Window on Wildlife

A thread for discussing and presenting how to do slideshows, screenshots, videos, GIF's, etc...

Photobucket Slideshow Instructions

Here is a way of doing a slideshow that Sherri suggested and that I find very easy.  It opens the slideshow in a new window and frames it with a large black border that makes the photos stand out.  I have a pro photobucket account and I am not sure how the slideshow will appear with standard accounts.

You do not have to resize the photos! :-)
The original size of my photos were large, 4500 x 3300, so it resizes nicely.
 
1.  Click "Upload now"
 
2.  Name your album
 
3.  Then click "create new album"
You can add as a new album as a sub-album if you have a pro account or keep it as a new and separate album if a standard or pro account.
 
4.  Click "select photos and videos" or use "bulk uploader".  Look on the right for the bulk uploader and click "try it now".  I think the bulk uploader is much better and it shows a small image of the photos.
Choose your photos and then click "upload".
 
5. This step can be skipped if you are not adding text.  If you want text, place your cursor over each photo and  "click to add title" will appear.  Type title and be sure to click "ok".  It is easy to forget clicking "ok".  The title will appear as text below your photo.
If you prefer to have text on the photo, place your cursor over each photo and click "edit".  On the edit page click "decorate" and then click "text".  On the right side of the page a text options box appears.
You can check "transparent background" so that all you see is the text, otherwise the text will be in a white box. You can change the font style by hitting the down arrow next to Cretino.  Moving the text placement seems to work better if you click the left allign under Cretino.  You can change the size of the text by changing the size of the text box.  When finished click "apply" and then click "replace original".
 
6.  "click view as slideshow"
 
At the end of the slideshow it will have the link or you can copy the link from the address box of your browser.
Here is a short slideshow I did with the different ways of adding text.
 
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n88/klbak/Dec052010slideshow/?albumview=slideshow

Judy - I love the osprey pic!  :love: 

The egrets are also stunning - but ospreys are almost as near to my heart as eagles - and wow!

I've added a couple of ways to make title pages for slideshows to the tutorial thread - link (http://www.window-on-wildlife.com/index.php?topic=107.msg2417#msg2417).  We're still working out what goes in what thread, but for now, I think any questions/comments/clarifications can be posted here.  :bigsmile:

What programs do people use for recording and editing video?

I can do some basic recording with CaptureWizPro, the program I use for s'caps, but options for editing are very limited.  I'm forgetting the name of the program I had on my old computer for editing videos, but it was a lot more program than I needed, and tended to overload my computer (perhaps because of the number of cam windows I tried to open at the same time).

When I tried Google, WMRecorder came up as an affordable option - but I haven't tried googling "problems with WMRecorder" yet.  :mhihi:

I'd also like a program that would let me make a video from a series of s'caps as an alternative to doing a slideshow.

Suggestions?

JudyB You can use Windows Movie Maker to make videos from pics and get pics from video.. :nod2: Comes free with XP and you can go to Microsoft to download WMM 2.6 for vista and 7 also free and easy to use.. :wink2: Works better than the new one  :bigsmile:

Some one Somewhere :puzzled2: asked about saving YouTube videos to your PC. If you have RealPlayer you can right click and download videos to real player.. It will save in videos/real-player downloads.. :wink2:

Thanks, Chris!  :bigsmile:

1.  Record video:   I use Camstudio and it is free.  http://camstudio.org/

The Camstudio file is large, but you can convert it by downloading a trial version of a video converter application.  This can trim, crop, etc.  Or just run it through the coverter to shrink the file.  They usually have a 30, 60, or 90 day trial.   Mine shrinks the avi file but also cuts it off at the end a bit.  I find that YouTube accepts the large Camstudio file without a problem.  An upload site has limits, so record only a few minutes. Facebook restricts to 2 minutes.  YouTube I think is 5 minutes.

Camstudio is free as it is open source.  It is also very limited in features, but does well what would be useful here.

2.  Make screenshots:   Gadwin I think is the best screen shot tool.  http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/

It is free for non-commercial use.   Settings are easy to change the options. I turn off most things and just copy as a rectangle that lets you draw the area you want to record with your mouse, and save the output to the clipboard that you can paste anywhere, like an image application to save as a gif file. 

3.  Edit recorded / video file:  Aieesoft is a tool that can also help.   www.aiseesoft.com/

After you create a video with CamStudio or other recorder, you can edit it in this tool - crop, trim, etc..  Or run it through the converter to shrink the file size.  The ending seems to be cut off a bit, so let the recording go a little bit after you want to end it.  Like my above post, these editing tools cost, but have long trial periods.

Any Mac folks recording and if yes, what application to do this?

Oh and my computer does not open any mms links? :rant2:

Thanks, hazelkil!  Good to know there are various options.

I don't know of any programs for Macs, morning, but have posted the question on the Mac User's group on the other forum where I hang out - will let you know what I learn.

I find that sometimes I have better luck with mms links if I copy the link, open Windows Media Player or RealPlayer (not sure if both work or only one of them), and then use File: Open URL or something like that.  I know that's a bit sketchy - if it helps, great!  If not, please post again and I'll do a bit more testing to figure out how I did it.  :puzzled2:

Thank you JudyB

Jkr from the Hancock forum provided the following information in response to my question about programs for recording with a Mac:


She doesn't do videos, and I don't have a Mac - but perhaps it will providea place to start.  :bigsmile:

Thank you, I will look into it. I have a Mac guy scheduled for Tuesday to come to my home and help me figure out which Mac to get some applications on and how to run a live web cam on a nest for next year for me, if it is possible? I have purple martins galore and would love to cam one of the apartments. :nod2:

Tonya wants to know how to take captures so she can also post images. I think the easiest way is to use the button on the keyboard called PrtScr. If you press it at an appropriate moment it takes a snapshot (copy) of your entire screen. If you want to take a snapshot of just the most prominent window, then hold the Alt-key down and then press the PrtScr button.

You then need to "dump" (paste) this down into editing software - I use PaintShop Pro or you can use PhotoShop, or even Paint with normally comes free. You need to practice and to learn how to crop the picture and resize it to the most appropriate size.

You will then need somewhere to upload it. There are various free places you can have an account with, such as Photobucket, Flikr, etc. You then need to upload your picture, then copy the link to the Forum post, making sure you put the tags around the hyperlink [img ] and [/img ] (without the spaces), or use the little icon above the posting window second from left, next to the YouTube icon.

Thank you Laura,  I have finally figured it out...  I am very slow at it, so not sure if I am going to like it or not...  Afraid I will miss alot of action....  Going to give it a try though....  Thank you again for taking the time to type out the directions....  Much appreciated 

I hope you won't miss any action, Tonya - do you mean when you're busy saving the screen caps? I'm so glad you're giing it a try - it will come back to you and you'll get quicker at it.

Well, I can't figure how to grab my captures stored at Flickr and get them here.   :puzzled2:

Anybody know how Nerd does it?  I know he uses Flickr and have sent him a message.
I hope he didn't have to open a blog to do it.  I won't do that.

edited to add:  Got it

Hi Windy60 and welcome to the Forum. It's nice that you joined here as well as posting on the BRI Ning site.

You asked how to grab your captures from Flickr. I noticed you have posted some images, so maybe you figured it out.

I don't use Flickr, but two things you need to know. One is "where" is your image stored and secondly, how to create the "hyperlink" to the image. Forums don't actually store images, they just link to them.

Once you have found the pathname to where your image is (and this can be done by right clicking, if you have a PC) on the picture and copying the long path name which usually looks something like "http://........ "

Paste that long address into the body of the message, but then enclose it in the tags for the image... i.e., [img ]........ [/img ] (without spaces)

1. Either highlight the whole address and then click on the little icon above the message window that is second from left on the second line down, next to the "YouTube" icon. This will enclose the address in the tags.

2. Paste the URL address and then add the tags yourself.. i.e., type [img ]http://whatever your URL is[/img ] (without spaces).

Ask if it still doesn't make sense.

I was right clicking all over the place there.   :mhihi:

At Flickr there is a share button on top to the left of the picture.  I just couldn't remember that.  There you can grab the link or copy and paste the HTML code. 
I like flicker for pictures because it keeps/shows the date the picture was taken.  Have yet to find that on Snapfish or Photobucket. 

Bringing over the Firefox discussion so that it will be here for future reference and not muck up the Maine eagle thread.

Laura .. Once you have downloaded the Firefox browser you need to add-on the ad blocker.
Go to tools and add-ons or just add-ons depending on what view you have. And look for AdBlocker Plus.
Once you have it on just select the common list of exceptions. Also make sure that the "allow some non-intrusive advertising" box is not checked under filter preferences.
Here's a great video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGm6NCJCm8I

Lori, that was very helpful, thank you. I watched the video through also. It all took longer than expected because I could not find Adblock Plus in the Add ons. It turns out I have a very old version of FireFox, so first I upgraded, then was able to installe the blocker. Brilliant. I watched the video and learned a lot also.

I tend to use IE because I'm so familiar with it and also I hate tabbed windows. I like to Alt-Tab from one individual window to another and often have many windows open at once. I now have to find out if there is a way to have new windows rather than tabbed ones.

Thanks for taking the time to bring this discussion here and for giving me instructions.. very kind of you.

You're welcome Laura. I love Firefox and I will say that since I switched over, I never have to deal with viruses, etc. that I had with IE. As far as tabs go, If it's a bookmark that I'm opening, then I just right click on it and select 'open in a new window'. Isn't it nice not having any ads?  :biggergrin2:

Thanks Lori. I'm struggling to make it work the way I'm used to with IE. for example, sometimes there seems to be no way to refresh the page. For example, if I click on the link from the topic notification Firefox opens to the right page and post, but if I want to refresh the page, I can't. I don't understand why not.. there's no URL in the URL box to begin with. Grrrr I'll get used to it I suppose and yes, terrific not having adverts.

So you don't have the refresh arrow at all?
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q170/mainepatriotsgirl/Forum%20Pics-Tutorials/4-4-12-001.png)

Can you do a refresh by hitting the F5 key?
I don't do the topic notifications and don't even know where that is.  :lollol:

Not sure if it's relevant, but in Tools: Options: Tabs, you can set whether new windows open as windows or tabs.  I also hate tabbed browsing, so the first thing I do when I install Firefox on a new computer is turn tabs off!  (You can still choose "open in a new tab" if you're doing something that would work better that way.)

And it took me a while to realize that the little circle in the navigation bar was to refresh the page.  :mhihi:

I love tabs!!  If I open more than one window it slows my computer down terribly!   :nod2:

I rely on topic notifications  :nod2: There's a button called "notify" top and bottom of each page. If you click on it, you subscribe to the topic and will receive an email every time there is a new post in the thread. You will receive only one email, even if there are 10 new posts - until you visit the thread - in which case, the next time there is a new post, you will receive an email notification. This is particularly useful for threads you want to keep an eye on, that are perhaps not updated frequently - once someone posts, you will receive a notification email.

I'm having problems  :crying: Firefox was working fine yesterday with the Adblock Plus. Today I did a Windows update, no idea what updated, but now I can't see the little red Adblock icon on the bottom left of the window where it was yesterday and the Maine cam won't load at all. The little circle spins forever in the middle of the screen. I tried disabling the Adblock and it still doesn't work. It does work in IE, though and of course with that annoying advertisement. It's so intrusive that even if you turn the volume off on the window, it overrides it and the Ad comes on loud and clear and frightens the life out of us as we think there's someone in the room!

I think it's working now with new windows for each window I open rather than tabbed windows, although occasionally I noted I have a couple of tabbed windows somehow. I just have to get used to it.

Yes, I get the circle arrow for refresh in the URL bar, but oddly enough, if I click on the link in the topic notification email, it opens up the browser window, but no address or refresh button is on the page and F5 doesn't refresh either. Often I will open a thread and read, then I want to refresh to see if anyone else has posted, but in that case, the option is not available. However, if I then move from one thread to another - the refresh button appears. Mysterious.

Ok.. one problem solved... I needed to update Flash... working on trying to get Adblock to work again...

I'm up and running now.. I had started in Safe Mode and had to get out of that to re enable Adblock - the icon is on the bottom left now and the cam IS working again - hooray - without any adverts.

Laura .. So sorry to read of all the issues you're having but I'm glad that you have gotten them sorted out. That's strange, my red ABP button is top right on my browser next to my 'home' icon.
 
I am going to try the notify option to see how it works. I try to keep emails down so not sure I'll like that. I typically go to the bottom of the page and click on the 'show unread posts since last visit' or at the top of the page 'view the most recent posts on the forum'. That keeps me up to date with all the threads.  :bigsmile:

Just for the record, now I'm home again, I decided to try and make FireFox my default browser - it's going to take some getting used to, but if I can configure it to my liking then I see no reason not to use it.

I updated Adobe Flash as I got a message to do so. Then I upgraded to the latest FireFox. Sadly the Maine cams didn't work. All I could see was a black window and no little arrow to press to activate the cam. Scratching my head, I then did a bit of research and discovered a solution. That was to reinstall Flash after installing FireFox. He presto! It works  :nod2: I've just noticed that my spelling is being checked as I type.. I didn't have that feature in IE - so that's another bonus - I guess it's a standard feature of FF?

My ABP Button is in my status bar, bottom left.

Did you try the notifications, Lori? They can drive you crazy - but I subscribe to 2 Forums and need to get updates when people post in some of the threads.

Laura .. So glad that you have Firefox up and running on your home computer too. It does take some getting used to but you will. I love it and will never ever go back to IE. Oh and yes, it does have the spell check feature as you type which I love.  :bigsmile:

I did try the notifications and then promptly unsubscribed from notifications too. :lollol: I understand your need for them but I prefer to check all the recent posts to catch up on the threads.

Just want to say that FF is doing all I want it to do and I'm loving it. Thanks so much.. and great not having adverts.  :clap

Hi Laurad and Lori - I am intrested in switching to Firefox but am worried that it will prove difficult to 'learn'?  At my age, I get in a panic if things get a bit out of kilter & go back to IE, which annoys me!

Am I just being stupid and should I just shut my eyes, dive in and just sink or swim? :hmm :puzzled2:

LizzieB .. Just give it a go and if you have issues, come back and we'll help you out. The beauty of it is you still have IE to fall back on. You have 2 browsers. I bet you will only use FF once you get used to it. If you don't like, just uninstall it off your computer. To me it's pretty much just like IE complete with my MSN homepage. :bigsmile:

So... start here.
http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/

Don't forget to add-on Add Block Plus once you're done.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

Hi LizzieB and welcome!  :love: Nice to know you are here and thanks for the email.

Yes, download and install the latest, most up to date FireFox, then install the Adblock Plus. Come back here if you have problems. I've got mine configured as I like, different windows open in their own window AND I can have tabbed windows if I want. So far so good. Then you make it your default browser, this means that every time you click on a link, Firefox will open the site.

Lori & Laurad, many thanks for advice & encouragement.  I had a go and got completely flummoxed as I thought I had set up my 'home page' but next time I went to Firefox, it had all disappeared & I got something called (?)Barnard*, which sounds like a dreaded lurgy!  Anyway, I do now have both Firefox and IE & will keep on trying to work it out.  Will definitely come back for help as & when necessary - thank you both very much.

*turned out to be Babylon and it sure took some stopping!

I can't remember how to make a title page!   :rant2:  I think it was on the old forum.  Guess I'll have to look for it tomorrow.   :rolleyes2:

There's this, from the tutorial thread - http://www.window-on-wildlife.com/index.php?topic=107.msg2417#msg2417 (http://www.window-on-wildlife.com/index.php?topic=107.msg2417#msg2417)

Or were you asking something else?

That's it!!  :)  Thanks JudyB!   :flower

Laura .. I saw that you asked in the Maine thread and thought I'd answer you here. My animations are actually video clips that are looped... video to gifs. You have to keep them very short and sweet and I like to try to re-size mine to keep the size and load time down.  :bigsmile:

Thanks Lori, but how do you transfer video to .gif?

I save video, I import it into Windows Movie Maker, then I run the video, but pause every few seconds and take a screen capture (using a button under the video window that saves the image automatically). It takes a long time to ammass about 40 frames for a 10 second video and it never looks as good as yours. How do you transfer video/frames to .gif? I use JASC (PaintShopPro) Animation shop.

You need to use a program Laura to convert to a gif format. I use both my capture software and a program I purchased from Leapic.

Lori, does that mean your "leapic" software converts video to .GIF?

What I do is save images.. 30 - 80 and then save them to .GIF deciding on how many FPS.. (frames per second), which is why so many of mine look like slide shows. I have to run the video, click pause, save the image, run the video, click pause, save the image.. 30 - 80 times...!!   :lollol: then save the animation as a .GIF file. I will look at your suggestion soon.. it's midnight here.. time for.  :zz

I updated Shockwave Flash this morning and now can't upload to Photobucket. It seems to be uploading and then I get a red X saying the upload failed. I've tried single uploads, multiple and bulk - all have failed. As anyone got any ideas?

Try restoring computer to an earlier saved point.. All i can think of...

I think I'll wait a while, CLC, I read this on the ONZ Tech help Forum from paintnut

Having the same problem Laurad - was hoping it was an issue within photobucket.

ETA - checked their facebook page and this was posted

We are aware of and are currently working on a issue affecting all of Photobucket.com.  We will post updates as we learn more about what's going on.

I guess patience is the best thing.

As posted over on the Daily Chat Thread  ....
I went into the tech support thread and found the probable reason for my PB upload issues ....from JudyB ..

... I did have a flash update late this afternoon ... ugh :rant2:

I imagine in time they will get a patch to fix this ... the question is ... how much time? :sigh2: I have a customer service request out there ... probably with thousands of others ... will wait it out for the time being ... I was thinking about doing what Chris suggested ... we'll see how much time it take them.

The thing is, Chris/nightengale is that the advice given in your quote above is not that recent, i.e., it does not relate to the most recent Flash update.  :rant2:

No I know JudyB ... that was from February of this year when apparently a similar issue developed after a Flash Update. I was looking for possible causes ... and it seems that we have a repeat situation ... Laura and I were able to successfully use PB prior to the Flash Update .... but could not use PB after the update. ... so it seems to be the same type of issue ... hopefully they learned some remedy from the February occurrence and will be able to apply it to the present situation .... hope, hope  :rolleyes2:

I rarely update as soon as I get the notice ... should have waited this time as I normally do ... ugh  :rant2:

It always amazes me how these IT companies launch something without a beta test .... to check for compatibility ..... especially regarding compatibility with PB which is so widely used .... discouraging .... grrrrr.

Received this response to my PB Customer Support Submission ....

... I tried an upload ... it worked ... now I'm a happy camper :bliss

Me too, thanks Chris for keeping us informed. I just tried it and it worked fine. What a relief.