3 Windows Live Movie Maker

Many thanks to the Computer Club at Allora Gardens for this Computer Help Guide!

WINDOWS LIVE MOVIE MAKER

(For Pictures)

Open Movie Maker, select View then Aspect Ratio and set to agree with the aspect in which the pictures were taken.

Select the Home tab and click Add Videos and photos.

Navigate to the folder containing photos or video and double click to open.  Select photos and highlight those required (Ctrl A if all photos required)

Click on Open to display all photos in the panel on the right.

Note the vertical black bar at the start – this can be moved via the cursor to display another picture.

A suitable sequence may be obtained by clicking and dragging a photo to a new position after placing the bar on the left of the photo. Unwanted photos may be removed by Right Click > Remove, or selecting Remove on the Menu Bar after clicking on the photo.

Next step is to choose a suitable transition between photos.

Click on Select All to highlight all photos and select the Animations tab. Using the scroll bar on the right hand side of Transitions provides the full range of transitions available and by placing the cursor on any one shows the effect which assists with the final choice. After clicking on the chosen transition, set the duration of the transition from the Duration scroll bar.

Pan and zoom features can be set in the same manner by accessing the Pan and Zoom section and the relevant scroll bar. This may not be necessary if you choose to use the Auto Movie feature mentioned later.

Trial the chosen effect to date by setting the black bar at the start and clicking on the Play button. Clicking on the Pause button stops the show. Return to Start by clicking on the left of the first frame.

The duration of individual photos may be set by selecting Edit and choosing a Duration from the scroll bar or may be set by clicking on Select All and setting the same duration for all photos. Trial the settings by clicking on the Play button.

A title for the project may be created from the Home tab. Click on Title, enter the desired text, select the font, point size and colour, then click on Background Colour to provide a suitable or contrasting background. Click on the Play button to view the result. The duration of the title may also be set. Animation of the title may be selected by using the scroll bar on the right. Placing the cursor on any animation icon gives a sample display.

Credits at the end may be created in the same way as the title after clicking on Credits.

Captions for selected photos may also be placed on the photo by first selecting the desired photo the selecting Caption from the Menu Bar.

Click on Add Music to open a browse window in My Music. Navigate in My Music to select appropriate music, click to highlight and Open. Note the length of the chosen track and after comparing with the length of the project, add again if necessary or add a new track. Click on the last track, select Music Tools / Options to select Fade Out and set. Volume may also be set here

The project so far represents a slide show but this may be enhanced by selecting Auto Movie from the Menu Bar. Worth a try!

Note the Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon allows for Saving the Project, Undo, Redo and other functions.

Upon completion of the project it is good practice to Save the Project (File > Save Project As) and if intentions are to burn to disc, Save Movie File (File > Save Movie > appropriate Definition)

                                                                                                                            26.05.10