Still Images

Still images can be used as backgrounds or superimposed on other images. You can control the degree of transparency, scaling, rotation and other effects for all images (stills as well as moving images)

Supported Formats

WATCHOUT reads most popular image formats, including JPEG, Photoshop, PNG, Targa and TIFF. Preferably, use an image format native to the application used to create/edit the images. For example, if you use Photoshop

to edit images, save the images as Photoshop files. Although most image editing applications support saving or exporting to other file formats, doing so may cause a loss of information. This can make it difficult to edit the image later.

IMPORTANT: To use Photoshop images with WATCHOUT, files must be saved with “Maximize PSD File Compatibility” enabled. In Photoshop, this is under Preferences, File Handling, File Compatibility.

For photographic images (for example, scanned or shot using a digital camera), JPEG at a high quality setting often provides the best compromise between image quality and file size. Keep in mind that JPEG is a lossy compression format. This means that minor, normally unnoticeable, details in the original image may be lost in the compression process.

For computer-generated images with large, smooth areas (for example, screenshots), PNG is asuitable cross-platform format.

Transparency

Some image formats include transparency information in addition to the image itself. This transparency information is sometimes referred to as an “alpha channel”, although some image editing applications use this term for other functions. Transparency can be used to create non-square images, holes inside images or semi-transparent areas, such as drop shadows. Photoshop, PNG, TIFF and Targa file are examples of file formats that support transparency.

WATCHOUT supports all common methods used for encoding transparency into images. Which method to use is usually determined automatically. If not, you can specify this manually by opening the Specifications dialog box for the image and choosing the desired type.

Image Specifications

Double-click the name of an image in the Media window to change its specifications. Click the Browse button to link the media item to another file. This updates all cues to show the newly selected image.

Transparency
In most cases, WATCHOUT can determine the kind of alpha channel (transparency) being used in the image, if any. If the automatic detection fails, choose the correct type of alpha channel here.

Optimize For
WATCHOUT normally optimizes all images for best possible playback performance. However, this may occasionally limit your options when attempting to apply advanced features to an image, such as external control of its position or size (see “External Control of Tween Tracks”). To allow the use of such advanced features, choose “More Effects and Capabilities” instead.

IMPORTANT: Do not choose “More Effects and Capabilities” unless you need to, as doing so increases the load on your computer. This option is not available for images larger than 8192 by 8192 pixels.