continue adding further material until you are satisfied.
To add music, drag one or more sound files to the lower bin in the storage area. Alternatively you can click the clef button in the bottom left corner of the audio bin to create a music soundtrack in ScoreFitter.
As media are added, the total running time of the source material is displayed in the top-left corner of the bin. This is not necessarily the length of the resulting movie.
Preview, edit and export
Having placed your media, click Preview on the footer bar below the tool. The project is created and opened in a preview window. If necessary, you can return to SmartMovie to modify your media selections.
The analysis phase of generating a SmartMovie may take some time to complete the first time the material is analyzed. Full rendering of the project, with progress indicated by shading on the time-ruler of the Player, may introduce an additional delay before a fully-detailed preview is available.
When you click Preview, the media you have chosen are automatically saved in a Collection named Latest Smart Creation. If you expect to make further use of this grouping of assets, rename the Collection to prevent it being overwritten the next time you generate a SmartSlide or SmartMovie preview.
The Edit button brings your production to the Movie Editor timeline for detailed editing. As usual, it’s a good idea to check that the timeline video settings match your requirements for the show. The video settings button on the settings panel (below) provides access to these. Also see “The project timeline” on page 55.
When the presentation is the way you want it, click Export to burn a disc or create a file for upload.
The storage area
The visual assets in the upper bin are displayed as icons, while the music and sound files in the lower bin appear as text lines giving the file name and duration of each asset. Both bins support multiple selection, drag-and-drop reordering, and a short context menu:
Delete selected: The selected media are removed from the SmartMovie production. They remain available in the Library for other uses. (Shortcut: Delete.)
Open editor: This command opens the Corrections tool of the Video Editor, the Photo Editor or the Audio Editor. Any modifications you make to the media apply only within this SmartMovie production. (Shortcut: double-click.)