Looking for On-The-Fly Photo Slideshow software
May 30, 2018 11:56 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for Windows software that will create an auto-scrolling slideshow of photos from an arbitrary list of images - not just whole folders - does it exist?
I have a fairly extensive collection of photos that I'd like to be able to create slideshows of varying length, tailored for audiences that may only see them once or may wish to see them again, with or without tweaks. However, I'd like to do this without duplicating images or creating huge presentation files (e.g. Powerpoint ppt files or video files).
Windows 10's basic photo viewer provides an adequate photo slideshow functionality, however (unless I've missed something), it works by scrolling through the content of a single folder. I have photos spread over a number of folders and subfolders, and I'd like the ability to select individual images, with the originals left in situ in their folders, and display them in a sequence I select. In theory, I could copy the images I want into specific folders, then run the Windows 10 tool on that folder - however that would mean duplicating images (a task I actually need to do on the photo archive as a whole already), something I'm not enthusiastic about.
Another option would be to create Powerpoint files and copy-paste the images into the presentation, or I could use one of many available tools to convert still images in sequence into a video file, but these options would result in large files that may or may not be used again. In other words, I'm looking for software which will show the slideshow on-the-fly, not require a pre-generated file that needs to be stored.
Ideally I'd like a small, lightweight program that I could provide a list of image files and locations to, and it would automatically scroll through those images in sequence, ideally with a delay time I could set (and even better, override with a mouse click/spacebar/other input). The list would either be read from a text file (I'm happy to hand-edit), or allow import/export of previous lists, which would allow me to store a slideshow with only a small text file as overhead.
Other features that would be useful but not required:
- Ability to read from UNC shares ( \\computer\share\folder )
- Ability to accept an entire folder (a little paradoxically, given the question, but it would allow a slideshow consisting of sequential showings of specific subfolders)
- Ability to create slideshow in a window, or at least, not have problems with dual-monitor setups
As I said in the short version, I have no idea if such software exists. Any MeFites have suggestions?
I have a fairly extensive collection of photos that I'd like to be able to create slideshows of varying length, tailored for audiences that may only see them once or may wish to see them again, with or without tweaks. However, I'd like to do this without duplicating images or creating huge presentation files (e.g. Powerpoint ppt files or video files).
Windows 10's basic photo viewer provides an adequate photo slideshow functionality, however (unless I've missed something), it works by scrolling through the content of a single folder. I have photos spread over a number of folders and subfolders, and I'd like the ability to select individual images, with the originals left in situ in their folders, and display them in a sequence I select. In theory, I could copy the images I want into specific folders, then run the Windows 10 tool on that folder - however that would mean duplicating images (a task I actually need to do on the photo archive as a whole already), something I'm not enthusiastic about.
Another option would be to create Powerpoint files and copy-paste the images into the presentation, or I could use one of many available tools to convert still images in sequence into a video file, but these options would result in large files that may or may not be used again. In other words, I'm looking for software which will show the slideshow on-the-fly, not require a pre-generated file that needs to be stored.
Ideally I'd like a small, lightweight program that I could provide a list of image files and locations to, and it would automatically scroll through those images in sequence, ideally with a delay time I could set (and even better, override with a mouse click/spacebar/other input). The list would either be read from a text file (I'm happy to hand-edit), or allow import/export of previous lists, which would allow me to store a slideshow with only a small text file as overhead.
Other features that would be useful but not required:
- Ability to read from UNC shares ( \\computer\share\folder )
- Ability to accept an entire folder (a little paradoxically, given the question, but it would allow a slideshow consisting of sequential showings of specific subfolders)
- Ability to create slideshow in a window, or at least, not have problems with dual-monitor setups
As I said in the short version, I have no idea if such software exists. Any MeFites have suggestions?
Best answer: Basically, you find files in the top right, add them with the add button below, and then click the Play Slideshow button once all your other tweaks are made. See here for screenshot. In the software, it's found under File > Slideshow.
posted by deezil at 12:18 PM on May 30, 2018
posted by deezil at 12:18 PM on May 30, 2018
Best answer: XnView does all your asks and more. (At least I think it supports UNC shares; its been a while since I've used it with that sort of setup.) One thing you haven't asked for but you might find useful is the program can create an EXE of the slideshow for ease of use/distribution.
These screenshots of the slideshow dialogs give a good overview of what is possible.
posted by Mitheral at 10:39 PM on May 30, 2018
These screenshots of the slideshow dialogs give a good overview of what is possible.
posted by Mitheral at 10:39 PM on May 30, 2018
Response by poster: Wow, great answers and recommendations, thanks everyone.
I've heard of IrfanView before, but not really played with it much. Having now downloaded and dived in (thanks for the in-depth instructions, deezil), it appears to hit all of my requirements, so I'll start experimenting with that first.
I hadn't heard of XnView before, but looking through the website (and the additional screenshots, thanks again Mitheral) it looks interesting. I'll probably give it a try as well and see them head-to-head.
I'll mark all three answers so far as "Best" and the question as "resolved", but if there are any further suggestions, I'd certainly take a look.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 6:07 AM on May 31, 2018
I've heard of IrfanView before, but not really played with it much. Having now downloaded and dived in (thanks for the in-depth instructions, deezil), it appears to hit all of my requirements, so I'll start experimenting with that first.
I hadn't heard of XnView before, but looking through the website (and the additional screenshots, thanks again Mitheral) it looks interesting. I'll probably give it a try as well and see them head-to-head.
I'll mark all three answers so far as "Best" and the question as "resolved", but if there are any further suggestions, I'd certainly take a look.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 6:07 AM on May 31, 2018
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posted by conscious matter at 12:11 PM on May 30, 2018 [1 favorite]