[Jeff Openshaw]

That is correct Dan. I just realized Layer 2 will have to have a different rotation value as it rises but will end up in the same position as layer 1 after layer 1 fades out. They just have a different starting location.This link worked for me and will make things much clearer if you see the video at this link. Thank you for your patience with me.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5o4lIQrBIlrMGZhNTU3ZWYtMDE2OC00MzUwLTlkMDktZDBhZGIwZTYzNzU3&hl=en&authkey=CM3-htAN

[Jeff Openshaw]

My initial goal is to figure out how to create the same project using expressions so I can understand them better, but what I’m hoping for is the ability to change the length of time each picture is displayed for by changing a number in the expression, instead of changing the key frames for 40 pictures. If someone wants their picture to display for 8 seconds instead of 5 seconds then an expression might make that easier. The other part I am trying to fix is to keep all the pictures in their current layout of the photo book before they rise. I was reading today in Marcus Geduld book about using the ease command. Can I use the ease(time…. and add the properties and parameters to hold the photos in their layout position for say 1 second on the photo book and then have the other expression below which makes the pictures rise and fade off finish the expression. I hope this makes sense.
thisComp.layer(“picture1”).transform.position.valueAtTime(time-7)

[Jeff Openshaw]

Here is the link of what I made using key frames. Hope this helps. I want to be able to make adjustments to the template without redoing all the key frames if that is possible. Thanks for any help you can give me Dan.
These are the expressions I used. The problem is it is using the same value for the starting position of picture 1. I used the pickwhip from picture 2 to picture 1 and added the valueAtTime by experimenting. The xy position of picture 1 at start is 362.0,242.0 if this helps.

thisComp.layer(“picture 1”).transform.position.valueAtTime(time-7)
thisComp.layer(“picture 1”).transform.scale.valueAtTime(time-7)
thisComp.layer(“picture 1”).transform.rotation.valueAtTime(time-7)
thisComp.layer(“picture 1”).transform.opacity.valueAtTime(time-7)

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5o4lIQrBIlrMGZhNTU3ZWYtMDE2OC00MzUwLTlkMDktZDBhZGIwZTYzNzU3&hl=en&authkey=CM3-htAN

[Jeff Openshaw]

Do you know how the avinci software works? It appears to be after effects projects and the pictures resize perfectly and quickly. I downloaded the software and created a dvd preview with some random pictures on my hard drive. They must have some good people behind the software. Thanks for your help.

[Jeff Openshaw]

Thanks Chris! The 1st expression works with landscape pictures, but as you indicated the stretch factor comes in on portrait pictures so I will just have to scale those type myself. This will save me some time though. Thanks again.

[Jeff Openshaw]

Thank you Dave!!!! Release layers tutorial did it. Thanks again.

[Jeff Openshaw]

I think that may be the case. I have xp as the backup system on another drive so I’ll use that until full release of windows 7 in Oct…..Thanks for your reply..Jeff

[Jeff Openshaw]

I tried the same file in XP and it works fine. I tried it again in windows 7 RC and it stopped at 80 percent. After 5 minutes I tried closing the program and it would not shut down. Brought up the task manager and when I clicked on it the computer froze. I could bring it in as a quicktime or avi file.

core i7 920
nvidia 1800fx
windows 7 RC 64 bit
12gigs ram
no over clocking

[Jeff Openshaw]

The file is 615 mbs. I went away from the computer for 10 minutes and no change. I didn’t have this problem in XP. I never had vista. I’ll try this file in xp then repost.