MacHouse

   Last updated: December 02, 2009

1. Installation

In order to use ScreenSequence 2.0, it'll be better to create a folder with any name at first.  Then put a copy of ScreenSequence 2.0 plus the folder titled samples in it.  For Windows users, use the folder containing the application that is supplied by the distributor and rename it in any way.

2. Using ScreenSequence 2.0

ScreenSequence 2.0 is a bit different from its predecessor ScreenSequence since the former can handle multiple graphic images (up to 5) to let you create consecutive slideshow movies.

At the bottom of the application window, you will find an orange image-drop square.  It accepts such graphic formats as BMP, GIF, JPEG, PDF, PICT, PNG, PSD and TIFF for the Mac version.  The Windows version doesn't accept PDF, PICT and PSD.  Simply, drag and drop a graphic file onto the image drop box.  As you drop an acceptable graphic image, another drop box will appear. You can drag and drop as many as five images.

The top large window displays the graphic image that is currently selected on the image scroll at the bottom.  In order to toggle between images to be displayed at the top window, press the Tab key.  The selected image has a light blue border.

The new version lets you set an individual SMPTE effect between two graphic images.  If five images are loaded, you must select four video effects before pressing the Export button found on the side bar.  If you wish to drop any of the graphic images that have already loaded, press the X button below the pull-down menu.

3. Exporting a movie

Before you export a movie, you must set the width and the height of a movie, the number of frames and a frame rate.  The video resolution does not have to be the same as the dimesions of the images.  The number of frames determines the speed of transition.  The higher the number is, the more slowly the video transition will occur.  As for the frame rate, if you don't know what to do with it, set it to 24.  24 is the standard frame rate for motion pictures.  25 and 29.97 are the frame rates used in North America plus Japan and Western Europe, respectively.

Clicking on the Export button, first, you will be promoted to set the destination of a file.  Then Compression Settings window will appear.  Choose a video compressor of your choice from the top pull-down menu.  If you don't know what to choose, select H.264 or MPEG-4.  And leave the key frame field blank.

The resulting video is not efficient and the video bit rate must be higher than expected.  So it is highly advisable that you use QuickTime Pro, MPEG Streamclip or whatever to re-compress the video with the multi-pass mode.