slideshows comparison between fotomagico and fantashow

Question

slideshows comparison between fotomagico and fantashow

I want to make slideshows with holiday photographs mainly for my own and family viewing but also with sufficient interest if friends want to see them. So I want to vary transistions, some with a centre interest to zoom, others not zoom at all. I don't want a programme that says you can make a slideshow within minutes. It is too rigid. I want text of a colour of my choosing to appear for a short time, and then disappear. I don't want text on all of them.

the programme I have used on Windows is called Pro show Gold. There seems to be nothing similar for Mac - at least not of that quality. I have been looking at fotomagico - there seems to be a Pro version which is quite expensive but can't seem to discover what it does without doing a trial version. There is also Wondershow or Fantashow for Mac. It also is very basic.

I don't want themes of popping balloons etc. in the surrounds.

I want a programme to work in with iphoto so that the photographs do not have to be in two programmes.

I am trialling lightroom at the moment.

Can anyone help? Rose

Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 12:59 PM

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Answer 1

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,402 points

Oct 11, 2012 1:30 PM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

Not really an iPhoto question.

Alternatives to iPhoto's slideshow include:

iMovie, on every Mac sold.

Others, in order of price: PhotoPresenter $29

PhotoToMovie $49.95

PulpMotion $129

FotoMagico $29 (Home version) ($149 Pro version, which includes PhotoPresenter)

Final Cut Pro X $299

It's difficult to compare these apps. They have differences in capability - some are driven off templates. some aren't. Some have a wider variety of transitions. Others will have excellent audio controls. It's worth checking them out to see what meets your needs. However, there is no doubt that Final Cut Pro X is the most capable app of them all. You get what you pay for.

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Answer 2

Oct 11, 2012 5:42 PM in response to Yer_Man

I have never heard of Final Cut. Will see if I can find out about it. Rose

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,402 points

Oct 11, 2012 11:06 PM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

That's a link there. Click on the words Final Cut...

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Answer 4

Oct 12, 2012 12:13 AM in response to Yer_Man

From viewing what is available, it seems more for video only. Most of my photos are stills, with inserting a few video clips.

I want to be able to insert text on some pictures.

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,402 points

Oct 12, 2012 12:23 AM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

It's not for video only.

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Answer 6

Jan 18, 2013 11:18 PM in response to Yer_Man

I have downloaded Final Cut Pro X and am certainly finding it a learning curve, but determined to persevre (at least at the moment. One problem I have is that on using a Ken Burns effect, I cannot get the starting frame to include the whole of the original photograph. I can move it around, and up or down, but so far, cannot expand it.

Can you help?

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Answer 7

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,402 points

Jan 19, 2013 12:02 AM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

https://discussions.apple.com/community/professional_applications/final_cut_pro_ x?view=discussions

is the FCP X forum.

There are also lots and lots and lots of really good video tutorials on YouTube - just go there and stick 'Slideshow in FCP X' into the search box. Also check out Tom Wolsky's excellent book:

http://www.fcpbook.com/FCPX_for_iMovie_%26_Final_Cut_Express_Users.html

Regards

TD

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Answer 8

BrendonB

Level 1

5 points

Jan 25, 2013 9:48 AM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

I usually start my slideshow in iPhoto (picking the theme & music, arranging the pics, so on), then I export to iMovie to add text.

Seems to work ok and it is much quicker than starting a whole project new in final cut!

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Answer 9

Jan 26, 2013 7:32 PM in response to BrendonB

Thank you BrendonB. It is a thought to do it that way. However, I am wondering whether to put Boot Camp on the Mac and go back to using ProShow (a Photodex programme). I found instructions on making transistions in Final Cut, e.g. creating your own, and it seemed extremely complicated. Most of the transistions I just would use - I like lots of variety, but not all these blurring, shakey things. ProShow has over 100 transistions that are clean uncomplicated changes, and it seems unnecessary to have to make your own. Is this a programme you are familiar with, or have you always been a Mac user.

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Answer 10

Jan 26, 2013 7:35 PM in response to Yer_Man

Thanks Terence. I will use the tutorials more. I find more help with just googling my request than using the help menus. I have downloaded the instructions from the help, but at times it is very difficult to find an answer. However, I have found out some by chance.

You did warn me it would be a serious learning curve, so it serves me right for not doing a trial version first!!

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Answer 11

BrendonB

Level 1

5 points

Jan 26, 2013 7:49 PM in response to rosemaryfromtakaka

Final cut pro is definitely a comprehensive program which'll take time to really fine tune (especially if youve never used). But it is a very powerful program.

I've never used proshow, but if it is a program you feel comfortable in achieving your goals, then do it!

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Answer 12

Jan 26, 2013 8:21 PM in response to BrendonB

Thanks Brendon.

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