The Photopia Blog
Tips, tutorials & inspiration for making slideshows
SEPTEMBER 19, By Photopia
Create Rising Balloons using Bezier Handles
Today’s blog is a step by step guide for creating rising balloons using Bezier Handles. This type of practice will increase your understanding of the concept of curved paths and your skills in the tools used to create them. Read More
SEPTEMBER 6, By Photopia
New version of Director and Creator now available
To install this update, click on the green notification in the lower right corner of your program, or click Help in the top menu bar, then Check for Updates.
Today’s video tutorial will guide you through the Easing Mode and Motion Path features.
AUGUST 29, By Photopia
Groups vs the Follow Filter
Groups and the Follow Filter are tools used to animate multiple layers together. The Follow Filter is only available in Director, but Groups are available in both Director and Creator. Learn more about the differences between these two features in today’s blog. Read More
AUGUST 22, By Photopia
Variants
Some Slide Styles in Photopia Director and Creator can automatically adjust themselves to content with different orientations, such as landscape or portrait. This video shows how to make the best use of these styles. It also shows how Director users can create styles with variants themselves Watch Video
AUGUST 15, By Photopia
Cropping Layers vs Content
Cropping images is a common adjustment that can give your slideshows a more professional edge. Crop settings for layers are available for both Layers and the Content. Each of these provides a unique way to apply crops to your images. Read more to learn about these differences. Read more
JULY 25, By Photopia
Why does Power Cycling work?
Has anyone ever told you to shut down a device or program and then turn it back on again to resolve a problem? This is called Power Cycling and there’s a simple reason why this can work. Read more
JULY 18, By Photopia
Opening a Project Backup
There may be times when you want to open a previously saved version of your show or project. This can be done using the Revert option on the Home Page. In today’s blog you’ll learn about reverting a Project to a backup and the differences between Auto Save and User Save. Read more
JULY 11, By Photopia
Copying Font Settings
Copying a font choice, and other settings, to other slides in a single click can be a real time saver. Photopia provides the ability to copy those settings within a single slide, across your entire show, or to specific layers in other slides. Read more
JULY 5, By Photopia
Customizing Soundtrack Volume During Slide Sounds
There are a couple of scenarios when multiple sounds may be playing at the same time in a show. Video files with audio, for example, or a narration or sound file added to a slide. These will be playing at the same time as your music soundtrack. In today’s blog, you’ll learn where to find the settings to customize the levels and fades of those added sounds and the Soundtrack during those sounds. Read more
JUNE 20, By Photopia
Picking the Perfect Color
Choosing the right color for layers, captions, outlines and more is an important feature in Photopia. In today’s blog you’ll learn four ways to select exactly the color you need. Read more
JUNE 13, By Photopia
Layering Images over a Video File
Layering images on top of video files can be a great way to incorporate longer videos into your shows, while adding extra interest during the extended video time. Your audience will see other images while hearing the audio from the video continuing to play underneath.
In today’s blog, you’ll learn how to layer images on top of a video file. Read more
JUNE 6, By Photopia
Masking Layers vs Adjustment Layers
Masking Layers and Adjustment Layers are available in both Photopia Director and Creator. They are applied in the same manner, but function differently. In today’s blog we’ll discuss the similarities and differences between these two features. Read more
May 30, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Creating a Text Reflection
Reflections can be a visually stunning effect for your slideshows. Creating them takes only a few simple steps and you will gain more experience with Adjustment Settings, Masking Layers, and Groups.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create a caption reflection. Creating image reflections use very similar steps.Read more
May 23, By Photopia
Applying Random Transitions
Photopia gives you the ability to randomly apply transitions to multiple slides at once. There is an option to use all of the transitions installed in your program, or you can create your own custom set of transitions. Read more
May 17, By Photopia
Creating Scrolling Captions – Full Pan Up
Creating your own scrolling captions is a simple animation that can be done using one of two methods: using Keyframes or the Full Pan Up Behavior Effect. In today’s blog you’ll learn how to create this effect using the Full Pan Up Behavior Effect. Read more
May 9, By Photopia
Creating Scrolling Captions – Keyframes
Creating your own scrolling captions is a simple animation that can be done using one of two methods: using Keyframes or the Full Pan Up Behavior Effect. In today’s blog you’ll learn how to create this effect using Keyframes. Read more
May 2, By Photopia
Contained Layers in the Layer List
Certain types of layers in the Layers List can contain other layers inside of them, such as Groups, Masking Layers, and Adjustment Layers. Read more
April 25, By Photopia
Installing an Effect Package
There is a new tutorial video that shows how to install and manage Effects Packages. Watch Video
April 18, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Layer Order in the Layers List
The numerical layer order in the Layers List does not represent a position on the screen or the order in which the images were added to the slide. The Layer order represents a stacking order, like a deck of cards. Read more
March 28, By Photopia
New Photopia Update – Build 949
There are lots of exciting additions and updates to this new Photopia Build! Click here to view the entire list of updates.
The most notable update is the introduction of Effects Packages for Photopia Director users. An Effects Package is a collection of effects, compiled into a single file that can be exported and distributed to others.
Read more about creating Effects Packages in Director.
March 21, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Using the Font Browser
The Font Browser gives a visual representation of the fonts installed on your system. This feature can be helpful in finding specific fonts, seeing which fonts are already used in the current show, and viewing what a custom phrase looks like in different fonts. Read more.
March 14, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Applying Styles to Multiple Slides
You can apply a single Slide Style to multiple slides at one time, saving time and creating your shows that much faster. Read more.
March 7, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Nudging
Did you know that you can nudge the position of your layers using the arrow keys on your keyboard? Read more.
February 28, By Photopia
Suspending Photopia Subscriptions
Your Photopia subscription can be temporarily suspended when you know you won’t be using it for a while. This pauses your billing and program activation but doesn’t cancel them. Read more or watch explanation video
February 14, By Photopia
Deactivating a Photopia License
Your Photopia subscription allows you to install Photopia on two computers, but what can you do if you want to change one of those computers? How can you remove a license from one computer and add it to another? Learn more
February 7, By Photopia
Transferring Projects and Effects between computers
Your Photopia subscription allows you to install Photopia on two computers, even if they are different operating systems, such as Windows and Mac. This allows you to work on a Project on a home computer, then transfer it to a laptop to work on the go.
Transferring Projects from one computer to another can be done easily using the Export/Import Libraries feature. Learn more
January 31, By Photopia
Preview Modes – Single, Dual, Triple
When working in the Animations tab, specifically with keyframes, there are options to view your preview with one, two, or three windows. Each window represents a keyframe. Learn more
January 24, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Image Orientation and Aspect Ratio
There are two terms that describe the shape of your images: Image Orientation and Aspect Ratio. Read more about these terms in todays’ Training Tuesday. Learn more
January 17, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Slide Names
Slide names can provide visual information on your slides, including the name of an applied Slide Style or custom information that you add. Learn more
January 10, By Photopia
Include / Exclude Background from Transitions
When adding a transition between two slides, there is an option to include, or exclude, the background from the transition. This gives you extra visual options when applying some transitions. Learn more
January 3, By Photopia
Slide Background vs Show Backgroud
Shows in Photopia can have a single Show Background seen on all slides, different backgrounds in individual slides, or both. Learn more
December 21, By Photopia
File Modification Detected
Have you ever noticed a yellow notification in the lower right corner of Photopia that says “File Modification Detected.”? In today’s blog post you’re going to learn exactly what it means, and what your options are. Learn more
December 6, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: rearranging images in the Content List
The Content List does more than list the contents in your slide. In today’s tutorial you’ll learn how rearranging your images in the Content List affects your images in the Layers List and in Slide Styles. Learn more
NOVEMBER 29, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Managing Linked Content
Linking between layers happens when the same source content is used in a single slide or show template. This makes it easy to change content across all linked layers. When changing the image source in one layer that is linked to others, they all get updated. Learn more
NOVEMBER 22, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Rotation Center Point
The Center Point Tool shows the location where a layer rotates and tilts around. You can change its location using the Rotation Center Axis settings. This gives you some amazing animation options! Learn more
NOVEMBER 15, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Animation Tools
There are four animation tools that allow you to transform your layers right in the Preview window. Learn where to find and how to use these tools in today’s blog. Learn more
NOVEMBER 8, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: The Selection Tool
The Selection Tool allows you to select images in both the Layers list and in the Preview window. When it is disabled you can only select layers in the Layers list. Learn more
NOVEMBER 1, By Photopia
Lily Memorial Style Pack Released
Today we are releasing a new Lily Memorial Style Pack. This Style Pack comes with 14 Slide Styles, including a Title slide and slides that use 1 – 4 images. Many of the Styles will adjust to fit any image orientation. You can download this pack directly from the News Section of your Photopia Home Page. The song used in the preview is called “Another Good Day (Instrumental)” and is available in the Director Music Library. The transitions used in the preview are Blur-Zoom and various Push transitions that come with both Photopia Director and Creator. Watch Video
OCTOBER 25, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Video Trimmer
The Video Trimmer window allows you to trim either the beginning or ending of any video file in a slide. Learn more
OCTOBER 18, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Audio Trimmer: Trim and Fade
The Audio Trimmer window allows you to trim and fade either the beginning or ending of any Soundtrack. Learn more
OCTOBER 11, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Creating the Typewriter Effect
The Typewriter Effect (individual letters in a text layer appearing one at a time in a specific order) can be created in Photopia by using the Fade In Fly In Effect. Learn more
OCTOBER 4, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Animating Captions with Layers
If you have both an image layer and a caption layer that you want to move together, you may find it easier to animate them as a single unit by putting them in a Group. Learn more
SEPTEMBER 27, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Hidden Slide Styles
Have you ever searched for a Slide Style that you know you have installed, but just can’t seem to find it? Well, it may be hidden from you if you previously set a Search Filter. Learn more
SEPTEMBER 20, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Slide Timing Mode
There are several options for how your slide time is set. In the bottom right corner of every slide you will see a Timing Mode icon. Learn more
SEPTEMBER 14, By Photopia
Sending a Problem Report
SEPTEMBER 6, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Remix With Wizard
The Wizard is a great tool to start building a new show with some assistance from Photopia, but did you know that the Wizard is available to be used while you are working on a show? Continue reading more to learn about all the Wizard Remix options. Read more
AUGUST 30, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Deleting and Restoring Projects
One of the new additions to Photopia 2.0 that allows for more flexibility in deleting shows is the new Trash Project Group. Read more
AUGUST 23, By Photopia
Today is the day! The next version of Photopia is finally here!
We just released version 2.0 of Director and Creator. There are a ton of new features and improvements. Read more
AUGUST 16, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Adding Sound to a Slide
You can add a sound file to a single slide or record your own voice narration from the Slide Sound Tab. Read more
AUGUST 9, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Go To Slide
Did you know that you can jump directly to a slide that has a specific image in it?
The Browser indicates that an image is included in your slide show by placing a green number in the upper right corner of that image. Read more
AUGUST 3, By Photopia
We Hear You
We receive a lot of requests from our wonderful customers, everything from small changes to entirely new features. Rest assured, we hear you. A big Photopia update is on the way and here are some of the most popular requests you can expect to see included.
Watch Video or Read more
July 26, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Change Duration of Multiple Slides or Transitions at Once
When working in the Slides list, you can set the duration of an individual Slide / Transition OR change the duration of multiple Slides / Transitions to the same value all at once. Read more
July 19, By Photopia
Training Tuesday:
Animating Layers inside an Animated Group
In the last blog, you learned how to Animate a Multi-Layer Group. This week, we’ll take it one step further and animate some of the layers inside that Group, while the Group is also animated. Read more
July 12, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Animating a Multi-Layer Group
If you want two or more Layers to move, zoom, tilt, or rotate in unison, the best way to do this is to put them in a Group then animate the Group. Read more
July 5, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Removing a Slide Style from your Slide
There are two ways to remove a Slide Style after it has been applied, if you decide you don’t like it. Read more
June 28, By Photopia
Training Tuesday:Adding and Removing Slide Styles from Favorites
You may have hundreds, maybe even thousands, of Slide Styles in your Photopia program. Finding just the right style that you’re looking for can by easier by using the Favorites category. The Favorites category allows you to select Slide Styles from multiple categories and access them in one place. Read more
June 21, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Adjusting Slide and Transition Times in the Timeline View
In this weeks Training Tuesday we have a look at the different ways you can adjust slide and transition times in the Timeline view. Read more
June 14, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Trim and Fade in the Timeline View
The Timeline View in Photopia can be used to visually Trim and Fade your Soundtrack. Read more
June 7, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Basic Soundtrack Settings
With Photopia you can customize Volume, Fading and Offsets for your soundtrack. You can set options for the entire show or customize individual tracks. Read more
May 31, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Adding a Banner under a Caption
Captions can be difficult to read when placed over an image that has varying light and dark areas. A common way to make captions easier to read is to add a banner underneath them. Read more
May 24, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Multiple fonts in one Caption
Photopia uses a feature called Rich Text that allows you to assign different fonts in a single caption. This is done after the caption is created, so when you add a new caption, simply enter your text, and choose a single font. Read more
May 17, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Which Font Did I Use?
Let’s say you’re working on a slideshow and you’ve used several different fonts. You want to be consistent when you add more caption layers but can’t remember which fonts you’ve used in previous slides. You don’t need to hunt through those slides to find the fonts you’ve used. Read more
May 3, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: What is a Global Layer?
A Global Layer is present on every slide in your show. It is designated with a “G” and a number on the right side of the layer in the Layers Tab. Each slide in your show has a global Watermark and Background layer by default. The Global Watermark sits above the Transition divider and defaults to empty. The Global Background sits below the Background divider and defaults to a black Solid Color layer. The images in these layers can be changed. They can also be hidden on individual slides by clicking the eye icon. Any layer in your slide can be turned into a Global Layer. Read more
APRIL 26, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Sections of the Layers List
There are three sections to the Layers List separated by the Transition and Background dividers. These sections determine how layers behave during transitions. Read more
APRIL 19, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Copying / Moving Layers and Slides in the Advanced UI
In today’s installment of our Training Tuesday series we explain how to copy and move layers and slides in the advanced UI. Read more
APRIL 12, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Copying / Moving Images and Slides in the Light and Basic UIs
Today we show how to copy and move images and slides in the Light and Basic User Interfaces. Read more
APRIL 5, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Creating a simple show in the Light User Interface
In this post we explain how you can easily create a show from scratch in the Light User Interface. Read more
March 29, By Photopia
Training Tuesday: Four different User Interface Modes
We’re starting a new “Training Tuesday” series today. In this first installment we take a look at the four different UI modes. Read more
March 11, By Photopia
Winter Theme Pack
Today we are releasing a new Winter Theme Pack! You can download it directly from the News Section of your Photopia Home Page. This Wizard theme comes with 18 Slide Styles in three themed sets, each with its own Title Slide. There are also 6 new Winter Themed Transitions
If you have any issues that you need help with or think something odd is happening in the program that you would like Photopia to know about, use the Send Problem Report option. Learn more