What non-Apple slideshow software should I acquire?

April 18, 2016 10:42 AM

Windows 10. I need to acquire (buy if necessary) a good slideshow program. It must be able to output high-res .mov files as the stuff I'm creating is to be integrated into a movie project. Hopefully, it will afford me the ability to program some fairly complex moves, zooms, transitions (ie: not just a few stanard Ken Burns style defaults). Hopefully, I won't be in for a BIG learning curve as I have deadlines looming.

I don't need this program to actually be editing software, as I won't be editing this movie, just supplying some standalone sequences.

I'm using a Windows 10 box.

Please recommend.

posted by philip-random to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Response by poster: And I should add. I'm not interested in options that default to cloud-saving etc.
posted by philip-random at 10:46 AM on April 18, 2016

"Fairly complex" is at odds with "simple and easy to learn." I'd consider Adobe After Effects to be the gold standard for this situation, but it's neither inexpensive nor easy to learn. Blender can be made to do similar things, but it's even quirkier to learn (but free).
posted by Alterscape at 11:06 AM on April 18, 2016

Best answer: Sony Movie Studio Platinum will probably do what you want. It's the home-studio version of their Vegas video editor and it's surprisingly powerful; the Platinum version comes with a stack of transitions and effects plugins, and it's got a built-in tool for creating slideshows too. It's $80 which isn't free but it's also a lot cheaper than After Effects (although nothing like as powerful) and a lot easier to use than Blender. There's a trial version, so you can give it a go before you cough up any actual money.
posted by parm at 11:14 AM on April 18, 2016

Response by poster: to be clear, I've worked in and around After Effects (as a director, not an editor), and it's wonderful program that's way beyond my immediate needs.
posted by philip-random at 11:17 AM on April 18, 2016

How about PowerPoint? You can set up timings and export to .mov
posted by KateViolet at 1:35 PM on April 18, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: So ... I just spent some time mucking around with PowerPoint and it wasn't wasted because it's clarified my needs. Powerpoint isn't good enough in terms of control, speed of use, options in general ... so I suspect I'll be looking into Studio Platinum next, and will report back. Thanks so far.
posted by philip-random at 8:45 PM on April 18, 2016