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Use photos, effects and music to create a presentation with this free program from Microsoft

Use photos, effects and music to create a presentation with this free program from Microsoft

Vote: (1,394 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Microsoft

Version: 3.01

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(1,394 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Microsoft

3.01

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Software uses intuitive controls to make editing photos possible with a single click
  • Voice narration can be corrected with a single click to record over bad narrations
  • Randomly generated background music can be added to the slideshow to quickly produce multi-media presentations
  • Presentations can be played on virtually any system that uses the Windows operating system
  • Photo effects can be added to the presentation with a single click

Cons

  • Microsoft Photo Story only allows a maximum of 200 photos imported in a single import batch
  • Image size is limited to 72,300 by 7,200 pixels
  • The software only allows output in the .WMV file format
  • The crop and zoom feature is restricted to a fixed 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Photo Story is not officially supported on Windows Vista or Windows 7, but it does install on both platforms
  • Software does not provide support for CD or DVD burning

Microsoft Photo Story gives users a free method to create visual stories that showcase their digital photos. The software requires a genuine installation of Windows XP or a later Windows operating system. Narration, editing, special effects and transitions can all be added to a slideshow with the click of a button. Photo Story provides a hassle-free and simple program to create and share movie files that are playable on Windows Media Player.

Features

The Ken Burns effect provides a specific type of panning and zooming that is specific to photos. The program provides tools to retouch, crop and rotate your photos. You can also add voice narration and personalize each image with titles and photo captions. The program is also useful for building presentations using a small file size that makes sending the completed projects through email possible. Completed projects can be viewed on a user's television, computer and Windows-compatible mobile devices.

Development

Microsoft originally developed the software in response to research on how people share photos. Based on the discovery that people wanted to narrate stories more effectively as they would when pointing at pictures and moving their hands, the original software aimed to make it possible to edit and manipulate photos using gestures. Microsoft Photo Story 3 provides a simplified control panel that lets users add effects using a streamlined toolbar.

Software Interface

The interface uses a simple, wizard-based set of prompts that allows you to easily import and adjust the photos in your slideshow. Once you import pictures, the wizard guides you through color correction, red-eye removal and other enhancements. The software also provides 48 transition possibilities to add variety between images. The program provides a great option for users that want to have a simple and intuitive interface for creating basic slideshows quickly. Music can be selected based on genre and then further customized by style, instrumentation, tempo, intensity and mood. You can also choose to embed your own music into the presentation to create a fully customized slideshow.

Pros

  • Software uses intuitive controls to make editing photos possible with a single click
  • Voice narration can be corrected with a single click to record over bad narrations
  • Randomly generated background music can be added to the slideshow to quickly produce multi-media presentations
  • Presentations can be played on virtually any system that uses the Windows operating system
  • Photo effects can be added to the presentation with a single click

Cons

  • Microsoft Photo Story only allows a maximum of 200 photos imported in a single import batch
  • Image size is limited to 72,300 by 7,200 pixels
  • The software only allows output in the .WMV file format
  • The crop and zoom feature is restricted to a fixed 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Photo Story is not officially supported on Windows Vista or Windows 7, but it does install on both platforms
  • Software does not provide support for CD or DVD burning