Features of the New Image Box Dialog Box

There are a lot of features in the New image box dialog box. On the Image tab, you'll find the following:

• Transparency Either enter a value or use the arrows to add transparency to an image. The higher the value, the more transparent the image.

• Transparent background Select for images such as round buttons or other irregularly shaped images that sit on a solid background color. Be careful with this one: Objects with drop shadows may have artifacts surrounding the shadow when this option is selected.

• Image scrolling Though the image preview may have Horizontal and Vertical sliders, roll the cursor over the image and, when it turns to a four-pointed cursor, click and drag to move the image inside the preview area.

• Reset to original size Select to revert a scaled or distorted image to its original dimensions.

• Change image Click to switch the current image with another.

• Apply properties to all"image boxes"in the movie Select to apply all of your choices to every image in the movie. Be very careful with this one.

The following features appear on the Options tab:

• Display time Either enter a value or use the arrows to set how long an image will appear on a slide (Figure 3.8). You don't have to return here to increase or decrease the timeyou can change it on the timeline.

  Figure 3.8. You can set the various timing options for the image in this dialog box.

  
  
  

• Appear after Enter how much time elapses before the image appears on the slide. Again, you can change this value on the timeline.

• Display for rest of movie Select to have the image appear until the movie ends. This feature is useful for logo placement and design elements that are in consistent positions throughout the movie. Be careful with this one.

• Effect Choose how the image displays when the slide starts to play. Options are "Fade in and out," "Fade in only," "Fade out only," and "No transition."

• In Enter a time value or use the sliders to determine the duration of a fade-in. You cannot change this value on the timeline.

• Out Enter a time value or use the sliders to determine the duration of a fade-out. You cannot change this value on the timeline.

The following features appear on the Audio Options tab:

• Play Click to preview any audio associated with the image (Figure 3.9).

  Figure 3.9. Audio can be added to images.

  
  
  

• Stop Click to stop the audio playback.

• Remove audio button Click to remove the audio track from the image.

• Edit Click to perform some basic audio-editing tasks on the audio file associated with the image.

• Record new Click to open the Record Audio window.

• Import Click to open the Import Audio dialog box.

• Audio Library Click to select any of the audio currently used in the movie. This one is a Captivate gem.

• Fade in Enter a time value or use the slider to have the sound fade in over the time you enter. You cannot change this on the timeline.

• Fade out Enter a time value or use the slider to have the sound fade out over the time you enter. You cannot change this on the timeline.

Tips

• You can apply the options in the New image box dialog box even after you've placed an image in a slide. Double-clicking an image in a slide launches the Image dialog box.

• You don't have to use the menu to insert an image. Simply click the image button on the Objects toolbar, and the Open dialog box appears.