projector questions

Hi. Does anyone know of a stand alone computer programme for showing projected images at club comps. The programme we use at present is complicated and long winded. Also, is there a focusing aid to setting up the projector that can be downloaded.
regards Thoramay.

Powerpoint is pretty much the standard program or the free Star Office version of it. Lots of bells and whistles which can all be freely ignored to create a simple basic slide show.

I don't know of a focusing aid (apart from projecting an image which has lots of detail to help focus). The main problem, especially when using a free-standing projector and screen, is getting the screen flat to the image as they tend to flop about a bit. At work we project onto a white painted wall most of the time.

The other big problems with data projectors are (a) they are relatively low resolution and (b) you have no/little control over colour. For these two reasons lecturers in art history stick to slides.

Best wishes, Kris.

Assuming that before the projection starts all the pictures are loaded onto a PC which is driving the projector then the Windows picture and fax viewer in slideshow mode will allow you to move forwards and backwards between images.

If you want something a little more sophisticated (but still free) then FASTSTONE image viewer from www.faststone.org will do a timed slide show (with EXIF if required) of all images in a directory, and can select upto 4 images to display on the screen at the same time which could be usfull when the judges want to compare their top choices.

Picasa 3, a very under rated piece of FREE software.

Thing is, guys. The member operating the projector is pasing it on. The system he uses is not user friendly. I have been asked to help out but am not computer literate much. I need a programme that is stand alone, not windows or photoshop based. I am hoping that I can find a programme that will let me do a slide show, cancel out the shots that are marked and just leave the selected pics for final judgement. Any comments!! How do you do it? I also need a picture like the test screen used to tune in the old television. The present guy keeps changing the focus during screening. It makes me scream silently. I want to set up the projector to a test screen so that all pics must balance up to this setting. Am I wrong???

Imagecomp Pro works well but we are now moving to the more sophisticated DiCentra www.wilburimaging.com

In both cases the program keeps scores, allows images to be held back and presents the results.

Picasa will let you put a "Star" against selected images and then display the selected ones. As has already been said, Picasa is a very much underated program and is being updated/upgraded all the time.

If you want something that is not windows based then it would be a good idea for you to tell us what hardware and operating system you would like the program to run on/in...

You are right about the focusing. With digital projection once the projector is in focus then it stays in focus. You need something like a picture of a brick wall which is in super sharp focus all over and project for set up and focus once and leave it alone.

But just as when taking a picture of a flat plane (e.g. brickwall) the axis of the camera should be perpendicular to the plane so - for best results - during projection the axis of the projector should be perpendicular to the plane of the screen and aligned with the center of the screen (i.e. no keystone correction).

Bob... wouldn't it be better to draw something in Coreldraw or Adobe Illustrator and then save it as a jpg? A series of rectangles would probably do it?

K.

Yes I agree a series of rectangles comprised of entirely vertical and horizontal lines drawn on computer would be perfect then there would be no argument about weather or not the original of the projected graphic was in focus or not.

There are image files avaiable that consist of a test subject. Google will reveal all....

Many digital projectors no longer need to be parallel to the screen as they will automatically compansate. Amazing.

The Uni won't splash out for things that flash...