Zoom Modifiers Introduction (Updated for v9+)

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Zoom Modifiers Introduction (Updated for v9+)

Postby im42n8 » Thu May 19, 2016 1:32 pm

Summary.
Zoom modifiers are used to change the effective zoom of a layer’s axis. This change of effective zoom only appears when the slide is played or scrubbed. This tutorial gives the basics of how a zoom modifier works and how to use a modifier to change a layer’s zoom setting

Introduction.
Modifiers were introduced with ProShow Producer Version 4. To date, modifiers remain undocumented by Photodex. As such, modifiers are effectively relegated to the domain of the so-called expert user. It’s an assignment that Photodex seems happy to push. In truth, most modifier usage is well within the range of all but the exceedingly casual user.

Additional Information. What I’d like to do here is to introduce modifiers that effectively change a layer’s zoom setting. I recently released an update to my FPVP Tools for ProShow that discussed changes to the Equal Size Changes tool. One of the uses for this tool is to create a layer that gives the impression of being an outline for another layer. All that’s required is to resize that "outline" layer such that its edges peak out beyond the edges of the layer above it (that is, the layer which is being given the impression of having an outline). One of the techniques discussed involved using a modifier to change the layer’s zoom setting versus directly changing the zoom setting for each axis of that layer. It’s this particular approach to changing a layer's zoom size that this discussion deals with.

Background. A layer’s size is determined by its zoom setting. Depending upon the scale assigned to that layer upon being imported into ProShow, you can directly determine a layer’s width or height. If the layer’s aspect matches the slide’s aspect, then both width and height are determined by its zoom setting. That’s because each axis of the layer is 100 percent of the slide’s corresponding axis. So, if the layer’s zoom setting is changed to 50, it means the layer is 50% of the size of the frame, along each axis.

Zoom Modifiers.
- Prior to v9. A modifier for the zoom setting represents a percent change of the layer’s existing zoom. So, if a layer has a zoom setting of 100 and a modifier of 10 is added to the layer’s zoom setting, a value of 10 is added to the setting of 100. That value of 10 is then added to the layer’s value of zoom in the layer’s zoom setting box. That is, 10% of 100 is 10 or 100 + (100 * 10/100) = 100 + 10 = 110. If the zoom setting is 50 and a modifier of 100 is entered, the layer’s zoom becomes 100. That is 50 plus the quantity 50 times 100% equals 50 plus 50 equals 100. OR 50 + (50 * 100 / 100) = 50 + 50 = 100. (Note that this is actually a summary of the way it worked in v8 and earlier. In fact, this only worked correctly if both axes zoom setting were the same. If not, the there was a change in actual zoom based on the difference between the value of zoom for each axis. If Tilt was used, the zoom setting became a linear value relative to the modifier setting. In short, the zoom modifier was effectively broken unless you knew exactly how the program treated it for the situation. That changed when version 9 was introduced. They found they had to completely revamp modifier zoom to get it to work correctly with their zoom follow filter.
- Ver 9 and later. ProShow changed the method of determining the zoom via a modifier. The change is not insignificant from a practical point of view. The modifier now represents the value of zoom is now directly a percent change of the existing zoom value. So, if the layer’s zoom value is 100, a modifier value of 100 gives a final zoom for the layer of 100. If the modifier is 120, the layer’s zoom becomes 120%. If the modifier is 50, the layer’s zoom setting is actually 50. That makes things considerably easier to figure out than previously.

Mathematically, it is represented as follows:

Equation 1a) Zoom_final = Zoom_start + (Zoom_start * Modifier/100) (ver 4 to ver 8)
Equation 1b) Zoom_final = Zoom_start * Modifier/100 (ver 9+)

If you want to find a modifier for a given zoom setting and a desired final value of zoom, Equation 1 becomes the following:

Equation 2a) Modifier = (Zoom_New - Zoom_start) *100 / Zoom_start (ver 4 to ver 8)
Equation 2b) Modifier = 100 * Zoom_final/Zoom_start (ver 9+)

If you want to find the starting zoom when you know the final zoom and the modifier, Equation 1 becomes the following:

Equation 3a) Zoom_start = 100 * Zoom_final / (100 + Modifier) (ver 4 to ver 8)
Equation 3b) Zoom_start = 100 * Zoom_final / Modifier (ver 9+)


(Updated demo: 160612)

How to apply a modifier.
PTo apply a modifier to a layer’s existing zoom setting, hover the mouse cursor over the layer’s Zoom X or Zoom Y settings box. This box is located in the Slide Options under the Motion & Audio section of the Effects Tab. I’m referencing v9 right now but the equivalent exists in v4 through v8. DO NOT select the zoom setting box. If you do, unselect it.

After positioning the cursor over the zoom settings box, right click the mouse and select “Add Modifier” from the popup menu that appears. That pops up the Modifier window.

APPLY TO. It should remain at “All Keyframes.”
TIMING. Keep unselected.
ACTIONS. You should see “<New Action>” in this box on a highlighted line. Do NOT select the “+” add button.

Selected Action Settings:
Type of Action. Leave at the default setting of “[+] Add to Modifier”
Constant Amount. The radial button to the right of this should be selected. Enter modifier’s value in the box located to the right.

Now, click on the “OK” button. In the zoom settings box’s upper right corner, you should see a small red triangle. You will not see any change to the layer’s size in any preview window. If you play or scrub in any preview window, the change caused by the modifier should appear. The main preview typically does not do well with modifiers during scrubbing. It works best with play. Scrubbing in the Slide Options is usually just fine.

To remove the modifier, right click over the zoom settings box and select “Remove Modifier” from the popup menu. Conversely, you could edit the modifier. The action in the Actions list should be selected (displayed as a bar of color different than the surrounding background). Now, click on the trash can. The actions list should now be empty.

CAVEAT. Version 8 and earlier. I should let you know that the zoom of each axis should be the same. When each axis zoom is different, the modifier value differs from the value calculated for the case of when each axis zoom is the same. You wouldn't think there would be any such effect. But, an adjustment is required when the X-Axis zoom larger or smaller than the Y-Axis zoom. Some specifics will be presented at a later date. NOTE: this caveat does NOT apply for v9 and later. Photodex fixed the “broken” modifier zoom of earlier versions.

CONCLUSION
Yes, it’s math ... but it is simple math. If you’re open to different ways of doing things, a zoom modifier can represent an interesting approach to and useful method for changing the effective size of a layer’s axis. This introduction to zoom modifiers can help you accomplish that. If you want the math done for you, there’s always my Tools for ProShow found on my website.

Have fun! :D I hope this information proves useful to you.

Dale
Last edited by im42n8 on Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:01 pm, edited 8 times in total.
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Re: Zoom Modifiers Introduction

Postby Marie78 » Thu May 19, 2016 1:47 pm

Hello Dale

Thanks to you.
Chris Marie

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Re: Zoom Modifiers Introduction

Postby im42n8 » Thu May 19, 2016 2:52 pm

De Nada Chris! :D

Dale
What's New: Tools for ProShow: v11.42a Access ProShow capabilities Photodex doesn't provide (For PSG & PSP).
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