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DiapOPict 3.0 User manual

Julien Salort

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

DiapOPict is a software which creates slideshows from a list of files (pictures or movies). It uses QuickTime. So you can use any format QuickTime is able to read.

You can use many sounds format (mp3, wav, aiff, etc.)

You can download DiapOPict on several websites and on my own :
http://geographer.multimania.com/DiapOPict.html
http://julien.salort.free.fr/DiapOPict.html

The downloaded file are compressed using Stuffit. You need StuffIt Expander to unstuff them.

You can try DiapOPict for a period of 30 days to know if it fits your needs. If you continue using it, please register your licence. See 6 for more information.


Chapter 2 Starting with DiapOPict

2.1 Required items

DiapOPict is a packaged carbon application. It will work on any PowerMacintosh running MacOS 9 and later provided the latest CarbonLib is installed. QuickTime 4 or newer is required too.

QuickTime can be downloaded at http://www.apple.com/quicktime.

Note that older versions of DiapOPict exist for older computers : DiapOPict 2.0.x works on any PowerPC computers running MacOS 8.0 and newer, DiapOPict 1.0.x works on 68k models too. These versions are still available to download on my website but they're not likely to be updated.

2.2 Installation

You just have to put the application package whereever you like on your hard disk.

Chapter 3 Workspace

3.1 Introduction

When starting the application, an empty document "Untitled 1" is opened. The window is a "workspace" window that can be divided as shown in figure 3.1.
Workspace window

Figure 3.1: Workspace organization

3.2 File area

This area shows the file list. You add files to it with the Add files button from the slideshow area. The items are shown in the slideshow's order. The sound and the effect (if any) are shown next to the filename.

Tip: Dropping files onto the application icons creates a new document with the files you've dropped

The order of the files can be changed by dragging a selected item as shown in figure 3.2.
image2

image3

image4

Figure 3.2: Moving a file

Tip: You can unselect a file by shift-clicking on it

Tip: You can select several files and move them at once

3.3 Preview area

The preview area shows the selected picture using the selected quicktime effect and the chosen background color. If you want to preview the file in a bigger window, just double-click on the filename in the list.

In addition, DiapOPict shows the file size and its bounds rect.

3.4 Slideshow area

3.4.1 Background color

The rect under the preview area shows the selected color. To change it, just click it. That will bring up the color picker.

3.4.2 Managing files

The Add files button lets you add pictures or movies to the slideshow. (You can select several files and add them at once). The Rename file button lets you rename the file. The filename is changed both in the filesystem and in the DiapOPict document. Note that you can have the filename shown during the slideshow by ticking the Show filename box.

3.4.3 Slideshow controls

The radio buttons let you define how the slideshow is controlled. Next by keyboard/mouse means DiapOPict will wait for the user's pressing a control key1 whereas Automatic means DiapOPict will wait a specified amount of time before showing the next picture.

If you tick the Loop checkbox, the slideshow will restart from the beginning when the last picture is reached. Warning: in an automatic html slideshow, you should not check the loop option : this may prevent the user from aborting...

If you tick the Show file name checkbox, DiapOPict will show the filename at the top of the screen.

3.4.4 Adding effects

Transitions

You can attach a transition to a specified item by clicking the Set effect button. A list shows up with the available quicktime effects. By default, there is 13 effects (more than 200 parameters).

Sound

You can attach a sound by clicking the Add a sound button. You can only import system sound files.
Sound Files

Figure 3.3: Sound files

3.4.5 Launching the slideshow and getting help

You can launch the slideshow by clicking the Launch slide show button. See 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 for standalone application slideshow and html slideshow.

You can get help about the available keys during slideshow with the question mark button.

1
The arrows for navigation, the space bar to pause and the escape key to quit

Chapter 4 Managing documents

4.1 Printing

You can either print the file list by choosing Print the file list from the File menu or print the pictures by choosing Print the slideshow from the File menu.

4.2 Saving

4.2.1 DiapOPict document

You can save the DiapOPict document by choosing Save or Save as… from the File menu. Those documents are not self-contained. They require the image files to be on your harddisk.

4.2.2 Standalone application

You can create a standalone (self-contained) application by choosing Build standalone application from the File menu. This creates a packaged carbon application that requires MacOS 9 or later provided the latest CarbonLib is installed.

If you need an application that works on older Macintoshes, you will find older versions of DiapOPict on my website1.

4.2.3 HTML slideshow

You can create an HTML slideshow by choosing Build HTML slideshow from the File menu. This lets you distribute on internet and for a use on other OSes. You can specify the Description and Keywords meta-tags.

The other document settings are taken in account too. The HTML has been tested with MS Internet Explorer on OSX.

1
http://geographer.multimania.com

Chapter 5 Frequently Asked Questions


Is it possible to open documents created with an older version of DiapOPict ?
Yes, DiapOPict 3.0 will open any DiapOPict document.
Will a standalone application still have the "Not registered" caption after I registered ?
Yes, you'll have to rebuild them for the caption to disappear
Is it possible to get a better price if I'm buying several licences ?
Contact the author
As for the older 1.0.7 version, is there a limitation to the number of items.
No, the only limit is the available disk size

Chapter 6 Registration

6.1 Unregistered users restrictions

While you're unregistered, DiapOPict shows a dialog box each time you quit it, a "not registered" caption shows up during slideshows, the HTML slideshow can only contain 5 pages.

6.2 How to register

You can send 13 USD cash to :
Julien Salort
"Les Collines" bât 1
9 rue farinière
13009 Marseille
FRANCE


You can register with your credit card thanks to the Kagi registering services at http://order.kagi.com/?XUO.

6.3 How to perform the registration once you have the key

Choose "About DiapOPict" from the apple menu. This is the same dialog box that shows up when unregistered users quit the application. Click on the Register button and enter the password you got when you registered. Then, DiapOPict asks for your name. After you entered your name, the registration process is complete. You should keep your password somewhere in case you need it again later.

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