Creating and Using Slideshows

In addition to helping you organize files, Portfolio allows you to display images collected in your catalog in a slideshow either on your computer screen or onto a projection screen (this generally requires the assistance of Reed Audio-Visual Services).

To set up a slideshow in Portfolio, the first thing you need to do is configure the slideshow options. Choose View > Slideshow Options or type Command-Option-; to open the Slideshow Options window.

From this window, you can control slideshow attributes. By clicking one of the radio buttons in the Control section, you can choose whether the slideshow advances on its own after a delay that you set (simply enter a number of seconds into the text box under "Timed"), or whether you advance the "slides" manually.

You can also decide whether to display images at their actual size or have them fit the size of the screen as much as they can. We suggest choosing the latter option by clicking the radio button next to "Full Screen," simply because this will (more or less) standardize the size of the images you display, making them all relatively easy to view.

Furthermore, the two togglable options below the Display section are worth noting. By checking the box labeled "Continuous Loop," you will cause your slideshows to start over at their beginning once they reach their end. This is most useful when operating an automatic slideshow that you wish to run without stopping for a lengthy period of time.

By checking the Display Field box and choosing a field from the pull-down menu, you cause Portfolio to display the data associated with said field underneath each slide in the show.

When you've finished customizing the Slideshow Options, click OK to close the window. Since Portfolio uses the images in the active gallery when running a slideshow, you'll probably want to create a new gallery by choosing Gallery > New or typing Command-G. Then you'll want to select and drag the images you want for your slideshow into the new gallery window and then put them in the proper order.

When you're ready to run your slideshow, choose View > Slideshow or type Command-; to set it in motion.

Once the slideshow starts, you'll see a small, moveable control panel off to one side of the screen. If you've allowed the slideshow to advance automatically, the control panel will look like this: and will only allow you to pause or exit the slideshow. If you've chosen to advance the show manually, your control panel will be a little more complicated:

With it, you will be able to end the slideshow, advance it or rewind it one slide, jump to the beginning or end of the series of slides, and even (if you are not viewing the catalog in Reader mode) delete items from the catalog, delete originals attached to records, copy or move original files, and rename records or files. (See illustration above.)

Note: deleting an item from a catalog or deleting the original file to which a record points is permanent. It cannot be undone. Do not use these buttons lightly! When copying or moving an original, Portfolio will prompt you to decide where to put it. Simply use the window that appears to browse through your computer's folder hierarchy and find the place you want. When renaming, of course, you will have to decide on a new name.