Pro Show Gold 4

U S E R G U I D E
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Photodex | ProShow Gold User Guide

Table of Contents
Part 1: Working in ProShow Gold
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
The Work Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Creating Your First Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Customizing Slides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Customizing Your Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Part 2: Output in ProShow Gold

Overview of Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Customizing Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
DVD Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Blu-ray Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Creating Video for Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Video CD Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Video File Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Sharing Shows Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Web Show Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Flash Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
E-mailing Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Autorun CD Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Executable Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Screensaver Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Video for YouTube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Part 3: Features In-depth in ProShow Gold

ProShow Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Overview of Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Audio and Video Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Part 4: Reference Information

Text Macros and Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Supported File Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
i
Table of Contents
ii
Chapter 1
Getting Started
Installation and Registration
You may install ProShow Gold from the ProShow Gold CD or by downloading
a copy from our web site, www.photodex.com. Be sure to close any CD–R or
DVD authoring applications to ensure proper installation.
To Install from CD:

1. Insert the ProShow Gold CD into your computer’s CD drive.
2. If the CD does not start automatically, open ‘My Computer’. Select your
CD drive from the available drives and open it. Double-click on the
installation program.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
To Install from a Download:

1. Go to www.photodex.com and select the product you wish to
download.
2. When download is complete, double-click the downloaded file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
NOTE: If you are using Windows Vista, XP of 2000, you must have administrator privileges
to install ProShow Gold. You may be unable to create DVDs or CDs of your show unless an
administrator installs the software.
Step-by-Step Installation
1. When the startup screen appears, click < Next > to begin installation.
1
Chapter 1: Getting Started
2. Confirm your registration status. The first screen tells you if you
are installing as an evaluation or as a registered copy. If you have a
registration number, click < Enter Registration >. Click < Next > to
acknowledge your registration status.
3. License Agreement. To use ProShow Gold, you must agree to the terms
of the license agreement. Read the terms of this agreement carefully,
and click < I Agree > to continue. If you do not agree, click < Cancel >
to abort installation.
2
4. Destination Folder. Specify the location to install the program to. If

the default location is acceptable, click < Next >. Choose an alternate
location by typing it in or clicking < Browse >.
5. Additional Options. this screen allows you to choose which shortcuts

you would like ProShow Gold to add to your system. This includes the
following: Start Menu, Desktop and Quick Launch icons.
3
6. Ready to Install. When this screen appears, you are ready to install the
ProShow Gold. Click < Install > and wait for installation to complete.
System Requirements
Recommended:
• 2 GHz+ processor
• 1GB system memory
• Accelerated 3D graphics card with 64MB RAM
• DirectX 9.0 or better
• DVD+R/RW/-R/RW writer
• 1024x768 display
• Windows XP
• 70MB hard drive space for installation
Required:
• 500 MHz+ processor
• 256MB system memory
• DirectX 8.0 or better
• 1024x768 display
• CD/DVD writer for disc authoring
• Available USB port
• Windows XP/2000
• 70MB hard drive space for installation
A variety of factors can influence rendering and playback performance.
The required specifications are the minimum necessary for the program to
function. Performance may be compromised on a system meeting only the
minimum requirements.
About Registration
4
ProShow Gold is distributed as “try before you buy” software. It runs as a

trial version until you enter your registration key. During the trial period, you
may evaluate all the functions and features of the software. When the trial
ends, you must either purchase the software or uninstall it.If you purchased
ProShow Gold, you willreceive a software registration key.
• The Software Registration Key allows you to run ProShow Gold as a
fully-registered version. You will receive this code via e-mail when you
purchase the software.
To Register
Registration Key:
1. After installing, open ProShow Gold.
2. Choose Help > Enter Registration Key.
3. In the window that appears, carefully enter your name, phone number
and registration key EXACTLY as they appear in the e-mail you received
from Photodex.
4. Click < Activate Registration >.
Upgrades
Registered users of Photodex presentation products receive free software
upgrades for one year following registration. Checking for upgrades is
simple:
To Check for Upgrades:

1. Open ProShow Gold.
2. Choose Help > Check for Updates.
3. Review the update status.
To Upgrade Your Software:
1. Go to www.photodex.com/downloads.
2. Click < Upgrades >.
3. Download and install the latest version.
During installation, you will be notified if you are still within your year of free
updates. If the free update period has expired, you may try an evaluation ver-
sion of the updated software to see if it is right for you.
5
Support
If you encounter problems with ProShow
Gold, there are several resources available.
• This User’s Guide contains details on every feature in ProShow Gold. To
view a PDF version of this User’s Guide, visit www.photodex.com.
• Help is built into the software and contains hundreds of pages of
reference material. To access this material while you are working in
ProShow Gold, choose Help > Contents.
• Photodex Online offers additional information on technical support.
• Photodex E-mail and Phone Support puts you in contact with a
Photodex Support Representative to resolve any problem you have
with ProShow Gold.
Using Photodex Support

We do our best to ensure that our product documentation is clear and
comprehensive, but some problems do require technical support. If you have
a question or problem related to ProShow Gold, use the following steps to
most efficiently find the solution:
To Resolve Issues in ProShow Gold:

1. Consult this User’s Guide or Help.
2. Visit the Photodex website and view Support’s Frequently Asked
Questions at www.photodex.com/support/faqs.
3. E-mail a Photodex Support Representative at support@photodex.com
explaining the issue you have encountered in detail.
4. Contact a Photodex Support Representative on the phone by calling 1
800 37 PHOTO.
6
Chapter 2
The Work Area

Launching ProShow Gold
When you launch ProShow Gold, your work area is automatically displayed. If
you have not completed your product registration, a window
will appear, prompting you to enter your registration code or continue in
evaluation mode. Once you have made your selection or completed registra-
tion, ProShow’s ‘Tip of the Day’ is displayed. These helpful hints highlight
various features and shortcuts in ProShow Gold.
To Enable/Disable ‘Tip of the Day’:

1. Choose Help > Tip of the Day.
2. Check or Uncheck < Show tips at startup >.
3. Click < Done >.
About the Work Area

The ProShow Gold work area is designed to
allow the best possible workflow. Putting all of
the key features at your fingertips, ProShow
makes all the functionality of the program
available at every step. The work area is divided
into several sections, each of which can be
moved and resized to fit your needs.
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Chapter 2: The Work Area
The Work Area
Panes in the Work Area

• Menu Bar contains options that allow you to access all program
functions and features.
• Main Toolbar provides shortcuts to access commonly-used program
features.
• Folder List contains a list of all folders on you computer.
• Favorites List displays your frequently accessed folders. This pane is
hidden by default.
• File List shows any ProShow-compatible files available in the folder
selected in the folder list.
• Task Monitor displays tasks the program is running, such as files
importing.
• Show Summary displays the show name, number of slides and audio
tracks in the shovw, and the length of each.
• Light Box offers an alternative view of the Slide List that displays more
slides at once. This pane is hidden by default.
• Preview Window previews a selected file, slide or show.
• Sizing Pane indicates the size of your show in various output formats.
• Slide List/Timeline shows the order and timing of all content in your
show.
Working with Work Area Panes

To Hide or Show a Pane:
1. Choose Window.
2. Select the pane to show or hide.
3. Checking the pane will make it visible. Unchecking the pane will hide.
8
To Move a Pane:
Most panes can be moved, but some may not be moved due to size, shape or
placement.
1. Click and drag the title bar at the top edge of the pane. For panes
without a title bar, click and drag the vertical bar at the left edge.
2. Drag the pane to the desired location. As you move around the work
area, a highlighted rectangle will appear, showing you where you can
drop the pane.
3. Release the mouse button and drop the pane in the desired location.
To Resize a Pane:
Most panes can be resized, but some may not be resized due to shape or
placement.
1. Click and drag the separator between two panes.
2. When you have reached the desired size, release the mouse button.
To Float a Pane as a Separate Window:
1. Click and drag the title bar along the top of the pane.
2. Drag the pane outside of the work area and release the mouse button.
To Restore Default Layout:
1. Choose Window > Default Window Layout.
2. If your layout has hidden the menu, press < CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+0 >.
Using Window Layouts

In ProShow Gold, you can easily save and load layouts for your work area.
Layouts save the location, shape and size of all the panes in the work area.
These layouts are configured using the steps explained in the previous sec-
tion.
To Save a Work Area Layout:

1. Arrange and size the panes in the work area as desired.
2. Choose Window > Save Window Layout.
3. Enter the name of your new layout in the blank provided.
4. Click < Save >.
To Load a Window Layout:
1. Choose Window > Apply Custom Layout.
2. Select the desired layout from the list.
3. Click < Apply >.
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The Menu Bar

From the Menu Bar, you can access all ProShow Gold functions and features.
Most instructions in this book use the Menu Bar to navigate to options and
dialogs, but remember that you can also use the main toolbar, doubleclick
actions and right-click menus to quickly access most features.
• File accesses features for working with show files, including the ability
to open, Done, create new and collect show files. You can also import
and export templates from this menu.
• Edit shows options for editing different elements in ProShow Gold,
including copy, cut, paste and preferences.
• Project contains all options related to working in project mode. Add,
delete and save shows to open projects from this menu.
• Show provides options for customizing your entire show.
• Slide provides options for customizing individual slides.
• Audio provides options for customizing the show soundtrack.
• Create allows you to select the desired output format.
• Window contains options for modifying the work area.
• Help links to various resources for learning about ProShow Gold,
getting help or upgrading your software.
The Main Toolbar

The Main Toolbar was created to increase productivity by minimizing the
amount of time needed to complete common tasks.
New Dones the current show, if any, and starts a new show.
Open allows you to open an existing show that has been saved.
Save lets you save your current show.
Play previews the current show.
Options opens show options, which contains settings for your

entire show.
Slide opens slide options, which contains settings for individual

slides.
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Timeline changes your slide list between list and timeline modes.
Styles opens the Slide Style options window, to control the ap-
pearance of slides.
Layers opens the layers options for the slide you have selected in
the slide list.
Effects opens the various effects options for the slide you have
selected in the slide list.
Captions opens the captions options for the slide that you have
selected in the slide list.
Music opens the soundtrack options for your entire show.
Create Output opens the output creation options, where you can
select what output you would like to use for your show.
The Folder List

ProShow Gold’s Folder List allows you to easily navigate through the folders
on your computer and network to locate show content. The Folder List also
allows you to choose which folders will be displayed. To use the Folder List,
do any of the following:
• Click on a folder or drive to view its contents in the file list.
• Double-click any folder or drive to expand it and show any sub-folders.
• Right-click to add or remove folders or to add folders to the favorites
list.
The Favorites List

The Favorites List allows you to add frequentlyused folders to this pane for
easy access. You can create new folders and sub folders to organize content
in a way that makes it easier for you to work in ProShow Gold. To use the
Favorites List, do any of the following:
• Add a folder to the favorites list by right-clicking on it in the File List
and selecting < Add to Favorites >.
• Click on a folder to view its contents in the file list.
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• Right-click in the favorites list to create a new folder, remove a favorite

or rename a folder.
The File List

ProShow Gold’s File List allows you to view the contents of the folders on
your computer or network. In the File List, choose the content to be added to
your show. If a selected folder does not contain any compatible content, the
File List will be blank. To add files from the File List to your show, do any of
the following:
• Click any file to select and drag it into the slide list to add it to your
show.
• Select multiple files by pressing < CTRL+SHIFT > while clicking on files.
• Select all files in the file list by selecting any single file and choosing
Edit > Select All or right-click and select < Select All > or press < CTRL+
A >.
• With multiple files selected, drag any number of files into the slide list
to add them to your show.
File List Viewing Modes

The File List displays your files in one of two different ways:
• Thumbnail displays small previews of each file. Icons are displayed for
any content that can’t be thumbnailed.
• Details displays more information about each file, including complete
filenames. This view is helpful for selecting music files for your show.
File List Sorting

There are a number of different choices for sorting your files in the File List.
To rearrange your files using a different sorting method, simply right-click in
the File List and choose < Sort by >, then select the desired sorting option.
Task Monitor
The Task Monitor displays any processes that are running in ProShow Gold.
Often, when you add content to your show, the Task Monitor will indicate
that Gold is loading files, so you may not be able to use the program for a
few moments. Resize the Task Monitor to view multiple processes at once.
Also, you can access all workspace display features by right-clicking on the
Task Monitor, including the following:
• Right-click and select a window from the list to hide or show windows
in the workspace.
• Apply, save or reset window layout.
• Set display options for folder list, file list, slide list and toolbar display.
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The Light Box

ProShow Gold has many features that optimize workflow. One such feature
is the Light Box view, a variation of the Slide List that allows you to work with
more than one row of slides at a time. The number of slides shown in the
Light Box is limited only by the size of your screen. Since it is not visible by
default, you must do one of the following to enable the Light Box view:
• Choose Window > Show > Light Box.
• Press < ALT + F11 >.
Light Box Controls

• Show Options opens the show options dialog.
• Slide Options opens the slide options dialog.
• Insert Blank Slide adds a blank slide before the selected slide.
• Insert Title Slide adds a blank slide before the selected slide and then
opens the captions section of slide options so that you can add a title.
• Cut Slide removes the selected slide and copies it.
• Copy Slide copies the selected slide.
• Paste Slide inserts any copied slides into the show before the selected
slide.
• Delete Slide removes the selected slides from the show.
The Preview Window

The Preview Window allows you preview any file selected in the File List or
view show playback in real time. ProShow Gold’s realtime preview lets you
move quickly to any position in the show. It can also be viewed at any size,
including full screen.
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Playback Controls
• Play starts playback from the current slide list position.
• Stop ends playback and returns the show to the position where
playback began.
• First Slide resets the position to the beginning of the show.
• Last Slide jumps to the end of the show.
• Timing Indicator shows the time of the current position in the show
and the number of the slide currently displayed.
• Trackbar indicates the playback position in relation to overall show
length.
To Use Full Screen Playback:

1. Click anywhere in your current show.
2. Right-click on the preview window.
3. Choose < Full Screen Playback >.
4. Click < Play >.
5. To exit full screen playback, press < ESC >.
6. To return to the normal mode, repeat steps 1 through 3.
The Show Summary
The Show Summary is a small, horizontal pane above the preview that
provides information about the current show. Double-click in the Show Sum-
mary pane to set the title of your show. The information shown in this pane
also includes:
• Title of the current show
• Number of slides
• Total show duration
• Number of audio tracks
• Total duration of audio tracks
The Size Meter

Using the Size Meter, ProShow Gold allows you to view the estimated size of
your show in various output formats. This is especially helpful when creating
a large show or when you want to output multiple shows to the same DVD or
VCD and are concerned about file size. By default, the meter displays the EXE
file size.
The Preview Window

To Change Output Format in the Size Meter:
• Click the output format button on the Size Meter. Notice the scale
changes depending on the output format.
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The Slide List

The Slide List is where you will spend most of your time in the main work-
space. In the Slide List, you can add, rearrange and delete content. You can
also change slide and transition timing and view the waveform for your show
soundtrack. There are two views for this area:
• Slide List View displays the slides and transitions in your show in order.
Each slide takes up the same amount of space, regardless of slide
duration. The show soundtrack is represented as a waveform.
• Slide Timeline View displays the slides and show audio in a timeline
view that you can zoom in or out on using your mouse wheel. The
show soundtrack is still represented as a waveform.
To Change Slide Viewing Mode:

1. In the main workspace, press < TAB >.
2. To return to the previous viewing mode, press < TAB > again.
Slide List and Timeline Actions
• Click any slide to select it.
• Click any transition to open the Choose Transition window.
• Double-click any slide to open Slide Options for that slide.
• Select multiple slides by holding < CTRL > while clicking slides.
• Click and drag the trackbar at the top of the Slide List or Timeline to
seek through your show in the Preview Window.
• Right-click in the Slide List to access various slide and show options.
15
Slide List/Timeline Controls

• Trackbar allows you to seek to any point in the show.
• Image Name displays the name of the image or video in the first layer
of the slide. This is only available in the slide list view.
• Thumbnail shows a preview of the slide in the middle of the slide time.
• Slide Sound denotes whether or not there is a slide sound or voice-
over for that slide. This is also represented as a blue waveform in both
slide views.
• Slide Number indicates the number of the slide in the show. In the
slide timeline view, mouse over the slide to see the slide number.
• Slide Time displays the slide’s duration, in seconds. In the slide timeline
view, mouse over the slide to see the slide time.
• Transition Icon shows the selected transition between two slides.
• Transition Time displays the transition’s duration, in seconds. In the
slide timeline view, mouse over the slide to see the transition time.
The Audio Waveform

Your show soundtrack and slide sounds are represented by waveform in the
Slide List or Slide Timeline. The show soundtrack is shown in green and blue
while slide sounds are shown in red. The filenames for files used in the show
soundtrack are listed below the Audio Waveform in both views. The file-
names for slide sounds are viewed by mousing over the blue waveform in
the Slide List view.
• Audio List View displays the soundtrack files in your show in order.
The show soundtrack is represented as a waveform. Slide sounds are
shown as tiny waveform icons on the corresponding slide and as red
waveforms.
• Audio Timeline View displays the soundtracks in a timeline view with
the slides so that you can adjust fades and timing in the work area.
Slide sounds are represented by red waveforms above the soundtrack
waveform.
Audio List View Actions

• Double-click or right-click in the Audio Waveform and select < Manage
Soundtracks > to open the show soundtrack section of the show
options.
• Right-click in the audio waveform and select < Edit Fades and Timing >
to launch the builtin audio trimmer. See Chapter 24: Audio and Video
Utilities for more information.
• Right-click in the audio waveform and select < Remove Soundtrack >
to delete the song from the show.
Audio Timeline View Actions

• Double-click or right-click in the audio waveform and select < Manage
16
Soundtracks > to open the show soundtrack section of Show Options.

• Right-click in the audio waveform and select < Edit Fades and Timing >
to launch the builtin audio trimmer. See Chapter 24: Audio and Video
Utilities for more information.
• Right-click in the audio waveform and select < Remove Soundtrack >
to delete the song from the show.
• Hold down < CTRL > on your keyboard to display and use the Audio
Timeline controls. Change Offsets by moving the middle square on
either end of the waveform. Adjust Fades by moving the fade bar from
left to right. Adjust Volume by moving top and bottom squares up and
down.
Preferences
The Preferences options in ProShow Gold control various software settings
related to appearance, Internet connectivity, editing, startup and sound ef-
fects.
To Access Preferences:
1. Choose Edit > Preferences.
2. Select a category from the list on the left.
3. Make adjustments to the settings.
4. Click < Done >.
Appearance Preferences
The Appearance category controls the way user interface of
ProShow Gold looks and behaves.
To Change Appearance Preferences:

2. Click < Appearance > in the list on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Menu and Toolbar
• Use Gradient Background for the Main Menu disables and enables the
gradient that appears behind the main menu.
• Textured Toolbars controls the background that appears behind the
main toolbar.
• Large toolbar buttons toggles whether the icons on the toolbar are
large or small.
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Buttons
• Use Stylized Buttons controls the custom look of the standard buttons
in dialogs.
• Add Done button to docked panes creates an “X” Done button which
can be clicked to Done various interface panels in ProShow.
File List
• Use Shaded Selection in the File List changes the look of the selected
area in the file list.
• Colorize Selected Thumbnails in the File List changes the appearance
of selected files in the file list.
Folder List
• Bold folder names toggles folder names display in bold.
• Show arrows toggles whether folder arrows are displayed.
• Show lines toggles whether folder tree lines are displayed.
• Show knobs toggles whether the + or - folder icons are displayed.
• Force white background toggles a white background for the Folder
List.
• Grey backgrounds toggles a grey background for the Folder List.
• Show plus signs in folder icons toggles the display of + images in your
folder icons.
• Animate folder expansions toggles animations when opening folders.
• Show fixed media volume labels toggles the display of names for local
drives on your PC.
• Show removable volume labels toggles the display of names for
removable drives on your PC.
• Show volume serial numbers toggles the display of serial numbers for
drives on your PC.
Thumbnail Text
• Filename toggles the display of the filename text on your slide
thumbnails.
• Short Filename toggles whether truncated file names are displayed on
your slide thumbnails.
• File Size toggles whether the size of your layer files are displayed on
your slide thumbnail.
• Date and Time toggles whether the date and time of files are displayed
on your slide thumbnail.
• Image Resolution toggles whether the image resolution is displayed
• Image Dimensions toggles whether the image dimensions are
displayed on your slide thumbnail.
• File Format toggles whether the file format is displayed on your slide
18
thumbnail.
• Path to File toggles whether the folder path to your file is displayed on
• Raw Image Size toggles whether the RAW image size is displayed on
• Image Area toggles whether the image area is displayed on your slide
thumbnail.
• Image Orientation toggles whether the image orientation is displayed
External Editors
The External Editors category of preferences allows you
to configure which programs are used to edit your show
content. There are a number of places throughout ProShow
Gold where you can click < Edit > to launch an external
editor.
To Access External Editor Preferences:

2. Click External Editors in the list on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Default Image Editor
• Image Editor specifies the editor to be used for editing photos and
images.
Default Sound Editor

• Sound Editor specifies the editor to be used for editing audio files.
Default Video Editor
• Video Editor specifies the editor to be used for editing video clips.
Colors
The Colors Preferences control the color scheme of Gold, and can be fully
customized to your preference.
Color Configurations
• Select from ProShow Gold and ProShow Gold color schemes, as well as
load any custom color schemes you have created.
• Save adds the current color scheme to the list of selections.
• Delete removes the selected color scheme from the list.
• Apply sets the current color scheme selection for Gold.
19
Colors
Choose each section of the user interface and set a custom color for that sec-
tion. Use Save to create your own color scheme when complete.
Keyboard & Remotes

The Keyboard preferences allow you to configure the hotkeys used for show
previews in Gold.
To Access Keyboard Preferences:

2. Click the Keyboard tab on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Navigation Control
Lists the function and assigned keyboard shortcut during preview playback.
To createyour own hotkey, click Change.
Audio Control
Lists the function and assigned keyboard shortcut for audio functions during
preview playback. To create your own hotkey, click Change.
Internet
The Internet preferences containsettings for your web
browser and email server.
To Access Internet Preferences:

2. Click Internet in the list on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Outgoing E-mail Server (SMTP)

• E-mail Address specifies the e-mail address that is used to send your
show when using the e-mail show output.
• Outgoing (SMTP) Server specifies the mail server to use when sending
an e-mail with email Show output. This information is provided by your
Internet Service Provider.
20
• Account Name is the login name for your outgoing mail server, if
required. Check with your Internet Service Provider to see if your
outgoing SMTP server requires a login.
• Password is the password for your outgoing mail server. Check with
your Internet Service Provider to see if your outgoing SMTP server
requires a login.
Incoming E-mail Server

• Incoming (POP3) Server specifies the name of the mail server used to
check e-mail. Check with your Internet Service Provider to see if a login
is required.
• Account Name is the login name used for your incoming mail server, if
a POP3 login is required.
• Password is the password used for your incoming mail server, if a POP3
login is required.
Web Browser
• Web Browser specifies the program used to view web pages.
Miscellaneous Preferences
Miscellaneous preferences contains settings for various op-
tions in ProShow Gold.
To Access Miscellaneous Preferences:

2. Click Miscellaneous Preferences in the list on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
DirectDraw Support
• Enable DirectDraw Support controls the use of DirectDraw for high-
performance playback.
• Currently Using DirectDraw Support is displayed for informational
purposes only to indicate whether or not ProShow Gold is using
DirectDraw.
21
Upgrades
• Automatically check for updates toggles whether ProShow checks for
updated versions. The reminder period can also be configured.
Autosave & Backups

• Autosave shows configures how often ProShow automatically saves
the shows in progress.
• Backup controls how many backups of each show are saved
automatically.
Favorites
• Automatically track favorites based on file usage designates files and
folders that you use regularly as ‘Favorites’. These files will appear in the
Favorites pane, which may or may not be activated.
Playback
Maximum Internal Rendering Resolution
• Controls the maximum rendering size of preview playback. This does
not affect output resolutions - only shows being created.
• Transition Edges displays a thin black edge during pixel transition
effects.
• Preview Monitor determines which monitor will be used for full screen
preview playback on multi-monitor PCs.
• Color Profile for Previews determines if an installed color profile will be
used for preview playback.
Show Defaults
In Show Defaults, you can configure the default settings for
a new show. This allows you to apply your most commonly
used settings to every new show you create in ProShow
Gold, saving time.
To Access Show Default Preferences:

2. Click the Show Defaults tab on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Default Slide Settings

• Default Slide Duration sets the default slide timing for the show.
22
• Default Transition Duration sets the default transition timing for the
show.
• Default Transition Effect sets the default effect for transitions.
Default Motion Settings

• Motion Type sets the default motion type for your slides.
• Smoothing sets the default smoothing values for your motion.
Default Image Settings

• Scaling sets the default size for content in a slide. There are a number
of options you can use to scale content. Fill Frame sizes the content to
fill the entire frame and may crop off the edges of the image. Fit Frame
sizes the content so that the entire image is visible, sometimes filling
only part of the frame. Stretch to Frame stretches the content so that
it fills the entire slide, potentially distorting the image. Fill Safe Zone
is much like Fill Frame, but it sizes the content to fill the safe zone. Fit
to Safe Zone is much like Fit Frame, but it sizes the content to fit in the
safe zone.
Timeline Time Format

• Shows time as minutes:seconds. Check the option to show all time in
seconds.
Sound Effects Preferences

The Sound Effects preferences enable, disable and configure
sound effects used in Gold.
To Access Sound Effects Preferences:

2. Click the Sound Effects tab on the left.
4. Click < Done >.
Enable Sound Effects

• Enable Sound Effects controls the use of sound effects in the program.
Dialog Sound Effects

• Open Dialog controls the sound that occurs when a window or dialog
box is opened.
• Done Dialog controls the sound that occurs when a window or dialog
box is Doned.
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Miscellaneous Sound Effects

• Action Done controls the sound that occurs when a background
process is complete.
Sounds When Minimized

• Play ‘Action Done’ when Minimized controls the sound that occurs
when an action is completed while ProShow Gold is minimized.
• Play ‘Open Dialog’ when Minimized controls the sound that occurs
when a dialog opens while ProShow Gold is minimized.
• Play ‘Done Dialog’ when Minimized controls the sound that occurs
when a task is completed while ProShow Gold is minimized.
General Startup Options

• Hide Startup Screen After Loaded changes the time at which the
startup screen is hidden.
• Show Tips at Startup controls the ‘Tip of the Day’ display that appears
when the program loads.
Startup Folder
• Last Folder Used loads the last folder used in the folder list.
• This Folder loads a specified folder every time ProShow Gold opens.
Click < Browse > tospecify which folder.
24
Chapter 3
Creating Your First Show

Creating Shows in ProShow Gold
Creating simple shows in ProShow Gold only takes a few minutes, but you
still have the power to make your shows as complex and customized as you
like. This makes getting started in Gold very quick and easy without
limiting your creativity.
To Create a Quick Show:

1. Using the folder and file lists, locate the desired content for your show.
2. Drag the selected images and video into the slide list.
3. Select any slide, then choose Edit > Select All.
4. Choose Slide > Randomize > Slide Order.
5. Choose Slide > Randomize > Motion Effects.
6. Using the folder and file lists, locate the desired soundtrack for your
show.
7. Drag the selected audio file from the file list into the audio list.
8. Choose Audio > Sync Show to set the show timing.
9. Click < Play > in the main toolbar to view a preview of your show.
Work Flow for Creating a Show

In ProShow Gold, you can spend as little or as much time as you like creating
a show. The amount of time you spend on show creation depends on how
detailed you want to be when composing your show. This is a suggested
work flow for building a show:
• Add Content to the Show. Drag content, images, videos and audio,
from the file list into your show.
• Set the Timing. Change the slide timing and transition timing.
• Choose the Transitions. Select transitions from over 280 different
transition effects.
• Apply Editing, Motion and Captions. Access the slide options to
customize slides.
• Save the Show. Be sure to save frequently while you are working and
when you are finished composing your show.
• Preview the Show. Click < Play > in the Preview window to view the
show at any time.
• Create the Show Output. Choose an output format when the show is
complete.
25
Chapter 3: Creating Your First Show
Show Components
When you are creating a show, you need to think about the components that
make up a show.
• Content is the substance of your show. Every show starts with your
files.
• Timing is crucial to the mood and feel of your show.
• Transitions add interest to your show for a more dynamic feel.
• Editing, Effects, Motion and Captions add interest and assist in creating
the mood of your show.
Content
Your show Content consists of all images, video and audio in your show. In
order to let you spend more time customizing your show, ProShow Gold
makes it very easy to get started by letting you drag and drop content into
your show.
ProShow Gold supports a wide range of file formats for im-

ages. Gold also supports any video file with a corresponding
codec on your computer. You can use video in the same way
that you use image files in your show.
In addition to still images andvideos, you can add multiple

audio tracks to your show. You can also easily add slide
sounds by dragging audio files from the file list and drop-
ping them on slides. For a complete list of supported file
types, please see Chapter 29: Supported File Formats.
To Add Show Content:

1. Use the folder and file lists to browse for images, videos and audio files.
2. In the file list, select the files you would like to add to your show.
3. Drag the selected image, video and audio files into the slide and audio
lists.
4. You can also create a new slide by adding a blank slide and then
adding content or captions.
To Add a Blank Slide:

1. 1 In the slide list, click on the slide that you want to come after your
blank slide.
2. Choose Slide > Insert > Blank Slide.
Since blank slides do not contain any content,they are perfect for creating
title slides. Title Slides are simply blank slides with captions added.
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To Add a Title Slide:

1. In the slide list, click on the slide that you would like to follow your
blank slide.
2. Choose Slide > Insert Blank Slide.
3. Select the blank slide in the slide list by clicking on it.
4. Choose Slide > Captions > Captions.
5. Add a caption and customize it in caption options.
To Drop in Slides Between Other Slides:

1. Use the folder and file lists to browse for images or videos.
2. In the file list, select the file(s) you would like to add to your show.
3. Drag the selected image and video to the slide list and hover over the
position where you would like to add the new slide(s).
4. A vertical rectangle will be highlighted on the left side of the slide that
will follow your new slide(s). The new slides will take on the slide and
transition times of the slide they are closest to when you drop them in.
You can also create a new slide by adding a blank slide and then adding
content or captions. In ProShow Gold, you can add unlimited layers to slides.
Each layer can have independent motion effects and timing. For a more
in-depth look at using multiple layers, please see Chapter 21: Overview of
Layers.
To Add Additional Layers to a Slide:

1. Add a single image or video to the slide list to create a slide.
2. Drag additional images or videos to the slide list and drop them on the
existing slide while holding < CTRL >.
Timing
ProShow Gold gives you complete control over the timing of your show.
You can choose to create a fast-paced, high-energy show or a slow, relaxing
show. It’s entirely up to you!
• Slide Timing represents the amount of time a particular slide will
remain visible in your show.
• Transition Timing is the duration of the transition from one slide to the
next.
Slide Timing
Slide times determine how long each slide will be visible. By increasing or de-
creasing the slide time, you change the image or video’s effect on the viewer.
The slide time is displayed below the slide thumbnail in the slide list.
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To Set Slide Timing:

1. In the slide list, click on the slide time below the selected slide’s
thumbnail.
2. Enter a new time in seconds.
3. Press < Enter > to apply the change.
To Set Slide Timing for Multiple Slides:

1. In the slide list, select the slides to be changed by holding < CTRL >
while clicking the slides.
3. Press < Enter > to apply the change to the selected slides. All the
selected slides now have the same slide time.
To Set Slide Timing for the Entire Show:

7. In the slide list, click any slide to select it.
8. Press < CTRL+A > to select all slides.
9. Enter a new time in seconds on any one of the selected slides.
10. Press < Enter > to apply the change to all slides.
Transition Timing
ProShow Gold allows you to configure the exact length of each
transition effect. Transition Timing does not affect your Slide
Timing in any way. The transition effect will occur as quickly or as
slowly as you want, based on the Transition Timing.
To Set Transition Timing:

1. In the slide list, click on the transition time below the transition icon.
3. Press < Enter > to apply the change.
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To Set Transition Timing for Multiple Slides:

1. 1 In the slide list, select the transitions to be changed by holding <
CTRL > while clicking the slides before the transitions you would like to
change.
3. Press < Enter > to apply the change to the selected slides.
To Set Transition Timing for the Entire Show:

1. In the slide list, click any slide to select it.
3. Enter a new time in seconds for any one of the selected transitions.
4. Press < Enter > to apply the change to the selected slides.
Transitions
Transitions occur when one slide disappears and the next appears. In Pro-
Show Gold, there are over 280 transition effects to choose from so you can
pick the perfect effects for your show.
Some Transitions, like the circular wipe, for example, have several variations.
There is a single-pass version, a double-pass version and a soft version. The
one-pass version applies the transition with a single movement through the
slide while the two-pass effects happen twice, with some of the slide chang-
ing on the first pass and the rest of the change occurring on the seconds
pass. The soft variation gives the effect a faded edge instead of a distinct
edge. There are also two different types of cross fades: linear and non-linear.
The linear fade occurs at a constant speed, while the non-linear fade changes
over time, giving it a more natural feel.
29
ProShow Gold also displays a list of your Recently Used Transitions. As a gen-
eral rule, shows with a few carefully selected transitions are more visually ap-
pealing than ones that use a different transition for every slide. Gold makes it
easy to see which transitions you have used for your show.
To Set a Transition:
1. In the slide list, click on the transition you would like to change.
2. This opens the choose transition window. In this window, preview any
transition by hovering over it with the mouse pointer.
3. Select the desired transition by clicking on it.
To Set a Transition for Multiple Slides:

1. Select the slides to be changed by holding < CTRL > while clicking the
slides.
2. In the slide list, click the transition for any of the selected transitions.
4. Select the desired transition by clicking on it. All of the selected slides
now have the same transition.
To Set a Transition for the Entire Show:

1. Click any slide in the slide list to select it.
3. In the slide list, click the transition for any of the selected transitions.
5. Select the desired transition by clicking on it. All of the selected slides
now have the same transition.
Random Transitions
ProShow Gold provides two different types of Random Transitions. One type
randomly selects the transition for you and the other randomly selects transi-
tions each time you play the show.
• Randomize Transitions selects, at random, a transition for each slide.
The transitions selected can be changed as desired. To select the
random transitions to use for your show, Chapter 5: Customizing Your
Show.
• Random Transition randomly selects a transition every time you play
the show. You have no control over what transition plays when you
select this option. To select the random transitions to use for your
show, Chapter 5: Customizing Your Show.
30
To Apply Random Transitions to the Entire Show:

1. In the slide list, select the slides that you would like to add a random
transition to.
2. Choose Slide > Randomize > Transitions.
3. Transitions will be selected at random.
To Add a Random Transition to a Slide:

1. Select the transition to be changed by clicking the transition icon.
2. This will open the Choose Transition window. Select the Random
Transition effect by clicking on the question mark graphic.
3. The selected slide will have the Random Transition effect.
Editing, Motion and Captions

The customizations that you can apply to slide layers and captions are virtu-
ally unlimited in ProShow Gold. To access these options from the work area,
simply double-click on any slide in the slide list. This will launch the slide
options dialog which contains options for modifying slides.
Editing
You can make simple modifications to your images and vid-
eos in the Editing options in ProShow Gold’s slide options.
Editing Tools
• Rotate rotates the selected layer by 90, 180 or 270 degrees. Select the
degree of rotation from the drop-down menu.
• Flip allows you to flip the selected layer horizontally, vertically, or both.
Check the box next to the desired effect.
• Red-Eye enables and disables red-eye correction of the selected layer.
Click < Red-Eye > to launch the red-eye dialog.
• Crop enables and disables layer cropping. Click < Crop > to launch the
crop dialog.
31
Adjustments
Reset any of these options by clicking the Reset button next to the desired
adjustment tool.
• Brightness allows you to lighten or darken the layer. Increase the value
to lighten, decrease to darken.
• White Point determines the brightest point in the layer and allows you
to adjust the layer accordingly.
• Black Point determines the darkest point in the layer and allows you to
adjust the layer accordingly.
• Contrast allows you to increase and decrease the contrast between the
light and dark parts of the layer.
• Hue allows you to change the overall hue of the layer.
• Sharpen allows you to make edges more defined in the layer.
Colorize
• Colorize enables and disables layer colorization.
• Set specifies the color used to colorize the layer.
Outline
• Outline enables and disables the addition of an outline to the layer.
• Set specifies the outline color.
Drop Shadow
• Drop Shadow enables and disables the addition of a drop shadow to
the layer.
• Set Color specifies the drop shadow color.
To Make Image Adjustments:

1. Select the slide to adjust by clicking on the slide in the slide list.
2. Choose Slide > Layers > Editing from the menubar.
3. Select the layer to adjust by choosing it from the selected layer list.
4. Make image adjustments using sliders and check-boxes.
5. Click < Ok >.
32
Motion
Using ProShow Gold, you can pan, zoom and rotate content
to create a variety of dramatic effects.
• Pan changes the position of the content in the slide.

• Zoom changes the size of the content.
• Rotate changes the angle of the content.
To Pan a Layer:
1. Select the slide to apply panning to by clicking on the slide in the slide
list.
2. Choose Slide > Effects > Motion Effects.
3. Select the layer you would like to apply panning to.
4. Click and drag the layer in the previews to set starting and ending
positions.
5. Click < Ok >.
To Zoom a Layer:
list.
3. Select the layer you would like to apply zooming to.
4. Using the zoom sliders, resize the selected layer in the previews to set
starting and ending size.
5. Click < Ok >.
To Rotate a Layer:
list.
3. 3 Select the layer you would like to apply rotation to.
4. Using the rotation slider, rotate the selected layer to set starting and
ending rotation.
5. Click < Ok >.
33
Captions
ProShow Golds lets you add fully customizable Captions to
your show. Each Caption is rendered with unmatched qual-
ity to give a clean, professional appearance.
To Add a Caption to a Slide:

1. Select the slide to add a caption to by clicking on the slide in the slide
list.
3. Click < Add > in the captions list to create a new caption.
4. Enter the text of the caption in the Text area.
5. Position your caption by clicking on it and dragging it.
6. Select color, font, size and effects.
7. Click < Ok >.
To Add a Caption to the Entire Show:

1. Choose Show > Show Captions.
2. Click < Add > in the captions list to create a new caption.
3. Enter the text of your caption in the text area.
4. Position the caption by clicking on it and dragging it.
5. Select color, font, size and effects.
6. Click < Ok >.
Saving the Show
When you have finished creating your show in ProShow
Gold, make sure you save your work.
To Save Your Show:

1. Choose File > Save.
2. Name your show and select a destination for the file.
3. Click < Save >.
34
Previewing the Show

ProShow Gold provides a realtime preview that allows you
to view your progress as you compose a show. The integrat-
ed Preview window appears as part of the main workspace,
complete with playback controls and a time display.
To Preview Entire Show:

1. Select the first slide in your show to ensure that playback starts at the
beginning of your show.
2. Click < Play > to begin playback.
3. Click < Stop > to end playback or let the show play through to the end.
To Preview from a Specific Slide:

1. Select the slide from which you would like to begin the preview.
3. Click < Stop > to end playback.
To Seek through a Show at Any Speed:

1. Click in the slide list Trackbar located at the top of the slide list.
2. Drag the indicator to seek forward or backward.
To Preview Full Screen:

1. Click in the slide list to make it active in the preview window.
2. Right-click in the preview window.
3. Select < Full Screen Playback > from the menu.
5. Press < Esc > to exit full screen playback.
6. To return to normal preview mode, right-click in the preview window
and uncheck < Full Screen Playback >.
35
Creating Show Output

ProShow Gold features more output formats than any other
slide show or presentation product. From a single show, you
can easily create output for
your TV, PC or the Web.
To Create Output:
1. Save the show by choosing File > Save.
2. Choose Create, then select your output format or from the create
output window that appears.
3. Customize your output in output options.
4. Click < Create >.
For more information on the wide range of output formats, see Chapter 6:
Overview of Output.
36
Chapter 4
Customizing Slides
Using the Slide List
The slide list is where you spend most of your time creating your show. Pro-
Show Gold’s slide list is a drag and drop interface, so it’s easy to add content
to your presentation.
In ProShow Gold, you have the option of using the normal Slide List, which
appears by default, or the Slide Timeline, an alternate view that shows a
timeline of your show. The Slide Timeline is helpful when you are synchroniz-
ing your shows to your show soundtrack. To zoom in and out of the Slide
Timeline, simply move your mouse wheel up and down.
Slide List Actions

• Add, delete and move slides.
• Double-click any slide to open Slide Options for that slide.
• Add layers to slides.
• Click and drag in the trackbar along the top of the slide list to seek
through your show in the Preview window.
• Right-click in the slide list to access slide options and Show Options
Managing Slides
Creating, moving and deleting slides is very easy in ProShow Gold. All can be
done in the slide list.
To Add a Slide:
1. Use the folder and file lists to browse for slide content.
2. In the file list, select the file you would like to add to your show.
3. Drag the selected file into the slide list.
To Add a Blank Slide:

blank slide.
To Add a Title Slide:

blank slide.
3. Select the Blank Slide in the slide list by clicking on it.
37
Chapter 4: Customizing Slides
5. Add a caption and customize it as desired.

6. Click < Ok >.
To Move a Slide:
1. In the slide list, select the slide to be moved by clicking on it.
2. Drag the slide to a new position in the slide list.
3. Release the mouse button to drop it into position.
To Copy a Slide:
1. In the slide list, select the slide to be copied by clicking on it.
2. Choose Edit > Copy or press < CTRL + C >.
3. Click on the slide that you would like to follow the copied slide.
4. Choose Edit > Paste or press < CTRL + V > to paste the slide.
To Delete a Slide:
1. In the slide list, select the slide to be deleted by clicking on it.
2. Choose Edit > Cut or press < Delete > or < CTRL + X > on your
keyboard or choose Slide > Delete Slide.
To Add Additional Layers to a Slide:

1. Add a slide by choosing Slide > Insert > Blank Slide or drag and drop a
single image or video to the slide list to create a slide.
2. Drag additional images or videos to the slide list and drop them on the
existing slide while holding < CTRL >.
Customizing Slides
Slides are customized using the Slide Options window. From Slide Options,
you can add captions and motion, make editing adjustments and more. Here
are some of the attributes that can be customized:
• Slide Layers
• Image Scaling, Position and Rotation
• Brightness, White Point, Black Point and Hue
• Drop Shadow, Outline and Outline Color
• Colorization
• Panning Motion Effect
• Zooming Motion Effect
• Rotation Motion Effect
• Text Captions
• Effect, Colors and Fonts for Captions
• Slide Sounds and Voice-overs
• Volume and Fading for Slide Sounds
38
• Background Color
• Background Image
• Adjustments for Background Image
• Interactivity
Slide Options
There are a number of different ways to access Slide Options.
To Access Slide Options:

1. In the slide list, click on the slide you would like to modify.
2. Choose Slide > Slide Options or double-click the slide you would like to
modify to launch the slide options window.
3. To exit the slide options window, click < Ok >.
Slide Options Controls

The Slide Options Controls are designed to give you maximum creative
control over you slides.
Precision Preview allows you to edit and preview keyframes to
increase control and precision.
The Precision Preview is resizable and is used to accurately control keyfram-
ing and timing.
Large/Regular Preview displays a larger version of the slide op-

tions window you are working in.
Play/Pause begins and ends playback preview within slide op-

tions.
Other Controls
• Previous/Next Slide lets you move between slides within slide options.
• Slide Duration sets the duration of the slide within slide options.
• Ok applies changes to slide options and closes the dialog to return you
to the main workspace.
• Cancel disregards any changes you have made since opening the Slide
Options window.
39
Slide Options Categories

Slides controls Slide Styles, basic slide settings such as timing,
and the background for the slide. It contains three tabs:
• Slide Styles which allows you to quickly create entire slides by adding
layers and choosing a pre-made style to use. These styles come with
motion, audio, adjustments, and everything else.
• Slide Settings which allows you to add notes to your slide, name your
slide, change slide timing, configure a watermark, or add interactivity.
• Background which allows you to configure a custom background for
your slide.
Layers controls all settings relating to layers, and contains three
tabs:
• Layer Settings allows you to configure your layer size, position,
masking, adjustment layer, and template options.
• Video Settings allows you to change all aspects of your video, such as
time, audio level, and trimming.
• Editing applies adjustments such as color correction, rotation and drop
shadows to a layer in the slide.
Effects allows you to configure Motion effects.
• Motion Effects adds and controls motion effects like pan and zoom,
and allows you to add keyframes.
Captions allows you to configure both the appearance and ef-

fects associated with captions on the slide.
• Caption Settings allows you to insert text on a slide and customize the
font style, color and effects for text
Sounds adds sounds and records voice-overs for a slide, controls

sound interactions during a show.
40
Slide
The Slide category controls the basic settings for the con-
tent of your slide. Among other things, you can do the
following in this window:
• Select, create, or remove slide styles.

• Add a name or notes the the slide.
• Set a custom background for the slide.
To Access the Slide category:

2. Choose Slide > Slide > and click on one of the Slide tabs you would like
to use: Styles, Settings, or Background.
3. Make adjustments to the selected layer.
4. Click < Ok >.
Slide Styles
Slide Styles allows you to use pre-defined slide settings to quickly create
entire slides. You can not only use the slide styles provided by default, but
you can also create your own new styles after configuring a slide. This allows
you to save time and create shows more efficiently.
• Preview displays what the slide style will look like once applied.
• Slide Style List allows you to select any pre-defined slide styles that you
have,
• or have created in the past.
• Ok uses the currently selected slide style from the Slide Style List. Note
that certain slide styles require multiple layers, as listed when each
style is selected.
• Create opens the Create Slide Style dialog window, which allows you to
create a new slide style based on the current slide settings. Create your
slide in full, and when you are ready to save it as a style, click Create, fill
out the fields that appear, and choose which settings of your slide will
be included. It will be displayed in the list once created.
• Manage opens the Manage Slide Styles dialog window. Select styles to
Add, Remove, Export, or Download. Click on Done once complete.
41
Slide Settings
Slide Settings gives you the ability to name your slide, add notes about the
slide, change slide timing, add slide actions, and configure the appearance of
a watermark on the slide.
• Slide Name and Notes gives you text fields to give the slide a name, or
enter any relevant notes you may have about the slide. The audience
will not see these, so they are for your organizational purposes.
• Slide Timing allows you to change the Slide Time of the slide, Lock the
slide to prevent the time from changing, or add Manual Control to the
slide playback.
Background
Here you can configure a custom background for your slide, as well as
change the appearance of the custom background.
Background Type
• Override Show Background Options for this Slide enables and disables
the background options for this slide. All other Slide Background
options are deactivated until this option is selected and the slide will
use the default Show Background configured in Show Options.
• Type sets the type of background to Ok to the slide. Choose from Solid
Color and Image.
• Solid Color allows you to set a color for your background. Click < Set >,
click on the desired color in the color wheel, and click < Set > again to
Ok the effect.
• Image allows you to choose an image for the background. Click <
Browse > to select an image file. Click < Edit > to launch the external
editor configured in Preferences.
Adjustments
• Brightness allows you to lighten or darken the background image.
Increase the value to lighten, decrease to darken.
• White Point determines the brightest point in the image and allows
you to adjust the background image accordingly.
• Black Point determines the darkest point in the image and allows you
to adjust the background image accordingly.
light and dark parts of the background image.
• Hue allows you to change the overall hue of the background image.
• Sharpen allows you to make edges more clearly defined in the
background image.
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Editing Tools
• Scaling lets you select the default size for the background image.
There are a number of options you can use to scale the background
image. Fill Frame sizes the layer to fill the entire frame and may crop off
the edges of the background image. Fit Frame sizes the background
image so that the entire layer is visible, sometimes filling only part of
the frame. Stretch to Frame stretches the background image so that it
fills the entire slide, potentially distorting it. Fill Safe Zone is much like
Fill Frame, but it sizes the background image to fill the safe zone. Fit to
Safe Zone is much like Fit Frame, but it sizes the background imager to
fit in the safe zone.
• Rotate rotates the background image by 90, 180 or 270 degrees. Select
the degree of rotation from the drop-down menu.
• Flip allows you to flip your image horizontally, vertically or both. Check
the box next to the desired effect.
Colorize Image
• Colorize Image allows you to colorize the background image using
a selected color. Click < Set >, click on the desired color in the color
wheel, and click < Set > again to Ok the effect.
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Layers
The Layers category controls all settings relating to the
layers in your slide. It gives you access to the following
functionality:
• Add, remove and re-order layers.
• Change slide content.
• View content information.
• Set the volume and length of video clips.
To Access Layers Options:

5. Choose Slide > Layers, and pick from any of the three areas you want to
edit, Layers, Video, or Editing.
7. Click < Ok >.
Layer Settings
Layers List
The Layers list appears in all panes of the Slide Options window, so you can
always change layers while working. You can do the following with the Lay-
ers list:
• Add (+) adds a new layer to a slide. Choose from Add Image or Video,
Add Solid Color or Add Gradient to create a new layer.
• Del (-) removes the selected layer from the slide.
• Up moves the selected layer up the list, placing it on top of other layers
in the slide.
• Down moves the selected layer down the list, placing it under other
layers in the slide.
• Right adds the selected layer to the mask.
• Left removes the selected layer from the mask.
Layer Name and Notes

You can enter a name and notes for each layer in your slide, for organization.
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Selected Layer
• Source File Information displays information about the current layer.
The information includes filename, resolution, file size and type. This
option is not available for gradient or solid color layers.
• Select File allows you to choose content for the slide. This option is not
available for gradient or solid color layers.
• Edit File launches the external editor configured in Preferences.
• Properties displays the file information preview and other information
for the selected layer. This information is not available for gradient or
solid color layers.
Layer Settings
• Scaling lets you select the default size for content in a slide. There are
a number of options you can use to scale a layer. Fill Frame sizes the
layer to fill the entire frame and may crop off the edges of the layer. Fit
Frame sizes the layer so that the entire layer is visible, sometimes filling
only part of the frame. Stretch to Frame stretches the layer so that it
fills the entire slide, potentially distorting the image. Fill Safe Zone is
much like fill frame, but it sizes the layer to fill the safe zone. Fit to Safe
Zone is much like fit frame, but it sizes the layer to fit in the safe zone.
• Position sets the default position of the layer on the slide. Click and
drag the layer in the preview window or specify coordinates in the
position value boxes. Settings applied in Motion will override this
setting.
• Zoom sets the default size of the layer in the slide. If motion is applied
in Motion Effects, it will override this setting. Increase and decrease the
zoom to make the layer larger and smaller, respectively.
• Aspect sets the aspect ratio of the layer, determining how it will appear
when viewed.
Slide Settings
• Style marks the image as replaceable, should you want to create a slide
style using the current slide. Uncheck this option if you want the style
to always use the current image.
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Video Settings
Video Clip Settings
• Length shows the current length of the video file.
• Looping toggles whether the video will loop until the slide is complete.
• Trim Video launches the Video Trimmer, which allows you to set the
starting and ending point visually, with accuracy down to a single
frame.
• Preview Video plays the video as it is currently configured.
• Sync Slide Time matches slide duration to video clip length.
• Speed specifies the speed of video clip playback.
Video Sound Settings

• Volume sets the volume level of the video clip. To turn off sound for a
video, set the volume to zero.
• Fade In configures a fade in time for the video sound.
• Fade Out configures a fade out time for the video sound.
Editing
The Editing options let you make basic changes to your slide content before
you add motion and adjustment effects. These adjustments are settings that
are saved only in ProShow Gold, so they do not affect your original content.
To Access Editing:
2. Choose Slide > Layers > Editing.
4. Click < Ok >.
The Layers list lets you choose which layer to adjust.
• Before and After previews the original content next to the adjusted
content.
Adjustments
Reset any of these options by clicking the Reset button next to the desired
adjustment tool.
• Brightness allows you to lighten or darken the selected layer. Increase
the value to lighten, decrease to darken.
• White Point determines the brightest point in the selected layer and
allows you to adjust the layer accordingly.
• Black Point determines the darkest point in the selected layer and
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allows you to adjust the layer accordingly.

light and dark parts of the selected layer.
• Hue allows you to change the overall hue of the selected layer.
• Sharpen allows you to make edges more defined in the selected layer.
Editing Tools
• Rotate allows you to rotate the selected layer by 90, 180 or 270
degrees. Select the degree of rotation from the drop-down menu.
• Flip allows you to flip the selected layer horizontally, vertically or both.
Check the box next to the desired effect.
• Red-Eye enables and disables Red-Eye correction of the selected layer.
Click < Red-Eye > to launch the Red-Eye dialog.
• Crop enables and disables layer cropping. Click < Crop > to launch the
Crop dialog. In this dialog, you can enter precise values for cropping
or you can click and drag to set the cropping region using the mouse
pointer. Use the rotate slider to make slight adjustments to layers for
cropping.
Colorize
• Colorize enables and disables layer colorization.
• Set Color specifies the color used to colorize the selected layer.
Outline
• Outline enables and disables the addition of an outline to the selected
layer.
• Set specifies the outline color.
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Drop Shadow
• Drop Shadow enables and disables the addition of a drop shadow to
the selected layer.
Effects
The Effects category controls all overall effects you can add
to your slide. This includes both Motion and Adjustment
effects. Each type uses keyframes to create the effects you
want to see.
To Access Effects:
11. Click < Ok >.
Motion Effects
Motion options control the motion of layers in your slide. With ProShow
Gold, you can use pan, zoom and rotate to create a variety of effects:
• Stacking Images places layers on top of one another at staggered
intervals, giving a feel of 3-dimensional movement.
• Image Tiling creates a mosaic effect over time, placing images
randomly into a grid pattern.
• Supplemental Visuals Over a Video overlays image layers on a video,
giving a ‘newscast’ effect. Images appear over the video, stop on the
screen and then move off of the screen, all while the video plays in the
background.
To Access Motion Effects:

4. Click < Ok >.
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Starting/Ending Position
Each layer has a starting point and ending point, shown in the starting and
ending previews. Any differences between the starting and ending point will
create a motion effect as the slide moves from beginning to end.
• Pan sets the position of the selected layer on the slide. Click and drag
the layer in the preview window or specify coordinates in the Pan value
boxes.
• Zoom sets the size of the selected layer. Set zoom by clicking the layer
in the preview window and using your mouse wheel to zoom in or out.
To enable and disable zooming x and y coordinates individually, click
the link button.
• Rotate allows you to rotate the selected layer. Use the rotation slider or
click and drag the blue triangle on the preview.
Matching Options
Matching Options allows you to match layers within slides or from one
slide to the next to create fluid motion effects. Matching also automatically
updates related layers so that you can make changes once and the matched
layers will also reflect that change.
• Match Starting Frame to End of Previous Slide matches the layer
position of the selected layer to the previous slide.
• Match Ending Frame to Start of Next Slide matches the layer position
of the selected layer to the next slide.
Motion Styles
Motion style determines how the layer will move for each value - pan, zoom,
and rotate. Each type has a slightly different look:
• Smooth is an even acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and
end of the motion.
• Accelerate becomes faster until the motion comes to an abrupt stop.
• Decelerate starts fast and slowly reduces in speed until the motion
ends.
• Linear is a flat rate of movement for the layer.
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Copy Features
Select the Copy button in the Preview toolbar to open the copy set-
tings dialog window.
• Copy Start to End copies the selected layer from starting position to
ending position.
• Copy Start to End(All Layers) copies all slide layers from starting
position to ending position.
• Copy End to Next Slide copies the ending position of the selected layer
to the next slide.
• Copy End to Next Slide (All Layers) copies all the ending positions of all
slide layers to the next slide.
• Copy All Layers to Next Slide will copy all layers and settings to the
next slide.
• Copy Layer to Next Slide will copy the selected layer and all settings to
the next slide.
Captions
The Captions category lets you add customized text to the
current slide. Captions include any type of text, macros or
symbols, each configured with different settings, motion,
effects and interactivity settings. In addition, you can com-
bine Caption Motion with keyframes to move, adjust, and change how your
captions are displayed while the slide is in motion.
To Access Captions:
2. Choose Slide > Captions > Captions from the menubar.
4. Click < Ok >.
Caption Settings
Captions List
• Captions List shows which captions have been added to this slide. Each
caption has three boxes next to it, Global/Slide, Visible and Transitions.
Global/Slide makes the caption a global caption, so that it is seen
on all slides in your show, or a slide caption that will only appear on
the current slide. Visible hides and shows this caption. Transitions
determines whether or not the caption is affected by the slide’s
transition effects.
• Add (+) adds a new caption.
• Del (-) removes the selected caption.
• Up moves the selected caption up the list, placing it on top of other
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captions in the slide.

• Down moves the selected caption down the list, placing it under other
captions in the slide.
Text
Font, Font Size and all other Caption Attributes are saved so that you don’t
have to reconfigure these settings each time you create a new caption.
• Text Field edits the text of the selected caption.

• Font sets the font to be used for the caption. ProShow Gold supports
all TrueType fonts installed on your computer.
• Size sets the size of the caption text. Pick a size from the drop-down
menu or manually enter a specific value.
• Bold, Italic, Shadow sets the attributes for the caption.
• Insert Macro launches the insert macro window, where you can select
a macro, special character, or EXIF field to insert in the selected caption.
Color
• Caption Color allows you to colorize the selected caption using a
selected color. Click < Set >, click on the desired color in the color
wheel, and click < Set > again to Ok the effect.
Preview Area
• Preview Position allows you to click and drag any caption to position or
resize it in yourslide.
Text Effects
Text Effects controls how the caption behaves when it appears on the slide,
when it is sitting on the slide and when it leaves the slide.
• Fly In sets the text effect used when the caption appears on the slide.
Click < Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Normal sets the behavior of the caption while it is displayed on the
slide. Click < Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Fly Out sets the text effect used when the caption leaves the slide. Click
< Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Show Fly-In, Normal and Fly-Out effects combined in preview previews
all three caption effects at once in the choose caption effects dialog.
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Outline
• Outline enables and disables the outline around caption characters for
the selected caption.
• Color sets the color for the caption outline. Click < Set >, click on the
desired color in the color wheel, and click < Set> again to Ok the effect.
Drop Shadow
• Drop Shadow enables and disables the use of a drop shadow on the
selected caption.
• Color sets the color for the drop shadow. Click < Set >, click on the
desired colorin the color wheel, and click < Set> again to Ok the effect.
Caption Placement
• Align moves the text anchor point between Left, Right, Center and Fill.
• Position allows you to specify numerical values for caption position.
Sounds
The Sounds category lets you add sounds to the current slide. You can use
slide sounds to add voice-overs, sound effects and more
without having to edit your soundtrack.
To Add a Slide Sound:

5. In the slide list, click on the slide you would like to add a sound to.
6. Choose Slide > Sounds > Sound Effects.
7. Add sounds to the selected slide and set options as desired.
8. Click < Ok >.
Slide Sound
• Sound specifies the sound file to be used as a slide sound. Click <
Browse > to select a sound file.
• Preview Sound previews the current slide sound. Click < Play > at the
bottom of the Sound toolbar to preview the current slide sound.
• Remove Sound removes the current sound. Click the Reset button to
remove the current sound.
• Record Voice-Over begins recording the voice-over for the selected
slide. Click < Edit > to launch the external editor configured in
Preferences.
• Slide Time locks the slide time to the length of the slide sound when
enabled.
• Offset specifies when the sound will begin playing after the previous
slide is over. A positive value is the number of seconds into the new
slide where the sound will begin. A negative value is the number of
52
seconds before the slide (in the previous slide) where the sounds will
begin.
• Edit Fades and Timing launches the Audio Trimmer, which allows you
to set the starting and ending point visually, with accuracy down to a
single frame.
• Sync Slide Time increases or decreases slide duration to match the
length of the slide sound exactly.
• Continue Playback of Sound After Slide Ends enables and disables slide
sound playback after the slide ends. The sound will play until the clip
ends when enabled.
Custom Slide Sound Settings

These settings override the slide sound settings in the show options.
• Volume specifies the volume of the slide sound.

• Fade In sets the amount of time that the slide sound will take to fade
in, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
• Fade Out sets the amount of time that the slide sound will take to fade
out, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
Override Soundtrack During This Sound

• Override Soundtrack During This Sound allows you to override the
defaults configured in the Soundtrack Options for the show. To enable
this override, you must check the Override Soundtrack During This
Sound Checkbox.
• Volume specifies the volume of the soundtrack while the slide sound
plays.
• Fade Out sets the amount of time that the soundtrack will take to fade
out, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
• Fade In sets the amount of time that the soundtrack will take to fade in,
in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
53
Chapter 5
Customizing Your Show

Using Show Options
To configure options affecting your entire show, use the Show Options
window. You can change these options at any time before, during or after the
creation of your show.
Show Options Actions

• Select a show title and show thumbnail to be displayed in output
menus.
• Add captions to the entire show.
• Configure your soundtrack.
• Set options affecting your show background.
Exploring Show Options

There are a number of different ways to access Show Options. Here are two
commonly used methods for accessing the Show Options dialog box:
To Access Show Options:

1. Choose Show > and one of the relevant choices you want to use from
the menubar.
2. To exit the Show Options window, click < Done >.
or
1. Click < Options > on the Main Toolbar.
2. To exit the Show Options window, click < Done >.
Show Options Categories

Show controls general show options like title, notes, thumbnail,
aspect ratio, watermark, background, and safe zone. It contains
three categories:
• Show Settings which contains general show basics such as title.

• Show Background which allows you to configure a custom background
for your whole show.
54
Chapter 5: Customizing Your Show
Captions applies and adjusts captions that appear in every slide.
Music sets options for the show soundtrack, including fades,

audio cropping and defaults.
Show
Show Options control the basic settings that affect your
overall show. You can access these options at any time, even
before adding slides to your show.
Show Settings
The Show Settings tab controls the basics of your overall show, and gives you
access to the following options:
To Access Show Settings:

1. Choose Show > Show Show Settings.
2. Make changes to the settings as desired.
3. Click < Done >.
Show Title and Notes

The Show Title and Thumbnail are displayed in output menus. By default, the
Show Title is ‘Untitled ProShow’ and the Show Thumbnail is the first slide of
your show.
• Show Title specifies the title that will be used as the show title.
• Show Notes allows you to enter notes about your show for
organizational purposes.
Show Thumbnail
• Select Thumbnail sets a different slide or image as the show thumbnail.
Preview Area
• Preview Position displays the Safe Zone for the show.
55
Aspect Ratio
The Aspect Ratio of your show affects how your show appears in previews
and output. The Aspect Ratio affects the relationship between the height
and width of your show, not the exact dimensions.
• Aspect Ratio specifies the aspect ratio for your show. The 4:3 setting is
the standard for fullscreen television and computer displays. The 16:9
setting produces a widescreen display. Click < Custom > to specify a
custom aspect ratio.
Safe Zone for Television Display

The Safe Zone is the area around the edges of your show that may not be vis-
ible when the show is viewed on some televisions. Even modern televisions
clip off small amounts of the edges of the images displayed so that the entire
screen is filled. If you place important show content too close to the edges of
the screen it may be clipped off. There is no way to predict how much will be
clipped. Every television is different. The Safe Zone percentages in ProShow
Gold have no effect on your output except for objects that are scaled to Fit
to Safe Zone. The shaded area is only there to help ensure that your content
stays on the screen during TV playback.
• Safe Zone specifies the percentage of the screen width and height to
be shaded to serve as the safe zone.
Random Transition Effects

• Random Effects specifies which transitions are used when you select
the random transition effect. Click < Select > to launch the random
effects chooser.
Show Background
The Background options allow you to apply a background
color or image to the entire show. The changes made to the
Show Background will affect the entire show, unless you
specifically choose to apply a different background to an
individual slide. You can do the following from this window:
• Set the default background color for your show.

• Set the background image for your show.
• Apply adjustments to you background image.
56
To Access Show Background:

1. Choose Show > Show Background.
2. Select background type and set the options as desired.
3. Click < Done >.
Background Type
• Type sets the type of background to apply to the show. Choose from
Solid Color and Image.
• Solid Color allows you to set a color for your background. Click < Set >,
apply the effect.
• Image allows you to choose an image for the background. Click <
Browse > to select an image file. Click < Edit > to launch the external
editor configured in the preferences.
Adjustments
• Brightness allows you to lighten or darken the background image.
Increase the value to lighten, decrease to darken.
• White Point determines the brightest point in the image and allows
you to adjust the background image accordingly.
• Black Point determines the darkest point in the image and allows you
to adjust the background image accordingly.
light and dark parts of the background image.
• Hue allows you to change the overall hue of the background image.
• Sharpen allows you to make edges more clearly defined in the
background image.
Editing Tools
• Scaling lets you select the size for your background image. There are a
number of options you can use to scale the image. Fill Frame sizes the
image to fill the entire frame and may crop off the edges of the layer.
Fit Frame sizes the image so that the entire image is visible, sometimes
filling only part of the frame. Stretch to Frame stretches the image so
that it fills the entire slide, potentially distorting the image. Fill Safe
Zone is much like fill frame, but it sizes the image to fit in the safe zone.
Fit to Safe Zone is much like fit frame, but it sizes the image to fit in the
safe zone.
• Rotation allows you to rotate the background image by 90, 180 or 270
degrees. Select the degree of rotation from the drop-down menu.
• Flip allows you to flip the background image horizontally, vertically or
both. Check the box next to the desired effect.
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Colorize
• Colorize you to colorize the background image using a selected color.
Click < Set >, click on the desired color in the color wheel, and click <
Set > again to apply the effect.
Show Captions
In Show Captions options, you can quickly and easily add
captions to your entire show. Use Show Captions to quickly
add copyright notices, contact information, file names and
slide numbers. You can do the following from this window:
• Add captions that appear on every slide in your show.

• Set the font, size, color, style and placement of a show caption.
• Add effects and behaviors to show captions.
• Control the order of captions when multiple captions are used.
To Access Show Captions:

1. Choose Show > Show Captions.
2. Add captions and set the options as desired.
3. Click < Done >.
Captions List
Captions List shows which captions have been added to the entire show.
• Add (+) adds a new caption.
• Del (-) removes the selected caption.
• Up moves the selected caption up the list, placing it on top of other
captions in the show.
• Down moves the selected caption down the list, placing it under other
captions in the show.
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Text
• Text Field edits the text of the selected show caption.
• Font sets the font to be used for the selected show caption. ProShow
Gold supports all TrueType fonts currently installed on your computer.
• Size sets the size of the selected show caption text. Pick a size from the
drop-down menu or manually enter a specific value.
• Bold, Italic, Shadow sets the attributes for the selected show caption.
• Insert Macro launches the insert macro window, where you can select
a macro, special character, or EXIF field to insert in the selected show
caption.
• Color allows you to colorize the selected show caption using a selected
color. Click < Set >, click on the desired color in the color wheel, and
click < Set > again to apply the effect.
Preview Area
• Preview Position allows you to click and drag any show caption to
position it in your show or resize it as desired.
Text Effects
Text Effects controls how the caption behaves when it appears on the slide,
when it is sitting on the slide and when it leaves the slide.
• Fly In sets the text effect used when the caption appears on the slide.
Click < Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Normal sets the behavior of the caption while it is displayed on the
slide. Click < Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Fly Out sets the text effect used when the caption leaves the slide. Click
< Browse > to launch the choose caption effects dialog.
• Show Fly-In, Normal and Fly-Out effects combined in preview previews
all three caption effects at once in the choose caption effects dialog.
Outline
• Outline Caption enables and disables the outline around caption
characters for the selected caption.
• Color sets the color for the show caption outline. Click < Set >, click on
the desired color in the color wheel, and click < Set> again to apply the
effect.
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Drop Shadow
• Drop Shadow enables and disables the use of a drop shadow on the
selected caption.
• Color sets the color for the drop shadow. Click < Set >, click on the
desired color in the color wheel, and click < Set> again to apply the
effect.
Caption Placement
• Align moves the text anchor point between Left, Right, Center and Fill.
• Position allows you to specify numerical values for caption position.
Music
In the Music category of the show options, you can config-
ure all of the settings related to the audio track that make
up your soundtrack. You can do the following from this
window:
• Set the volume for your show.

• Add, remove and re-order tracks.
• Set fades for audio tracks.
• Trim or crop your audio track.
• Specify defaults for soundtrack interaction with slide sounds.
To Access Soundtrack options:

1. Choose Show > Soundtrack.
2. Add tracks and set the options as desired.
3. Click < Done >.
Master Volume
• Master Volume sets the overall volume of the show. This setting affects
the volume of all sounds in your show.
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Track
The Track list displays the individual audio tracks that make up the
soundtrack. These tracks are listed in the order in which they will play.
• Add (+) adds a new audio track to the soundtrack.

• Del (-) removes the selected audio track from the soundtrack.
• Up moves the selected audio track up the list, placing it before other
audio tracks in the soundtrack.
• Down moves the selected audio track down the list, placing it after
other audio tracks in the Soundtrack.
• Volume specifies the volume of the selected audio track.
• Fade In sets the amount of time that the selected audio track will take
to fade in, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
• Fade Out sets the amount of time that the selected audio track will
take to fade out, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds.
• Offset specifies the number of seconds from the end of the previous
track to the beginning of the current track. A positive number will
create a gap of silence between tracks while a negative number will
create a crossfade.
• Timing lets you select the part of your audio file that you would like
to use for the show. Click < Edit Fades and Timing > to open the Audio
Trimmer. Click < Edit Track > to launch the external audio editor
configured in the preferences.
Defaults for Other Sounds

These settings are the defaults for slide sounds. They will be used unless they
are overridden in Slide Options > Sounds.
• Volume specifies the volume of the selected slide sound.
• Fade Out sets the amount of time that the selected slide sound will
• Fade In sets the amount of time that the selected slide sound will take
to fade in, in seconds. For no fade, specify zero seconds
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Soundtrack During Other Sounds

These settings are the defaults for how the soundtrack behaves when a slide
sound plays.
• Volume specifies the volume of the selected audio track during the
slide sound.
take to fade out when a slide sound plays, in seconds. For no fade,
specify zero seconds.
to fade in when a slide sound plays, in seconds. For no fade, specify
zero seconds.
Soundtrack Tools
• Save Music From CD activates the audio CD feature, allowing you to
use a track directly from a CD.
• Record Slide Timing launches the record slide timing feature for timing
the show to specific slides.
• Sync Slides to Audio uses the existing slide times and increases them
proportionately so that they add up to equal the length of your
soundtrack.
62
Chapter 6
Overview of Output
Choosing an Output Format
Once you finish composing your presentation, you are ready to move on
to the next step in the slide show creation process: choosing an appropri-
ate output format. This is a very important step when you consider that the
output format you choose must match your audience’s needs. With so many
output options, there’s guaranteed to be a suitable format for your show.
• DVD Creation is the best option for playback on a DVD player. Include
an optional PC Autorun for hassle-free PC playback.
• Blu-ray Creation gives you the ability to create high definition shows to
harness your HD television and Blu-ray player.
• Device Creation gives you the ability to view your slideshow on a wide
variety of multimedia devices available from modern game consoles to
iPods.
• Video CD Creation is a good option if you don’t have a DVD burner or
DVD media. Video CDs will play on most DVD players.
• Video File Creation lets you choose from a wide variety of video file
formats, including WMV, MPEG 1 and 2 and HD Video.
• Share Show Online creates your show output and uploads it to the
www.photodex.com online sharing service so you can share your
shows for free.
• Web Show Creation outputs your show and generates the HTML code
for your website. Show playback is controlled by Photodex Presenter, a
free web plug-in.
• Flash Show Creation outputs your show for web playback to FLV so
that it can be easily integrated into your website. No Flash experience
required!
• E-mailing Shows creates an executable file then e-mails it from within
ProShow Gold using your preconfigured e-mail preferences.
• Autorun CD Creation creates a disc containing your show that runs
automatically when loaded into a Windows PC. Requires no additional
software to replay shows.
• Executable Creation makes a stand-alone slide show that will play on
any Windows PC without any additional software.
• YouTube gives you the ability to upload your shows directly to YouTube
and share them on one of the most popular video sites on the Internet.
• Screen Saver Creation creates a screen saver of your show that will play
when your computer is idle.
63
Chapter 6: Overview of Output
About Show Sizes

There is no set limit on the number of files you have in a slide show. There are
limitations, though, depending on what output format you choose. These
can be separated into three categories:
• DVD and Video CD slide shows are limited by the length of the show
time (length) that will fit on the disk.
• Video CD still shows are limited to 99 images. This is a limitation of the
Video CD format.
• YouTube video is limited to either 10 minutes of length or 100
megabytes of size.
• All other formats, executables and web shows, for example, can have
any number of slides, but you need to keep the output file size in mind.
For example, some systems limit executable size to 2.1GB. This is based
on your system and will vary
Photodex Presenter Web Plug-In

• Some of the output formats require Photodex Presenter for playback.
Photodex Presenter is a free plug-in for your web browser that allows
you to view streaming ProShow presentations on the web. Presenter
provides superior playback quality and performance in addition to
supporting all the effects found in DVDs and PC executables created in
ProShow Gold. The Photodex Presenter is automatically installed with
ProShow Gold.
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Photodex Presenter Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ProShow to use Presenter?
No. Presenter simply lets you view slide shows that have been created in Pro-
Show. Presenter is also the plug-in that allows you to share and view videos
online.
Is Photodex Presenter safe?

Every copy of Photodex Presenter is digitally signed to ensure that it comes
directly from Photodex. All our software products are designed to be safe
and secure.
Why use Photodex Presenter?

Playback clarity and quality is better than any other streaming web format.
With Presenter, the maximum amount of information is retained without
compromising file size and the outputted file size is actually far smaller than
video.
Using Photodex Presenter

After you have installed the Photodex Presenter web plug-in, simply visit
a web page that contains a ProShow slide show and it will begin to play
automatically. With built-in controls, you control show playback in your web
browser. You can also use the right-click menu to access additional playback
features.
Presenter Controls
• Pause/Play button temporarily pauses or resumes playback of the
show. The current slide will be displayed until show playback is
resumed.
• Sound On/Off enables and disables sound for the show.
• Volume Control sets the volume level for show sound.
• Fullscreen toggles whether the show is played in fullscreen or not.
• The Trackbar allows you to scrub to any point in the show that you
want to see.
• Previous Slide returns to the previous slide in the show and can be
accessed by right-clicking in the Presenter window.
• Next Slide advances to the next slide in the show and can be accessed
by right-clicking in the Presenter window.
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Right-Click Presenter Menu

• Pause/Play temporarily pauses or resumes playback of the show. The
current slide will be displayed until show playback is resumed.
• Stop ends show playback and either returns to the menu or to the
beginning of the show, if there is no menu.
• Full Screen enables and disables full screen playback. Press < ESC > to
exit full screen playback.
• Mute disables sound for the show.
• Volume Control sets the volume level for show sound.
• About Photodex Presenter displays the version number and publisher
information for Presenter in an About Show window.
Presenter Security and Safety

Photodex Corporation is committed to ensuring that Presenter is safe for use
on your computer or network. As the exclusive publisher of Presenter, Pho-
todex digitally signs every copy to ensure that the software you receive on
your computer came directly from Photodex and is in its unmodified form.
Presenter only uses components developed and maintained by Photodex
Corporation. No third party software is ever included with Presenter. The
Presenter plug-in is designed specifically to play back ProShow presentations
over the web. It contains no components for any other task. This helps keep
Presenter secure by limiting Presenter’s capabilities.
66
Chapter 7
Customizing Menus
Using Menu Customizations
ProShow Gold includes a complete menu authoring system
that allows you to create fully customized menus for most
of the output formats. With complete creative control over
how your menu looks and behaves, you can create profes-
sional, Hollywood-style menus with background music. In
the customize menu window, you can do the following:
• Add text, including copyright information, to menu pages.

• Configure all images and backgrounds.
• Control the layout of each menu page.
• Customize a new or existing theme or layout using the customize
options.
• Customize special effects in your menu.
• Add multiples shows to one file or disk.
To Access Customize Menu Options:

1. Click Save to save your show.
2. Select an output format that supports menus, like DVD, Web Show or
Executable.
3. Click the Menu icon on the top of the output creation window.
4. Click < Create Custom Menu > to launch the Customize Menu window.
5. Customize the settings as desired.
6. Click < OK >.
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Chapter 7: Customizing Menus
Menu Options Overview

General manages the, layout and appearance of the page in your
menu.
Layers specifies images and videos displayed on a menu page.
Adjusts size and layout of objects.
Captions allows you to insert text on a menu page. Customizes

font style, size and color of the text.
General Options
• Next / Previous Page (Icon) moves from one menu page to the next.
• Pages Display shows the page number of the current menu page.
• Ok applies all changes and closes the Customize Menu window.
• Cancel removes all changes and closes the Customize Menu window.
General
The General category of the Customize Menu dialog con-
trols the structure of your menu. From here, you can add,
remove and rearrange the pages in your menu.
To Access Menu General Options:

1. After you have chosen your output format, click on the Menus icon on
the left side of the window.
2. Click < Customize Menu >.
3. Click on the General tab on the top of the window.
5. Click < OK >.
Layers
The Layers in your page appear in a list underneath the preview. To manage
these layers, use the controls beneath the list.
Main Title
• Main Title sets the title of the main menu.
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Navigation Settings
• Loop All adds or removes the Loop All function from the menu. Loop
All allows the viewer to watch the shows in a continuous repeating
loop.
• Play All adds or removes the play all function from the menu. Play All
allows the viewer to watch the shows once, in order.
Background Color
• Background Color specifies the default background color to be used
on the menu page.
Background Image
• Background Image for All Pages allows you to select the background
image for all pages in your menu.
• Browse allows you to browse for the imagethat you would like to use
on all menu pages.
• Scaling specifies how the image will be applied to the menu
background. Choose from Fill to Frame, Fill Frame or Stretch to Frame.
• Custom Background Image for this Page allows you to choose a
background image for only the currently selected page.
• Browse allows you to browse for the image that you would like to use
on the selected menu page.
• Scaling specifies how the image will be applied to the menu
background. Choose from Fill to Frame, Fill Frame or Stretch to Frame.
69
Music Track
ProShow Gold lets you choose background music that will play while your
menu is displayed.You control all the settings related to music that plays on
all pages of the menu, as well as custom music settings for individual pages.
• Music Track for All Pages determines a single piece of music that will
play in every page of your menu.
• Click < Browse > to select an audio file.
• Save From CD activates the Audio CD feature, allowing you to use a
track directly from the CD.
• Edit Track launches the external audio editor configured in Preferences,
allowing your to edit the selected audio track.
• Volume specifies the volume of the selected audio track.
• Edit Fades and Timing launches the built-in audio trimmer. Click <
Edit Fades and Timing > to open the Audio Trimmer so you can adjust
the length of the selected audio track and set fade times using a
waveform.
• Custom Music for This Page displays the audio file that you have
selected for the custom page music. Click < Browse > to select an
audio file.
• • Save From CD activates the Audio CD feature, allowing you to use a
track directly from the CD.
• • Edit Track launches the external audio editor configured in
Preferences, allowing you to edit the selected audio track.
• • Volume specifies the volume of the selected audio track.
• • Fade In sets the amount of time that the selected audio track will take
• • Fade Out sets the amount of time that the selected audio track will
• • Edit Fades and Timing launches the built-in audio trimmer. Click < Edit
Fades and Timing > to open the Audio Trimmer so you can adjust the
length of the selected audio track and set fadetimes using a waveform.
70
Layers
The Layers options let you edit objects on a menu page.
To Access Layers Options:

1. After you have chosen your output format, click on the Menus tab on
the top of the window.
2. Click < Create Custom Menu>.
3. Click on the Layers tab on the top of the window.
5. Click < Ok >.
Layer Settings
• Select File allows you to select a new file to replace the current one.
• Edit File launches the pre-configured external image editor.
• Properties displays the meta-data for the selected file.
• Source displays the source file for the selected object.
• Resolution shows the resolution of the selected file.
• Size displays the file size of the selected object.
• Type shows the file type of the selected object.
• Length displays the length of the selected file if the file is a video clip.
• Position specifies the position of the selected object on the menu
page. Click and drag the object into position or specify exact x and y
coordinates in the space provided.
• Zoom increases and decreases the size of the selected object. Click the
object and move your mouse wheel or move the zoom slider to adjust
thumbnail size.
• Trim Clip launches the built-in video trimmer. Specify clip length and
video offset.
• Volume sets the volume of the video clip.
The Editing options allow you to make quick changes to your menu page
content. These adjustments are simply settings saved in ProShow Gold, so
they do not affect your original content.
71
Adjustments
• Opacity specifies how opaque or transparent the current layer will
appear to be. As the value nears 0%, it will become more and more
transparent.
• Brightness allows you to lighten or darken the layer. Increase the value
to lighten, decrease to darken.
• White Point determines the brightest point in your layer and allows
you to adjust the layer accordingly.
• Black Point determines the darkest point in your layer and allows you
to adjust the layer accordingly.
light and dark parts of the selected layer.
• Hue allows you to change to overall hue of your layer.
• Sharpen allows you to make edges more clearly defined in your layer.
• Colorize allows you to colorize your image using a selected color. Click
< Set >, click on the desired color in the color wheel, and click < Set
Color > again to apply the effect.
Editing Tools
• Rotation allows you to rotate your image by 90, 180 or 270 degrees.
Select the degree of rotation from the drop-down menu.
• Flip Horizontal flips the selected layer horizontally.
• Flip Vertical flips the selected layer vertically.
• Shadow enables and disables the use of a drop shadow on the
selected layer.
Outline
• Color specifies a color to be used for the outline of the selected layer.
Click< Set >, click on the desired color in the color wheel, and click <
Set > again to apply the effect.
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Captions
You can add any number of text elements to your menu
using Captions options. ProShow Gold gives you complete
control over the placement, appearance and behavior of the
captions in your show menu.
Captions List
• Add (Icon) adds a new caption to the current page.
• Delete (Icon) removes the selected caption from the page.
• Up moves the selected caption closer to the beginning of the list,
placing it before other objects in the list.
• Down moves the selected caption closer to the end of the list, placing
it after other objects in the list.
Caption Text
• Text Field edits the text of the selected caption.
• Font sets the font to be used for the caption. ProShow Gold supports
compatible fonts currently installed on your computer.
• Font Size sets the size of the caption text.
• Bold applies the bold attribute to the caption.
• Italic applies the italic attribute to the caption.
• Color specifies a color to be used for the selected caption. Click < Set >,
apply the effect.
Caption Settings
• Drop Shadow toggles whether the caption will have a drop shadow or
not.
• Outline toggles a black outline around the selected caption.
• Align moves the text anchor point between left, right and center.
• Position shows numerical values for the caption’s position so that you
can set precise positions for multiple captions.
73
Chapter 8
DVD Creation
Using DVD Creation
ProShow Gold allows you to create DVDs of your slide shows to share with
clients, friends and family. The DVD format is very popular because it will play
on most DVD players and it has the highest quality TV playback. Also, you
have the option to include a PC executable on a
DVD for hassle-free PC playback.
Standard resolution for DVD output is 720 x 480 (720 x 576 for PAL). This is
much lower resolution in comparison to PC playback resolution. Photogra-
phers or professionals may notice the reduced resolution, but most consum-
ers will not as they are used to the DVD format.
To Create a DVD:
2. Click the Create Output button in the main toolbar.
3. Click on DVD from the create output window.
4. Customize your DVD using the various category options in the Create
DVD Disc dialog.
DVD Options Overview

Menu allows you to customize the menu that appears on your
DVD. Sets layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the DVD. Sets show titles
and thumbnails.
Options controls output quality, Video Standard selection and

video options.
Burning contains options for writing to a disc. Sets speed, DVD

drive and number of copies.
Executable adds an optional PC Executable to the DVD. Controls

playback and protection options.
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Chapter 8: DVD Creation
Menus
From the Menu options, you can control all aspects of your
DVD menu. The Menu options control the theme and layout,
as well as additional customizations.
To Access DVD Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > DVD in the main toolbar or go to Create > Create
DVD to launch the create DVD disc window.
2. Click on the Menus icon on the top of the window.
Menu Themes and Layouts

• Themes, on the right, selects which category of themes to display in
the theme list.
• Layout displays various layouts for how shows are displayed on a menu
page.
• The Load Menu icon loads a saved menu.
• The Save Menu icon saves the current theme and layout for future use.
Menu Contents
• Title specifies the main title for the menu.
• Thumbnails allows you to set video loops of a show as a thumbnail.
Menu Layout
• Create Custom Menu launches the Customize Menu window, which
contains additional authoring capabilities.
• Layout determines the number of thumbnails that will be visible on
the menu.
• Aspect specifies the aspect ratio for the show, which is dependent on
how the show will be viewed.
75
Shows
This category of options lets you add shows and video clips
to your DVD. Since you can combine any number of shows
and videos in your DVD, you will need to use the Shows
window to manage them. Among other things, you can do
the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your DVD.

• Change the order of shows on your DVD.
• Set the title for each show appearing on your menu.
• Select a thumbnail for each show appearing on your menu.
• Enable and disable an intro show that will play before the menu.
• Specify which intro show to add to your DVD.
To Access DVD Show Options:

1. Click Create Output > DVD in the main toolbar or choose Create >
Create DVD to launch the create DVD disc window.
2. Click on the Shows icon on the top of the window.
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the DVD. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the DVD.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the DVD.
• Up moves the selected show up the list, placing it before other shows
in the menu.
• Down moves the selected show down the list, placing it after other
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
This area previews the selected show thumbnail, along with information
about the show.
• Set Menu Title sets a new title for the selected show.
• Set Menu Thumbnail allows you to select an image or video that will
represent the selected show in the DVD menu.
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Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the DVD menu appears.
• Include Intro Show enables and disables the intro show. This box is
checked by default.
• Select Show specifies which show will be used for the intro show.
Options
The Options window controls all of the settings related to
DVD format, quality and more. In this window, you can do
the following:
1. Select DVD format.

2. Select the video standard for the DVD.
3. Enable and disable anti-flicker and desaturation.
4. Specify DVD quality options.
To Access DVD Output Options:

2. Click on the Options icon on the top of the window.
DVD Type
• DVD Type specifies the quality for the DVD. Choose from the drop-
down menu and view related information, including capacity, in the
DVD Type Information section.
Video Standard
• TV System selects the television standard to be used on the DVD.
Audio Format
• Audio Type specifies audio encoding format for the DVD.
77
DVD Output Options

• Anti-Flicker enables and disables the antiflicker filter during rendering.
Anti-flicker will prevent the flickering effect that appears with some
images and effects due to the nature of the DVD format. This does
result, however, in a small loss of sharpness.
• Desaturation enables and disables the desaturation of the video
to a specified percentage, preventing the colors in the video from
becoming too extreme and resulting in an unnaturallooking video.
Video Clip Output Options

• Encoding Quality sets the encoding quality of video clips used in slides
in your show.
DVD Type Information

• This information provides an overview of the DVD type selected in the
drop-down menu.
Burning
The Disc Burning options control all of the settings related
to DVD burning, burner selection and more. In this window,
you can do the following:
• Specify which DVD writer you would like to use.

• Set the speed of the DVD writer and the number of copies to be
burned.
• Enable and disable inclusion of original show files.
• Include optional additional content on the DVD.
To Access DVD Disc Options:

2. Click on the Burning icon on the top of the window.
DVD Writer
• Writer selects the drive that will be used to burn the DVD. In addition
to the available drives on your machine, you may want to write to an
ISO image file, which you can import into other DVD/CD authoring
programs.
78
Disc Options
• Speed sets the speed at which the DVD is written. The default is the
maximum speed for your DVD burner.
• Disc Type specifies whether you are burning to a DVD disc or a CD.
Multiple Copies
• Copies specifies the number of copies of the DVD to be burned.
DVD Disc Label

Disc Label sets the label that appears when you browse for the disc on your
computer.
Troubleshooting
This section contains tools for diagnosing burning problems. They should
typically not be changed unless you are familiar with what they do, or are
asked to do so by a Photodex representative.
• Simulate creates a test burn, without actually burning a disc, to test

and see if the process is working correctly.
• ISO creation toggles whether ISOs for DVDs being burned are
generated in system RAM, or on the HDD.
DVD+R/RW Compatibility
• Bitsetting specifies the bitsetting method used for the DVD. Bitsetting
reconfigures DVD+R/ RW media to make it more compatible with
standalone DVD players. Bitsetting only works with +R/RW media. In
addition, not all writers support bitsetting.
• Detect determines whether or not your DVD writer supports bitsetting.
Do not use bitsetting if your DVD writer does not support it.
Include Original Files

• Include original files on DVD specifies whether or not the original
files used in your show will be included on the DVD. These files will be
accessible by the user.
79
Executable
The Executable options let you add a PC executable to your
DVD. When the DVD is loaded into the computer, a PC exe-
cutable version of the slide show will automatically play; the
user does not have to have DVD playback software on their
computer. In addition, the PC executable takes advantage
of the higher resolution supported by computer displays, providing superior
quality versus DVD playback on a computer. You can adjust the following
options in this window:
• Enable and disable the addition of a PC executable to your DVD.

• Control the size of your PC executable when it launches (i.e. full
screen).
• Specify the display settings for the PC executable.
• Configure the settings that affect the file size of the PC executable.
• Apply copy protection to the PC executable.
To Access DVD Executable Options:

2. Click on the Executable icon on the top of the window.
PC Autorun
• Include PC Autorun on DVD enables and disables the use of a PC
executable on your DVD.
Executable Startup
• Window Size specifies the startup size of the PC executable included
on the DVD.
• Full Screen toggles whether the executable opens in full screen mode.
• Image Size determines the largest size at which images in the show will
be stored in the show file.
• Monitor specifies which monitor the show will play on when it
launches.
• Loop Show enables and disables continuous show looping. A show
menu will override this feature.
80
Quality/Performance Settings
• Rendering sets the maximum size for your show during internal
rendering. This does not affect the display size of your show.
• Resizing specifies how your photos are resized before being rendered.
This eliminates the need to resize your images before bringing them
into ProShow Gold.
• Image Quality determines the quality setting used for image
compression.
• Video Clip Resolution allows you to specify the video resolution of
video clips used in slides in your show.
• Video Quality sets the general quality level used to encode the video
clips used in slides in your show.
• Audio Quality sets the general quality level used toencode your audio
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
• Enables and disables the use of on-screen playback controls which
handle pausing, resuming, seeking, and adjusting volume.
Protection
• By Days limits the usage of the PC executable to a specified number of
days.
• By Runs limits the usage of the PC executable to a specified number of
runs.
• Password allows you to specify a registration key or password that will
unlock the PC executable for unlimited use.
• Info URL specifies a website for the user to visit for more information
about the show.
• Info Link Text specifies the text that represents the link to the Info URL.
81
Chapter 9
Blu-ray Creation
Using Blu-ray Creation
ProShow Gold allows you to create high definition Blu-ray versions of your
slide shows to share with clients, friends and family. The Blu-ray show format
is enormously powerful because it is capable of showing off the best HD
televisions and Blu-ray players have to offer.
There is no higher resolution format available for displaying your shows. You
still have the option to include a PC executable on a Blu-ray show for hassle-
free PC playback.
Blu-ray shows can be created in any HD resolution, up to 1080p (1920x1080).

This is far higher resolution than Disc and most PC video formats, allowing
photographers to show their photos at nearly the same resolution that they
were originally taken in. This is the best selection that can be made when
quality and clarity cannot be compromised.
To Create Blu-ray:
3. Click on Blu-ray from the create output window.
4. Customize your disc using the various category options in the Create
Blu-ray dialog.
Blu-ray Options Overview

disc. Sets layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the disc. Sets show titles
and thumbnails.
video options.
Burning contains options for writing to a disc. Sets speed, disc

82
Chapter 9: Blu-ray Creation
Executable adds an optional PC Executable to the disc. Controls

Menus
Blu-ray menu. The Menu options control the theme and
layout, as well as additional customizations.
To Access Blu-ray Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > Blu-ray in the main toolbar or go to Create >
Create Blu-ray to launch the create Blu-ray window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
83
Shows
to your disc. Since you can combine any number of shows
and videos in your disc, you will need to use the Shows
window to manage them. Among other things, you can do
the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your disc.

• Change the order of shows on your disc.
• Specify which intro show to add to your disc.
To Access Blu-ray Show Options:

1. Click Create Output > Blu-ray in the main toolbar or choose Create >
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the disc. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the disc.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the disc.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Blu-ray menu.
84
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Blu-ray menu appears.
checked by default.
Options
The Options window controls all of the settings related to
Blu-ray format, quality and more. In this window, you can do
the following:
1. Select Blu-ray format.

2. Select the video standard for the disc.
3. Enable and disable anti-flicker and desaturation.
4. Specify Blu-ray quality options.
To Access Blu-ray Options:

2. Click on the Options icon on the top of the window.
Blu-ray Type
• Blu-ray Type specifies the quality for the disc. Choose from the drop-
down menu and view related information, including capacity, in the
Blu-ray Type Information section.
Video Settings
• Framerate selects the framerate you want to use on the disc, which is
determined by the Blu-ray Type you have selected.
• Quality selects the overall visual quality of the final show.
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Blu-ray Output Options

images and effects due to the nature of the Blu-ray format. This does
result, however, in a small loss of sharpness.
becoming too extreme and resulting in an unnaturallooking video.

in your show.
Blu-ray Output Information

• This information provides an overview of the Blu-ray type selected in
the drop-down menu.
Use Custom Disc Thumbnail

Some Blu-ray players will display a thumbnail for the disc that has been
inserted, which can be configured here.
• Disc Name configures the name that the disc uses when inserted.
• Thumbnail is the image that will appear when the disc is loaded on
some Blu-ray players.
• Select image allows you to browse for a custom image to use as your
disc thumbnail.
Burning
The Burning options control all of the settings related to
Blu-ray burning, burner selection and more. In this window,
you can do the following:
• Specify which Blu-ray writer you would like to use.

• Set the speed of the Blu-ray writer and the number of copies to be
burned.
• Include optional additional content on the disc.
86
To Access Blu-ray Burning Options:

Blu-ray Writer
• Writer selects the drive that will be used to burn the disc. In addition to
the available drives on your machine, you may want to write to an ISO
image file, which you can import into other disc authoring programs.
Disc Options
• Speed sets the speed at which the disc is written. The default is the
maximum speed for your Blu-ray burner.
Multiple Copies
• Copies specifies the number of copies of the Disc to be burned.
Disc Label
computer.
Troubleshooting


• Include original files on Blu-ray specifies whether or not the original
files used in your show will be included on the disc. These files will be
accessible by the user.
87
Executable
The Executable options let you add a PC executable to
your disc. When the disc is loaded into the computer, a PC
executable version of the slide show will automatically play;
the user does not have to have Blu-ray playback software
on their computer. In addition, the PC executable takes ad-
vantage of the higher resolution supported by computer displays, providing
superior quality versus Blu-ray playback on a computer. You can adjust the
following options in this window:
• Enable and disable the addition of a PC executable to your disc.

screen).
To Access Blu-ray Executable Options:

PC Autorun
• Include PC Autorun on Disc enables and disables the use of a PC
executable on your disc.
Executable Startup
on the disc.
launches.
88
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
89
Chapter 10
Creating Video for Devices

Using Video For Devices
The Device output in ProShow Gold generates a digital video file of your
show that can be added directly to a device. You can choose from a list of
devices for a pre-made profile. If your device is not on the list, you can create
and save a custom profile. This makes it possible for you to view and share
slide shows on all sorts of devices, from cell phones to DVRs to video game
consoles.
To Create a Video File for a Device:

3. Click on Device from the create ouput window that appears.
4. Select your Device from the list of profiles on the left. If your Device is
not listed, click Add to enter a new profile. Save the new profile and it
will be added to the list.
5. Select a location to save the file to and set the Profile quality.
Supported Devices
ProShow Gold supports a number of Devices:
• Game Consoles, like Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP

• Media Players, including iPods and Microsoft Zunes
• Mobile Phones with video playback
• PDAs,
• Television Devices
Custom Device Profiles

When you choose the Custom format, you can enter in the custom settings
requires to support a device. If you don’t find your device in the list of sup-
ported devices, simply click the < Add > button. This will launch the custom
device video output window.
Downloading New Profiles

You can download new and updated profiles from Photodex at any time by
doing the following:
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Chapter 10: Creating Video for Devices
• Click on Get New Profiles

• Click on Yes when asked to continue
• Click on Yes to confirm you would like to download available updates
Custom Device Options

Device Information
• Manufacturer allows you to enter the brand name of a device.
• Model specifies the model name and/or number of a device.
Profiles for Device

• Add saves a custom profile and adds it to the Profiles for Device list.
• Delete removes the selected custom profile from the Profiles for Device
list.
Profile Settings
• Profile Name allows you to enter a name for the custom profile.
• Format allows you to choose from the available video encoding
formats.
• File Extension displays the file extension that appears at the end of the
video file name.
Video Settings
• Compression specifies the compression rate for the video. The available
compression type varies depending on which video encoding Format
you choose.
• Resolution sets the actual dimensions, in pixels, of your video file.
• Frame Rate determines the number of frames per second used in the
video.
• Aspect Ratio specifies the Aspect Ratio for the video. The 1:1 setting
is for PC playback only, the 4:3 setting is the standard for fullscreen
television and computer displays and the 16:9 setting produces a
widescreen display for both PC and television playback. Use caution
when changing this setting as it may result in image distortion. It is
recommended that you set the aspect ratio in Slide Options before you
begin creating your show.
• Bitrate controls the size and quality of the video output.
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Chapter 10: Creating Video for Devices
Audio Settings
• Audio Format allows you to choose from the available audio encoding
formats.
• Channels lets you choose between Mono and Stereo sound.
• Sampling Rate sets the rate at which samples of the analog audio
signal are taken for digital conversion. A higher Sampling Rate will
produce better quality sound than a lower one.
• Bitrate controls the file size and quality of the audio output.
Not all Sampling Rate/Bitrate combinations are allowed. The allowed combi-
nations differ by codec. If you enter an incompatible combination, you will
not be allowed to save the Custom Profile. When creating a custom device
profile it is best to consult your device documentation to determine if your
device has specific requirements in order to play your video.
92
Chapter 11
Video CD Creation
Using Video CD Creation
In ProShow Gold, you can easily create a Video CD in order to view your
shows on a TV. Video CDs work like DVDs, but they are created on a CD-R or
CD-RW. Video CDs have lower quality and compatibility than DVDs. There are
two types of shows that you can create using the Video CD output format:
• Video Shows are the slide shows that you create, complete with
motion effects and transitions. Video Shows are limited in length based
on the amount of space available on your CD. They support Video
Menus, which can have video thumbnails and background music.
• Still Shows display higher resolution images, but they do not include
any motion effects or transitions. Still Shows are limited to 99 images
and they contain Still Menus, which is a solid, still image.
To Create a Video CD:

3. Click on Video CD from the create output window.
4. Customize your Video CD using the various category options in the
Create Video CD dialog.
Video CD Options Overview

Video CD. Sets theme, layout and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the Video CD. Sets show
titles and thumbnails.
Options controls options for quality level, video standard

selection and video options.
Burning contains options for writing to a disc. Sets speed, CD

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Chapter 11: Video CD Creation
Executable adds an optional PC executable to the CD. Controls

Menus
From the Menus options, you can control all aspects of your
Video CD menu. The Menu options control the theme and
To Access Video CD Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > Video CD in the main toolbar or choose Create >
Create Video CD to launch the create Video CD window.
2. Click on the Menus icon on the left side of the window.
Menu Themes
the theme list.
Menu Contents
This option is only available for Video menus, not for Still menus.
Menu Layout
• Layout displays various layouts for shows that are displayed on a menu
page.
• Aspect controls the aspect ratio of the menu included on the disc. This
is best to match with your show.
94
Shows
to your Video CD. Since you can combine any number of
shows and videos in your Video CD, you will need to use the
Shows window to manage them. Among other things, you
can do the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your Video CD.

• Change the order of shows on your Video CD.
• Specify which intro show to add to your Video CD.
To Access Video CD Show Options:

6. Click on the Shows icon on the left side of the window.
Included Shows
• Add adds a new show to the Video CD. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Video CD.
• Del removes the selected show from the Video CD.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
• Set Menu Thumbnail selects an image or video that will represent the
selected show in the Video CD menu.
95
Include Intro Show

The intro show plays before the Video CD menu
appears.
• Include Intro Show enables and disables the Intro Show. This box is
checked by default.
• Select Show specifies which show will be used for the Intro Show.
Options
The Output Options controls all of the settings related to
Video CD format, quality and more. In this window, you can
do the following:
• Select Video CD format.

• Select the video standard for the Video CD.
• Enable and disable anti-flicker and desaturation.
• Specify Video CD quality options.
• Choose between Video Shows and Still Shows, or include both on the
Video CD.
To Access Video CD Output Options:

Create Video CD to launch the create Video CD Disc window.
2. Click on the Output Options icon on the left side of the window.
Video CD Type
• Video CD Type specifies the quality for the Video CD. Choose from the
drop-down menu and view related information, including capacity, in
the Video CD Type Information section.
• Show Types allows you to include video shows and/or still shows on
the Video CD. Video Shows are simply the slide shows that you create,
complete with motion effects and transitions. Still shows display
higher resolution images, but they do not include any motion effects
or transitions.
Video Standard
• TV System selects the television standard to be used on the Video CD.
96
Audio Format
• Audio Type specifies audio encoding format for the Video CD.
Video CD Output Options

images and effects due to the nature of interlaced video. This does
result, however, in a small loss of sharpness. For Video CD output, this
option only affects still shows and SVCD.
becoming too extreme and resulting in an unnatural looking video.
• Menu Type enables and disables the use of Still Menus. Still menus
are a solid, still image, while the default menus are, or can be, video
menus. Some players only support still menus and some only support
video menus, so you have both options to choose from.

in your show.
Video / Still Shows

• Show Types allows you to choose which of the two show types will be
included on your Video CD.
• Default Show specifies which show will open by default at Video CD
playback. You can choose between Video Shows and Still Shows.
Video CD Type Information

• This information provides an overview of the Video CD Type selected in
the drop-down menu.
97
Burning
Video CD burning, burner selection and more. In this win-
dow, you can do the following:
• Specify which CD writer you would like to use.

• Set the speed of the CD writer and the number of copies to be burned.
• Include optional additional content on the CD.
To Access Video CD Disc Options:

Create Video CD to launch the Create Video CD window.
CD Writer
• Writer selects the drive that will be used to burn the CD. In addition to
the available drives on your machine, you may want to write to a CUE/
BIN image file, which you can import into other DVD/CD authoring
programs.
Disc Options
• Speed sets the speed at which the CD is written. The default is the
maximum speed for your CD burner.
Multiple Copies
• Copies specifies the number of copies of the CD to be burned.
Video CD Disc Label

• Disc Label sets the label that appears when you browse for the disc on
your computer.
98
Troubleshooting


• Include original files on Video CD specifies whether or not the original
files used in your show will be included on the Video CD. These files will
be accessible by the user.
Include Additional Content

• Folder displays the location of a folder containing additional content
that may be added to the Video CD.
• Browse allows you to browse for a folder you would like to include on
the Video CD.
Executable
The Executable options let you add a PC executable to your Video CD. When
the Video CD is loaded into the computer, a PC executable
version of the slide show will automatically play; the user
does not have to have Video CD recognition software on
their computer. In addition, the PC executable takes advan-
tage of the higher resolution supported by computer dis-
plays, providing superior quality versus Video CD playback
on a computer. You can adjust the following options in this window:
• Enable and disable the addition of a PC executable to your Video CD.

screen).
99
To Access Video CD PC Autorun Options:

2. Click on the PC Autorun icon on the left side of the window.
Enable PC Autorun
• Include PC Autorun on Video CD enables and disables the use of a PC
executable on your Video CD.
Executable Startup
on the Video CD.
launches.
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
• Video Quality sets the general quality level used to encode your video
clips for the show.
• Video Clip Resolution allows you to specify the video resolution.
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
100
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
101
Chapter 12
Video File Creation

Using Video File Creation
The Video File Creation options in ProShow Gold give you the ability to
generate a digital video file of your show. Video files are easily integrated into
other projects, applications and ProShows. With many different file formats
to choose from, ProShow Gold gives you maximum control in customizing
video file output.
To Create a Video File:

3. Click on Video File in the create output window.
4. Customize your video file using the various settings in the Create Video
File dialog.
Video File Output Formats

There are a number of different uses for video files, so ProShow Gold includes
numerous different formats to suit your needs. The video file formats avail-
able are:
• DVD creates a video file that can be burned to a DVD using external
DVD authoring software.
• HD creates a video file that can be burned to a DVD or HD disc format
using external DVD authoring software.
• Video CD creates a video file that can be burned to a CD using external
Video CD authoring software.
• PC creates a high-quality video file for PC playback only.
• Custom allows you to choose from a number of customizable video
files formats. See below for more information.
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Chapter 12: Video File Creation
Custom File Formats

When you choose the Custom format, you may select from any of the follow-
ing formats to create your video file.
• Flash Video is a video file that is very small in size. (FLV)

• MPEG 1 provides a video file of medium quality and moderate
compression. This is the format used in some Video CDs. (MPG)
• MPEG 2 provides a video file with better quality and compression than
MPEG 1. This is the format used in DVDs and some Video CDs. (MPG)
• QuickTime provides a video file with high quality and recognition over
a number of different platforms. Requires the QuickTime Movie Player
for playback. (MOV)
• Windows Media is the Windows proprietary video format that provides
quality comparable to MPEG 2, often with a smaller file size. (WMV)
Video File Options

Video Format Preset
• Type specifies the type of video file to be rendered. There are five
preset formats and a custom format, which is configured in the Format
Settings options.
• Quality sets the quality level for rendering the video. The available
quality settings vary depending on which Type of video output you
choose.
• TV System selects the television standard to be used on the video file.
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Chapter 12: Video File Creation
Format Settings Options

• Format allows you to choose from the available video encoding
formats when Custom is selected.
• Compression specifies the compression rate for the video. The available
compression type varies depending on which video encoding Format
you choose.
• Settings specifies compression settings for available file types. For
MPEG 1, 2, and Flash output, you can specify custom settings. For the
other output formats under custom, the settings are dependent on the
codecs currently installed on your machine.
• Resolution sets the actual dimensions, in pixels, of your video file.
• Frame Rate determines the number of frames per second used in the
video.
• Audio enables and disables audio in your video.
Display
• Aspect Ratio specifies the aspect ratio for the video. The 1:1 setting
is for PC playback only, the 4:3 setting is the standard for fullscreen
television and computer displays and the 16:9 setting produces a
widescreen display for both PC and television playback. Use caution
when changing this setting as it may result in image distortion. It is
recommended that you set the aspect ratio in Slide Options before you
begin creating your show.
• Encoding sets the encoding quality used to create the video.
• Color Profile determines which color profile is to be used when
rendering the video.
• Desaturate images to enables the desaturation of the video,
preventing the colors in the video from becoming too extreme and
resulting in an unnatural-looking video.
• Apply anti-flicker to this video enables and disables the anti-flicker
filter during video rendering
104
Chapter 13
Sharing Shows Online

Using Show Sharing
ProShow Gold makes it incredibly easy to share your shows online. Using
the Share Show output option, you can upload as many shows as you want
for free to the www.photodex.com sharing site. You must register and create
an account on the site to use share show output. Registering and uploading
shows is free, and you have unlimited space to share your shows. Once you
have uploaded your show, you can share it with anyone by using the Send
Invitation option. Shows are displayed on the website using the Photodex
Presenter, which requires the Presenter Plug-in.
To Create a Shared Show:

3. Click on Share Show Online from the create output window.
4. Customize your shared show using the various settings in the Share
Show Online dialog.
Share Show Online Options Overview

Menus allows you to customize the menu in your shared
show. Sets layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the shared show. Sets
show titles and thumbnails.
Uploading controls how the show is uploaded, including

album selection and account information.
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Chapter 13: Sharing Shows Online
Menu
From the Menu options window, you can control all aspects
of your shared show menu. The Menu options control the
theme and layout, as well as additional customizations.
To Access Share Show Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > Share Show in the main toolbar or go to Create >
Share Show to launch the share show online window.
2. Click on the Menu icon on the top of the window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
106
Shows
This category of the options lets you add shows and video
clips to your shared show. Since you can combine any num-
ber of shows and videos in your shared show, you will need
to use the Shows window to manage them. Remember,
the number of shows that you can add to a shared show
is virtually unlimited, but each additional show will increase the amount of
time it takes to upload. Among other things, you can do the following from
the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows from your shared show.

• Change the order of shows in your shared show.
• Specify which intro show to add to your shared show.
To Access Shared Show Options:

1. Click Create Output > Share Show in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Share Show to launch the share show online window.
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Share Show. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the show.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the share show.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Share Show menu.
107
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the menu appears.
checked by default.
Uploading
The Uploading options for share show online let you specify
which account you would like to use to upload your photos
to the Photodex website (www.photodex.com/sharing). You
can complete the following tasks in Uploading options:
• Specify which account to use to upload shared shows.

• Select an album where your shared shows will be stored.
• Apply special tags to a shared show.
To Access Share Show Uploading Options:

1. Click Create Output > Share Show in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Share Show to launch the Share Show window.
2. Click on the Uploading icon on the left side of the window.
Show Sharing Service

• Sharing Service specifies which online sharing service to use to upload
shared shows.
• View Website opens a web browser displaying the selected sharing
site.
Account Information
• Member Name specifies the member name for your online sharing
account.
• Password specifies the password for your online sharing account.
• View Albums launches a web browser displaying your account and
online show collection.
• Create Account launches a web browser displaying the selected online
sharing service so that you can set up an account.
108
Album Selection
• Album lists the available albums in your online sharing account. Select
one of these albums as the destination for your shared show.
• Show Caption specifies the caption for your shared show as it will
appear on the sharing site.
Uploading Options
• Mature Content indicates whether or not the show includes content
that may not be suitable for all audiences. For information on the rules
related to sharing mature content, please refer to the membership
agreement for the sharing service that you are using.
• Privacy makes your show visible only to you. Guests who visit your
albums will not be able to view this show.
109
Chapter 14
Web Show Creation

Using Web Show Creation
A web show is a streaming show that plays over the Internet from your own
website. ProShow Gold automatically generates the HTML code along with
the show so that you can easily add it to your website. Shows are displayed
on a website using the Photodex Presenter, which requires the Presenter
plug-in.
To Create a Web Show:

3. Click Web Show from the create output window.
4. Customize your web show using the various category options in the
Create Web Show dialog.
Web Show Options Overview

Menus customizes the menu that appears on your web show.
Sets layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the web show. Sets show
Options controls options for web show playback size, rendering

options and protection.
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Chapter 14: Web Show Creation
Menus
of your web show menu. Menu options control the theme
and layout, as well as additional customizations.
To Access Web Show Menu Options:

1. Click Create Ouput > Web Show in the main toolbar or go to Create >
Create Web Show to launch the create web show window.
2. Click on the Menus icon on the left side of the window.
3. 3 Customize the settings as desired.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
111
Shows
This category of the menu options lets you add shows and
video clips to your web show. Since you can combine any
number of shows and videos in your web show, you will
need to use the Shows window to manage them. Remem-
ber, them number of shows that you can add to a web
show is virtually unlimited, but each additional show will increase the size of
your overall upload. Among other things, you can do the following from the
Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your web show.

• Change the order of shows on your web show.
• Specify which intro show to add to your web show.
To Access Web Show Options:

Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Web show. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Web show.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the Web show.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Web show menu.
112
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Web show menu appears.
checked by default.
Options
The Output Options controls settings related to generating
the web show, including playback size, rendering options
and protection. In this window, you can do the following:
• Select the default size of your web show.

• Specify web show quality options.
• Control settings that affect the file size of your show stream.
• Apply protection to your show.
To Access Web Show Output Options:

Executable Startup
• Window Size specifies the size of the show in pixels. This is used for
generating the sample HTML for your website.
be displayed during playback.
• Loop Show enables and disables continuous show looping.
113
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
Web Page Options

• Create HTML generates the HTML code used to create a web page with
your show on it. Click the box next to Create web page to enable this
feature.
• Open launches the web page once the code is generated and
rendering is complete. Create web page must be checked in order to
check the box next to View when complete.
• View HTML launches an HTML viewer so that you can see the code
for the web page that has been created. Check the box next to Open
HTML viewer to activate this option.
114
Placing Shows on Your Website

The create web show feature in ProShow Gold lets you create a streaming
web show that you can add to your own web site. You also have the options
to generate a complete web page to add to your website. To use these fea-
tures, you will need the following:
• Your own website,

• Access to your server to upload files, and
• Ability to write and edit HTML.
ProShow Gold’s web shows are in PX format, a streaming format for slide
shows. The shows are played using the Presenter Web plugin, which plays
your shows inside a web page. Presenter must be installed, the HTML on your
page must be properly configured and the web show must be uploaded to
your web server for it to play properly.
Adding a web show to a web page requires adding a few lines of custom
HTML and JavaScript code. You must be familiar with these technologies to
use a web show. If you are usingm a visual editor to create your website, you
must be able to edit the source code of your web page directly. You cannot
use the visual editing features in those programs to add a web show.
To Add a Web Show to Your Website:

1. Click < View HTML > in the Create Web Show dialog to generate the
code.
2. Create the PX file by clicking Create in the Create Web Show dialog.
3. Upload the PX files to your web server using FTP.
4. Add the HTML and JavaScript code to your web page. Edit the HTML
code as necessary.
To Add a Created Page to your Website:

1. In the Create Web Show dialog, click the Options icon.
2. In the Web Page Options section, check the box next to Create Web
Page.
4. The file containing the new web page will be saved to the same folder
as your web show.
5. Upload the PX file and the generated web page to your web server
using FTP. Edit the HTML code as necessary.
Be sure to read the following “Adding Code to Your Web Page” section for
complete information on adding generated HTML code to your web page.
115
Options and Information

Uploading the PX File When creating a web show in ProShow Gold, your out-
put file is a PX file containing streaming web show data. In order to play this
show on the web, you must copy this file to your web server. To do this, you
must FTP the show to your server in binary format. Consult the documenta-
tion for your FTP program if you do not know how to do this.
Be sure that you upload the PX file to the correct folder. Every website has
a different structure, so you must know the correct folder to upload to. The
folder you choose determines the URL for your show and it may affect the
HTML code that must be added to your website.
Adding Code to Your Web Page

You must manually add some specific code to your page in order to use your
PX file. The following sample code is broken down, line by line, to explain
what it does in your web page.
Sample Code
<script language=”javascript” src=”http:// www.photodex.com/presenter.
js”></script>
<script>
PhotodexObject(“ProShow”,”[object name]”,”[URL to PX file]”,[width],[height]);
116
• Line 1 includes the ‘presenter.js’ script library from the Photodex server,
which contains the routines that embed your show in the page and
enables show controls.
• Line 2 begins a new JavaScript block.
• Line 3 calls the PhotodexObject function, which embeds your show.
This function is passed several parameters. ProShow is the type of
object being included. In this case, a ProShow slide show. Object name
is the unique name of your object. You cannot use the same object
name twice on one page. URL to PX file is the link to the web show PX
file that you uploaded to your server (i.e. http://www.yourserver.com/
slideshow.px). Width and Height are the dimensions at which you want
to display the show on your web page.
• Line 4 closes the JavaScript block and ends the section of included
code.
You have the options of writing this code yourself or using the View HTML
feature in web show creation. Click < View HTML > to view the code.
Troubleshooting Web Shows

If your web show is not working on your web page, try some of the following
tests to see if you have uploaded and embedded the show correctly.
• Make sure your PX show is where you think it is. Type the URL for the
PX file in your web browser. It should prompt you to save the file. If
not, you have the wrong URL for your web show. Correct the URL in the
Line 3.
• Make sure your web server can deliver PX files. Some web servers
are configured to reject unrecognized file types. Consult your server
administrator for more information. Remember, your server must be
able to deliver PX files as binary octet streams.
• Make sure that the Presenter Web Plug-In is properly installed and
functioning. Test this by viewing any shows on the Photodex website
(www.photodex.com).
117
Chapter 15
Flash Creation
Using Flash Creation
You can easily output your slide shows to Flash with ProShow Gold. Flash
video is a mainstay of web development that was previously inaccessible
to the general public due to a steep learning curve. ProShow Gold flattens
this learning, allowing you to create Flash videos with zero Flash experience.
Choose Flash video (FLV) playback to create output for your web page.
Since the Flash format is low quality, it is recommended that you offer both
a Flash version and a PX file (Photodex Stream File) version of your show.
This give the audience the choice between the low-quality Flash version of
your show and a high-quality version that can be viewed using the Photodex
Presenter.
To Create a Flash Show:

3. Click on Flash from the create output window.
4. Customize your Flash show using the various category options in the
Create Flash Show dialog.
Flash Show Options Overview

Menu allows you to customize the menu in your Flash show.
Specifies theme, layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the Flash show. Sets show
Options controls options for the Flash show playback size, ren-
dering options and protection.
118
Chapter 15: Flash Creation
Menus
From the Menus window, you can control all aspects of your
Flash show menu. The Menu options control the theme and
To Access Flash Menu Options:

1. Click Create Ouput > Flash in the main toolbar or go to Create > Create
Flash Show to launch the create Flash show window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
119
Shows
clips to your Flash show. Since you can combine any num-
ber of shows and videos in your Flash show, you will need
to use the Shows window to manage them. Remember, the
number of shows that you can add to a Flash show is virtu-
ally unlimited, but each additional show will increase the size of your file.
Among other things, you can do the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your Flash show.

• Change the order of shows on your Flash show.
• Specify which intro show to add to your Flash show.
To Access Flash Show Options:

Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Flash show. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Flash show.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the Flash show.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Flash show menu.
120
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Flash show menu appears.
checked by default.
Options
The Output Options controls options for generating the
Flash show, including playback size, rendering options and
protection. In this window, you can do the following:
• Specify Flash show quality options.

• Change the bitrate settings for your Flash show.
• Generate the HTML needed to put your Flash show on a webpage.
To Access Flash Show Options:

Video Options
• Video Format selects the encoding format used for the Flash video.
• Video Bitrate controls the size and quality of
• the output.
Video Player Options

• Show Controls enables and disables the appearance of show controls
in your Flash show.
Output Options
• Resolution specifies the resolution for the Flash show.
• Frame Rate specifies the number of frames per second to be displayed
in your Flash show.
• Loop Show allows you to set the show to repeat when no menu has
been added to the show.
121
Web Page Options

• Create HTML generates the HTML code used to create a web page with
your show on it. Click the box next to Create web page to enable this
feature.
• Open launches the web page once the code is generated and
rendering is complete. Create web page must be checked in order to
check the box next to View when complete.
• View HTML launches an HTML viewer so that you can see the code
for the web page that has been created. Check the box next to Open
HTML viewer to activate this option.
Placing Shows on Your Website

The create Flash feature in ProShow Gold lets you create a streaming Flash
movie that you can add to your own web site. You also have the options to
generate a complete web page to add to your website. To use these features,
you will need the following:
• Your own website,

• Access to your server to upload files, and
• Ability to write and edit HTML.
The HTML on your page must be properly configured and the Flash show
must be uploaded to your web server for it to play properly. Adding a
Flash show to a web page requires adding a few lines of custom HTML and
JavaScript code. You must be familiar with these technologies to use a Flash
show. If you are using a visual editor to create your website, you must be able
to edit the source code of your web page directly. You cannot use the visual
editing features in those programs to add a Flash show.
To Add a Web Show to Your Website:

1. Create the Flash show by clicking Create in the Create Flash Show
dialog.
2. Upload the Flash show to your web server using FTP.
3. Click < View HTML > in the Create Flash Show dialog to generate the
code.
4. Add the HTML and JavaScript code to your web page. Edit the HTML
code as necessary.
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To Add a Created Page to your Website:

1. In the Create Flash dialog, click the Options icon.
2. In the Flash Options section, check the box next to Create Web Page.
4. The file containing the new web page will be saved to the same folder
as your web show.
5. Upload the Flash show and the generated web page to your web
server using FTP. Edit the HTML code as necessary.
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Chapter 16
E-mailing Shows
Using the E-mail Show Feature
E-mailing slide shows has never been easier! When you select the E-mail
show feature, Gold automatically creates an executable of your show that
you can e-mail to anyone from within the program. Before you e-mail a show,
be sure to configure your e-mail settings as described in Chapter 2: The Work
Area.
To E-mail a Show:
2. Click the Create Ouput button in the main toolbar.
3. Click on E-Mail Executable in the create output window.
4. Customize the PC executable of your show using the various category
options in the E-Mail Show dialog.
E-Mail Show Options Overview

Menus allows you to customize the menu on the PC executable.
Sets layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the PC executable. Sets

show titles and thumbnails.
Options controls options for quality level, Video Standard selec-

tion and video options
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Chapter 16: E-mailing Shows
Menus
of your PC executable menu. The Menu options control the
To Access E-Mail Shows Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > E-Mail in the main toolbar or go to Create > Send
as E-Mail to launch the e-mail show window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
Shows
clips to your PC executable. Since you can combine any
number of shows and videos in your PC executable, you will
need to use the Shows window to manage them. Remem-
ber, the number of shows that you can e-mail depends on
125
the size of the destination e-mail server and user account. Among other
things, you can do the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your PC executable.
• Change the order of shows on your PC executable.
• Specify which intro show to add to your PC executable.
To Access E-Mail Show Options:

Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the E-mail show. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the E-mail show.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the E-mail show.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the E-mail show menu.
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the E-mail show menu appears.
checked by default.
126
Executable
The Executable window controls options for generating the
PC executable for E-mail Show output, including playback
size, rendering options and protection. In this window, you
can do the following:
• Select the default size of your PC executable.

• Specify PC executable quality options.
• Control settings that affect the file size of your show stream.
• Apply protection to your show.
To Access E-Mail Output Options:

Executable Startup
on the E-mail show.
launches.
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
127
On-Screen Controls
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
Composing Your E-Mail

When you click the create button in the e-mailshow window, ProShow Gold
will create the PC executable and launch the e-mail composition window. Be
sure to configure your e-mail preferences before you choose e-mail show as
your output option. You can complete the following tasks from this window:
• Specify who will receive the e-mail.

• Specify the e-mail address used to send the email.
• Compose the subject and text of your e-mail.
• Change the encoding method of the e-mail.
• Send your e-mail message.
To Compose Your E-Mail:

1. Click < Create > in the e-mail show window and wait for the
composition window to appear.
2. Enter the recipient’s e-mail address in the To: field.
3. Complete the CC, BCC, From and Subject fields as desired.
4. Enter your e-mail message in the space provided.
5. Click < Send > to send you message.
128
Message
• Address Book Icons opens the Windows address book so that you can
add e-mail addresses to your message. This address book is a standard
feature included in Windows.
• To specifies the e-mail address of your intended recipient(s). The
address will be visible to everyone who views the e-mail.
• CC (Carbon Copy) sets the e-mail address of additional intended
recipient(s). The address will be visible to everyone who views the
email.
• BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) specifies the e-mail address of additional
intended recipient(s). The address will be not be visible to everyone
who views the e-mail.
• From sets the sender’s (your) e-mail address. The address will be visible
to everyone who views the e-mail.
• Subject specifies the subject of your e-mail.
• Message specifies the text of your e-mail.
Encoding Method
• Encoding Method determines how the message is encoded for
delivery. ProShow Gold defaults to Base64, the most common
encoding format. This option does not affect your show in any way,
it only affects the way that the message is e-mailed. You should not
change this setting unless you have a specific need to do so.
129
Chapter 17
Autorun CD Creation
Using Autorun CD Creation
In ProShow Gold, you can easily create an autorun CD in order to view your
shows on a PC. autorun CDs are burned to a CD-R or CD-RW, and they are
configured to play automatically. Any PC user can play an autorun CD back
on their PC with no additional software.
To Create an Autorun CD:

3. Click on Autorun CD in the create output window.
4. Customize your autorun CD using the various category options in the
Create Autorun CD dialog.
Autorun CD Options Overview

Menus allows you to customize the menu that appears on your
CD. Sets theme, layout, and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the autorun CD. Sets show

video options.
Burning contains options for writing to a disc. Sets speed, CD

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Chapter 17: Autorun CD Creation
Menus
autorun
CD menu. The Menu options control the theme and layout,
as well as additional customizations.
To Access Autorun CD Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > Autorun CD in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Create Autorun CD to launch the create autorun CD window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
131
Shows
to your Autorun CD. Since you can combine any number of
shows and videos in your Autorun CD, you will need to use
the Shows window to manage them. Among other things,
you can do the following from the Shows options:
• Add and remove shows on your Autorun CD.

• Change the order of shows on your Autorun CD.
• Specify which intro show to add to your Autorun CD.
To Access Autorun CD Show Options:

> Create Autorun CD to launch the create Autorun CD disc window.
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Autorun CD. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Autorun CD.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the Autorun CD.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Autorun CD menu.
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Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Autorun CD menu appears.
checked by default.
Executable
The Executable options let you add a PC executable to
your Autorun CD. When the Autorun CD is loaded into the
computer, a PC executable version of the slide show will
automatically play; the user does not have to have Autorun
CD playback software on their computer. In addition, the
PC executable takes advantage of the higher resolution
supported by computer displays, providing superior quality versus Autorun
CD playback on a computer. You can adjust the following options in this
window:
• Enable and disable the addition of a PC executable to your Autorun CD.

screen).
To Access Autorun CD Executable Options:

Executable Startup
on the Autorun CD.
launches.
133
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
Burning
Autorun CD burning, burner selection and more. In this
window, you can do the following:
• Specify which Autorun CD writer you would like to use.

• Set the speed of the Autorun CD writer and the number of copies to be
burned.
134
To Access Autorun CD Disc Options:

CD Writer
• Writer selects the drive that will be used to burn the Autorun CD. In
addition to the available drives on your machine, you may want to
write to an ISO image file, which you can import into other Autorun
CD/CD authoring programs.
Disc Options
• Speed sets the speed at which the Autorun CD is written. The default is
the maximum speed for your Autorun CD burner.
• Disc Type specifies whether you are burning to a Autorun CD disc or a
CD.
Multiple Copies
• Copies specifies the number of copies of the Autorun CD to be burned.
CD Disc Label
computer.
Troubleshooting


• Include original files on Autorun CD specifies whether or not the
original files used in your show will be included on the Autorun CD.
These files will be accessible by the user.
135
Copy Protection
• Copy Protection toggles whether the Autorun CD will use copy
protection features. This does not prevent the disc from being
physically copied, but will prevent the show from playing when viewed
from a copied disc.
136
Chapter 18
Executable Creation
Using Executable Creation
An executable is a standalone slide show that runs on any Windows PC. Pro-
Show Gold includes all of the information needed for playback; no additional
software is required. Ease of playback makes the executable output a widely-
used format for sharing shows.
To Create an Executable:
3. Click on PC Executable from the create output window.
4. Customize your Executable using the various category options in the
Create Executable dialog.
Executable Options Overview

Menus allows you to customize the menu on your executable.
Sets theme, layout, content and music.
Shows adds and removes shows from the executable. Sets show
Options controls how the executable is created, including

default settings.
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Chapter 18: Executable Creation
Menu
of your executable menu. The Menu options control the
To Access Executable Menu Options:

1. Click Create Output > Executable in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Create Executable to launch the executable window.

the theme list.
page.
Menu Contents
Menu Layout
the menu.
138
Shows
to your Executable. Since you can combine any number of
shows and videos in your Executable, you will need to use
• Add and remove shows on your Executable.

• Change the order of shows on your Executable.
• Specify which intro show to add to your Executable.
To Access Executable Show Options:

> Create Executable to launch the create Executable disc window.
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Executable. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Executable.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the Executable.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Executable menu.
139
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Executable menu appears.
checked by default.
Options
The Executable options lets you configure the details of
your Executable. The user does not have to have specific
playback software on their computer. In addition, the PC
executable takes advantage of the higher resolution sup-
ported by computer displays, providing superior quality
versus formats such as Executable or Video CD. You can adjust the following
options in this window:

screen).
To Access Executable Options:

> Create Executable to launch the create Executable window.
Executable Startup
• Window Size specifies the startup size of the PC executable.
launches.
140
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
On-Screen Controls
Protection
days.
runs.
about the show.
141
Chapter 19
Screensaver Creation
Using Screensaver Creation
A Screensaver is a program that runs when you are not using your computer
to ensure that you monitor is not damaged, or ‘burned’, by static images.
ProShow Gold allows you to create a Screensaver from any show you make
so that it will be displayed anytime the computer is idle.
To Create a Screensaver:
3. Click on Screensaver from the create output window.
4. Customize your Screensaver using the various category options in the
Create Screensaver dialog.
Screensaver Options Overview

Shows adds and removes shows from the Screensaver. Sets
screen saver title and thumbnail.
Options contains options for rendering size, resolution and

protection.
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Chapter 19: Screensaver Creation
Shows
to your Screensaver. Since you can combine any number of
shows and videos in your Screensaver, you will need to use
• Add and remove shows on your Screensaver.

• Change the order of shows on your Screensaver.
• Specify which intro show to add to your Screensaver.
To Access Screensaver Show Options:

1. Click Create Output > Screensaver in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Create Screensaver to launch the create Screensaver window.
Included Shows
• Add (+) adds a new show to the Screensaver. When clicked, you will be
prompted to select a saved show to add to the Screensaver.
• Del (-) removes the selected show from the Screensaver.
in the menu.
shows in the menu.
Selected Show
about the show.
represent the selected show in the Screensaver menu.
143
Include Intro Show

The Intro Show plays before the Screensaver menu appears.
checked by default.
Options
The Screensaver options let you customize the look of your
Screensaver. When the Screensaver is loaded into the com-
puter, a Screensaver version of the slide show will automati-
cally play when the screensaver starts; the user does not
have to start it up manually. In addition, the PC Screensaver
takes advantage of the higher resolution supported by computer displays,
providing superior quality. You can adjust the following options in this
window:
• Specify the display settings for the PC Screensaver.

• Configure the settings that affect the file size of the PC Screensaver.
• Apply copy protection to the PC Screensaver.
To Access Screensaver Screensaver Options:

1. Click Create Output > Screensaver in the main toolbar or choose Create
> Create Screensaver to launch the create Screensaver window.
2. Click on the Screensaver icon on the top of the window.
into ProShow Gold.
compression.
for the show.
144
Protection
• By Days limits the usage of the PC Screensaver to a specified number
of days.
• By Runs limits the usage of the PC Screensaver to a specified number
of runs.
unlock the PC Screensaver for unlimited use.
about the show.
145
Chapter 20
Video for YouTube

Using Video For YouTube
The YouTube output in ProShow Gold generates a digital video file of your
show that is automatically updated to your YouTube account through Gold. It
uses YouTube video creation standards to ensure that your slide show will be
of the highest quality YouTube supports. Using this option, you can quickly
and easily share your slide shows with viewers on the most popular video
site on the Internet.
To Create a Video File for YouTube:

3. Click on YouTube from the create output window that appears.
4. Enter your YouTube account username and password. If you do not
have a YouTube account, you can create one at
5. www.youtube.com.
6. Enter your video information and video categorization.
7. Click < Upload >.
Account Information
In the account information section of the YouTube upload window you can:
• Enter your YouTube username
• Enter your YouTube password
Video Information
The video information section is where you enter details about your video.
You can enter your:
• Title, which is the name of your video once uploaded

• Description, which is a brief summary of the contents of your video
• You must completely fill out this section in order to upload your video.
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Chapter 20: Video for YouTube
Video Categorization
Video categorization allows you to enter information that will make your
video more visible to those searching YouTube.
Tags are the key words that are used to find your video when a viewer
searches YouTube. You can enter as many tags as you feel are relevant to your
video.
• Video Category is the category that YouTube will use when you upload
your video..
• You must completely fill out this section in order to upload your video.
Notes on YouTube Video

Upload Delay
YouTube must approve all video content that is uploaded to the site which
means that you may experience a delay from the time you upload your video
to the time it is available for viewing. Check your account profile on YouTube
for information on your existing or pending videos.
Size Limitations
YouTube restricts the size or length of the videos you can upload. You cannot
upload a show that is greater than 100 megabytes in size, or longer than 10
minutes in length.
147
Chapter 21
ProShow Files
Understanding ProShow Files
Advanced users may find it helpful to understand how ProShow Gold saves
shows to your computer. ProShow Gold creates a number of different files for
various uses, including backup file caching and customizing your workspace.
Types of ProShow Files

The ProShow Gold show files fall into four main categories based on how
they relate to the program. The categories are as follows:
• Show Files are the various components that make up your show and
they can be used to recover your work in the event of a system crash.
• Menu Files save menu, theme and/or layouts created in the authoring
stage of show creation.
• Output Files relate to certain aspects of the output functions in
ProShow Gold.
• Workspace Files consist of custom window layout files you can use to
load custom workspace settings and configurations.
Show Files
• PSH File (Photodex Slide Show File) is the main file for you show. This
file contains all the settings and options ProShow Gold needs to load,
create and play your show. This file does not contain any of your show
content. ProShow Gold simply links to your files and does not alter or
move them. This PSH File is what you would save in order to save a
show. If the file is deleted, your show no longer exists, but the content
included in the show remains in its original location.
The PSH File contains a list of all the other files used in your show. If you
move the PSH file, ProShow may not be able to link to your content properly.
If you attempt to load a show and the content cannot be found, ProShow
Gold will prompt you to locate the files in order to load the show properly.
If you wish to backup your show, you must backup both the PSH File and the
original content used in your show. The collect show files feature will auto-
mate this process and ensure that all content is copied correctly.
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Chapter 21: ProShow Files
• Backup Show Files are created by ProShow Gold to automatically back

up your show file each time you save your show. This allows you to
revert to previous versions of your show at any time. These backup
files are stored in the same folder as your show. The files have the
same name as your show, but extensions like .BAK, .B01, .B02, etc. Do
not delete these files if you would like to revert back to them while
working on your show.
• Show Content Files (Images, Music, Video) are the files used in your
show. When you add content to your show, ProShow Gold does not
copy or modify the file. ProShow simply notes where the original
content is saved on your computer and links to the files when they are
used in the show. If your original content moves, your show will not be
able to link to those files. The collect show files function copies all your
content into a single folder, allowing you to move your original files as
desired.
• PXC Files (Photodex Cache File) are created when you load a ProShow
Gold slide show. The PXC file is a cache file, which means that ProShow
Gold can access it very quickly to load the show that you are working
on. This file is generated automatically while you work on your show,
and it can be deleted at any time. You cannot load a show or recover
lost content from a PXC file.
• Autosave Files are automatically created by ProShow Gold every five
minutes in case of a system crash. When autosave occurs, a copy of the
current show is saved in the ProShow Gold program folder as autosave.
psh. This file is cleared when you save the show. Do not delete these
files if you would like to revert back to them in the event that your
system crashes.
• Temporary Files are created and removed by ProShow Gold as you use
the application. These files are stored in you Windows temporary folder
and will usually be named px*.tmp and _px*.tmp. These files will be
deleted by ProShow Gold when the application no longer needs them.
Do not delete these files while ProShow Gold is running.
• Slide Style Files are created for each slide style you add or create, and
are typically saved in the Styles folder inside the Gold installation
folder, with the extension PXS.
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Part 3: Features In-Depth in ProShow Gold
Menu Files
• MNU Files (Menus) are saved menus. With ProShow Gold’s advanced
menu authoring system, you can save completed menu designs for
later use. These files can be saved in any location.
Output Files
• ISO and CUE/BIN Files are disc images used to burn CDs and DVDs.
These files include all information and data necessary to write a disc.
These files are created when authoring a DVD, VCD or Autorun CD and
you have the option of saving these files rather than writing a disc.
Most CD and DVD burning applications can read these files and create
a final disc from that information.
• PX Files (Photodex Stream File) are ProShow Web Shows that are
created when you choose the Web Show or Share Show output format.
The file is a compressed web stream that is copied to a web server
for playback over the Internet. A PX file cannot be edited or used to
recover lost content. To play a PX file, you must install the Presenter
web plug-in or ProShow Gold.
• Temporary Video Files are created by ProShow Gold when you select
any output format that requires video rendering. This file is stored in
the same folder as the PSH file. This file contains video rendered by
the application and has an MPG file extension. These files allow you to
create multiple copies of the show without re-rendering the video. You
may delete these files at any time, but you will have to rerender the
video to do so.
• Show Cache Folders store video created for output (DVD, VCD, etc.) in
ProShow Gold. This allows you to easily create multiple copies of the
show without re-rendering the video. These files are stored in a folder
created by ProShow Gold. The folder is named using the name of your
show file, followed by _psdata. Do not delete this folder unless you
want to re-render the video for that show.
Workspace Files
• DPR Files (Window Layouts) are saved window layouts. From the
window menu in ProShow Gold, you can save and load custom
window layouts for your workspace. These files are saved in the
Layouts folder in ProShow Gold’s installation folder.
150
Find Missing Files

ProShow Gold has a Find Missing Files feature that helps you quickly locate
content that has been moved or is missing from your show.
To Find Missing Files:

1. When you open a show with missing files, you will see a prompt that
asks you if you would like to search for them. Click < Yes >.
2. This will launch the Find Missing Files dialog., where you will see a list
of the files that Gold was unable to locate and their previous location
in your slide show. Each file will have a red X next to it.
3. Select a file from the list of missing files and click < Locate >. The name
of the missing file will automatically appear in the File Name field to
assist you in locating the correct file.
4. Navigate through your folders until you locate the missing file. Then,
select that file and click < OK >. This will return you to the Find Missing
Files dialog where the file you found is listed with a green check next
to it.
5. Once you have located all the missing files, you will see a message at
the top of the dialog that reads All files have been located successfully.
6. Click < OK > to exit to the Work Area.
Collecting Show Files
The Collect Show Files feature copies all of your show content and places it
in one folder so that you can easily backup your show or move it to another
location on you computer.
151
To Access Collect Show Files:

1. With your show loaded in ProShow Gold, choose File > Collect Show
Files.
2. Choose the output location in the dialog box.
3. Click < Collect >.
Collect Show Files Options

• Files Used in Show lists all the content used in your show.
• Space Necessary for Collection displays the number and size of the files
to be collected. The total space necessary is listed at the bottom.
• Location Field specifies which folder to copy the content files to.
• Browse selects a folder on your computer or allows you to create a new
folder for your collected show files.
• Copy to Folder selects the folder where the collected files will be saved.
Check the box next to Overwrite existing files if you would like to do
so.
• Save List creates a text file with a list of the media and locations of all
files in your show.
Burn to DVD/CD
• Writer selects the CD or DVD burner used to write the disc.
• Speed changes the speed at which the disc is written.
• Simulate tests the burning process to see if it functions correctly,
without actually writing the data.
• Copies specifies how many copies of the disc to make.
152
Backup and Recovery

ProShow Gold aids in protecting you from accidentally losing your show
project due to computer crashes, power outages or other unforeseen com-
puter problems. The three safety features offered by ProShow Gold are as
follows:
• Autosave automatically saves your work every five minutes. This
happens in the background as you work and requires no action on
your part. If, for any reason, your show is not properly saved, ProShow
Gold will automatically ask if you would like to restore the last auto-
saved show the next time you launch the application. This guarantees
that the most that you can lose is what was done in the last five
minutes, or since your last save, whichever is most recent. All you need
to do to recover your show is launch ProShow Gold. You can configure
how your autosaves are handled in the Preferences by selected Edit >
Preferences in the menubar.
• Backup ensures that your last 10 saves are automatically backed up.
This feature allows you to undo an unwanted change, even if you have
already saved your show changes. This happens automatically, every
time you save your show.
• Recovery allows you to revert back to saved versions of your show, the
last auto-saved version or any available backups using the Revert to
Backup feature.
To Revert to Previous Versions of Your Show:

1. Choose File > Revert to Backup.
2. Select the version your would like to recover from the Available
Backups list.
3. Click < Open >.
153
Chapter 22
Overview of Layers
Using Multiple Layers
Layers are a familiar concept to any artist or designer who has used modern
illustration software. ProShow Gold applies the use of layers to presentation
software, allowing unlimited layers in a single slide. These layers allow you
to create collages, use borders with transparency and apply other advanced
effects to create exciting and engaging slide shows.
About Layers
A Layer is a particular image, video, solid color or gradient that is added to a
slide. When you add more than one image or video to a slide, ProShow Gold
stacks them in order, creating Layers. These Layers can be re-ordered in any
combination. Other elements in your slide that are not layers are:
• Background is behind all layers.

• Captions are in front of layers, but behind the watermark.
• Watermark is in front of all layers.
154
Chapter 22: Overview of Layers
Layers are placed in a particular order depending on how you add them to
the slide. The first image or video that you add will be the bottom layer. All
Layers that you add after that will be stacked on top of that layer. In ProShow
Gold, you can easily rearrange these Layers to suit your needs. There are
numerous effects that you can create using multiple layers, including:
• Displaying multiple photos on one screen without editing them

together into one image.
• Showing a still photo while a video clips plays.
• Moving a photo from behind another photo or video.
• Moving multiple photos around the screen at once.
• Overlaying a border around your show.
• Floating an oddly shaped image with transparency over other photos.
• Creating highlights and illustrations.
Adding and Removing Layers

Adding and Removing Layers in ProShow Gold is very simple. Layers can be
images, videos, a solid color or a gradient. When you choose to create a Solid
Color Layer or a Gradient Layer, ProShow Gold actually renders an image. The
image rendered has a default resolution of 800 x 600, which you can change
if you like. To change the shape of the layer you create, simply change either
of the resolution values as desired. For example, changing the value to 800 x
200 will give you a horizontal rectangle that can be used for masking effects.
To Add Layers from the Main Window:

1. Use the Folder and File Lists to browse for slide content.
2. In the File List, select the file(s) you would like to add to your show.
3. Drag the selected files into the Slide List.
4. Press < CTRL > as you drop the file(s) on the desired slide.
To Add Layers from Slide Options:

1. Select the slide you would like to add additional layers to.
2. Choose Slide > Slide Options and pick any category.
3. Click < Add > (+) in the Layers list.
4. Choose < Add Image or Video >.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to add a new layer.
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Part 3: Features in-Depth in ProShow Gold
To Remove Layers from Slide Options:

1. Select the slide you would like to remove additional layers from.
2. Choose Slide > Slide Options and pick any category.
3. Select the layer you would like to delete from the Layers list.
4. Click < Del > (-) in the content of slide section.
To Copy Layers from Slide Options:

1. In Slide Options, right-click on the layer you would like to copy in the
Layers list.
2. Choose Copy To > All Slides or Selected Slides.
Working with Layers in Preview Windows

The Preview windows in the Slide Options dialogs show layers just as they
appear in your slide. You can easily set the position and size for layers in
the Preview windows. Adjustments you can make in the Preview windows
include:
• Clicking on any layer to select that layer.

• Dragging layers around the preview window to position them.
• Clicking on any layer and using the mouse wheel to resize the layer.
Adjusting Layers
Each layer in ProShow Gold is adjusted separately. This allows you to make
specific corrections to individual slides while leaving the others untouched.
In Slide Options, there is one central place to make adjustments to layers:
• The Layers category allows you to size and position your content, set
the aspect ratio, edit video clips.
• The Editing tab contains options including color correction, drop
shadows and colorizing.
156
To Change Image/Video Settings for a Layer:

1. In the Slide List, click on the slide you would like to modify.
2. Choose Slide > Layers > Layers.
3. Make adjustments to the selected layer using the Layer Settings or
Video Settings tabs.
4. To exit the Slide Options window, click < Ok >.
To Change Adjustments Settings for a Layer:

1. In the Slide List, click on the slide you would like to modify.
2. Choose Slide > Layers > Editing.
4. To exit the Slide Options window, click < Ok >.
Applying Motion to Layers

Motion effects can be applied to each layer independently. Using this fea-
ture, you can create slides with multiple layers moving independently of one
another. By adding motion to one layer at a time, you have the ability to give
each element in your slide a unique motion path.
Copying Layers
You may find that you want to copy a layer from the current slide to the next
slide that you are working on in order to create complex motion effects.
ProShow Gold makes this a one-click operation.
To Copy a Single Layer to the Next Slide:

1. In the slide list, click on the slide containing the layer you would like to
copy.
3. In the Layers list, click on the layer you would like to copy.
4. Click the Copy icon.
5. Click on Copy End to Next Slide.
6. Select another layer to copy or click < Ok >.
157
Carrying Layers Across Slides

When creating a show with layers, it is often helpful to carry the same photo
or video clip across multiple slides. This allows you to give the layer a differ-
ent motion path on each slide, resulting in a complex motion path that adds
interest to your show.
When you match a layer to the next slide, the ending position of the layer in
the first slide matches the starting position of the layer in the next slide. You
can also match to the previous slide, which sets the ending position of the
layer’s first slide to match the starting position of the layer in the next slide.
ProShow Gold lets you match any layer in one slide to any layer on the next
slide, even if they are different images. This allows you to use transition effect
to add interest to your show.
To Match a Layer to the Next or Previous Slide:

3. In the Layers list, click on the layer you want to apply motion to.
4. Click on the Not Matched button beneath either position and specify
the layer to match.
5. Click < Done >.
Transparency
ProShow Gold supports transparency features for images, video and cap-
tions. You can use transparency to create interesting effects, including the
following:
• Picture frame-type effects using borders with transparency.

• Overlays of images that are partially transparent for silhouette effects.
• Irregularly shaped images with motion effects over a static
background.
158
About Images with Transparency

Images with transparency can be created in a number of different photo edi-
tors. In images with transparency, part of an image is designated as trans-
parent, while the rest of the image is opaque. When you view a transparent
image in the File List, the transparent portion appears to be black, but when
you add it to a slide on top of another layer, you will be able to see the trans-
parency effect. Only certain types of images support transparency, and the
files must be created in a graphics editor. The following file formats support
transparency:
• Adobe Photoshop Image (.psd)

• Portable Network Graphic (.png)
• Graphics Interchange Format (.gif )
• Tagged Image File Format (.tiff )
Consult the documentation for your graphics editor to determine how to

create images with transparency.
Creating and Using Borders with Transparency

In ProShow Gold, you can easily create interesting borders for your show.
Since ProShow Gold fully supports transparency, you just need to create a
graphic with transparent areas for the layers underneath to show through.
By adding a border graphic as the top layer in your slide, you can achieve the
picture frame-effect very quickly without altering your original content.
159
To Create a Border for a Slide/Show

1. Using your preferred graphics editor, create a border graphic with a
transparent area where you would like the layers beneath to show
through.
2. Save the file with transparency.

3. In your show, use the folder and file list to locate the graphic that you
created.
4. In the slide list, locate the slide that contains the image that you would
like to add the border to.
5. Click and drag the border graphic into the slide list and press < CTRL >
when you drop the file onto the slide.
6. Make sure the border layer comes before the image so that it appears
over it.
7. Click < Ok > to exit slide options.
160
Chapter 23
Audio and Video Utilities

Audio and Video in ProShow
The traditional slide show format has been missing two major components
of today’s slide show: audio and video. Audio helps set the mood of your
show, using music to evoke particular responses from your audience. Video
adds a dynamic element to your show, making it feel less like a collection
of static images and more like a multimedia production. Now that so many
digital cameras also support filming small video clips, it’s easier than ever to
combine video and still images from an event. To make it easier to integrate
audio and video into your show, ProShow Gold provides built-in utilities for
processing audio and video.
Audio
In ProShow Gold, there are two built-in tools for manipulating your
soundtrack and sound effects. You can precisely sync and crop audio without
ever leaving the program using the following tools:
• Audio Trimmer allows you to crop audio, add fades and preview the
edited audio file.
• Record Slide Time allows you to link certain points in the music to
slides in your show simply and easily.
Audio Trimmer
ProShow Gold features a built-in audio trimmer that allows you to easily crop
audio for use in your show.
161
Chapter 23: Audio and Video Utilities
To Access the Audio Trimmer:

1. Choose Show > Soundtrack from the menubar.
2. Select the track that you would like to crop from the Tracks list.
3. Click < Edit Fades and Timing >.
4. Set the starting and ending points for the track.
5. Set fades for the track.
6. Click < OK >.
Audio Trimmer Options

• Waveform displays a visual representation of the audio file. To zoom in
and out, use the Zoom slider.
• Play plays the audio file.
• Pause/Resume pauses and resumes audio track
• playback.
• Stop ends playback and returns to the beginning of the audio track.
• Start Here specifies the starting point for the audio. Use this to trim the
beginning of the audio file.
• End Here specifies the starting point for the audio. Use this to trim the
end of the audio file.
• Zoom allows you to zoom in and out on the waveform.
• Start/End displays the specific starting and ending times for the
track. These values reflect the position of the Start Here and End Here
markers.
• Fade In/Out displays the specific starting and ending fade duration for
the track. These values reflect the position of the Fade markers.
162
Record Slide Time

Record Slide Time allows you to precisely synchronize certain parts of your
show with your show soundtrack. This is especially helpful when working
with fast-paced music.
To Access Record Slide Time:

1. Choose Show > Soundtrack in the menubar.
2. Click < Record Slide Timing >.
3. Click < Start > to begin soundtrack playback.
4. Press the keys on the keyboard that correspond to the keys shown
on the screen. Hold the key down for the amount of time you would
like the transition to last. The transition below the selected key will be
inserted after the slide displayed. Hold the key down for the amount of
time you would like the transition to last.
5. To change any transition associated with a key, simply click the
transition icon above it to launch the Transition Chooser.
6. When you have finished recording slide times, click < Apply >.
7. Click < Done >. Notice the slide times and transition have changed
accordingly.
163
Audio CDs and ProShow

ProShow Gold lets you easily add music to your shows directly from Audio
CDs. CD support is integrated into the software, so you never have to convert
or import tracks to a digital format for use in your slide show.
To Save Tracks from a CD:

1. Place the desired music CD into the disc drive on your computer.
2. Choose Audio > Save Music from CD.
3. In the Save Audio Track dialog, check the box next to Retrieve artist/
track info from the Internet if you would like to download that
information.
4. Select the track you would like to use in the Available Audio Tracks list.
5. Select the Format you would like to use from the drop down list, either
OGG or MP3.
6. Click < Save Track >.
7. In the Save Audio CD Track dialog, specify where you would like to save
the track.
8. Click < Save >.
164
Video
ProShow Gold makes it easier than ever to add video to your slide show. By
offering a builtin video trimmer, Gold eliminates the need for costly and com-
plex video editing software. Video clips can be added like any other layer to a
slide, undergoing the same editing and effects that any other layer would.
Video Trimmer
The built-in video trimmer lets you use only the part of the video clip that
you need. With ProShow Gold, you spend more time creating the show than
having to prepare your content.
To Access the Video Trimmer:

1. Add a video to the slide list. Double-click on the new slide to launch
Slide Options, click on the Layers category, then the Video Settings tab.
2. Click < Trim Video >.
3. Set the starting and ending points for the video.
4. Click < OK >.
5. Click < Done >.
Video Trimmer Options

• Preview displays a real-time preview of the video clip.
• Starting/Ending Frame shows the frame and position, in seconds, of
the starting and ending point of the video clip.
• Start/End displays the specific starting and ending times for the video,
which reflect the position of the Start Here and End Here markers.
• Video Timeline shows a timeline version of the video clip. Use the
Zoom slide to zoom in and out of the timeline.
• Play plays the audio clip.
• Pause/Resume pauses and resumes video playback.
• Stop ends playback and returns to the beginning of the video clip.
• Start Here specifies the starting point for the video. Use this to trim the
beginning of the video file.
• End Here specifies the starting point for the video. Use this to trim the
end of the video file.
• Reset removes all changes to the video made in the video trimmer.
• Zoom allows you to zoom in and out on the Video Timeline
165
Chapter 24
Text Macros and Symbols

Available Text Macros
Macro Description
\F Filename with extension
\f Filename only
\e Extension only
\[exif fieldname] EXIF data field, fieldname is name of field
\R Image resolution in pixels
\w Width of image in pixels
\h Height of image in pixels
\t File date
\T Current date
\c Number of colors
\C Number of colors, formatted
\b Number of bits per pixel
\p Current Slide Number
\P Total number of slides
\s File size in bytes
\S File size in kilobytes
\o Folder name where image is stored
\d Full path to image, no trailing backslash
\D Full path to image, with backslash
\\ Single backslash (‘\’)
Available EXIF Fields

ProShow Gold is able to use almost all EXIF data from your images, assuming
they have that data present. For a complete list of EXIF data, please see the
Support section of the Photodex website.
166
Chapter 25
Supported File Formats

Supported Input Formats
ProShow Gold supports most all major image, audio, and video formats
such as JPG, TIF, PSD, BMP, GIF, AVI, MPG, MP3, and more. Input formats are
updated frequently as the program changes. For a complete list of supported
input formats, please see the Support section of the Photodex website.
Supported Output Formats

ProShow Gold can create a wide variety of output types, based on what
you select when you create your show output. Supported formats include
DVD, Blu-ray, a host of video file types such as MPG, MOV, WMV, and more.
For a complete list of output options, please see the Support section of the
Photodex website.
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Photodex | ProShow Gold User Guide

Part 2: Output in ProShow Gold

Part 3: Features In-depth in ProShow Gold

Part 4: Reference Information

To Install from CD:

To Install from a Download:

4. Destination Folder. Specify the location to install the program to. If

5. Additional Options. this screen allows you to choose which shortcuts

ProShow Gold is distributed as “try before you buy” software. It runs as a

To Check for Upgrades:

Using Photodex Support

To Resolve Issues in ProShow Gold:

The Work Area

To Enable/Disable ‘Tip of the Day’:

About the Work Area

The Work Area

Panes in the Work Area

Working with Work Area Panes

Using Window Layouts

To Save a Work Area Layout:

The Menu Bar

The Main Toolbar

Save lets you save your current show.

Play previews the current show.

Options opens show options, which contains settings for your

Slide opens slide options, which contains settings for individual

Music opens the soundtrack options for your entire show.

The Folder List

The Favorites List

• Right-click in the favorites list to create a new folder, remove a favorite

The File List

File List Viewing Modes

File List Sorting

The Light Box

Light Box Controls

The Preview Window

To Use Full Screen Playback:

The Size Meter

The Preview Window

The Slide List

To Change Slide Viewing Mode:

Slide List/Timeline Controls

The Audio Waveform

Audio List View Actions

Audio Timeline View Actions

Soundtracks > to open the show soundtrack section of Show Options.

To Change Appearance Preferences:

To Access External Editor Preferences:

Default Sound Editor

Keyboard & Remotes

To Access Keyboard Preferences:

To Access Internet Preferences:

Outgoing E-mail Server (SMTP)

Incoming E-mail Server

To Access Miscellaneous Preferences:

Autosave & Backups

To Access Show Default Preferences: