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IntroductionWait? What's a screensaver? Didn't we need those back in the dark ages, when computers were measured by kilobytes, hertz, and single-bit amber screens? Well, it's true that there's not much technical need today for actually saving screens, besides turning them off when not using them. Today's monitors, especially those LCD- and LED-based ones, are pretty resilient from burn-in. Burn-in was an excellent way to destroy a monitor, where the result of static images and user interface elements over many years melted holes through the glass on the primitive cathode-ray tube monitors. Well, OK, not really holes, but the phosphors would never heal and the images would remain even when turned off. The nightmares of electric sheep everywhere.
WelcomeYour First ScreensaverIf you haven't made a screensaver before, fantastic, it's about time for making your first screensaver. You'll want to ponder a few things first:
We'll walk you through the steps needed to create your first screensaver project, and show you examples along the way. By the end, you should be an expert, and if not, well, refer back here again, like we do - after all, in the immortal words of the unparalleled Lisa Brenneis, author of Peachpit Press' impeccable Visual QuickPro Guides for Final Cut Studio: ''you don't think I actually remember all these tips, do you? That's why I put them here -- [rapping her knuckles on her cover] -- I use the book too!'' Pondering the AbstractLet's take a moment before delving into technicalities - breathe. Your Audience Who sees it? Where is it to be displayed? Will it be seen in offices or in homes? ...in public or private spaces? Does it need to be age-specific? ...have a local or international flavor? Is it for friends and family, commercial clients, or bosses and corporate clients? Will people have paid to use it, or is it free for anyone? Your Content What's in it? Can you describe the first experience you want your user to see? ...to hear? Are you creating a one-time dazzling splash, or a subtly changing permanent addition to the desktop? Is this a single project, or are you wanting to be providing upgrades and sequels? Mixing a dadaesque shuffling of imagery, or building structured storytelling? Interactive flash movies or slideshow pictures of Junior's summer camp? Your System Does your machine fit within the System Requirements? Might you want to closely match the computer specs that your users will be using? Want some (secret) production hints? --- "Buying a few other production applications will make your life easier"; "throwing money at a computer problem usually makes it go away"; and "it's great to have a fast machine for authoring anything", including screensavers. But don't worry, we have tips to keep iScreensaver the only software purchase you'll need to make. Your Abilities That's the easy part: Follow directions. Visiting for the First Time?Here is a quick overview of some of the major sections of the application, and of a few ways to use menus and commands to access the features. Using the ApplicationWhen iScreensaver first opens, you'll be presented with a Projects List window (A), where you can create a new screensaver or open a sample one. Upon opening a project, a Project window (B) will appear, with Video and Audio sections wherein you can drag-and-drop media files, to import the files into the sequence. An Info palette (C) and a Preview stage (D) can both be opened to edit the per-sequence and per-item settings. Use the "Run Full Screen" command from the Preview menu to test your screensaver. Once you are happy with the sequencing, you'll want to build the screensaver Installer. Customize the screensaver installer on the Control Panel and Installer Tabs. Then use the Build Tab to create your Mac and Windows screensaver installers. 
A: The Projects List window: Open a recent project, or start a new one. Menus, shortcuts, and commandsIn iScreensaver, we've built in many ways to call the same actions, since many authors use the program in different ways. Some always use the menubars, some like two-button mice, some prefer to use keyboard shortcuts. You'll find many of the same functions in menus, context-sensitive pop-ups, and keyboard commands. MenusAlong the top of the screen are pull-down Menus containing links to most all features available in iScreensaver. 
ShortcutsWhen working in the Thumbnail viewer of the Sequence window, right-clicking the mouse, or holding down the keyboard control-key and clicking the mouse, will pop up contextual menus with links to many specific features to that item. 
CommandsHolding the keyboard's control, shift, or command keys with the corresponding alphanumeric keys will also link to specific features. 
HelpFor more information and support, please visit our website Forums. What's New in Version 4?OpenGL Animations Pan, zoom, and other 3d motion effects and transitions. Mixedmedia Screensavers Photos, Flash, and QuickTime movies can be used in any combination. Text Captions Add floating text paragraphs with per-character font options. Image Overlays Add floating PNG files with transparency, to hundreds or thousands of images at once. Multiple Audio Tracks Combine background music with per-asset soundtracks. Mix and Paste Attributes Quickly copy any settings from one asset to another, or all at the same time. Individualized Key Codes Custom keys for unlocking codes available per-user or per-project. Time- and Date-based Content Switch out content after an set amount of usage, or at a specific moment in time. Unlimited End Users No limits on your screensaver distribution. Uninterrupted Unregistered Previews Try all our features without restrictions or interruptions, with simple online purchasing and registrations that remove unregistered watermarking from your projects. Redesigned Interface We rebuilt the user experience, adding numerous controls and settings, with an updated foundation for the future of computerized visual art. Modern Compatibility Created a new strong foundation for Snow Leopard and Windows 7 authoring, that builds screensavers stretching back to Mac OS X 10.4 and Windows XP. Reduced Dependency Include end user system checks to upgrade or install free Adobe Flash and Apple QuickTime software, or don't! ...and create screensavers that won't need them. Backward Capability Our 'Ultimate' licenses include iScreensaver 3, which creates simpler screensavers for systems ranging from Mac OS 8.6 to 10.5, and Windows '95 to XP. So, what's new in version 4? Everything. Exploring the ApplicationThe Projects List windowUpon launching iScreensaver, the Projects List window will appear and all recent projects will be listed. You can sort the listing by Name or Date Last Modified. Double-click, or select one or more and choose Open, to open an existing project. This window can be disabled within preferences. 
A project windowWhen a project is created, it opens with a helpful naming wizard. There is a separate project window for each project created, and multiple projects can be open at one time. On the upper left of each project window, there are six icons that, when followed from left to right, will guide you through all the steps taken to create a screensaver. On the upper right are several icons that open various assistant palettes and windows to help you design your screensaver. 
Your Steps to Making Screensavers
The Video tab: Import, arrange, and edit image media. Your Steps to Making Locking ScreensaversOptional license levels allow for alternate content located within the screensaver installers. Two separate sequences are then available - using all, some, or completely different, media assets. Assets used in both sequences are only saved a single time to your user's hard drives. 
Turn on locking features, which changes the toolbar, adding sequences. 
The Locked Video tab: Import, arrange, and edit primary image media. Your Assistants
The Preview stage: Review exactly how your users will see your screensaver. The Video tabYou can drag and drop slides, movies, and flash files into the Video project window. Easily position, arrange, and edit media in either Thumbnail or List view. View as Thumbnails Thumbnail View allows easy arranging of items into a sequence order. Media is played from left to right, top to bottom, unless in shuffle mode. Non-contiguous items can be selected and have options set by using the Info palette. 
View as Lists Sometimes its helpful to work with a sequence in column format, particularly when you can resize and re-order the columns. List View allows easy comparisons between all sequence item media. Some information, like Captions, Titles, and Descriptions, can be edited directly in List View. 
Types of Assets
The Audio tabMultiple soundtracks can be built into a screensaver by dragging files into the Audio project window. Adjustable options include volume control, looping, and shuffle. 
The Preview stageView and review changes in real-time when using the Preview stage. Mimic your user machines' screens by instantly resizing the stage, and, on Macintosh, test a wide selection of very specific screen resolutions. 
The Info paletteAll of the sequence item media's settings are found in the Info palette. Options can be simultaneously set for multiple selected items. Options include Shuffle, Duration, Interactive Behaviors, Transition Effects, Captions, Picture Overlays, and Compression settings. 
The Macintosh Color paletteThe standard Apple color picking palette. Choose from a creative variety of color ranges, or pick a new one with the magnifying glass. Noteworthy is the Opacity slider for changing transparency levels from 0% to 100%. Within the box with the diagonal break, the upper half shows the base color, while the lower half shows the effect of opacity on the base color. Use the swatch boxes to store frequently used colors. 
The Windows Color paletteA special color picking palette for Windows. Choose from the color range, or enter specific HSL or RGB values. Noteworthy is the Opacity value for changing alpha transparency levels from 0 to 255. Within the box with the diagonal break, the upper half shows the base color, while the lower half shows the effect of opacity on the base color. 
Media ManagementThe Add Items browserAn alternate way to import assets, besides drag-and-dropping files, is to use the built-in file browsers that are standard within all operating platforms. To access the file browser, click the "+" button on the Project window. On Macintosh, you can even choose from all assets system-wide by types of media formats. 
Other media management toolsApple ApertureProfessional photography studio for Mac OS X. Apple iPhotoMeta Data from iPhoto, such as Image Descriptions and Titles, can be imported with the assets. These can be used as variables for Text Captions. Apple iTunesMeta Data from iTunes, such as Artist and Song Titles, can be imported with the songs. Microsoft Windows Media PlayerThe basic standard media player under Windows. Creating InstallersThe final three icons on the Project window: Controls, Installer, and Build, allow platform-independent what-you-see-is-what-you-get management of the control panels and installers, including splash screens, icons, and about-text information. The User Controls panelThe Controls establish the look of the installed screensaver within the System Preferences or Control Panels' personalization. After the end user has installed your screensaver, this is what they will see when they click 'Settings...' in the OS. Change art, information, and weblinks to your site here. 
The Installer dialogThe Installer creates the look of the actual installer for the screensaver, including initial license text and splash art. 
The Build settingsThe Build tabs sets the large icons, filenames, and optional desktop wallpapers for all available platforms, as well as creating the installers for each. 
Third party toolsThere are a few external tools that will make your life creating screensavers marginally easier. Production toolsThese are commerical products in which we have no economic connection, however they have saved lives in a production pinch. Adobe FlashIf you are authoring Flash screensavers, this is the only game in town for creating good quality cross-platform Flash files. Adobe PhotoshopThe gold standard of image manipulation software. But if you want free, make sure to check out the open source GIMP application. Final Cut StudioApple's professional video editing suite. If you are authoring movie screensavers on the Mac, we highly recommend this package. Encoding toolsMany tools claim to do encoding, but these are the ones we use. Apple QuickTimeMandatory for iScreensaver authoring under Windows and Macintosh, this free toolset of QuickTime covers all the basic multiplatform file formats. It is not necessary to upgrade to the commercial QuickTime Pro, but some of its advanced features are very helpful. Flip4MacThe free cross-transfer plug-in for reading Windows Media files and older AVI movie files under Mac OS X. If you are using these types of files when building on the Mac, by all means, use this plug-in. Microsoft Windows Media PlayerThe basic standard media player under Windows. Also free. PerianA shareware army knife of file format decoders on the Mac, usually solves any mystery movie file. Purchasing & Registering LicensesFor more about pricing, see our web store (a secure store hosted by yahoo.com) for up-to-date credit card and PayPal information. All features are available for product testing at any license level, however unregistered screensavers will contain a simple "Created With iScreensaver" watermark during playback. A non-customizable, non-editable link for software copyright terms remains within the Control Panels. Unregistered WatermarksWhen using iScreensaver in the unpaid Trial license, the "Created with iScreensaver" watermark will appear. There is no difference in screensaver playback when the watermarking is active. These watermarks allow you, our potential customers, to try every feature before purchase, especially if authoring complex Flash media projects. Examples of iScreensaver watermarking within icons and playback:  
Watermark LocationsSubtle tags will appear on icons, splash screens, and in corners during playback of screensavers. They do not interfere with any assets during normal screensaver operation, other than appearing on-screen. Trial License
Pro License
Ultimate License
The Pro license will alert with a Build Warning during the build if locked content was included in the installers, however this will not interrupt the build. See the Build Details list immediately after building for all Build Warnings. Use the Locking checkbox to turn off including this content in the distributed release.
Dewatermarking unregistered screensaversPurchase a registration license, rebuild, and distribute your screensaver installers. Downloading and Installing iScreensaverSimple to try.
To install iScreensaver:
Tips:
System RequirementsMacintoshFor Screensaver operation:
For Authoring Screensavers:
Important: We strive for maximum compatability, but can not guarantee operation on any particular system. Please use our free download to make sure the software meets your needs before you purchase. WindowsFor Screensaver operation:
For Authoring Screensavers:
Important: We strive for maximum compatability, but can not guarantee operation on any particular system. Please use our free download to make sure the software meets your needs before you purchase. Upgrading from iScreensaver Designer 3There have been numerous file format changes since version 3.
Protocol:
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Start with first item: | ||||
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first: 1 2 3 
second: 1 2 3 4
third: 1 2 3 4 5 [blank]
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first: 1 3 4
second: 1 5 3 2
third: 1 5 2 3 4 [blank]
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first: 1 2 3
second: 1 2 3 4
third: 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 . . .
. . .
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first: 1 4 2
second: 1 3 4 5
third: 1 5 2 3 4 1 2 5 4 3 1 3 . . .
. . .
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Start with random item: | ||||
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first: 4 5 [blank]
second: 1 2 3 4
third: 3 4 5 [blank]
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first: 5 3 4
second: 2 1 5 4
third: 3 2 5 1 4 [blank]
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first: 5 1 2
second: 4 5 1 2
third: 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 . . .
. . .
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first: 3 4 2
second: 1 3 2 4
third: 5 1 2 3 4 1 2 5 4 3 2 3 . . .
. . .
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Resume with previous item: | ||||
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first: 1 2 3
second: 3 4 5 [blank]
third: 1 2 3 4 5 [blank]
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first: 4 1 3
second: 3 2 5 [blank]
third: 5 3 1 2 4 [blank]
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first: 1 2 3
second: 3 4 5 1
third: 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 . . .
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first: 4 1 3
second: 3 2 5 1
third: 1 5 4 2 3 4 3 5 1 2 4 1 . . .
. . .
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Tips:
- Non-looping video sequences leave the screen blanked after the sequence completes. However, if you are trying to save energy, it's better to use the computer's Energy Saver settings. See our Green Screens campaign for more information.
- Audio soundtracks that loop can get annoying, and can be more effective as a screensaver if they turn off after only one cycle. In other words, we recommend that you do not set the Audio sequence to Loop.
- If you only have a single item in the sequence, set the item to cycle forever within the Behavior:Play tab. This is especially important for QuickTime movies and Flash files, where there can be a half-second pause each time the sequence loops. If the loop is in the Item (rather than the Sequence) then the looping will often be seamless.
- A single item set to play forever, in the middle of a larger Sequence, will cause the screensaver to get "stuck" on that single item. The only time to use this setting is with an Interactive Flash or QuickTime that has a built-in "iscr:next" command.
- Shuffle will re-randomize each time the screensaver activates or when it loops at the sequence end, with an exception if Resume is selected, and then it will re-shuffle only at that sequence's end.
- 'Start with first item' could be a title card, bumper video, or a splash screen, or an opening orchestral overture or sound effect, as the first item will always begin the sequence, no matter whether it is shuffled or not. When the sequence repeats, the first item will again play at the top of the sequence.
Behavior settings
The Behavior tab is used to set properties that apply to an item as whole (such as playback duration), and to switch off the different layers - Caption and Overlay. Changes made here will affect any selected item(s) in the Sequence window.
Play Behavior sets image durations, movie looping, and in/out points.
Specifying item duration
Use preset pop-up menu to quickly set the time or play count for an asset. The options available depend on the type of the selected item(s). For example, for a QuickTime movie, you could set a custom in-point and out-point and loop count, without needing to duplicate or trim the actual file.
To choose a preset duration:
- Select the item(s) to modify.
- In the Info palette's Behavior tab, choose how long they should be displayed, in seconds or, in the case of movies, number of repeating times.
The assets will then play for that preset duration.
The Duration pop-up menu.
To set a custom duration:
- Select the item(s) to modify.
- Open the custom settings in the Info palette's Behavior tab, by choosing the 'Custom...' option at the bottom of the pop-up list.
- Either do one of the following:
- Choose number of times to repeat a movie.
- Choose a new start and end time in seconds, for either movies or images.
The assets will then play for that custom duration.
Tips:
- For Movies: Start Time, End Time, and Play Count may be set.
- For Images: only End time is editable.
- For Flash: only Play Count is editable.
- To edit the Start Time, first set the End Time to a value higher than the Start Time.
- Setting an End Time later than the actual file duration will cause unpredictable behavior.
Enabling overlays
Controls for switching the text and image overlays on or off. Both default to 'Checked'. The Text overlay defaults to showing the filename while the Image Overlay defaults to blank.
If overlays are not appearing, make sure they've been switched on at their master control.
Show Text Caption
When checked will show any text captions from the Caption tab.
Show Image Overlay
When checked will show any image overlays from the Overlay tab.
Why disable an overlay at all?
Once we reach the Locking chapter, you'll find that this feature will become very valuable, for example: copy one sequence to create matching Locked and Unlocked sequences, and quickly disable all the Overlays for the Unlocked version. Disabled overlays are not built into the final screensavers, and thus do not take up room in the file. Alternatively, overlays can be used to help you during the authoring process: for example, use for notes during production and remove any traces when building the installers.
Allowing keyboard & mouse interaction
Most users expect a screensaver to wake up when they move or click the mouse, or hit a key on their keyboard. However, in some cases it can be fun or useful to allow the user to use the keyboard or mouse without exiting the screensaver. In particular, with special QuickTime or Flash media assets that include custom scripting. In these cases, the user can use the mouse, keyboard, or other inputs to affect the screensaver.
Some Flash and QuickTime movies need to override the usual screensaver behaviors.
Tips:
- This setting is only enabled for QuickTime and Flash assets, not for Image or Audio assets.
- Allowing user interaction defaults to OFF for all asset types.
- Be careful with this setting: when it is checked on, it's possible to create a screensaver that can't be exited. Only use this with Flash/QuickTime media that have scripted Exit commands. See Interactive Media.
Media settings
Control specific details about the main video or audio assets within each Sequence Item. The subsections include audio controls, background colors, sizes, locations, transition video effects, and image resizing and re-compression settings.
Many Media subsections for video sequence assets.
Less Media settings for audio sequence assets.
Choosing the Media Item
The Media Item subsection shows the asset Thumbnail and file path. It is possible to replace or delete the Media asset from the item, without removing the item itself from the sequence. This can leave a 'media-less' item which may (or may not) be useful.
Some technical information can be found about the Media Item.
Selecting a different Media file
There are times in production where only the media file itself needs to be changed, while the other item settings are fine. You can change only the media file, leaving the rest of the Sequence Item untouched.
To replace a media item:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Media Item subsection by clicking the small triangle (if needed).
- Click the '+' button to replace the media file for the selected item(s).
- From the File Browser, select a media file to replace the previous one(s).
This selected file will both replace the content and reset many default options any selected Sequence Items.
Deleting a Media file
There are times in production where an element needs to be removed and replaced immediately, but it might be unclear just what the replacement shall be. Thus it is possible to delete just the Media Item, leaving Captions and Overlays untouched, yet testable and waiting for the new content.
To delete a media item:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Media Item subsection.
- Choose the '-' button to delete those media items.
This action will remove the media content only from the selected Sequence Items.
Tips:
- Replacing or Deleting the media from an item does not affect the asset file(s) on disk.
- If multiple items are selected, Replacing or Deleting the media item applies the same one media file to all selected items. For example, you can replace the media of 50 selected items with one new file. You can not, however, replace the media of 50 selected items with 50 different files.
- Remember that the [+] button on the Info palette does not add a new media item. To add an entirely new media item, use the [+] button on the Project Sequence window instead.
Using Items with Audio
Movies files can have internal audio tracks and sound effects. On the Media tab's Audio subsection, control how these foreground sounds mix with the Audio tab's background playback. Choices include a default of playing both tracks with no change in audio mix levels, or the ability for changing, pausing, or muting the background track. Note that due to technical limitations, control of Flash audio is not possible -- instead Flash audio must be scripted within the SWF itself.
Audio Sequence background audio levels can be adjusted against the selected foreground Item(s) volume.
Volume controls
This media item's foreground audio uses a volume control that ranges from a Mute position at 0 (zero) to the default position of a loud 100. This only functions with QuickTime media. Images have no audio (of course), and Flash audio must be controlled from within the Flash file itself.
Background audio controls
Background audio includes any audio track playing from the Audio sequence playlist. Options include lowering the volume while continuing play (called "ducking"), muting the volume while continuing play, and pausing the background track until the media item has completed.
Tips:
- Muting the background audio functions exactly the same as Continuing to play the track at a volume of zero.
- Flash audio can not be controlled via iScreensaver. If using Flash (SWF) files with audio, be sure to script the audio within the SWF itself. For this reason we recommend against the use of SWF audio in general.
Masking with Colors and Transparencies
Images can be framed or punched out and placed on a background color, have a color tint added, can filter out a specific RGB color, or use the alpha channel masks that some file types (PNG, TIFF, GIF) provide.
Different color options.
Setting Transparent colors
iScreensaver will use the Transparency setting's Color as a masking filter to punch out as much of that value from the image as possible.
To select an RGB color as a mask in an Image:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Color subsection.
- From the Transparency pop-up menu, choose Color.
- Click on the Mask color square to open the Color palette.
- (Macintosh) On the Color palette, select the magnifying glass cursor and use it on the image in the Media Item frame.
- (Windows or Mac) Enter the RGB values (0-255, 0-255, 0-255) of the color you wish to use as a mask.
- Your selected color should 'drop-out' of the image, showing the Background color. Reselect a color if not correct.
Any changes you make here do not affect the original media file on disk, so feel free to experiment!
Tips:
- Color masking works best on a solid flat color, such as black or white.
- Using JPEG re-compression on an RGB Color Masked images will almost never work properly. The reason is that JPEG compression subtly alters the final RGB values, so they no longer match the target color. For this reason, when using color masks, don't re-compress the images using JPEG compression. Use no compression or PNG compression instead.
Using Alpha masks
An alpha mask is an layer in an image file that defines the transparency percent when compositing the image with other images. Formats that support such are PNG-24, PICT, GIF, Targa, and are usually created and saved from Adobe Photoshop or the open source GIMP image manipulation software. Most (but not all) images with alpha channels will be automatically detected and mask settings will be auto-set, so you generally won't need to use the following instructions:
To mask a color from an image's alpha channel:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Color subsection.
- From the Transparency pop-up menu, choose Mask.
- If the file has an alpha mask, then that region should 'drop-out' of the image, showing the Background color.
Any changes you make here do not affect the original media file on disk, so feel free to experiment!
Adjusting Foreground Tint
The media item's color spectrum can be tinted by setting the Foreground color with the Color palette. This only works on Images. Note that in addition to changing the RGB color values, you can also change the Alpha percent. Alpha values less than 255 will cause the image to blend in with the background.
Adjusting Background Color
The media item's background color can be changed using the Foreground color with the Color palette. When assets are letterboxed or masked, it is this background color that determines what is extended to the edges of the screen. For Image assets, you can also change the Alpha value of the background color. Combined with the various Transparency settings, this can give you various interesting effects: for example, using a PNG with mask, you could make the background opaque and the foreground transparent, or vice versa.
Tips:
- It's possible to end up with a color setting that makes no sense. To return to the default values, set Transparency to "mask", set Tint to pure white and full opacity (RGBA 255,255,255,255), and set BG Color to pure black and zero opacity (RGBA 0,0,0,0).
Adjusting Media Size and Location
Visual Media Items (Movies, Flash, and Images) can be placed anywhere on the screen in two dimensions, and can be sized using several size modes. This is a tricky part of good design, because many computers have different screen sizes: pixel width, pixel height, and aspect ratios. See Designing & Preparing for more info.
Some items can be adjusted (flipped or rotated) as well.
Display modes include size and location settings.
Using the Stretch mode
Every computer monitor is different, and as an author you need to try to design for these variables. The Stretch mode settings give you various options.
Actual Size
The media item will be displayed at it's 'actual' pixel size. For example, a 640x480 QuickTime movie would be displayed at 640x480 pixels in size. No more, no less.
Letterbox
Proportionally scales the asset to keep it contained fully on-screen, using the background color to fill empty space. Technically, the longest dimension of the asset is stretched to match the longest dimension of the screen.
Crop
Proportional scales the asset to fill the screen, whether or not it all stays visible. Technically, the shortest dimension of the asset is stretched to match the shortest dimension of the screen.
Full Screen
Disproportionally stretches the image to fit the screen completely, regardless of asset dimensions. Squares may turn into rectangles, and Circles into Ovals.
Custom X and Y
Set the width and height of the asset to display on-screen as desired, in absolute pixels or percentage of the monitor size.
Visualizing the Stretch mode options:
Let's use the example of three images, one an average squared photo, and one each of wide and tall. Looking at actual size, letterbox, crop, and fill screen, as seen in a conventional CRT 4:3 ratio monitor, a wide-screen laptop, and a high-definition 30" monitor. For comparison, we have added an actual-size overlay picture to the bottom right corner.
Compare these images
with these monitor setups:
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Using the Alignment controls
The Media Item will be positioned on the screen according to the settings of the Alignment controls. Using X (width) and Y (height), the asset can be positioned to a particular spot, or to a proportional location. It is worth testing many screen sizes with the Preview stage when using these settings.
X / Width
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the left or right sides of the screen, with optional pixel or % offsets.
Y / Height
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the top or bottom sides of the screen, with optional pixel or % offsets.
Values
Offset numbers can be expressed in positive or negative pixel amounts, or by percentage of the end user's monitor setup. Use the '%' symbol after the number to differentiate percentages from pixels.
The width set to 5% (percent) of the screen size, height set to 5 pixels.
Adjusting Flip and Rotation
It is simple to flip or rotate the Media Item, in cases of incorrect importation. This only works with Image files, and does not change anything with the original file.
Flip
Image Assets can be flipped horizontally, vertically, or both directions at once.
Rotate
Image Assets can be rotated to any angle. There are some presets for rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise 90-degrees, as well as a 180-degree flip.
Tips:
- The Stretch Mode and Alignment settings generally follow HTML5 rules: a raw number (such as 123) is interpreted as a pixel value, whereas a number with a % sign (such as 45%) is interpreted as a percent of the screen width.
- Screen width is determined at the time of playback on the user's computer. So 50% of the author's screen width will probably not be the same as 50% of the end-users's screen width.
- Not all settings can be applied to all media types.
- Image locations for the foreground Media item are also affected by the OpenGL visual effect, as described in the Transition effects section.
Setting the Visual Effect Transition
Each media item will appear onscreen. How does it appear? Movies and Flash files appear onscreen immediately, using a Cut effect. Images default with an one-second Dissolve with some slight motion. But there are some other options to test and explore.
Custom options available for effects motion.
Effect Types
There are many simple effects, and some very powerful custom motion controls. You might need to play with the custom values to fine-tune your presentations.
Cut
An immediate switch from the previous asset.
Dissolve
A slow fade between the previous asset and the new asset. Both assets are visible on screen at once.
Fade
The previous asset fades to its background color which dissolves to the new asset's background color then fades up the asset. Use the default background color of black for fading to black between assets. In a Fade effect, the first item is completely gone before the second item begins to appear.
Fall
The new asset drops downward at an angle, covering the previous asset. There are four directional presets plus random.
Slide
The new asset slides across, up, or down, covering the previous asset. There are four directional presets plus random.
Wipe
The new asset wipes across, up, or down, covering the previous asset. There are four directional presets plus random.
Zoom
The new asset zooms from the center, covering the previous asset. Adjustments can be made to all initial 3-D coordinates (X, Y, and Z).
Custom...
The fun begins! Create your own effect, by setting initial location, initial velocity, initial rotation, and spin speed. These are all 3-D coordinates (X, Y, and Z) so some really interesting effects are possible.
To use a preset effect:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, click the Preset effect listed on the Effect subsection.
- Choose an effect from the pop-up menu.
- Open the Effect subsection to change specific effect settings.
Your selected effect will preview an A / B example.
The Effects pop-up menu.
Setting Effect Duration
Every effect, except Cut, has a duration setting. This is not to be confused with the Media Behavior Duration. The Effect duration is independent, and controls the duration of the effect motion and (with many effects) the alpha dissolve.
Setting Random Motion
Some effects provide a 'Random Motion' checkbox that, when checked, will provide a pleasing gentle in/out/left/right motion while the image is onscreen.
Using Custom Effects
The types of movement include location, velocity, rotation, and spin. Location and Rotation set up the asset, while Velocity and Spin determine speed and direction of motion. The Simultaneous Out Effect changes the timing of the A-item's Out point.
Standard OpenGL coordinates are used, where the screen is always 2.0 units wide, with the height depending upon monitor aspect ratio. The center of the screen is the zero (0, 0, 0) point, with positive XYZ towards the right, down, away from camera. Positive rotations are clockwise. Inital rotation is measured in degrees. Velocity is measured in screen units per second divided by 100. Spin is measured in degrees per second. Z coordinates of less than -1.0 are 'behind the camera' and thus invisible.
You can do all sorts of weird things with custom motion effects, and there are many ways to get images offscreen or invisible. Caveat emptor. Remember the Undo!
Location
Set the starting location for the asset.
Velocity
Set a speed and motion direction.
Rotation
Set the starting rotation for the asset.
Spin
Set a speed and motion direction of rotation.
Initial location centered at 0,0,0. Rotation in degrees around independent axes.
To use a custom effect:
- In the Video tab, select a file.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Effect subsection.
- Choose Custom... on the pop-up menu.
- Change X Y Z values to affect the B motion in the preview.
- Click the Recycle button to repeat the preview.
Your selected effect will preview an A / B example.
Tips:
- Video effects depend on OpenGL hardware acceleration. Please see System Requirements for more info.
- It's easy to overpower even the fastest computers using these effects. A combination of a large image size, short effect duration, and lots of effect movement can cause performance problems. In addition, performance may vary more than 10 to 100-fold between old and new machines. Do not assume an effect that works great on your computer will work on anyone else's. For best results, always test on old, slow computers.
- If slower machines are being targeted, consider making these changes: Reduce image sizes, use Cut effects only, and increase the item duration (on the behavior tab). The more you can slow down the presentation, the better chance older computers wil have of rendering it.
- To see many the effect settings for many assets at once, switch the Video tab to List View and enable the various 'Fx' columns.
- If the Info palette is open to Effects, and the preview stage is playing, then each change made to an Effect field will restart the item in Preview, even with shuffle turned on. Use tab and shift-tab to set the parameters and restart the motion effect.
Previewing Transitions
Use the A / B thumbnail previewer by opening the Effect subsection. The 'B' frame represents any selected sequence items in the screensaver. Replay the thumbnail preview with the Recycle button.
Working with Compression Presets
Image files (PICT, JPEG, PNG, etc.) can be resized and/or re-compressed when used in iScreensaver. This has several advantages: You can import high-resolution images directly from your camera without re-sizing first. Images can be easily resized using presets in case you wish to build more than one version (for example, a "high resolution" and "low resolution" version. Please read about image size limitations and using Best Practices.
Image compression settings.
Presets
The compression/size presets menu has a few settings that will often work for most situations. Use the Custom setting for manual control of the parameters.
Compress
Choose a compression level.
- PNG : a "Perfect" or "Lossless" compressor that also preserves the alpha-channel (transparency) and does not introduce any noise into the image. If it's perfect, why not use it always? There's a catch: PNG does not compress very highly, so the final Image byte size is often very large.
- JPEG: a "lossy" compressor, JPEG does not support alpha channels (transparency), but is a much more efficient compressor than PNG, often compressing images 2, 5, 10, or even 50 times smaller than PNG. JPEG 8 is the best quality (but largest file size) and JPEG 0 is the worst quality (but smaller file size).
Maximum Size
It's very important to limit images to a size that is appropriate for the end user's monitor size and computer speed. Using this setting, images that are larger than the width or height provided will be proportionally resized. Images smaller than the width & height will not be resized. Please read about image size limitations and using Best Practices.
Original & Final Image Size
When using resizing or compression, if a single item is selected, its image size (pixels and bytes) will be shown. Note: this may take a few seconds to update with large images.
Tips:
- Please read about image size limitations and using Best Practices.
- Compression and resize settings never affect your original files on disk. Feel free to experiment.
- Images usually look better when keeping a high maximum size while reducing the compression factor. An image saved at 1600x1200 Low compression looks better than if saved at 800x600 High compression, even on smaller monitor systems.
- When using the "Actual Size" Display / Stretch mode settings, the actual size used will be the size after resizing and compression.
- There is a maximum image size of 4096 pixels in width and height. Any images larger than this will be automatically resized down. Warnings that this is happening will be seen in the Build logs.
Caption overlay settings
Every Sequence Item can have a text caption, using international unicode fonts and styles. In addition, special "insert variables" can insert the asset filename, asset size, and meta data from iTunes (such as Title or Description). Text captions can have an overall background color and transparency, and a per-letter foreground text color. During the screensaver build process, text captions are converted to a compressed image file. This means the author doesn't need to worry about font issues on the end-user machine. Text captions are truly WYSIWYG.
The Caption subsections.
Setting the Caption font controls
Each letter can have its own individual font, size, style, and foreground color. The background color applies to the text block as a whole.
The text options, including fonts, sizes, colors, and special variables pulled from image metadata.
Setting Fonts
Either select the desired font and, then begin typing in the text box. Or, select some letters firat, then choose a new font from the popup menu.
Setting Font sizes
Either select the desired font size and begin typing, or select text first, then change the font size. You can use the up/down arrows to change font size, or type a pixel size directly.
Setting Font styles
Either select the desired font style and begin typing, or type then select the text and choose the font style (P: plain, B:bold, I:italic, U:underline).
Setting Font colors
Either select the desired font color and begin typing, or type then select the text and choose the font color. The foreground text color can be set on a per-letter basis. The background text color affects the entire text caption as a whole.
Setting Text Alignment
Text can be centered or aligned to the left or right sides of the text block.
Inserting Variables
Choose variables from the Special list. These are special text strings that will be converted into a value when displayed. For example, %title% will show the meta-data title field when an image was imported from iPhotoe. To see the resulting value, view the item in the Preview Stage window. You can apply style changes to the %variables%, as long as the %variable% word is all a single style.
Tips:
- Any changes to the variables within iScreensaver will not affect the original file metadata.
- %variables% can have style & color formatting, as long as the word (including % sign on either end) is a single style/color/size.
- Text does not line-wrap. If you need to have a line break in the text, please sure you enter it manually in the text itself. This applies to data from %description% or %title% variables as well.
Adjusting Caption Size and Location
The text captions layer can be positioned in the same way as media and overlay layers. Text can be rotated, flipped, or forced to proportionally stretch to the end users' monitors. Text often looks pixellated and blurry when stretched to large sizes, so Actual Size is often the best display mode to use.
Different settings for screen sizing and location, rotation, and padding for background color plates.
Using the Stretch mode
For captions, usually it is recommended to leave them at their actual size.
Actual Size
A 12 pixel font will be displayed at 12 pixels in size, no matter the final monitor screen size. This is the recommended setting.
Letterbox
Proportionally scales the entire text caption block caption to keep it contained fully on-screen, using the background color to fill empty space. Generally looks terrible unless you are using a very large font size.
Crop
Proportional scales the caption to fill the screen, whether or not it all stays visible. Generally not recommended.
Full Screen
Disproportionally stretches the caption to fit the screen completely, regardless of asset dimensions. Generally looks poor, unless using a very large font size.
Custom X and Y
Set the width and height of the caption to display on-screen as desired, in absolute pixels or percentage of the screen size.
Using the Alignment controls
The captions can be repositioned on the screen using the Alignment controls. Using X (width) and Y (height), the captions can be positioned to a particular spot, or to a proportional location (expressed as a % of the screen size). It is worth testing many screen sizes with the Preview stage when using these settings to get a feel for how items will be located on various monitor sizes.
X / Width
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the left or right sides of the screen, with optional pixel or percent offsets.
Y / Height
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the top or bottom sides of the screen, with optional pixel or percent offsets.
Values
Offset numbers can be expressed in positive or negative pixel amounts, or by percentage of the end user's monitor setup. Use the '%' symbol after the number to differentiate percentages from pixels.
The width set to 5% (percent) of the screen size, height set to 5 pixels.
Adjusting Flip and Rotation
Captions can be flipped or rotated. They will remain in their block size position.
Flip
Captions can be flipped horizontally, vertically, or both directions at once.
Rotate
Captions can be rotated to any angle. There are some presets for rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise 90-degrees, as well as a 180-degree flip.
Adjusting the Padding controls
Add postive or negative numbers to pad extra pixels to the edges of the captions. This helps push the background color away from the text. Padding can be expressed as a percent (of the screen width or height).
Tips:
- Actual Size is usually the best stretch mode for text.
- When using other stretch modes, consider rendering the text at a large font size, and then stretching it down to fit. For example, rendering text at a font size of 200, and then using a Custom size mode of 25% and 25% width and height will give high quality text on a wide variety of monitor sizes (the only downside is a small increase in file size).
- Padding can be expressed as a % of screen width. A nice effect is to use a %padding value with a corresponding left or right alignment.
- The Caption overlay layer is the front-most layer. It will always be in front of the Media layer and the Overlay layer.
Setting the Visual Effect Transition
Each caption has a transition effect available for how it is displayed. The default is a one second dissolve.
Caption effect settings.
Types of Transitions
There are few simple effects, as the caption layer does not allow motion.
Parent
Matches the timing of the Media Item's effect transition.
Cut
An immediate switch from the previous asset.
Dissolve
A slow fade between the previous caption and the new caption.
Setting Durations
Every effect, except cut, has a duration length setting.
Previewing Transitions
Use the A / B thumbnail previewer by opening the Effect subsection. Replay the preview with the Recycle button.
Overlay settings
Need to add an image to every visual asset in your screensaver, but don't want to have to do the compositing work? Luckily, almost any still image can be used as an instant picture overlay. Typically, these are logo images that include an alpha mask or sit on plain solid backgrounds. Remember that as a functioning screensaver, you might not wish to leave the overlay up on every asset in the same location - to prevent monitor burn-in (or even hinting at it). For best performance, keep overlay images small and do not stretch to full-screen size.
Picture overlay subsections.
Choosing the Media Item
The Overlay subsection lets you select the image file, shows a thumbnail preview, the file size and location on disk. Any image format that QuickTime can read can be used as an overlay.
Some technical information about the overlay asset.
Selecting a different Overlay file
You can easily change only the overlay image file, leaving the rest of the settings intact:
To replace an overlay file:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Overlay tab, open the Media Item subsection by clicking the small triangle (if needed).
- Click the '+' button to replace the overlay file for the selected item(s).
- From the File Browser, select an overlay file to replace the previous one(s).
This selected file will both replace the overlay and reset some defaults (such as compression and masking) for any selected Sequence Items.
Removing an Overlay file
It is possible to delete just the Overlay file, leaving Media and Captions untouched.
To remove the overlay file:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Overlay tab, open the Media Item subsection.
- Choose the '-' button to remove the overlay file.
This action will remove the overlay file only from the selected Sequence Items. The file(s) on disk will not be affected.
Masking with Colors and Transparencies
Images can be framed or punched out and placed on a background color, have a color tint added, can filter out a specific RGB color, or use the alpha channel masks that some file types (PNG, TIFF, GIF) provide.
Different color settings.
Setting Transparent colors
iScreensaver will use the Transparency setting's Color as a masking filter to punch out as much of that value from the image as possible.
To mask a color from an image:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Overlay tab, open the Color subsection.
- From the Transparency pop-up menu, choose Color.
- Click on the Mask color square to open the Color palette.
- (Macintosh) On the Color palette, select the magnifying glass cursor and use it on the image in the Media Item frame.
- (Windows or Mac) Enter the RGB values (0-255, 0-255, 0-255) of the color you wish to use as a mask.
- Your selected color should 'drop-out' of the image, showing the Background color. Reselect a color if not correct.
Tips:
- Color masking works best on a solid flat color, such as black or white.
- Using JPEG re-compression on an RGB Color Masked images will almost never work properly. The reason is that JPEG compression subtly alters the final RGB values, so they no longer match the target color. For this reason, when using color masks, don't re-compress the images using JPEG compression. Use No compression or PNG Lossless instead.
An alpha mask is an layer in an image file that defines the transparency percent when compositing the image with other images. Formats that support such are PNG-24, PICT, GIF, Targa, and are usually created and saved from Adobe Photoshop or the open source GIMP image manipulation software. Most (but not all) images with alpha channels will be automatically detected and mask settings will be auto-set, so you generally won't need to use the following instructions:
To mask a color from an image's alpha channel:
- Select the item(s) to edit in the Sequence editor.
- In the Info palette's Media tab, open the Color subsection.
- From the Transparency pop-up menu, choose Mask.
- If the file has an alpha mask, then that region should 'drop-out' of the image, showing the Background color.
Any changes you make here do not affect the original media file on disk, so feel free to experiment!
Adjusting Foreground Tint
The overlay item's color spectrum can be tinted by setting the Foreground color with the Color palette. This only works on Images. Note that in addition to changing the RGB color values, you can also change the Alpha percent. Alpha values less than 255 will cause the image to blend in with the media and background.
Adjusting Background Color
The overlay item's background color can be changed using the Foreground color with the Color palette. For Image assets, you can also change the Alpha value of the background color. Combined with the various Transparency settings, this can give you various interesting effects: for example, using a PNG with mask, you could make the background opaque and the foreground transparent, or vice versa.
Tips:
- It's possible to end up with a color setting that makes no sense. To return to the default values, set Transparency to "mask", set Tint to pure white and full opacity (RGBA 255,255,255,255), and set BG Color to pure black and zero opacity (RGBA 0,0,0,0).
Adjusting Background colors
The overlay's background can be changed -- this will only be seen for images with alpha channels or when using color masking.
Adjusting Overlay Size and Location
Overlay Images can be placed anywhere on the screen in two dimensions, and can be sized using several size modes. This is a tricky part of good design, because many computers have different screen sizes: pixel width, pixel height, and aspect ratios. See Designing & Preparing for more information and tips.
Note that overlay images, when large size, can cause slower performance and use extra CPU resources. For best results, use small overlay images set to 'Actual size' display mode. Make sure to test on slower computers.
Different settings for screen sizing and location, flipping, and rotation.
Using the Stretch mode
For overlays, usually it is recommended to leave them at actual size.
Actual Size
Uses the exact picture pixel arrangement, no matter its relation to the monitor resolution. One pixel will be shown as one pixel.
Letterbox
Proportionally scales the overlay to keep it contained fully on-screen.
Crop
Proportionally scales the overlay to fill the screen, whether or not it all stays onscreen.
Full Screen
Non-proportionally stretches the overlay to fit the screen completely, regardless of asset dimensions.
Custom X and Y
Set the width and height of the caption to display on-screen as desired, in absolute pixels or percentage of the screen size.
Using the Location controls
The Overlay Item will be positioned on the screen according to the settings of the Location controls. Using X (width) and Y (height), the asset can be positioned to a particular spot, or to a proportional location. It is worth testing many screen sizes with the Preview stage when using these settings.
X / Width
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the left or right sides of the screen, with optional pixel or % offsets.
Y / Height
Defaults to the center of the end user's monitor. Can be aligned to either the top or bottom sides of the screen, with optional pixel or % offsets.
Values
Offset numbers can be expressed in positive or negative pixel amounts, or by percentage of the end user's monitor setup. Use the '%' symbol after the number to differentiate percentages from pixels.
The width set to 5% (percent) of the screen size, height set to 5 pixels.
Adjusting Flip and Rotation
Image files can be flipped or rotated. This does not affect the original file on disk.
Flip
Image Assets can be flipped horizontally, vertically, or both directions at once.
Rotate
Image Assets can be rotated to any angle. There are some presets for rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise 90-degrees, as well as a 180-degree flip.
Tips:
- The Stretch Mode and Alignment settings generally follow HTML5 rules: a raw number (such as 123) is interpreted as a pixel value, whereas a number with a % sign (such as 45%) is interpreted as a percent of the screen width.
- Screen width is determined at the time of playback on the user's computer. So 50% of the author's screen width will probably not be the same as 50% of the end-users's screen width.
- Note that overlay images, when large, can cause slower performance and use extra CPU resources. For best results, use small overlay images in Actual size mode. Test on slower computers.
Setting the Visual Effect Transition
Each overlay has a transition effect available for how it is displayed. The default is a one second dissolve.
Overlay effect settings.
Types of Transitions
There are few simple effects, as the caption layer does not allow motion.
Parent
Matches the timing of the Media Item's effect transition.
Cut
An immediate switch from the previous asset.
Dissolve
A slow fade between the previous caption and the new caption.
Setting Durations
Every effect, except cut, has a duration length setting.
Previewing Transitions
Use the A / B thumbnail previewer by opening the Effect subsection. Replay the preview with the Recycle button.
Working with Compression Presets
Image files (PICT, JPEG, PNG, etc.) can be resized and/or re-compressed when used in iScreensaver. This has several advantages: You can import high-resolution images directly from your camera without re-sizing first. Images can be easily resized using presets in case you wish to build more than one version (for example, a "high resolution" and "low resolution" version. Please Read about Image Size limitations and Best Practices.
Overlay compression settings.
Presets
The compression/size presets menu has a few settings that will often work for most situations. Use the Custom setting for manual control of the parameters.
Compress
Choose a compression level.
- PNG : a "Perfect" or "Lossless" compressor that also preserves the alpha-channel (transparency) and does not introduce any noise into the image. If it's perfect, why not use it always? There's a catch: PNG does not compress very highly, so the final Image byte size is often very large.
- JPEG: a "lossy" compressor, JPEG does not support alpha channels (transparency), but is a much more efficient compressor than PNG, often compressing images 2, 5, 10, or even 50 times smaller than PNG. JPEG 8 is the best quality (but largest file size) and JPEG 0 is the worst quality (but smaller file size).
Maximum Size
It's very important to limit images to a size that is appropriate for the end user's monitor size and computer speed. Using this setting, images that are larger than the width or height provided will be proportionally resized. Images smaller than the width & height will not be resized. Please Read about Image Size limitations and Best Practices.
Original & Final Image Size
When using resizing/compression, if a single item is selected, the image size (pixels and bytes) will be shown. Note: this may take a few seconds to update with large images.
Tips:
- Overlay images should be small -- large overlay images can cause slow playback performance.
- Please Read about Image Size limitations and Best Practices.
- Compression and resize settings never affect your original files on disk. Feel free to experiment.
- Images usually look better when keeping a high maximum size while reducing the compression factor. An image saved at 1600x1200 Low compression looks better than if saved at 800x600 High compression, even on smaller monitor systems.
- When using the "Actual Size" Display / Stretch mode settings, the actual size used will be the size after resizing and compression.
- There is a maximum image size of 4096 pixels in width and height. Any images larger than this will be automatically resized down. Warnings that this is happening will be seen in the Build logs.
Making changes across Multiple Items
A screensaver sequence may have tens or hundreds, or even thousands of items. Therefore it's handy to know how to make changes can be made more than one item at once: Just select one or more item(s), and then edit the settings in the Info palette. If a setting change is inappropriate for a selected asset in a varied group, the change will not affect that asset and will be ignored. If you make a mistake, use the Edit/Undo command.
Selecting a range of Items
This works similarly to selecting files in the Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows) and can be done with keyboard or mouse: In a sequence, choose your first selection, then shift-click on your last selection to choose everything in between.
Selecting non-contiguous Items
This works similarly to selecting files in the Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows) and can be done with keyboard or mouse: On Macintosh - command-click each selection to choose a non-contiguous selection. On Windows, control-click each selection to choose a non-contiguous selection.
Sorting Items with List View
In List view you can sort by any visible column. This can help you find items with a particuler settings or property. For example, to quickly select only Image files, just sort by the "Kind" column.
To sort items in a sequence:
- In the Video or Audio sequence tab, click the List View button.
- Choose a column to sort the list.
Click a second time to reverse the order of that column. - Control-click the column titles to open the Select Columns dialog to view more columns. Re-sort this list to re-order the columns.
Tips:
- A maximum of 62 columns can be viewed at one time. If the limit is reached, deselect columns that are not currently needed. Toggling on 'Select All' will reach this limit.
- The list order is temporary and will not affect the actual playback sequence order. Return to correct sequence order by choosing the '#' column.
Pasting attributes
What about applying some properties from one item to a group of items? Simple, just use the 'Paste Attributes.' This means pasting just the Background Color to all the other assets. Or just the X Rotation of a Custom Effect. Or even both at once. Just about any setting can be pasted onto any item in the sequence, or even across projects.
Pasting attributes is an easy way to transfer a single setting, even across different projects.
To paste attributes:
- In the Video or Audio tabs, select a single item.
- Copy the item's settings by doing one of the following:
- On Macintosh, type Command-C to copy.
- On Windows, type Control-C to copy.
- Choose 'Copy' from the Edit menu.
- Control-click the item for the 'Edit > Copy' pop-up contextual menu. - In the sequence, select one more more item(s) to modify.
- Open the Paste Attributes window by doing one of the following:
- Choose 'Paste Attributes...' from the Edit menu.
- Control-click for the 'Edit > Paste Attributes...' pop-up contextual menu. - On the Paste Attributes window, select the checkboxes for the settings desired, and click 'OK.'
Tips:
- Remember this is a one-to-many procedure. You can only paste attributes from a single item. You can paste the attributes onto one or more destination items.
- You can use the keyboard (arrows keys + spacebar) to select and toggle which attributes to paste.
- You can't paste across item types. For example, you can't paste a Media item's background color onto an Overlay, or vice versa.
Hey! What's Up With My Undo?
The Undo menu shows recent edits. Check under the Edit menu to view your history of the last few undoable moves. Note that it is possible to undo in time before your most recent Save, so use this feature with caution!
The History menu even includes a timestamp for convenience.
Reverting changes
Choosing 'Revert To Saved...' from the File menu will undo all changes since you opened or last saved the file.
Utilizing Time Machine
If working with Macintosh systems with Time Machine, remember that it should be primarily considered emergency backup, and that you still would want to periodically gather assets and projects for further archiving.
Saving periodically
It is good to 'Save As...' occasionally to keep an archived version of the project. The newly saved project will then be active, so either re-open the original, or instead, within the new saved project name increase a version number and continue working.
Locking and Unlocking Content
Ultimate License Only.
A screensaver can contain two completely different presentations. Which sequence plays depends on the "locking" status of the screensaver. As the screensaver author, you can control the locking behavior of the screensaver, and generate individual keycodes to unlock the screensaver. For example, a common use for this is to provide a "teaser" or "demo" version of a screensaver that is unlocked for a while, then locks after a few days. You would then sell unlocking codes on your website through the online merchant of your choice.
//marketing intermission//
The Locking features are advanced enough to require our Ultimate iScreensaver License, but they come with the incredible advantage of being able to market or sell upgraded screensavers to your existing users with their own personalized keycodes. For our unregistered customers, don't forget - try it before you buy it!
We think you'll love it.
//end marketing intermission//
Using the Locking tab
You can test all locking features without purchasing the software. However, until an Ultimate license is purchased, all "unlocked" sequences will be watermarked. The Locking tab allows editing of the locking behavior: set the initial state, set time- and use-based changes. Edit the type of unlocking codes provided, and set a URL hyperlinks for customers to find your website. And, of course, you can edit the content of the unlocked sequence.
But first you have to turn it on.
To enable the locking features:
- From the Project window, do one of the following:
- In the toolbar, choose the Locking icon.
- Select Locking > Locking Settings from the Project menu. - Click the Use Locking checkbox.
The toolbar transforms to show locked and unlocked sequences, and the Locking subtab edit panes are now available. Any sequence in the project at the time of enabling locking will be moved into the locked sequences and remain on the left side of the toolbar.
If locking is ever disabled in a project (either accidentally or on purpose), the locked sequences transfer as the main sequences, and while the unlocked sequence data will remain a part of the project, none of it will be built into the installers. Re-enabling Locking will restore the unlocked sequences to the project.
Tip:
- Want the locked sequence to be the unlocked one instead? Just select all items from one sequence, copy, and paste them into the other sequence. Check the Global Settings to make sure the sequence settings are the same.
Using the Behavior subtab
When using Locking features, a screensaver is in either one of two states: Locked or Unlocked. This status controls which audio/video presentation the user will see. The behavior subtab is where you control the locking/unlocking behavior. It's very flexible : you can have the screensaver start locked or unlocked, and change on a certain date, a certain number of uses or hours of runtime. Do you want the user to see the unlocked presentation first, or not until they've paid? Do you even wish for them to know about it at all? It's your choice when to drop the drawbridge of commerce.
Defaults are Initial State: Locked, Reminders: On, and No Automatic Change in Behavior.
Initial State
Determines the sequences used for previewing and installing. The Locked Sequences are on the left side of the Locking icon, while the Unlocked Sequences are on the right side. Whichever sequence is chosen is what the end user will first see when previewing or installing the screensaver.
Unlocking Reminder
The Reminder dialog can be disabled from alerting the user to the alternate content. Without this reminder, the only indication of further content is the Lock icon in the Control Panel. Clicking the Lock icon opens the Unlocking Reminder dialog.
Show during installation
Before installation begins, the user can be notified that there is extra content.
Show after wake-up
Each time the screensaver wakes from sleep, the Reminder dialog alerts the user of extra content. The user can postpone the reminder for another time in the future.
Behavior
The screensaver can switch from locked to unlocked (or vice versa) automatically:
No Change
It stays as it lays. Fairly self-explanatory - the screensaver will never switch from its initial state on its own. Note that if the user enters an unlocking code, this will change the state.
Locks/Unlocks After : Hours of Use
Switches after a pre-determined amount of hours used. These hours are tallied during normal operation of the screensaver, and do not include previewing during installation, nor testing from the Control Panel.
Locks/Unlocks After : Uses
Switches after a pre-determined number of uses. These uses are tallied during normal operation of the screensaver, by actually triggering the screensaver via hot corners or system timeouts, and do not include previewing during installation, nor testing from the Control panels.
Locks/Unlocks After : Days After Installation
Switches at a pre-determined number of days after the user first installs the screensaver.
Locks/Unlocks After: Date and Time
Switches on a specific moment in time. Use an ISO date-time string in the following format: 'YYYY-MM-DDD HH:MM:SS'. This is determined by the local date and time on the end user's machine.
Tips:
- Not all settings make sense so take care to test before deploying.
- The locking status will never change while the screensaver is running. Any changes will not take effect until the screensaver is exited, then will show on the next use.
- "Uses": Depending on the operating system, when security settings are enabled, every time you mis-type the password it will re-start the screensaver. Thus, a person could quickly 'use up' 4 uses if they typed their password incorrectly 4 times.
- "Hours of Use" : remember that many computers have energy saver settings in use. Others do not. Thus, 10 hours of use could last one user a week, and another user could go through that in a single night.
- "Date": this is a date/time local to the user's computer timezone.
Using the Keys subtab
When an end-user's screensaver is locked, they should have a way to unlock it again. This is what a unlocking key (also called "KeyCode") is used for. As the author, you can provide these keycodes for free, or sell them, or provide them as a reward for some other consumer behavior. It's your choice.
There are two types of key codes: a Key List an a Key Generator. The Key List is simpler: just generate a short (or long) list of passwords. Every password will unlock the screensaver. There is no "username" required. The Key Generator provides an algorithm so you can generate unique user/password combinations.
Key List
A series of keycode words, phrases, codes, or numbers, that are built into the installer. These codes are present in the screensaver file, but are encrypted and hashed for security. Add them one at a time, or import through a standard text file list. You can also copy/paste from Excel or a text document.
The Copy button
Copies all selected keycodes to the clipboard. Then paste into a third party text editor.
The Paste button
Pastes from the clipboard to the list.
The Delete - button
Remove selected keycodes from the list.
The Add + button
Add a new keycode to the list.
Tips:
- Remember that the keycode list in the screensaver at the time it was built is what matters. Changing the keycode list after a user downloads your screensaver won't do a thing for the copy they downloaded earlier.
- Imported keycode lists should have line breaks between each item. Leading and trailing spaces will be removed.
- If you add and remove keycodes, then rebuild your installers before distributing them.
- Take care not to leave the default '00000000' in the list.
- It's possible to use Unicode text as a keycode, but this may make it harder for users to type the code, so consider using just ASCII letters (A...Z and 0..9) for ease of use.
- iScreensaver.com does not provide any merchant services for this feature. You are completely responsible for any financial/legal transactions as a result.
Key Generation
The other method is to use the built-in key generator. Using this method, the end user must provide BOTH a username AND keycode to unlock the screensaver. The screensaver has a built in code validator that checks the user/password code using a secure algorithm. This algorithm is based on the "Screensaver ID" field. This gives you flexibility : you could issue five different screensavers that all have the same ScreensaverID field -- in this case one user/key combination would unlock all five screensavers. Or, you can re-release a new copy of the screensaver after changing the ID, which would invalidate all prior keycodes.
The User Name field
To issue an unlocking code using the generator, just type the username into this field. A good choice is the user's email address since this is unique, but you can use another username if you have a website, etc.
The Unlocking Key field
The keycode will be generated automatically as an encrypted combinatio of the User Name and the Screensaver ID Seed. Simply copy and paste this to an email and send to your user. With they enter the User Name and the Keycode, the screensaver will unlock.
The Screensaver ID field
The secret ID code for the project. Usually, it's best to leave it the same seed for the life of the project, however by changing it, new distributions would be immune to previous keycodes. Use the Unlock button to change the Screensaver ID.
The Unlock buttom
Unlock the Screensaver ID text field with the Unlock button. With a warning...
Tips:
- If you change the Screensaver ID seed after beginning distribution, you will invalidate the prior user/key combinations already issued, for any user that tries to download the new screensaver.
- Keep the Screensaver ID private.
- Remember that the Screensaver ID in the screensaver at the time it was built is what matters. Changing the UD after a user downloads your screensaver won't do a thing for the copy they downloaded earlier.
- To issue a new code, just open the project, and enter the username. For this reason, keep a copy of both iScreensaver Designer and the project file handy.
- iScreensaver.com does not provide any merchant services for this feature. You are completely responsible for any financial/legal transactions as a result.
Using the Reminder subtab
When using the Locking features, think carefully about the information included in this Unlocking Reminder dialog, as this will make an impression on the end-user's decision to visit your website for more information and/or to purchase a keycode.
Title
Setting For Windows Only:
Under Windows, this displays as a separate dialog window, thus needs a proper title for the titlebar. On Mac OS X this is displayed as a "sheet" window that has no titlebar.
To set the unlocking window Titlebar:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Customize tab, click the 'Title: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the Menu Bar area. - Type the unlocking window name.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
About
Enter a description for the special content of your screensaver in this text field. Since one aspect of cross-platform application creation is that the system fonts used on the varying platforms do not use exactly the same leading and kerning, please see our examples to view the differences between Windows and Macintosh system fonts.
To set the unlocking description:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Customize tab, click the 'About: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the About text area. - Type the unlocking information.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
Web
Users can click on this link that can take them to whatever web page you'd like them to visit for learning about your keycode arrangements, with the page opening within an external web browser. You do not have to show the URL to your web page, but can have some nice descriptive text instead.
To edit the unlocking website information:
- On the Controls tab, click and hold on 'Web Site: Edit' to access the pop-up menu.
- Do one of the following:
- Click 'Edit Text' to change the description that appears on-screen.
- Click 'Edit URL' to change the URL of the actual page that is opened in the user's external web browser.
- Click 'Test Link' to check the URL in your external web browser.
Understanding Locking Behaviors
You have playing one of two sequences - the locked sequence or the unlocked sequence. Either can be set to start-up upon install, and it is optional to switch to the other after some duration, amount of use, or at a particular time and day. So you can offer your end users a tease to your unlocked content that locks after so much viewing time.
Initial states
As a default, the locked sequence will preview and playback, until a code has been entered for the unlocked sequence. It shall never switch automatically without a code.
User-switched changes
With a keycode, the end user can switch sequences. They can remove the keycode and re-lock the screensaver, if so desired.
Example: your screensaver is promoting a special VIP party and everyone gets the screensaver invite, but a select few receive the mysterious keycode.
Duration-related changes
After a certain amount of time viewing the screensaver, the sequence can switch to the other.
Example: your screensaver is offering a sneak peek at your unlocked content, but after 3 hours of use, it switches to the locked sequence, thus your end user would need a keycode to return.
Date-related changes
At a particular moment, the screensaver switches sequences, based on your user's local time and date.
Example: your screensaver is advertising a movie opening and the screensaver is to switch from a teaser-trailer to the final trailer upon the day of release.
Key Query Moments
There are a few times when the screensaver will ask the end user for their keycode. The user can skip this with no consequence if they are not in possession of the keycode at the time.
During installation
The installer will ask the end user if they would like to enter a keycode during installation. The user can skip entering any keycode at this time.
After use
The screensaver will open its Control Panel and ask the end user after every use. The user can can skip entering any keycode at this time. In addition, they can ask to not be notified again for a time period (from one hour to one month).
After user delay
If the user had selected a reminder delay, and that time has passed, then after the next wakeup it will ask again.
Creating Keys
Keys consist of either a list or a seed generator. Only one method will be used in building an installer.
Key List
Don't be obvious with creating your list of codes. Use unicode if your end user machines will all support different languages, though remember that unicode is difficult to type for many users.
Writing codes
Keep track of any codes that you create within a built installer. In making keycodes, use a system, but not one that could be guessed outright. Be sure to copy out a full list of your available keycodes when building an installer for distribution.
Importing codes
Any carriage-return-separated list can be imported into the Key List, so if you use FileMaker, Microsoft Excel, or a SQL database, that data can be pasted into the Key List.
Key Generation
Use a Screensaver ID seed that cannot easily be guessed.
Advertising Keys
The end user will need to know how to go about finding themselves the special advanced screensaver keys. When they click the lock button in the Control Panel, the Registration panel will pop-up, with space for information about your extra content, web links, and a location to enter their keys.
Code retrieval information
A unicode text field is available to announce your special content and explain how to obtain a screensaver keycode.
Web links
Place the URL to your webpages to obtain further information. There is an option to re-word the link text.
Code entry locations
Your end user will enter their name and key to switch over to the expanded content. The keys are generated on the Key subtab of the project's Locking tab.
Security
How secure is secure? Most able-bodied hackers can find their way into anything. We protect what is possible, but no security is absolutely foolproof. It just cannot be honestly promised by any software company. The keycode protection in iScreensaver should be considered "lightweight" security -- it is intended to discourage theft for the casual user, but will certainly not stand up to a determined hacker.
Reducing the consequence of stolen keycodes
A determined hacker could eventually find the keycode to your screensaver. If you are worried about this you can use the following strategy: Re-issue your screensaver every week (or day, or month) with a new Key List or new Key Code Generator Screensaver ID. This way, if someone does guess or hack a key, that key will only be usable with screensavers downloaded for a short period (day, week, month) etc. This strategy will not prevent stolen codes, but will reduce the impact if/when that does happen.Media Security
Media assets within iScreensaver are not encrypted or protected with DRM (Digital Rights Management). This means that a determined hacker can get access to the media files (SWF, Movies, Images) included in the screensaver. Also, remember that it doesn't take a hacker: anything that can be displayed on a computer screen or played through the speakers can be captured. If this is an issue, we suggest you consider issuing reduced resolution versions of your assets, and/or using watermarking or other methods to tag your media to reduce its value.Branding Control Panels
To 'brand' a screensaver is to create value and uniqueness through the human psychological symbolic construct of positive experience with the product.
In other words, make it yours, but make it good.
Using the Controls tab
The Control tab allows you to give your screensaver some personality - a name, a graphic image, some descriptive text, and a website that users can click on to reach your site. Plus it customizes all the features of the users' Control Panel in a 'What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get' format. Switch between the 'Info' and 'Options' tabs to adjust all the initial settings. Change the 'View as :' to see how your screensaver control panel will look under Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
View As
Change the WYSIWYG look to any of the supported iScreensaver platforms.
Title
The screensaver name, that appears as both a selectable screensaver in the lists found in Mac's System Preferences or Window's Control Panels and as the title of the screensaver options' controls dialog, is set here. This is not the same name as the Installers or Saver/SCR files (those are set on the Build tab).
To set the screensaver name:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Controls tab, click the 'Title: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the Menu Bar area. - Type the screensaver name.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
Picture
This is the control panel picture for your screensaver. It is recommended to create your splash screen at 392x120 pixels, and to save it using the PNG format, though any acceptable QuickTime still image format will work. If you use a file that is a different size, it will be automatically resized to fit to 392x120 pixels and converted to PNG file format.
Some ask, why 392x120 pixels? We say, as the breadth of two oxen led to the width both of rails and of roads, the historical After Dark splash screens were always set at 392x120 and, at least for our version 4, that's honorable enough for us.
To set the screensaver splash screen picture:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Controls tab, click the 'Picture: Edit' button and choose a picture file from the File browser.
- From the desktop, drag and drop a picture file into the View mockup's splash screen area.
Editing the Info tab
This contains the first level of support information that your end user may possibly see, so best foot forward. Unregistered users of the iScreensaver software can edit this text, but the default text will always be displayed alongside any edited text.
About
Enter a description of the content of your screensaver in this text field. Since one aspect of cross-platform application creation is that the system fonts used on the varying platforms do not use exactly the same leading and kerning, please see our examples to view the differences between Windows and Macintosh system fonts.
To set the screensaver description:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Controls tab, click the 'About: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the About text area. - Type the screensaver name.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
Web
Users can click on this link that can take them to whatever web page you'd like them to visit, with the page opening within an external web browser. You do not have to show the URL to your web page, but can have some nice descriptive text instead.
To edit the website information:
- On the Controls tab, click and hold on 'Web Site: Edit' to access the pop-up menu.
- Do one of the following:
- Click 'Edit Text' to change the description that appears on-screen.
- Click 'Edit URL' to change the URL of the actual page that is opened in the user's external web browser.
- Click 'Test Link' to check the URL in your external web browser.
Unlocked Content
If you created a locked screensaver, this button will appear on the user's Control Panel. When the user clicks the button in the screensaver control panel, it will bring up the Unlock Dialog where they can enter your secret Unlock Code and replace the original screensaver with your special alternative one. You must purchase an 'Ultimate' License to make locked content. Please see the 'Locking & Unlocking' chapter for more information.
Editing the User Options tab
These are available to the author for controlling the initial user settings, and are available to the end user after installation.
Use Heads Up Display (HUD)
Allows some use of on-screen playback controls by the user during Sleep Mode, however requires the screensaver to ignore other mouse movements. These controls include audio mute, play controls, and jumping to any other asset. Default is unchecked, not showing the HUD.
Adjusting Volume
For screensavers with audio, this control slides to the left for quiet and the right for loud, and can be set even without audio content being present. Volume only adjusts the screensaver audio in relation to system volume settings, thus if the system volume is off, then so will be the screensaver volume.
Mute
Only necessary for screensavers that have audio. This can also be toggled from the HUD.
Show on Main Screen Only
This option restricts the screensaver to running only on the primary monitor. All other monitors will fade to black until the computer wakes from sleep. If no second monitor is present, then this control may not be present.
Keyboard controls
If the HUD is available, then the end user can use the keyboard's left and right arrow keys to move between assets in the sequence. Also, the keyboard's spacebar can pause playback, and freeze motion effects.
Customizing Installers
The Installer tab allows you to give your screensaver installer some personality - a name, a graphic image, and some descriptive and/or licensing text. Plus it customizes the features in a 'What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get' format. Change the 'View as :' to see how your screensaver installer will look under Macintosh and Windows operating systems.
Using the Installer tab
View As
Change the WYSIWYG look to any of the supported iScreensaver platforms.
Title
The screensaver installer name, that appears in the menu bar title for all platforms, is set here. This is not the same name as the Installers or Saver/SCR files (those are set in the Build tab).
To set the screensaver name:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Installer tab, click the 'Title: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the Menu Bar area. - Type the screensaver name.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
Picture
This is the installer picture for your screensaver. It is recommended to create your splash screen at 392x120 pixels, and to save it using the PNG format, though any acceptable QuickTime still image format will work. If you use a file that is a different size, it will be automatically resized to fit to 392x120 pixels and converted to PNG format.
Some ask, why 392x120 pixels? As we've stated before, "as the breadth of two oxen led to the width both of rails and of roads, the historical After Dark splash screens were always set at 392x120 and, at least for our version 4, that's honorable enough for us."
To set the installer splash screen picture:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Installer tab, click the 'Picture: Edit' button and choose a picture file from the File browser.
- From the desktop, drag and drop a picture file into the View mockup's splash screen area.
About
As a default, this is filled with the license agreement between the makers of iScreensaver and the end user. It is possible to edit and change this section to reflect your own legal agreements with the end user, however you must comply with our license agreement. Enter a description of the content or licensing and legal text of your screensaver in this scrolling text field (or of whatever initial information you wish to share with the user before they install your screensaver). Unregistered users of iScreensaver can edit this text, but the default text will always be displayed alongside any edited text.
Since one aspect of cross-platform application creation is that the system fonts used on the varying platforms do not use exactly the same leading and kerning, please see our examples to view the differences between Windows and Macintosh system fonts. However since this text field automatically scrolls, differences are not as crucial as other text fields in the application.
To edit the installer description:
- Do one of the following:
- On the Installer tab, click the 'About: Edit' button.
- On the View mockup, click within the About text area. - Edit the About text.
- Do one of the following:
- Press 'Enter'.
- Click outside the text field.
Building Installers
To get a screensaver on to an end-user's system requires hundreds of files, libraries to be copied, and many OS-level settings to be changed. It's not something the average user can do by hand. For this reason, an "Installer" is used. An Installer is software that automates this process. Fortunately, iScreensaver Designer creates Installers for you. More importantly, iScreensaver Designer is the only tool which does this multi-platform. You can edit your screensaver on Mac and create a Screensaver Installer for Windows. And vice-versa. Cool. Here we describe how to do this.
For help installing a screensaver, see Installing a Screensaver.
For help with distributing screensavers, see Distributing Screensaver Installers.
The Build tab is where you actually build the screensaver installers. First, of course, you might want to name the files, provide customized icons, and create a personalized license agreement. You have the option of adding a custom Wallpaper desktop background, and specifying which versions of QuickTime and Flash will be the minimum necessary for your users' machines. Also if not yet completed, links for easy registration of your copy of iScreensaver are available.
Using the Builds tab
On the Builds tab you can set general information (such as your Author's name), select which platform(s) to build, and start a build for all selected platforms.
Using the Build subtab
Registering iScreensaver
The screensaver software will only function in Demo Mode until a valid registration code has been entered. The current registration status and registration name are shown.
Setting an Author Name
Most operating systems will mention an author or publisher of the application when getting information on the file properties, and this text field can be customized for an author's clients, if any. This is an editable field with the Ultimate License.
Please note that this is not the same as a Software Publisher Certificate, as seen with Windows' User Access Control warnings upon software install. Purchasing a software certificate requires involvement with Microsoft-authorized third party software security companies.
See more information about this topic at Microsoft:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff552299.aspx
Unfortunately, users are fairly used to seeing unknown Software Publisher Certificates.
Exporting to all platforms
It is easy to quickly build installers for all checkboxed platforms using the 'Build All' button on the master Builds tab.
Exporting to single platforms
Each platform can be individually built from their individual platform tabs.
Using the Mac subtab
Using the Win subtab
Customizing the Install
File names
- Naming Windows files : names are limited to 40 characters. The screensaver will automatically have ".SCR" appended, and the installer will have ".EXE" appended. You may or may not see these suffixes, depending on your OS settings.
- Naming Short Windows files : short names are limited to 8 characters. Having a unique Short Name allows a graceful playback and uninstallation experience for Windows users. They may or may not see these short names, depending on their OS settings. All Windows screensavers should be given a short name.
- Naming Macintosh files names are limited to 100 characters. The screensaver will automatically have ".saver" appended, and the installer will have ".app" appended. You may or may not see these suffixes, depending on your OS settings.
- Naming Installers : This is the filename that the end user will see on their desktop when downloading and installing. However, the installer's menubar title will be the same as listed in the Preview on the Installer panel.
- Naming Screensavers : This is the filename of the actual screensaver file on the end user's computer and is what will show up in the OS's Screensaver Control Panel.
Zip
An option to automatically compress the installers into simple cross-platform-transportable formats for use on a website, sending through email, or moving across platforms. For Macintosh, it is checked on by default. For Windows, we recommend leaving this option off, as, in most cases, the Single-File EXE is an easier solution for user installation. Enable this either if you have file sizes, or if the installer itself is, larger than 2GB in size.
Make Single File EXE
The Windows default option to automatically compress the installer within a self-extracting installer, for use on a website, sending through email, or moving across platforms. We recommend leaving this option on as it saves the installer into a single-file format, making a very end-user-friendly experience. Disable this if you have a different distribution procedure, are testing installers on your local machine, or restricted by 2GB size limits. The single-file installer icon will be resized to a OS-limited 48x48 pixels.
Checking Plug-in versions
When the end-user previews, installs, or runs the screensaver, it will automatically check for needed plugins (QuickTime, Flash, or OpenGL). As the author, you can enable/disable these checks, and change the minimum version number required. Blank out the field to disable checking for that plug-in.
During installation, if the minimum version number is not found, the user will be asked to install the free download and/or upgrade from the Apple or Adobe web sites. These processes are well-guided and will return the user to the iScreensaver installer when they are done. OpenGL Drivers are a bit more complex, as each vendor has their own. There is a link in the Tips for more information on OpenGL updating.
Use the "Check" button to find the plugin versions currently on your authoring machine. You can copy these values to the edit fields. Note that with old operating systems, the QuickTime and Plugin versions may not be what you are currently using, and it is easily possible for your content to be played on much earlier plug-in versions, without need for a recent update. Also remember that the end users are allowed to skip these installs (they are warned to not do this, but they are not prevented from doing so). This of course may compromise how the screensaver functions.
Tips:
- The latest Flash Plugin can be downloaded here: Get Flash Player.
- The latest QuickTime Plugin can be downloaded here: Download QuickTime.
- Special information on OpenGL Drivers is at: Understanding OpenGL Drivers.
- Not all computers support the most recent versions of Flash and QuickTime -- be sure to think about what operating system(s) you are supporting, and what plugin versions are needed.
- If a screensaver doesn't have any QuickTime movies or audio, and all images are either JPEG or PNG, then the screensaver doesn't need the QuickTime plugin.
- If a screensaver doesn't have any SWF (Flash) content, then the screensaver doesn't need the Flash plugin.
- QuickTime is installed by default on all versions of Mac OS X. It is not possible to remove it.
- As of Mac OS X 10.6.3, Apple is now providing QuickTime updates as part of the system update (7.6.6) and it can not be downloaded or installed separately. It is not yet clear if this is a permanent change in policy.
- Real World 2011 example: Many of the primary features of QuickTime movies can be used on versions as far back as version 6 without failing. Frequently, we set our QuickTime minimum as '6.0.0' to lessen inconvenience to our potential downloading users.
Icons
These icons are used when the user downloads the screensaver installer. To create an icon, make a 512x512 pixel file with the desired icon art and transparency masks, and save it in PNG-24 format. Click 'Edit' on the icon you desire to change, and then select the file with your new icon art.
Please note that Windows systems are limited in size to 256x256 pixel icons, and can only save 128x128 pixel icons for Macintosh installers. If the icon must include a large Mac icon, we recommend moving and rebuilding the project on a Mac machine, or use a more complex technical procedure for inserting a larger icon into the Macintosh installer. You can still use original artwork sized at 512x512 pixels in Designer on either platform, and it will be sized as best it can.
Wallpaper
You can choose an image to be included as a desktop background. Click on 'Edit' to select or delete a chosen image. Click on 'Test' to install or uninstall the image on your machine. The user will have the option whether to install the Wallpaper or not during installation.
Finding the Installers
The fastest way to find the newly created installers is by the Reveal buttons on either the master Builds or individual platform tabs.
Testing the Installer
It's possible to immediately test the installer, after building, from the Install buttons on the individual platform tabs. Of course, you can only test a screensaver on the same platform that you are building on... (the multi-platform build features of iScreensaver are cool, but they aren't magic!)
Distributing your Screensaver Installer
Once you have built a screensaver, you will need to get it to others for testing and eventually for final distribution to your end users, customers, or clients.
Make sure to test the final installers, both before any distribution steps AND after placing them in the final location, before announcing their presence to your end users.
Important Changes in iScreensaver 4
- Macintosh: Screensaver installers are created as an application bundle containing Universal Binary code which works on Mac OS X with either PPC or Intel CPUs. If you have the "Zip" option enabled on the build tab, a zip file will be auto-created, and it's easy to just deliver that file. On most Macs, the zip file will be automatically extracted before the user runs it. It's generally problem-free.
- Windows: Due to technical rule changes from Microsoft regarding DLLs needed to support modern 64-bit CPUs, it is no longer possible to build a single-file EXE. Thus, iScreensaver screensaver installers come in two parts: The EXE installer program, and "Libs" folder containing the DLLs and content. Since Windows does not have built-in support for any common disk image formats, this makes the use of Zip files a little tricky. However... with v4.3, iScreensaver has a built-in installer option for the installer. If all the content file sizes and overall installer are under 2GB, then the new single-file self-extracting archive .EXE is the solution.
Windows: Common Unzipping Problems & Solutions
Please note that iScreensaver Designer 4.3 has a solution for most all of the 'Most Common Problem' with zipping files. Update and rebuild your projects with the Single File EXE option checked. Use the resulting self-extracting installer file for all distribution.
The majority of all screensavers can be built with the new single-file self-extracting Installer option.
- The Most Common Problem:
In order to run installers made with the Zip option, the files must be un-zipped first. There is a bug in some third-party Zip programs (such as WinZip) where it will attempt to run the EXE from within the Zip file without first extracting it. This will bring up a cryptic error.
Solutions:- Remind your users to always choose "Extract All" for the Zip file before attempting to install the software.
- Make the files available on fixed media (DVD, CD, Thumb Drive), or via a network filesystem.
- Instead of delivering a Zip file, create a "Self Extracting EXE" file by using a free third-party installer toolkit:
- Update to iScreensaver Designer 4.3 with new built-in self-extracting installer for the screensaver installer, then rebuild your projects.
- Large filesizes:
If either the overall installer or any individual file size exceeds 2GB, then these cannot be used with a single-file EXE. Either reduce the file sizes, or build with just the Zip option checked and follow the 'Most Common Solutions.' - Managed Installations / Active Directory Installs:
If you are an IT department or SysAdmin, you can push out a managed installation of iScreensaver. This is a highly technical process for professionals only: please see the iScreensaver Active Directory, Group Policy, and Silent Installs discussion on our Forums.
Delivering from a Web Server Download
This is the best way to distribute your screensavers. No physical object to be manufactured, installer updates can be instantaneously available world-wide, and over the years, the process has only gotten easier to do. Things you will need include:
- A place to Host your web page.
- A way to Compress your installer program for faster and easier download.
- A way to Upload your screensaver Installer to your web page.
- A Link on your web page to the downloadable files.
Hosting your web page
Most ISPs (Internet Service Providers -- the people that you pay to access the Internet via Dial Up Modem, DSL, or Cable Modem) provide a rudimentary homepage service along with your account, for example, here are some information pages about hosting for various ISPs:
If you don't yet have an ISP, or you want a more professional service, you may want to check out some of these companies which offer inexpensive hosting:
Compressing your Installer file
In order to save space, reduce download time, and insure compatibility, you may want to Compress the file before uploading it to the web site. By default, iScreensaver 4 already has done this step for you, creating compressed files within the Installers folder.
Windows:
Creating a self-extracting archive is now default behavior when building with iScreensaver, but if that process was turned off, the manual steps include:- Select the Install folder (this is the folder that contains BOTH the .EXE and the Libs folder.
- Right-click the file and choose "Send To: Compressed (Zipped) Folder".
- This will make a .zip file that you can then upload to a website.
Macintosh:
This zipping is default behavior when building with iScreensaver, but if that process was turned off, the manual steps include:
- Right click the Installer and choose "Compress".
- This will make a .zip file that you can then upload to a website.
Tips:
- Remember that the Windows installer includes both an .EXE file and the Libs folder. You must include both, and you must not rename either file.
- Be sure to make it clear to your users which file is which: if the file ends in ".zip" it's not clear whether it's for Mac or PC.
- The Windows single-file installer, when used alone for a build, creates a single .EXE file. This is the easiest way for the end user to install.
Uploading the Installers
There are many ways to upload the installer program to the web, and the method you use will depend entirely on your hosting service (see above). The most common ways are HTTP upload and FTP.
Creating Web Links
Finally, you will need to create a link on your web page that, when clicked, will automatically download the Installer program. If you are not a HTML code programmer, check with your ISP, the w3schools training site, or the w3.org for hints and techniques for setting up your website.
Delivering on CD-rom/DVD-roms
If you have built a screensaver and are trying to make it available via CD or DVD, these instructions should be useful. Please note that this is a rather technical process using some archaic knowledge of hybrid disc formats, and may require third party software. For these reasons, we can not provide further technical support for this process. We recommend the simpler, and more versatile web-based distribution, if at all possible.
Creating Windows-format CDs or DVDs from a Windows computer
If you are using Windows, follow these steps:
- Build your screensaver, and locate the new Installer file.
- Insert a blank CD-R (or DVD-R) into your machine.
- Copy the single-file installer ("My Screensaver.EXE") to the disc,
or
From the Installers/Windows/Install folder, copy both the screensaver installer file ("My Screensaver.EXE") and the Libs folder ("My Screensaver Libs") to the disc. Note that the EXE and Libs folder must be next to each other. - Burn the disc and eject it.
- Test the disc on another machine : Insert the disc, open the disc icon, and double-click the EXE file to start the installer.
- If you need QuickTime, consider including QuickTime on the disc by special licensing from Apple Inc.: QuickTime Licensing Info.
Creating Macintosh-format CDs or DVDs from a Macintosh computer
If you are using Mac OS X, follow these steps:
- Build your screensaver, and locate the new Installer file.
- If you have built it on a Windows machine, copy the .ZIP file to a Macintosh, and un-zip it by double-clicking it.
- Insert a blank CD-R (or DVD-R) into your machine.
- Copy the screensaver Installer file ("Install 'My' Screensaver.app") to the disc.
- Burn the disc and eject it.
- Test the disc on another machine : Insert the disc, open the disc icon, and double-click the installer file to start the installer.
Creating Hybrid discs: Basic Method (Requires Mac OS X)
Mac OS X can now burn cross-platform discs that will work in both Mac and Windows PCs. These steps provide a simple way of accomplishing this task. If you need more control over the finished CD or DVD, or if you are on a Windows-only PC, read the Advanced Method below.
- Build your screensaver installers.
- If you built the Macintosh saver on a Windows PC, it will be in ".zip" format. Copy this file to a Macintosh, double-click it to unzip the file, leaving you with a normal mac app file (e.g. "Install 'My' Screensaver.app") .
- Insert a blank CD-R (or DVD-R).
- Copy the installer files to the disc. Remember that the single-file Windows installer will end in ".EXE", but if building with the Zip option, then in the Installers/Windows/Install folder the bare Windows installer also ends in ".EXE" and also includes a separate "Libs" folder - you just need the first EXE, or both the second EXE and Libs folder. The Mac installer will end in ".app". You may want to put them in separate "Windows" and "Macintosh" folders to avoid confusion for the end user. If you aren't seeing the filename extensions, then do this: Go to the Finder, choose "Preferences" from the Finder menu, and make sure "Show All Filename Extensiosn" is checked.
- Burn the disc and eject it.
- Test the disc on both a Macintosh computer and a Windows PC : Insert the disc, open the disc icon, and double-click the proper installer file (the .app one for Macintosh, the .exe one for Windows) to start the installer.
Creating Hybrid discs: Advanced Method (Either platform)
- Build your screensaver installers.
- Obtain CD/DVD Mastering software:
For Macintosh, we recommend Roxio's Toast.
For Windows, we recommend CDEveryWhere or MacDisk for Windows. - Create a hybrid disc that contains both a Mac and Windows partition. Here are some sample instructions that may assist:
- On Mac OS X, instructions using Toast (6.0.5 or greater).
- On Mac OS 9, instructions using Toast.
- On Mac OS 9, instructions using Toast (example #2).
- On Windows, instructions using MacImage.
- On Windows, instructions using CDEveryWhere.
- Simplify installation for your end users:
For Windows, following instructions can set an "AutoRun" or "AutoStart" feature to automatically start the screensaver installer when the disc is inserted.
For Macintosh, this feature has been disabled as of Mac OS X for security reasons. However following instructions, the window can automatically open instead. - For Windows screensavers, if you are using QuickTime, consider including QuickTime on the disc: QuickTime Licensing Info.
Delivering through Email
Just attach the installer .zip files to an email. Most email providers can handle files up to about 10MB to 20MB in size, but will reject larger files. If so, consider a third-party service such as: YouSendIt or try googling "sending large emails."
QuickStart Guide
Enough with the what does what and why, get to the how?
OK, let's go. If you've been through the manual from the beginning already, then you've seen elements of the QuickStart Guide, but it doesn't hurt to refresh.
Before, we said that these were the basics:
"...drag-n-drop your asset files into a new project. Drag them around to re-order them. Use the Info palette and Preview window to test options. Create your installer with the Build controls. Install, and wait for sleep..."
...so let's start:
Using the Application
When iScreensaver first opens, you'll be presented with a Projects List window (A), where you can create a new screensaver or open a sample one. Upon opening a project, a Project window (B) will appear, with Video and Audio sections wherein you can drag-and-drop media files, to import the files into the sequence. An Info palette (C) and a Preview stage (D) can both be opened to edit the per-sequence and per-item settings. Use the "Run Full Screen" command from the Preview menu to test your screensaver. Once you are happy with the sequencing, you'll want to build the screensaver Installer. Customize the screensaver installer on the Control Panel and Installer Tabs. Then use the Build Tab to create your Mac and Windows screensaver installers.
A: The Projects List window: Open a recent project, or start a new one.
B: The Project window: Edit your screensaver sequences and customize the software.
C: The Info palette: Edit per-sequence and per-item settings.
D: The Preview stage: View your screensaver as you edit.
Creating a New Project
To start a new screensaver project:
- Do one of the following:
- Click the 'New' button.
- Select New from the File menu.
- On Macintosh, type Command-N.
- On Windows, type Control-N.
A new project window will open.
Choose New from the File menu.
Naming a New Project
When you create a new project, you'll be asked for a name. This name will be used in various places; the project name, the control panel title, the locking dialogs, the installers, and the screensaver and installer filenames. You can also skip this step, or turn this feature off from within the Preferences. You can always edit these text strings later.
To create and name a new screensaver project:
- Do one of the following:
- Click the 'New' button.
- Select New from the File menu.
- On Macintosh, type Command-N.
- On Windows, type Control-N. - A new project window will open, and the wizard will ask for your new screensaver name.
- Enter a name, and click the OK button.
Choose Skip to not auto-fill any names.
So, What Does The Wizard Do Exactly?
The wizard places your 'name' in the following locations, using 'Space':
- Project name:
- Controls window title bar:
- Installer window title bar:
- Build Macintosh file names:
- Build Windows file names:
- Locking Customize window title bar: (for Ultimate License users)
Tips:
- No matter what name you used in the wizard, you can always edit everything later.
- There is generally no need to name the screensaver with 'Screensaver' with the wizard (but that's a personal choice). It is automatically added to the installer name, but can be edited if you choose.
- If you do not see the request for a name with a new project, check the Preferences, as it may be switched off.
- Names can include Unicode (UTF-8) text, and should work on all supported operating systems, but only if the requested fonts are installed. In particular, Windows XP doesn't come with very many unicode fonts installed, so be sure to test thoroughly.
- The wizard names the Project, but it does not automatically save the Project. Make sure to periodically save your projects.
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. QuickTime movies, Flash (SWF), and image files can be imported at the same time.
To import video assets:
- Do one of the following:
- From the desktop, drag the files into the Video tab's Sequencing area.
- Click the [+] button on the Project window, and select with the Open File browser window
The assets will be automatically added as new items in the Sequence area.
Tips:
- Some media file formats require that third party encoders and decoders be installed on both the author's computer and on the end-user's computer.
- On Windows OS, you can only select a single file in the File Open browser. To import multiple assets, drag-and-drop from Windows Explorer instead, or select a Folder containing multiple assets.
- When importing a folder containing many items (more than 100), all items will be scanned, and you will be given a chance to confirm or cancel. HIt the ESC key to cancel the scanning process.
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:
- 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. - Drag the items to the new location within the Sequence area.
The items will then move into the new order.
Tips:
- In Thumb view, the actual sequence order is always as shown.
- In List view, the actual order is only accurate when you are sorted by column 1 (item number). If you are sorting by a different column, then the order will be the sort order. To change the sort order in list view, click column 1 so that you are sorting by item number before re-ordering items.
Previewing the Screensaver
Computers monitors come in all shapes and sizes. For this reason, you'll need to think about how your screensaver will look on a wide variety of screens. This is not a trivial task. iScreensaver helps you by providing the Preview Stage window which allows you to preview, in a WYSIWYG fashion, how the screensaver sequence will look at various screen sizes.
Open the Preview stage by clicking the "Preview" button on the toolbar of the Project window. You can open one Preview stage for each project that is currently open.
The Info palette
Sizing, locations, captions, overlays, duration, and compression are but a few of the options available through the Info palette. From a macro level to micro, the left to right order of toolbar icons scales from global settings (that apply to the entire sequence) to per-item settings, and finally to per-layer.
Remember the hierarchy: a Screensaver consists of an Audio Sequence and a Video Sequence. A Sequence consists of one or more Items. Each Item consists of one or more Layers. Each Layer contains a single Asset.
Global
Settings which affect an entire sequence, such as looping and shuffle.
Behavior
Options specific to each Sequence Item of a sequence, such as duration, layer disabling, and interactivity.
Media
Settings for the media layer: selecting the asset file, and adjusting playback location, audio volume, and others [Video Sequence Only] such as background color or masking, effect transitions, and file compression.
Caption
Settings for the caption layer: Styled text display. [Video Sequence only]
Overlay
Settings for the overlay layer: Picture display on-screen. [Video Sequence only]
Building the screensaver
On the master Build tab, you can set the author's name, and build screensaver installer for one or more platforms. Just select the platforms you wish to build, then click the 'Build' button.
To build your new screensaver:
- On the Build tab, click the 'Build All' button.
- Your screensaver installer will build.
- On the Build Progess dialog, click the 'Details' disclosure triangle for build details and progress. Pay special attention to any warnings or errors that are shown.
- The Build will end with a choice to reveal the newly-built folder on the hard drive. If you are building for the same OS that you are using, you can also choose to install the new screensaver on your computer.
Install Your Screensaver
When the installer has been built, click on the 'Install' button.
To install your new screensaver:
- Wait while the Installer is being built.
- On the Build Progress dialog, click the 'Install' button.
- Your screensaver installer will open.
- On the installer, click the 'Install' button.
- Follow any on-screen instructions. When complete, the Install window will close and the Screen Saver Control Panel will open with your screensaver selected and ready to use.
- To start the screensaver, do one of the following:
- On Windows, click the 'Preview' button.
- On Macintosh, click the 'Test' button.
- If Hot Corners are in use, place the cursor in the hot corner.
- Leave the computer alone for the time delay set in the controls. - Your screensaver will start.
Sample Projects
Space
The Space screensaver has examples of many of the advanced features possible in iScreensaver 4. High resolution OpenGL effects with custom 3D motions, locked and unlocked sequences, and the use of sequences including images, h.264 movies, and Flash (SWF) files.
Obtaining or creating your assets
Archive.org, NASA.gov, and the BBC, for example, have various images and video clips available under various licenses. Copyright law is complex and differs from country to country, so be sure you have the rights you need to use any media assets. For many reasons, using your own work is often the best idea.
For Space, we use sources at nasa.gov for images and videos in the public domain or with accredited usage, according to their terms of use. We do not claim copyright on the images, claim any sponsorship by NASA, nor otherwise explicitly or implicitly convey their endorsement or sponsorship. However, their hard work in obtaining these images from space is greatly appreciated.
Preparing your assets
A third-party application like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop can be invaluable in adjusting, cropping, or formatting your images. We have some artwork tips for creating images with transparent masks.
Adobe Photoshop's Save for Web feature can prepare icons and overlays.
For Space, some images need touch-up in Adobe Photoshop. Planets and some incomplete spheres need alpha masks. The icon needs sizing at 512x512 pixels, with an alpha mask too.
Organizing assets on disk / Setting up your folders
By placing all included assets together in one folder, it becomes simpler to package together one project for archiving, once complete. Subfolders, such as for audio, overlay art, or video, also help separate the elements for future project revivals. Certainly, your folders can be named differently, or you can go without and import files from any local storage location.
Place all project assets together in a simple folder structure.
For Space, we created inside the 'iScreensaver Projects' folder: a single folder called 'Space', which holds the Space.isc project file, the installer icon.png file, a 'radio' folder for containing music files, and an 'assets' folder for containing all the images and movies. We have a list of credits for assets that require them. Eventually when we build the installers, the 'Installers' folder will appear inside the 'Space' folder.
The Space folder structure.
Creating a new project
Open iScreensaver. The Projects list window will open.
For Space, we create a new project, and use the wizard to name it 'Space', which places the name 'Space' throughout the project. We may want to change that later in places.
Open iScreensaver to the Projects List. Select New.
Use the Wizard to auto-name the project, other filenames, and dialog titles.
The project filename has been set, but has not been saved.
Importing your video assets
The easiest way to import is to drag and drop files or folders from the desktop.
For Space, we drag-and-drop the 'assets' folder into iScreensaver's video sequence area of the new project.
Images collected and stored inside the assets folder.
Drag and drop the assets folder to the sequence area.
Receive an Import Report where sometimes folders contain non-asset files.
Importing your audio assets
Not all screensavers need to have audio. Screensavers with audio sometimes find themselves quickly uninstalled. However we know audio has its benefits. The easiest way to import is to drag and drop files or folders from the desktop, but we've included an easy Add File button.
For Space, we went silent - no audio.
But if we were using audio, here's another way to import the files. Note that the Windows file browser only allows selection of single items, but Macintosh allows multiple at a time.
Click the + button to add a file to the sequence.
Inside the assets folder, Windows allows one selection at a time.
The audio files appear in the list.
If you have more than one audio file, try using shuffle.
Arranging sequence patterns
Items can be then moved around in the sequence area to adjust the order in which they are played, however order really doesn't matter in the case of shuffle.
For Space, we are using 'Shuffle' so the sequence order does not matter, except for the first item, which we happen to always want playing first when the screensaver starts. We move our Earth image to the Item #1 position, and set our Video Sequence global settings.
Move 'earth.jpg' to the starting position.
Start with first item, then shuffle upon every looped sequence.
Set the Video sequence to List View, then click the column title to sort by Kind.
Turn off Image Overlays for this particular screensaver.
Edit all the common caption information at the same time.
Setting grouped settings
It's easiest to edit all the 'common' settings at the same time, whether it be caption text, durations, or master control over overlays. Selecting multiple items allows you to change a lot of settings at once. Remember that List View can let you resort and select items quickly.
For Space, we have two looping movie animations, plus we wish all images to last about 15 seconds, neither which are the default settings. By re-sorting in List View, we can choose a single file format to affect. Later, some items will be set different as we adjust them on an individual basis.
These two animated movies were created to seamlessly loop.
Either choose from the preset, or type '3' for the play count.
Use shift-click to select from a starting item to a ending item.
Either choose from the preset, or type '15' for the duration.
Choose 'Custom...' from the preset. These parameters move images slowly towards the viewer, as if the camera was zooming in or falling into the stars.
Setting individual settings
Select each item individually to edit just its settings. The Preview window can help guide as you move through the sequence list one item at a time, as some individual images may need different settings for Display or Effects. If you find settings you'd like to transfer to other assets, the different attributes can be pasted separately. Hint: duplicating and re-using items in a sequence does not multiply the size of the final screensaver, so it's possible to have several motion effects for a single, but duplicated, asset.
For Space, many imported images will default to JPG compression, while any images with alpha masks such as PNG, TIF, or Pict will be imported with Color Mask and Compression settings automatically set. Switch to Captions tab as needed to edit individual credits, or edit directly in List View (though items with various font styles may have their text normalized).
Open the preview window to see individual effect changes.
Some images look better cropped to fit the screen...
Some images look better letterboxed to fit within the screen.
Different effect parameters slowly spin towards the viewer.
Images with alpha masks import with automatic Color Mask and Compression settings.
List View has another way to edit caption text.
Creating an alternate sequence
You can include a second sequence within the installer. It can be completely different than your first sequence, or can have subtle differences. Cut, copy, and paste assets across sequences. Again, duplicating and re-using items across sequences does not multiply the size of the final screensaver.
For Space, the alternate sequence consists of just the motion effected images, removing the Flash and QuickTime movies and shortening the impact of caption text.
Turn on the Locking features.
Copy and paste assets to the Unlocked Video sequence.
Reduce, refocus, and recenter all caption text.
Reduce the text color and opacity.
Reduce the background plate color and opacity.
Setting the unlock settings
There are two ways to work with unlocking keys - either a preset list of codes, or a seed generator that uses individual user names to derive a single code per name.
For Space, we wanted a single code for everyone.
Add a keycode in the Key List, and make it funky.
Explain your deluxe screensaver to your end users.
Customizing controls and installers
The Controls and Installer tabs allow you to educate your end users more about your screensaver during both installation and use. The titles were set with the wizard when starting the projects, but can be changed if desired. If splash picture art is used, it will be sized to 392x120 pixels to fit. Weblinks can be set to return users to your website.
For Space, we altered the texts to make it clear that we are not affliated nor endorsed by NASA, nor claiming copyright over any assets used in the screensavers. Our splash pictures we left as their defaults.
Set the Control Panel art and texts.
Set the Installer art and texts, which can include any End User License Agreements.
Building installers
The wizard has taken care of the filenames on the individual platforms, so that you can build all platforms at the same time from the Builds tab. Or, add icon art or wallpaper, or check and copy your current plug-in information to establish a minimum your end users will need to have installed (or blank the field to not check a plugin at all).
The Build Progress apprises of build warnings, errors, and other pertinent information, and allows installation when complete. Reveal shows the installer folders and zip files for both platforms, and please use the zips to transfer to clients or end users via the web, email, or onto discs.
For Space, our Flash movies were created for Flash 9 and we didn't need any fancy modern QuickTime technologies, so we altered the minimums to reduce any installation impact on end user's machines.
Macintosh build options.
Windows build options. Note that once built, you can install directly from this tab.
Proceed directly to Build All.
Build Progress gives a lot of information... almost too much.
Test or reveal the installer directly from here.
Testing screensavers
It's really good to test your final installers, and to test on as many different machines as possible, mostly to gauge how your project responds to different hardware and monitors. What may work fast on one machine, may display differently on another.
Click Reveal in the Build tab to show the actual location on your local storage.
Presentation Slides
This presentation slideshow sample project has examples of a bullet-point text presentation, and how to create solid wipes and dissolves.
Project Background: our customer contracted out for a complicated Flash animation for a client's screensaver, but at the end of the project the client's specifications changed against using Flash, so the customer came for advice. In looking at it, the Flash animation was really a fancy bullet-point feature list, so we made the suggestion, since the original Flash contractors completed their work, to take screengrabs and use the built-in transition effects to animate the same. The end results pleased both customer and client.
Demonstration Summary: Preparing and animating presentation slides, using Dissolves and Wipes. However, instead of screen capturing from a Flash animation (only recommended in a emergency), we create new bullet-point frames in a third-party graphics application.
Preparing your assets
A third-party application like GIMP or Adobe Photoshop can be invaluable in adjusting, cropping, or formatting your images. For our customer's project, the Flash .FLA project was not available, so we used the built-in Mac OS X screen capture commands to screengrab while running the animation full screen in Flash Player.
For this example, we created six frames of a generic bullet-point presentation: a blank background, a title card with the client's name, and a sequence of text changes building to a large splash. (This, of course, is a gross simplification of our customer's actual project.)
The images were created in Photoshop at 1024x768 in size and would be set to display as Letterbox on the end users' monitors. The 'Save For Web' feature allows saving in a lossless PNG-24 format, since the JPEG compressors have trouble properly reproducing gradient ramps.
Created generic background and bullet-point artwork.
Export your artwork through Abode Photoshop's Save For Web.
Arranging your assets
When first importing items to the sequence, it'll be arranged alphabetically left to right, and top to bottom, in sequential order. Grab the thumbnails to reset the order, but if you are intending to shuffle then their order does not matter. Use either Thumbnail View or List View to re-arrange the order.
For this example, there is a particular order, looping, but always starting at the beginning of the sequence. We used the ability to move multiple items, so that the blank background would be the first in the sequence. Under the Info palette's Global Video Sequence settings, the defaults were appropriate.
The wizard will automatically fill in your project name in various places throughout the screensaver and installers.
Import your items.
Re-arrange multiple items.
The final sequence order (from left to right, then wrapping down a row), as seen in Thumbnail View.
The global sequence settings control how the sequence shall startup and perform.
Setting overall item values
It's easier to start with the settings that are in common between all the items. By selecting all, it's simple to turn off the Captions and the Picture overlays, without erasing their contents. (They default as On, so it's wise to turn them off first if not desired.) On the Media tab, Display defaults to Letterbox, Effect to a motion Dissolve, and Compression to High Quality.
For this example, while everything is selected, make sure to turn off the Overlays completely, and switch Compression to None. The blue gradient is a difficult pattern with JPEG, and the art was saved as Lossless PNG, so the default is incorrect for this project, as JPEG artifacts can be seen when scales up to larger monitors.
Select all the items, as seen in List View.
On Info palette's Behavior tab, switch off the overlays.
On Info palette's Media tab, switch compression to None.
Setting specific item values
Sometimes the List View allows more information to be gleaned while authoring a screensaver. Try selecting a few items that share settings. Control-click the column names to re-sort or view more column information. Use the Info palette to quickly switch out parameters, and view in the Preview stage.
For this example, the first two images will be Dissolves, whereas the rest will be Wipe-Right. Select the first two and open the Effect section, to turn off Random Motion and Simultaneous Out Effect, as movement is not necessary, and we need our previous item to hold on-screen a bit longer before fading away.
With those settings set, trade in the selected items for the unselected items by inverting the selection. Switch the Dissolve Effect for Wipe towards the Right. With Wipe or Slide Effects, the Simultaneous Out is defaults to the, in this case, proper off.
From List View, select the items to be using Dissolve effects.
On Info palette's Media tab, set Dissolve Effect options off.
From the Edit menu, reverse the selection of items.
From List View, notice the selection has been inverted.
On Info palette's Media tab, switch Effect to Wipe.
On Info palette's Media Effect section, switch Wipe Effect to the Right.
Setting durations
Different items deserve longer durations, or shorter ones.
For this example, the title and the final slide were to be on longer than the others, but that the others actually need to be shorter. Selecting multiple items with the command button (on Macintosh) or control button (on Windows) make a simple chore for matching items.
From List View, select the sequence items that need a shorter duration.
On Info palette's Behavior tab, switch Play Out to 2 seconds (or use the presets menu).
From List View, view the new duration Times for all the sequence items.
Building your screensaver
If saving has not occurred, the build will cancel. Save. Choose your platform, build, and install directly from iScreensaver.
For this example, the wizard pre-filled all the pertinent information for filenames and project names with 'Presentation Slides' at the beginning. Save, then on the Build tab, move to the Mac or Win subtabs (depending on platform), and Build. To immediately install, just choose Install when the buidl process is complete. For more details on the build, see 'Details...' If you install a second time, if the filenames are the same, you will replace the previous version, not add a second screensaver.
Save the screensaver project, if not saved before now.
Build the screensaver on your system.
Install the screensaver on your system.
Using Third-Party Tools
Apple QuickTime, QuickTime Pro, and QuickTime X
Salient Points for Authoring Movie Screensavers:
- QuickTime X for Mac OS X has fewer available codecs than previous versions, as many legacy codecs have been switched off. We recommend either H.264 or Photo-JPEG only.
- You might find that QuickTime for Windows is incredibly more useful after upgrading to QuickTime Pro.
Creating QuickTime-free Screensavers
iScreensaver 4, under the right circumstances, can author a screensaver that does not require QuickTime to be installed. Since there is no such Macintosh machine without QuickTime, this mainly applies to Windows end users that don't want to, or can't install QuickTime.
You can avoid the QuickTime requirements from your Windows installers by following these rules:
- There are separate controls for setting up the Macintosh and Windows installer plugin checks:
- On 'Check Plugin Versions' on the Windows Build tab, blank the QuickTime version.
- Video Content:
- PNG or JPG images (or enable image compression, which will automatically convert to PNG or JPEG image format)
- SWF (Flash) content -- this of course requires the Flash plugin to be installed
- Audio Content:
- MP3 audio files (WMA or AAC files will not work)
- For Flash-only screensavers, turn on the plugin check on the Build tab with the minimum Flash player for the content involved, but blank the QuickTime field.
Blank the QuickTime and OpenGL fields, to set the installers to check for Flash only.
Apple iPhoto
Use the Title and Description fields in iPhoto to set metadata that can be imported into iScreensaver.
Import photo metadata information directly from iPhoto.
Apple iMovie and Final Cut Studio
Salient Points:
- Use the H.264 codec.
- Use the Photo-JPEG codec.
Background on video codecs:
Under OS X 10.6 and 10.7, certain video codecs will cause the screensaver to exit. This will not happen when you use the "Test" button from the control panel, but will happen when using a Hot Corner, or when the screensaver activates normally. This is a known bug within 10.6 / 10.7.
Workaround:
Convert your movie to use a "safe" codec, which currently are:
- Photo JPEG.
- H.264 (when re-saved from QuickTime Pro -- video directly from devices such as an iPhone may not work without re-conversion).
Unsafe codecs:
- AVI.
- Sorenson Video3 Decompressor.
- Motion JPEG.
- H.264 (video directly from some devices such as iPhone).
- H.263.
- OpenDML JPEG (video directly from certain cameras, such as Canon Powershot Digital Elph)
Adobe Flash Player and Flash Creative Suite
Flash CS5 Users: You must publish your SWF items using Flash 9 publish settings. See below. CS5 / Flash 10 came out after iScreensaver 4 was released. Publish as Flash 9 format for best results.We have made every effort to accommodate the use of powerful and exciting Flash content, however... although iScreensaver supports the use of interactive Flash movies, we recommend that simple timeline-based animations work best as screensavers. This said, we know some users of iScreensaver will be more ambitious with Flash-based screensaver projects, and we want you to be able to meet your goals, so in this section we'll include a few tips to help you along with your project creation.
NOTE: this section is intended for advanced users who are already familiar with the basics (and not-so-basics) of ActionScript 3 and Flash-based programming, and who are ready to leverage these skills to help design a Flash file specifically for use with iScreensaver. It is not intended to be a primary resource for Flash programming or project creation, and as such, should not be considered to be even remotely comprehensive.
If you are a Flash maven, you may find ways to use Flash in iScreensaver that we have never even considered. If so, more power to you! If you'd like to let us know about your creative feats, please do! We have the iScreensaver user forums available for sharing knowledge. We'd be quite excited to hear of it. But truthfully, no one here really considers themselves to be a Flash maven, so if you get in over your head, ...!
(At that point, perhaps a post to our forums can help bring fresh eyes to your project.)
Interactive Flash Media
Using Adobe Flash's Actionscript allows creating interactive Flash media. Examples of interactive media include projects containing user-clickable buttons, editable text fields, networked media, or interactive games. You can include interactive Flash .SWF files in any iScreensaver project. However by default, any mouse movement or keyboard action will interrupt playback of an installed screensaver (unless the HUD is enabled). You can enable interactivity for your Flash media and prevent awakening the screensaver by adjusting the Interactivity settings on the Info palette's Behavior tab. This setting defaults as unchecked for all imported items, and can only be adjusted for Flash media.
Set to "Allow user interaction" when using interactive Flash media.
Setting a Flash item to "Allow user interaction" prevents mouse movements, keyboard commands, or other user input from interrupting screensaver playback. While this allows you to build user interaction into your screensaver, this feature should be used with care because from the user's perspective, if 'normal' inputs are intercepted, then it could be unclear how to exit the screensaver. This could have the undesired effect of 'trapping' the user there. So, build in a more obvious method to escape the screensaver, like an internally scripted, art-based 'exit' or 'quit' button. There are many ways you can do this, but we recommend adding a function that calls the special URL "iscr:exit" to exit the screensaver. Alternatively, embed the "iscr:next" URL to force iScreensaver to go to the next asset in the screensaver, when executed.
Using the Special "iscr:exit" Command
The ActionScript code snippet below commands iScreensaver to quit screensaver playback upon execution (in this case, when the user clicks on a button with an instance name of Exit_btn). Note the use of the iScreensaver-specific URL syntax "iscr:exit", which causes the screensaver to exit:
var exitSaver:URLRequest = newURLRequest("iscr:exit");
Exit_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, doneSaver);
function doneSaver(event:MouseEvent):void{
navigateToURL(exitSaver, "_self");
}
Simple Linear Timeline
The base case for a Flash project used in iScreensaver would be a simple animation that occurs along a linear timeline within Flash.
A simple animation created in Adobe Flash CS4. This is about as simple as you can get.
If this is the type of Flash project you want to use in Designer, then simply drag and drop your published .SWF into the iScreensaver Project window, then use the Info palette to adjust playback settings. Any Flash .SWF containing a linear timeline can be set to loop an arbitrary number of times within iScreensaver. Due to Flash security issues, however, you cannot set either the start time or end the end time of a .SWF playing in iScreensaver. iScreensaver determines the total duration (in seconds) of a Flash file by dividing the number of frames by its framerate, and displays this information on the Behavior tab.
Set the playback behavior on the Behavior tab of the Info palette.
Single-Frame Project
A .SWF project containing only a single frame is a different beast. If you want to display such a project in a screensaver, you should be aware that you will need to add an internal timer (using ActionScript, an example seen below) if you ever want your screensaver to advance to the next item.
Using Video within Flash
Adobe cautions that embedding video into the Flash project will certainly increase the final .SWF size, and that in addition, the audio/video sync might not match with long video clips. Their CS4 documentation defines 'small video' as "typically less than 10 seconds in length." Be warned.
Using Audio within Flash
iScreensaver does not have control of internal Flash audio, so if controls such as volume, mute, or pausing are desired, make sure to create on-screen controls for your end users to adjust. This audio could actually play while previewing within System Preferences on the Macintosh and Control Panels on Windows, which is a feature not common with most screensavers. Be aware that multi-monitor setups on the Macintosh could allow several asynchronous tracks to play at the same time - one for each monitor.
Using Flash ActionScript 3
The ActionScript 3 scripting language can be used to extend the utility and entertainment value of a Flash project. It can be used to do something as simple as creating a button to control timeline activity, or to link out to a webpage, or to create a complicated and entertaining game. For the purposes of Flash projects designed for use with iScreensaver, however, remember again our rule of thumb: simple animations with a timeline work best as screensavers.
If you're going for something more complicated than that, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Any ActionScript you need to use must be embedded within the main timeline of the Flash project. Use of Packages or external files containing Flash ActionScript instructions is not supported within iScreensaver.
- Some things that Flash can do are not compatible with how a screensaver works. A single-frame .SWF project is not advised; try to build in a timeline, even if it is only two frames long.
- When you design a Flash project for use with iScreensaver, please consider the limitations imposed by Flash security settings, sandboxing, etc., and plan accordingly.
Internal Timeline Navigation
If you want to include the ability to navigate along a timeline within your .SWF, any ActionScript directing such commands must be included on the main timeline of the project.
A Flash project with rudimentary user-activated timeline navigation.
iScreensaver keeps track of the Flash timeline, and whenever Flash goes backwards in time (e.g., moving from Frame 30 to Frame 1 within a Scene, or moving to Scene 1 from Scene 2), iScreensaver considers the Flash timeline to have completed a loop. Therefore, if your .SWF includes ActionScript elements that cause the playhead to move backwards along the main timeline, you need to set the Play behavior within iScreensaver to "Forever." This prevents iScreensaver from prematurely jumping to the next asset in your screensaver project.
ActionScript in the second scene of a Flash movie causes the playhead to move back to Scene 1 when a button is clicked.
A Flash movie with an interactive element that moves the playhead backwards should be set to loop "Forever."
Flash timers can talk to iScreensaver: navigateToURL("iscr:next")
Having a single asset in a screensaver that loops "Forever" is not always desirable. So, you might want to build in a timer for your .SWF that automatically terminates the Flash movie and advances to the next asset in your screensaver. There are two ways to accomplish this, but each require you to use a specific ActionScript syntax (by navigating to the special URL "iscr:next").
Adding a timeline-dependent timer using the ENTER_FRAME event
This snippet of code uses the ENTER_FRAME event to count how many frames have been played by the Flash plugin. After an arbitrary number of frames have elapsed (in this case, 300 frames), the navigateToURL() method is called to tell iScreensaver to advance to the next slide in the screensaver project. Note that this approach only works with movies that have a timeline more than one frame long.
import flash.utils.*;
// count the # of frames
var frameCount:uint;
var lastFrame:uint;
// identify variables for buttons
var getNext:URLRequest = new URLRequest("iscr:next");
//add an event listener to detect when a new frame is entered
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onFrame);
//every frame entry, this function is called
function onFrame(evt:Event): void{
if (lastFrame != this.currentFrame) {
frameCount = frameCount + 1;
lastFrame = this.currentFrame;
trace (frameCount);
if(frameCount == 300) {
//insert the iScreensaver-specific command
//to navigate to the next slide
//within a screensaver project
navigateToURL(getNext, "_self");
stop();
}
}
}
Scripting an internal timer using the Timer() method
This snippet of code uses the ActionScript 3 Timer() method to count down to an elapsed time of 50000 msec (50 seconds). When the timer elapses, the navigateToURL() method is called to tell iScreensaver to advance to the next slide in the screensaver project. The Timer() method can be used with a single-frame Flash movie.
import flash.utils.*;
var timer:Timer = new Timer(50000);
var getNext:URLRequest = new URLRequest("iscr:next");
//add an event listener for the timer
timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, onTimer);
function onTimer(evt:TimerEvent):void{
//insert the iScreensaver-specific command
//to navigate to the next slide within a screensaver project
navigateToURL(getNext, "_self");
}
//start the timer
timer.start();
Unfortunately, there is a disadvantage to this timing method, which is that pausing the Flash plugin via iScreensaver (e.g., by using the iScreensaver HUD play/pause button) does not pause the Timer(). Timer() will continue to countdown even if the Flash timeline playback is paused. So, although this is your only alternative if you wish to have an internal timer in a single-frame movie, use of this approach may have unexpected results in a finished screensaver. The primary effect we've noticed is that if the screensaver that is paused using the HUD during playback of a Flash movie with a Timer(), will pause playback of the Flash timeline, but will automatically advance to the next item in the sequence when the timer elapses, and then pause there.
Navigating to a URL on the Web
If your Flash project contains timeline-triggered or user-triggered events that will open an external webpage (e.g., with calls to the navigateToURL() method), you must specify a target in which to open the new page. You can use either "_self" or "_parent" ("_top", "_blank", or a blank target will not work).
In this code snippet, the author has created a button with instance name "Sun_btn" which, when clicked, will cause the screensaver to exit and open a webpage on the NASA website:
var getSunPage:URLRequest =
newURLRequest("http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/sun_worldbook.html");
Sun_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, sunInfo);
function sunInfo(event:MouseEvent):void{
navigateToURL(getSunPage, "_self");
}
Flash Security Settings
See also: Technical Note: SWF Security
The Flash Creative Suite imposes restrictions on what kinds of actions a .SWF can perform. iScreensaver respects these restrictions, so it is important to understand how Flash security considerations can impact screensaver design.
Flash Sandboxing and Publish Settings
Flash CS5 Users: You must publish your SWF items using Flash 9 publish settings. See below. CS5 / Flash 10 came out after iScreensaver 4 was released. Publish as Flash 9 format for best results.As a security feature, Flash can either talk to the hard drive or to the Internet, but it can not do both at once. Therefore be cognizant of these limitations in designing your Flash file. If you will be importing images, movies, or other material from an Internet location into a Flash file playing within a screensaver, you must publish your project with Local playback security settings set to "Access network only" (not "Access local files only").
For more information on Flash security, see: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/security.html
Publish Settings within Adobe Flash CS5 for Macintosh.
Flash Sandboxing and .SWF Timeline Control
Flash security restrictions have implications for Flash files designed to play back within iScreensaver: to wit, iScreensaver cannot control the timeline for a .SWF whose Local playback security is set to "Access network only." Flash timeline control within iScreensaver (e.g. - pausing its playback via the iScreensaver HUD) can only be achieved if .SWF Local playback security is set to "Access local files only." Therefore, if you are designing a .SWF for use within iScreensaver, you can either enable your .SWF to link to external network locations, or you can allow your user to control the playback of your .SWF's timeline via the iScreensaver HUD - but you can't do both at once.
Different Flash playback security settings may affect how a .SWF behaves within iScreensaver, so please test this thoroughly. As part of your testing, you should test your project with different global security settings.
You can access your global Flash security settings from the following link: http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html
Keep in mind that the end user of the screensaver may have different Flash security settings on their computer than might you, the author. The end user's Flash security settings may interfere with the intended operation of your screensaver. This is why we feel that, when it comes to Flash, "Simpler is (almost) always better!"
Testing Flash Projects
While we have done testing with several different types of Flash projects and files, we cannot guarantee that all - or even most - of the Flash projects our users may create will be adaptable for use as a screensaver. We encourage you to download and try the free, unregistered version of iScreensaver with your Flash content before you purchase.
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is an invaluable tool for working with images. The program is wonderfully complex, and because of that, there are many paths towards achieving similar results. We urge experimentation.
Creating PNG Transparencies
When using background colors with solid images, the actual image shape may be much different than the square bounding-box of the image. In these cases, a JPEG image will not be the proper format, and the image should be converted to PNG which supports transparency within the file.
As an example, in reality the planet Jupiter is usually assumed to be a sphere, but many photographs contain a fall off into deep dark space. To overcome this, and to remove the bounding-box square around the image, we want to create a circle alpha mask to separate Jupiter from the background.
Our original JPEG image.
Set a background color to bright green.
Importing the JPEG image and adding a background color shows the bounding-box limitations of the JPEG format.
From within Photoshop, since the center of this image is off-set towards the right, use the Canvas Size settings to add extra pixel room to a create a full rectangle around the circular image.
Anchor and resize the width of the image.
The newly resized canvas.
Use the Circle Marquee tool to select and 'complete' the image mask area.
It is recommended to use a slight feather to your final resolution's mask size, as hard edge masks can present some OpenGL edge artifacting.
In Photoshop's Layers palette, change the Background Layer to a floating layer and add a layer Mask based on the marquee selection.
The newly relayered canvas.
Crop the newly relayered canvas.
Use 'Save for Web & Devices' to save as a PNG with transparency.
Resize the final Image Size during save without affecting the original file, if desired.
Import the new PNG file, and change the Transparency setting to 'Mask.'
Set the Compression setting to Lossless, for PNG files.
View the new planet with a background color.
Appendix A Installing a Screensaver
Installing a screensaver
The Installer.
Order an official publishing certificate to remove these messages.
The skippable Unlocking request upon installation.
Windows' Screen Saver Settings. Try 'Preview' or 'Settings...' for fun.
iScreensaver's control panel.
iScreensaver's user options. With the easy uninstall button.
Clicking 'Uninstall...' opens Windows' Programs and Features.
Select the screensaver and click Uninstall.
The return of MS-DOS, in uninstaller form.
Uninstalling Screensavers
We have two ways - easy and hard. But both are pretty simple.
To remove a screensaver the easy way (automatically):
Windows:
- Using the right mouse button, click the desktop. From the popup menu, choose "Personalization" or "Properties".
- Click the "Screen Saver" tab.
- Click the "Settings..." button.
- Click the "Uninstall..." button.
- Follow the instructions for "Remove Programs" within Windows.
Mac OS X:
- From the Apple menu (at the top left of your screen) choose "System Preferences".
- Select "Desktop & Screen Saver" (10.3 and higher), "Display Effects" (10.2) or "Screen Saver" (10.1).
- Click the "Options" button.
- Click the "Uninstall..." button.
To remove a screensaver the hard way (manually):
Please visit: Manually Uninstalling iScreensavers.
To remove screensavers made with previous versions of iScreensaver:
For screensavers made with iScreensaver Designer 3.5 or earlier, please visit our legacy support pages for further instructions.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting tips for iScreensaver: For authors using iScreensaver Designer 4, and for end users using screensavers created with the software.
Troubleshooting iScreensaver Designer
For iScreensaver Authors
This section is for authors who are using the iScreensaver Designer software to make screensaver. If you are seeking help with using screensavers created with iScreensaver, see below.
iScreensaver Designer is a professional multimedia editor application. As such it can require and use large quantities of RAM, CPU, and Hard Disk. For best results, we recommend Mac OS X 10.6 or Windows 7 with a computer built in the last two years.
Install / Uninstall problems
Trouble installing iScreensaver Designer is often caused by Anti-Virus software, or by the computer not meeting the minimum requirements:
Validation Problems
If you have purchased a License code, but can't get it to validate:
- Trouble with Validations: See here.
General Performance Tips
- Think of the end users: You (the multimedia author) probably have a fast machine, but the end users may not. Keep this in mind when designing your artwork. iScreensaver can be downloaded and used prior to purchase, so please test on a variety of platforms and machines as you design your screensaver.
- Consider making a "lo-fi" version: Using current technology it's simply not possible to make a "one size fits all" screensaver that works on every machine. What looks great on a modern fast computer will look very klunky on a old, slow one. We suggest creating a "low fidelity" version (using reduced size and reduced frame-rate versions of all media) that you can distribute for older/slower machines. If you need to support really old machines, consider using iScreensaver 3.5 for legacy computers.
- Windows Aero Glass: Windows Vista and Windows 7 have an optional feature called 'Aero Glass'. When enabled, this provides true 3D windowing with much better performance. It's easy to accidentally disable Aero Glass, and not all versions of Windows support it. Enable Aero Glass.
- RAM, CPU, Disk : if your computer is busy with other tasks, those will slow down the screensaver. Look for other processes that may be competing: Windows Task Manager or OS X Activity Monitor.
- Sequence Size: There is no hard limit on the number of items in a sequence. We have tested with 5,000 items on a fast machine with plenty of RAM, and it works fine; but typically as the number of items increase, performance will suffer.
Overlays
- Image overlays and Text Captions can cause animation to slow down, especially on Windows XP, and Windows Vista/7 with Aero Glass disabled. Don't use overlays, or use small ones, for better performance.
- Flicker: See the most recent Release Notes for known issues with overlay flicker when using QuickTime content on Windows XP and Vista/7 with Aero Glass disabled.
Image Transition Effects (OpenGL)
- Image Size / OpenGL Texture Size: All OpenGL cards have a maximum pixel size they can handle (for example, older cards max out at 1024x1024). However, many cards will show slow performance long before they reach that maximum. A good rule of thumb is to reduce image sizes to no larger than the size of the monitor. See Image Sizing for more details.
- OpenGL Drivers: This is mainly an issue for windows PCs, where the built in Microsoft OpenGL drivers are very slow. Updating to the proper vendor-supplied drivers can make a 50x improvement or more. For tips, see How to update OpenGL Drivers.
- Video Card, Video RAM: If your PC is old, or even if it's new but has an old or low powered video card, performance will suffer. The only thing to do in this case is get a modern video card. Many laptops, or netbooks in particular, have slow video cards that cannot be upgraded.
- Image Behavior Duration: Many computers will not be able to keep up with very short image durations. Short durations may also impact the pre-caching behavior so that image transitions are not as smooth as possible. We recommend 5 seconds or longer as a good rule of thumb.
QuickTime Movies
- Make sure you have the latest version of QuickTime. See Download QuickTime.
- Use a good video codec. See Release Notes.
- Reduce your movie size: Remember that a movie that twice as wide and twice as tall requires 4x as many pixels to be decoded. DVD video looks quite good and is only 720x480 pixels in size.
- Reduce the frame rate: Although humans can see up to 60fps or higher, movie theaters use 24fps, and cartoons are often shown at 15fps. Try reducing the frame rate of your movie.
Adobe Flash (SWF)
- Make sure you have the latest version of Flash Player. See Get Flash Player.
- Reduce your movie size: Remember that a SWF that twice as wide and twice as tall requires 4x as many pixels to be animated. DVD video looks quite good and is only 720x480 pixels in size.
- Reduce the frame rate: Although humans can see up to 60fps or higher, movie theaters use 24fps, and cartoons are often shown at 15fps. Try reducing the frame rate of your movie.
- Adobe CS5 users: Try publishing as a Flash version 9 file rather than Version 10. See Flash in iScreensaver.
Background Audio
Audio is fun, but remember that a screensaver is a special setting: the computer's user is not present, and the screen may be password protected. If you include audio you run the risk of driving your users and coworkers bonkers. Here are some tips:
- Timing: The background audio sequence runs independently from the foreground video sequence. iScreensaver 4 can not give you exact audio timing of either audio or video sequences. On slow machines the audio may start a few seconds after the images. So, if you really need exact sequencing of images and audio, then you should use a format where the audio and video are synchronized, such as Flash (SWF) or QuickTime.
- Looping: if you do use audio, consider having it play once only.
Troubleshooting iScreensavers
For iScreensaver Users
This section is for users seeking help with a screensaver created with iScreensaver Designer 4. If you are a screensaver author, please see above.
Install / Uninstall problems
Trouble installing iScreensaver is often caused by Anti-Virus software, or by the computer not meeting the minimum requirements.
There are some specific technical rule changes from Microsoft in supporting modern CPUs that have affected how all screensaver installers unzip.
- "Extract All" when Unzipping: See here concerning unzipping under Windows.
Trouble with un-installing is usually caused by installing multiple copies of the same screensaver in different location(s) : try a manual uninstall.
- Uninstalling screen savers manually: See here.
Slow Performance
First, remember that a screensaver is not meant to be a high-performance media playback environment. While the screensaver is running, your computer may be working on background processes, such as antivirus scans, disk cleanup, etc. All of these can impact performance of the screensaver. Also, screensavers that do use a lot of system resources (CPU, Hard Disk, RAM) can be energy wasters. See Green Screens for tips on saving energy.
There are other things that can negatively impact performance. Here are some to consider:
General Performance Tips
- Multiple monitors: on Mac OS X, iScreensaver can run on 2 or more monitors. This may substantially reduce performance. Try running on a single monitor only. On Windows PCs iScreensaver is limited to the main monitor.
- WIndows Aero Glass: Windows Vista and Windows 7 have an optional feature called 'Aero Glass'. When enabled, this provides true 3D windowing with much better performance. It's easy to accidentally disable Aero Glass, and not all versions of windows support it. Enable Aero Glass.
- RAM, CPU, Disk : if your computer is busy with other tasks, those will slow down the screensaver. Look for other processes that may be competing: Windows Task Manager — OS X Activity Monitor.
Image Transition Effects (OpenGL)
- OpenGL Drivers - this is mainly an issue for windows PCs, where the built in Microsoft OpenGL drivers are very slow. Updating to the proper vendor-supplied drivers can make a 50x improvement or more. For tips, see How to update OpenGL Drivers.
- Video Card, Video RAM - if your PC is old, or even if it's new but has an old or low powered video card, performance will suffer. The only thing to do in this case is get a modern video card. Many laptops, in particular, have slow video cards that can not be upgraded.
In particular, the Intel GMA950 / 945 chipset has not been found to work with our product at all.Update: this bug has been fixed, be sure to use version 4.0.0.294 or later.
QuickTime Movies
- Make sure you have the latest version of QuickTime. See Download QuickTime.
Flash (SWF)
- Make sure you have the latest version of Flash Player. See Get Flash Player.
Miscellaneous Screensaver issues on Windows XP, Vista, 7
copyright ©1995-2013 xochi media inc
Xochi™, XochiMedia™, iScreensaver™, iScreensavers™, iScreensaver Designer™,
iScreensaver Classic™, iScreensaver Personal™, and the DoubleRing logo are trademarks of Xochi Media Inc.
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