Make a dynamic slideshow of your snaps with Photo Story 3

This is one way to make a nice .wmv photo slideshow with panning and zooming effects using mainly free software. I expect there are easier ways, but I couldn't find an instructable on the subject. My method goes round the houses a bit, but it works. I'd love to hear from anyone who has an easier one.

Using Windows Movie Maker and a DVD burner you can also put it on a DVD so your grandchildren can watch it on TV. But that's for another instructable!

I'm posting this because it took me ages to figure it all out, and I probably won't use it again for six months, by which time I will have forgotten it all again. So I'll come back here and see what I did. And maybe if you haven't been through the process already it will speed things up for you.

This instructable gives you guidance on Photo Story 3, but assumes you already know how to use your scanner, Irfanview (or your fave graphics software) etc. Most of the processes are very intuitive, but if there is an area I haven't covered that needs more detail please comment.

Large parts of my knowledge have been gleaned from the work of Papa John: www.windowsmoviemakers.net/PapaJohn. You will find more info there - including how to do 16:9 and even HD!

* NB A Photo Story file is limited to 300 pics. But you can make several and combine them in Movie Maker.

Step 1 What you need

You will need:

Hardware:

- a PC * preferably with XP or Vista
- a scanner
- a DVD drive and some blank discs

• If you have an Apple it will do all the work for you and you don't need this tutorial :-)

Software:

(You don't have to have these programs: you can use whichever software you like. These are just the ones I find useful and free/cheap.)

To edit your pics:
- Irfanview (free download from Tucows)

To make the .wmv slideshow:
- Photo Story 3 for Windows (free download from Microsoft)

You may want:

To rip music from CDs:
- CDex (free download) or your favourite CD ripping software
- a PC mic (if you want to do a voice-over)

To convert .wmv to .avi:
- Windows Movie Maker (free with XP)

To make a DVD:
- DVD burning software such as Roxio Copy and Convert (20 quid)

There may be a free (and reliable!) way to convert AVI files to DVD, but I couldn't find one. If you know of a good one, please comment.

Comments

[tyeo098]

Um... This is more of a manual than an instructable... Id be more impressed if it was "How to make a Dynamic Slideshow with Notepad, and command prompt" Something... not what it was meant to do-ey If you want to know how to use a program read the manual, dont post the manual

[LDW]

Dear Tye, Thank you for commenting. If you know where I can source a manual for the Photo Story 3 software, I would be VERY glad to read it. Thank you. LDW

[LDW]

PS - quote from How to make a great Instructable:

"Demonstrate how to do something.

This could include showing
how to change a car tire,
how to use a software product,
how to sail a boat."

[GorillazMiko]

cool instructable, i dont think i could have ever thought of this!