I oftentimes see incredible YouTube videos, where users create collages and slideshows with text annotations, incorporating both videos and photos into a highly interactive multimedia presentations, and I always wondered, what type of software do they use? I tried using different free video editing tools, but never seemed to get the results I was satisfied with.
Last week, after a lot of comparing, I finally decided to purchase the SmartSHOW 3D software, which I originally overlooked because the name suggested “3D” and I thought it would be a graphic design software. However, 3D stands for various digital effects you can do with your photos and videos. After playing around for a few days, I finally figured out how to make mind blowing multimedia presentations I always wanted, and today I want to share my experience with you. So, without further ado…How to make a multimedia presentation?
SmartSHOW 3D ( → http://smartshow-software.com ) is extremely intuitive and easy to use, you don’t need any previous experience with multimedia or slideshow presentation software to be able to create breathtaking videos. You can add as many photos, effects, transitions and videos as you like, you are not limited to any size or length. Your classical presentation will consist of the following sequence:
[Opening scene / text] →
[Slide with or without text] →
[Transition effect] →
[Next slide with or without text] →
[Transition effect] …
Once you understand this basic principle, you’ll see that every “slide” can be either a picture or a movie, and can be overlaid by any of the dozens of pre-defined effects on top of it. There are also nearly 250 transitions and effects to choose from, making each slide’s appearance even more interesting.
One key point that eventually triggered me to purchase SmartSHOW 3D, was the animated text effect, which is a NEW feature added to the current 8.0 version, and is something that, unfortunately, most other multimedia presentation software on the market does not offer. Although it may sound complicated at first, just like all other features of this software, it’s easy to use. Simply open any slide with a double click and add all types of layers to make your presentation come alive. For animated text effects, go to Add Layer > Animated Text, as shown in the screenshot.
You will see a few examples of different animated text effects in the video I have created and posted below. While animated text sounds a little cheesy and a bit “90’s”, I assure you this is not the case. You have full control over the gradients, various types of effects, fonts and size, so it’s up to use if you use a white “Arial” text with disappearing effect, or red “Times New Roman” with a burning effect and popping letters.
It took me less than 10 minutes to create this video / presentation. How? When you launch the software, you have the option to go with a quick “Slideshow in 5 Minutes” launch, which pre-loads all the effects for you, so you can get started right away.
The next step is choosing a theme (and although the collection is big enough, if nothing catches your attention, you can download new themes from their website).
Then simply load the photos and you are good to go.
Alternatively, you can create a “New Project” from the launch menu, and start from scratch, uploading slideshows / pictures / videos…
From there, start working on transitions and on-slide effects from there. This will create a simpler presentation version, with no background, just images that creatively transit into each other.
I personally preferred the “Slideshow in 5 minutes” option, because I didn’t need to think about building a presentation structure, nor did I need to connect to my creative side. Working from scratch will probably be better for a clean business presentation, where you don’t want too many birds and flowers to wrap your photos.
After making the video you saw above, I also figured that SmartSHOW 3D is a great tool for creating an interactive “opening” for a Vlog (regular video, where one just talks), for example. Simply loading a slideshow with your logo, which will fly in, prompt viewers to subscribe and then fade into the content of the video, can be a great idea. I often secretly envied those who have a professional opener and an ending for their video, and always thought it requires some kind of special 3D software to create, but I had no clue how exactly these types of effects are produced.
To sums this up, here are the key benefits of SmartSHOW 3D:
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- 100+ ready-made animated slide templates to choose from
- Publish videos online or burn to CD in HD quality
- Collection of professional tools to work with
- More than 250+ effects and transitions to play around with
- FREE to try
- Animated text effects with dozens of effects and unlimited effects combinations
- Suitable for both absolute beginners and pros.
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For more examples and tutorials, please also refer to their YouTube channel, where you will have fantastic presentations, anything from a cute holidays family album to breathtaking photo presentation with 3D collages. I hope you found this review useful, as always, let us know what do you think!
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