Two Keynote questions

[ArcticStones]

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Hi! I’m putting together four 45-minute presentations and am using Keynote for the first time. Nothing fancy, just an opening title and a slide show, perhaps with interspersed section titles. I have been using drag-and-drop from iPhoto onto individual Keynote slides, and then resizing and centering. So far that has worked like a dream.

First question: I have some rather large TIFF images (22–60 MB each). As a result, the size of my presentation is swelling in a hurry! I wish to avoid a 2 GB Keynote. Is there an automatic resize function or some other solution?
(Unfortunately I get colour errors when I try to export the TIFFS from iPhoto in the form of jpegs, but the TIFFS themselves show perfectly in Keynote.)

Second question: For at least one of the presentations, which is on Norwegian music, I need to make a playlist. However, I do not just wish to play complete tracks. What I want to do is to take reasonably precise excerpt and then do a volume fade transition, eventually ending up with a single track/playlist. How can I best do this?
(I have no experience with sound editing, so the solution and software must simple and intuitive. And time is short.)

Good help for the undersigned amateur would be greatly appreciated!


Best regards,
ArcticStones
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[NaOH]

Question One: If you right click an image in Keynote, one option is Reduce Image File Size. However, I just tried it on an 8 MB TIF which has been compressed by Photoshop, and Keynote threw a message at me that the image size could not be reduced.

If you experience something similar, I would suggest exporting the TIF from iPhoto as a TIF, then opening the exported file with Preview. From there, I would try Tools -> Adjust Size to reduce the dimensions (presuming the TIFs are dimensionally larger than you need in Keynote), then doing a Save As to create JPGs, since you can adjust the final file size in the Save dialog.

Question Two: The free Audacity should handle all your needs on this. I've never used it, but my understanding is that it can do everything you'd like with a simple, easy-to-use interface. I just did a quick download and open of it, and it looks like everything you want is well within its reach.

In Case of Emergency: Just in case that software doesn't work for your situation, the US $32 Fission definitely will do the trick. I have this and have used it for all the types of sound editing you're looking to do. For someone with your computer skills, this application has basically zero learning curve.

[ArcticStones]

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Thanks for your quick reply, NaOH!

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH Question One: ...I would suggest exporting the TIF from iPhoto as a TIF, then opening the exported file with Preview. From there, I would try Tools -> Adjust Size to reduce the dimensions (presuming the TIFs are dimensionally larger than you need in Keynote), then doing a Save As to create JPGs, since you can adjust the final file size in the Save dialog.

Tried that, no joy. When I try to make changes, the dialogue box tells me “not available”. I can resize on screen – but then Preview tells me “cannot be saved”, and I’ve tried all the Save and Save as options, including to different formats.

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH Question Two: The free Audacity should handle all your needs on this. In Case of Emergency: Just in case that software doesn't work for your situation ... Fission definitely will do the trick.

I’ll check out Audacity. Fission sounds even better! Will it handle Flacs? That’s the format I prefer for most of my music.
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[NaOH]

Flac: It looks like neither of those audio editing applications handle Flac (which I meant to address since you mentioned in a recent iTunes thread your Flac preferences). This is easily resolved. The free XLD (X Lossless Decoder) does excellent, fast conversions. I'm guessing since Apple typically ignores the existence of Flac that you're going to need to make some conversion no matter what to use song files in Keynote.

As for Audacity vs. Fission, from poking around in Audacity, I think it's got all the capabilities you need with an amply easy-to-use interface. Basically, it's low cost comes at the negligible expense of having a less attractive interface than Fission.

For the images, I've got a couple ideas since you're under some time constraints. One, maybe a more powerful image editor than Preview will help. I think Pixelmator is fully usable during the trial period, so that may be worth a shot.

Alternatively, I think you have my e-mail. You can shoot me a message and I can provide you simple instructions for getting such large files to me. It wouldn't take me long to try to cut their size down using Photoshop and return them to you. Of course, if you don't have my e-mail, you can always contact me with ye olde private-messaging system.

[ArcticStones]

Quote: Originally Posted by NaOH Flac: It looks like neither of those audio editing applications handle Flac (which I meant to address since you mentioned in a recent iTunes thread your Flac preferences). This is easily resolved. The free XLD (X Lossless Decoder) does excellent, fast conversions. I'm guessing since Apple typically ignores the existence of Flac that you're going to need to make some conversion no matter what to use song files in Keynote. As for Audacity vs. Fission, from poking around in Audacity, I think it's got all the capabilities you need with an amply easy-to-use interface. Basically, it's low cost comes at the negligible expense of having a less attractive interface than Fission. For the images, I've got a couple ideas since you're under some time constraints. One, maybe a more powerful image editor than Preview will help. I think Pixelmator is fully usable during the trial period, so that may be worth a shot. Alternatively, I think you have my e-mail. You can shoot me a message and I can provide you simple instructions for getting such large files to me. It wouldn't take me long to try to cut their size down using Photoshop and return them to you. Of course, if you don't have my e-mail, you can always contact me with ye olde private-messaging system.

Thanks! I’ve used XLD to convert music for my daughter’s iPod. I’ll check out both Fission and Audacity. If you think Fission is better, I’ll go with that. For me a good interface is a dealmaker!

Thanks for your helpful responses and generous offer. I’ll see how this checks out.

Pixelmator did the trick. Much appreciated!

– ArcticStones
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[NaOH]

I do think Fission is better, but that's really due to my familiarity with it and not indicative of anything about Audacity. From trying Audacity today, I sincerely think it's amply up to your needs in usability and effectiveness. If this is a one-time usage, I would feel I'm better off saving the money, but these are personal preferences and you may feel differently.

[Jay Carr]

Do you not have GarageBand on your computer? Having used Audacity and GB (along with several other sound editors), I've always found GarageBand to be the most user friendly. It can certainly do what you're asking quite easily.

[ArcticStones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jay Carr Do you not have GarageBand on your computer? Having used Audacity and GB (along with several other sound editors), I've always found GarageBand to be the most user friendly. It can certainly do what you're asking quite easily.

Yep, I have Garage Band. Guess it came with iLife.
I’ve only opened it once, when I mis-clicked. Good to know!
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