adjusting reflection distance - Feature request

Question

adjusting reflection distance - Feature request

Hi there...

anybody knows how to adjust the Y-distance of the reflection of images in keynote3? Would be a cool feature if you could adjust this parameter!! Alternatively the possibility of cropping the image on the lower frame border.

Why? Imagine having multible PSD files with AlphaChannel in the presentation of which some are cropped right where the picture ends, and some have a number of transparent pixels below the actual picture.
Adding reflection in KN3 to all of these images it JUST DOESNT LOOK RIGHT... and you have to go back to Photoshop without direct feedback control of where to crop the pictures right...

I also can think of a scenario where I´d like to stack multible pictures, into a kind of 3D depth, playing with sizes and layering... also here the distance of the reflection has to be adjustable to fake that "BIG REFLECTING TABLE" look...

So if any KN Developement person reads this: please add a distance parameter to the reflection slider so the user can adjust it - to make it look right.
And a picture crop - if its not already in there, didnt find it though...

thanx
Bernhard

Dual G5 2.3GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 5, 2006 1:51 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tulse

Level 5

5,812 points

May 5, 2006 4:29 AM in response to Bernhard Settele

Welcome to the discussion boards, Bernhard. I may not understand what you mean by "picture crop", but Keynote 3 does have image masks, which can be used to crop photos (you'll find this feature under the Format menu). You can easily use a mask to cut off a transparent section beneath an image. Getting the reflection to meet the bottom of an image is not a problem. But KN3 does have the limitation that the reverse, moving the reflection away from the bottom of an image, can't be done without resorting to editing the image in a graphics application. Being able to adjust that would be very helpful.

(While we're at it, it would be great to have reflections for text and shapes as well as graphics. And heck, it would be great to be able to angle photos in 3D, like the Reflection slide transition.)

The best way to request this, or any other Keynote feature, would be to use the Keynote feedback form.

PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Reply

Answer 2

May 5, 2006 4:53 AM in response to Tulse

Wow that was helpful - thanks

The masking thing is what I was looking for as "crop image" (that what its called in Photoshop) and solves my problem for now.
BUT I agree - reflections for Text and Symbols and Videos as well would be great!!

Reply

Answer 3

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,597 points

May 5, 2006 6:06 AM in response to Bernhard Settele

If this is an impressive feature that you want now, then check out KeynoteThemePark's Reflection theme.

http://www.keynotethemepark.com/content/pages/set6.html#reflections

I have an example of a movie I reflected posted here.

http://web.mac.com/makentosh/iWeb/tipsfromtheiceberg/Blog/91642AF7-56FC-4BF5-BA4 E-20E6558709D2.html

Reply

Answer 4

Tulse

Level 5

5,812 points

May 5, 2006 6:36 AM in response to Kyn Drake

Wow! That's fabulous, Kyn! I've never seen some of these effects in Keynote before. Does the theme actually do the reflections automatically, or is there some hand-manipulation needed? Also, is it straightforward to do the "changing width" photo cutout in the theme? (I'm not asking for trade secrets, merely trying to get a sense of what would be involved in using the theme.)

Very nice work!

PowerMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Reply

Answer 5

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,597 points

May 5, 2006 7:04 AM in response to Tulse

There is hand manipulation needed, but there are explicit instructions in the extras file that take you through step by step of creating it with images, text, video, anything!

Changing width is also simple and straightforward (also described in the extras file). Going from one size to another is as simple as dragging parts around. Once you've done it a few times, you get the hang of it and that's when the real fun starts as you build an object and it's reflection at the same time (move in down and move in up looks cool) group them and slide them from the side, resize the photo cutout to create the example movie and all kinds of cool stuff.

Reply