iScreensaver


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Importing Media

Use the Video and Audio tabs to import your media assets in your project sequences. There are a variety of simple ways to move the files into the project, and once there, there are plenty of resequencing options and editable settings. Edit changes made within iScreensaver do not affect the asset files on disk.

Using the Video tab

For most screensavers, this is where the magic happens. Anything appearing on-screen in iScreensaver is considered a 'video asset' whether movie file, .GLB 3D object, or still image. Just about any graphical file format that the standard OS will read in their Media Players can be imported.

The Video tab

The Sequence area

All video items are shown, in linear order (from left to right, top to bottom).

The Thumbnail / List toggle buttons

Switch between a graphical Thumbnail View or detailed List View of all video items.

The Zoom slider

In Thumbnail view, adjusts thumbnail size. In List view, adjusts the height of each row.

The Selection Information section

Details the number of assets selected. Also shows progress information when importing large numbers of assets.

The Delete button

Remove selected sequence items from the project.

The Add button

Allows use of the Open browser to import files.

The List View columns

Detailed information about all video items in the project.

Reordering List View

Control-click in the List View column name area to re-arrange columns.

Tips:

Importing Video assets

You can import a single file, multiple files, or even a folder. When importing a folder, all sub-folders will be included. Files will only be imported if they are the proper video format. Use software such as Apple's QuickTime Player to prepare movies in the HTML5 cross-platform H.264 compression format. Any H.264 movies, 3D objects (.GLB, using GLTF 2.0 binaries), and image files can be imported at the same time.

To import video assets:

The assets will be automatically added as new items in the Sequence area.

Tips:

Importing GLTF 2.0 (GLB) : GL Transmission Format Binary assets

iScreensaver supports display of 3D scenes and models packaged as GL Transmission Format (GLTF, version 2.0) Binary format (known as GLB/.glb): See GLTF 2.0. Working knowledge of a 3d application, such as the Open Source program Blender, is recommended.

Models

3D models can be used as either the main Media layer or as an Overlay. Within Designer, models can be positioned in 3D space, rotated, and given rotational or linear movement.

Tips:

Materials

iScreensaver supports a subset of PBR materials properties: diffuse colors and roughness, and emissive materials.

Tips:

Textures

iScreensaver can display texture-mapped objects (e.g. diffuse and normal maps).

Tip:

Animations

iScreensaver supports keyframed animation with location, scale and rotation transform, and models animated via bone-based armatures with keyframed location, scale, or rotation transforms. Physics-based animations are not supported.

Tip:

Importing Live Photos to make a Screensaver

iScreensaver version 6.3 or later will automatically import LivePhotos

To import Live Photos [macOS 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15 with iScreensaver 6.3 or later] :

To import Live Photos [on macOS 10.12, or when using iScreensaver 6.2 or earlier] :

The .MOV assets will be automatically added as new items in the Sequence area.

To import Live Photos on Windows :

For more information, also see Apple.com: Import Photos

Live Photos Tips:

Importing Panorama photos

The easy creation of very large and very beautiful panorama photos are one of the new advantages of modern phones. iScreensaver can automatically discover most sizes of panoprama images upon importing. Adjustments can be made to duration, starting location, and spin velocities during Preview.

To import Panoramic photos:

The assets will be automatically added as new items in the Sequence area.
Play length can be adjusted on the Behavior : Play tab of the Info palette.
Motion effects can be adjusted on the Media : Effect tab of the Info palette.

Tips:

Deleting Video Items

Sometimes an asset just doesn't work out.

To delete video item(s):

  1. In the Video tab, select any items(s) to be deleted.
  2. Do one of the following:
    - Press the 'Delete' key.
    - Click the - button in the Project window.
    - From the Edit menu, choose 'Delete'
    - Right-click the item, and from the Edit menu, choose 'Delete'

The items will be removed from the Sequence. The media files on disk will not be affected.

Sequencing Video Items

Video items can be rearranged within the Sequence when using either Thumbnail View or List View. Use standard selection keyboard short-cuts to choose multiple and non-contiguous assets. Items will play back in the order shown. However, if the sequence has the global "Shuffle" setting enabled, then the order will be randomized during playback.

To change the order of video assets:

  1. In the Video tab, select any files to be moved by doing one of the following:
    - Click to select a single item.
    - Shift-click to select a contiguous set of items.
    - On Macintosh, command-click to select non-contiguous items.
    - On Windows, control-click to select non-contiguous items.
  2. Drag the items to the new location within the Sequence area.

The items will then move into the new order.

Tips:

Using the Audio tab

For most screensavers, this is where the aural magic happens. Music tracks can be set up to loop, shuffle, or simply play just once.

The Audio tab

The Sequence area

All audio assets presented in linear order from top to bottom.

The Selection Information section

Details the amount of assets selected.

The Delete button

Remove selected sequence items from the project.

The Add button

Allows use of the Open browser to import files.

The Audio columns

Detailed information about all audio assets in the project.

Reordering List View

Control-click in the List View column name area to re-arrange columns.

Tips:

Importing Audio

Whether a single file or a collection of folders, everything can be brought into iScreensaver, and it will sort out the proper audio formats.

To import audio assets:

The assets will be automatically arranged in the Sequence area.

Deleting Audio

Sometimes an asset just doesn't work out.

To delete audio assets:

  1. In the Audio tab, select any files to be deleted.
  2. Do one of the following:
    - Type Delete.
    - Click - from the Project window.

The assets will be removed from the Sequence area. The media files on disk will not be affected.

Reorganizing Audio Sequences

Any audio asset can be rearranged within the Sequence. Use standard selection keyboard short-cuts to choose multiple and non-contiguous assets. If using 'Shuffle' features, assets do not need to be arranged in any particular order.

To reorganize audio assets:

  1. In the Audio tab, select any files to be moved by doing one of the following:
    - Click for single assets.
    - Shift-click for contiguous assets.
    - On Macintosh, command-click for non-contiguous assets.
    - On Windows, control-click for non-contiguous assets.
  2. Drag the assets to their desired location within the Sequence area.

The assets will then move into their new order.

Using the 'Add Items...' browsers

Both Mac and Windows operating systems have new file selection dialogs that provide shortcuts to find all Movie, Music, and Picture files. On Mac, selections can also be made directly from Photos and iTunes playlists.

Macintosh

Use the "Music", "Photos", or "Movies" from the Media section. Within each is an iTunes and Photos sub-selection that will include Playlists and Photo Albums.

Macintosh Open browser

Windows

Use the "Documents", "Music", "Pictures", or "Video" library folders to choose from your personal assets.

Windows Open browser
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