Beatrice said:
Alright, I'm slowly getting there. My next comments are what I think
is right-can you (Walter, John, whoever) please let me know if my
thinking is right?
What the programs require is a specific aspect ratio in order for the
pictures to "fit" within the space the program allocates for each
picture. I see from previous posts (other threads) that the preferred
aspect ratio is 4:3, or 4 pixels (?) up with three across. Cropping
will not alter the picture size, but instead cuts it down to result
in that program's preferred size ratio. Using the square peg...round
hole analogy, right now I'm trying to fit a large rectangle into a
smaller, slightly different shaped rectangle hole.
Unfortunately, my pictures are scans from an assortment of
hardcopies, and are all different original sizes. A couple of them
are very tall, a couple very wide. So my ratios are more like 10-4 if
really tall, or 4-10 if really wide. If using Office Picture Manager
is there any way to re-size them correctly? The pixel options are in
the hundreds and thousands-do I look for an option that has as close
to 4-3 (whatever fraction of the full size times 4 up, and 3 across)
as possible? When I look at the specific aspect ratio options in
re-sizing the options are 3-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7, and 8-10, none are 4-3
(in portrait).
I've downloaded PS3, and been through the "remove black border"
process, which doesn't really remove the borders as much as it crops
the pics. I'm losing major portions of some of them, and it just
looks terrible.
I'm one step closer to understanding, but not any closer to what I
want. Why can't the programs just let you change the background to
something that matches your pictures or theme better? (rhetorical
question)
Thanks for your help-I really do appreciate it!
Beatrice
===============================
Do the black borders really bother you
that much? I doubt that your viewers will
even notice unless you point it out to them...
that's just the way a slide show looks.
Anyway.....
Yes, cropping removes portions of the
original photo. If this is unacceptable...
and if the black bars must be a different
color...you will have to prepare your photos
in an editing program before you import
them into Movie Maker.
Here's an example of what I am referring
to. This is a portrait orientation scan of an
old photograph on a 4:3 landscape orientation
background.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3463764517_bb8acd29aa.jpg
As for cropping...if you use a cropping
tool like the one in the freeware 'FastStone
Image Viewer' you can choose the aspect
ratio you require and not be bothered with
pixel dimensions.
Info on FastStone Image Viewer
===========================
To achieve a particular size without
distorting the image, you must "Crop"
a portion the size you need. Imagine
cutting out a particular size with scissors...
If you download the freeware FastStone
Image Viewer...and install it...you can
open your image in the program and go
to...Edit / Crop Board...
On the Crop Board screen, you will see
a button below the image with three dots
on it...if you click it you will see a menu
of sizes to choose from. If the size you
need is not present, you can add it. Then
click OK. Now you can left click/drag the
corners of the selection box to frame the
portion of the image you wish to keep.
And you can reposition the box by
dragging the 4 way arrow.
When you are happy with the selection ...
click the Crop button.
Now...File / save As...choose a save
location / enter a name / click...save.
FastStone Image Viewer
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm
--
John Inzer MS-MVP
Digital Media Experience
Notice
This is not tech support
I am a volunteer
Solutions that work for
me may not work for you
Proceed at your own risk