I was having difficulty projecting an AppleWorks presentation slide show
because I didn't realize that AppleWorks automatically switches to a lower
screen resolution when you play a presentation ("slide show"). (See
original question and quote from AppleWorks Help below.)
Peter, from the G-Books list, provided the key to the solution:
>------------------------------
>
>Rodney:
>I too experienced the same problem, under OS 9, with AppleWorks, with
>presentations. It's because AW only "presents" presentations at 640x480, so
>the PB switches resolution settings so that the presentation can be seen
>full-screen. Does the same thing in OS X. Unfortunately, the projector
>you're using may not support the default settings of resolution and refresh
>rate. My *best advice* would be to set the PB's onscreen resolution to
>640x480 at a refresh rate that will work with the projector. If the
>projector refuses to work, you're probably out of luck. AW's presentations
>software isn't as robust when it comes to resolutions, etc. Better luck
>with PowerPoint.
>
>I checked as much as I could in AW as to screen settings, etc., but couldn't
>find anything... Good luck!
I didn't quite understand the problem when I first read Peter's suggestion,
but came around to the same realization later by myself, noticing the jump
in resolution when I pressed "Play".
And for some reason, the switch to a lower resolution causes the projector
to lose the signal from the PowerBook and project a blank screen (even
though the new resolution is within the projector's stated range, according
to the projector's manual).
At my second trial run yesterday I was successful in projecting the slide
show by setting the resolution to 640 X 480 in the PowerBook Display
Control Panel (control strip).
Following up a subsequent suggestion from Eric D. from the MacToMac list:
>have you checked out AW options/preferences? I'm guessing they'll have a few
>options devoted to screen resolution switching/and or control. Maybe even
>the AW help file has something on the topic.
I FINALLY searched AppleWorks Help for "resolution" and came up with the
following crucial information:
"When you start a slide show AppleWorks switches to a lower resolution.
(This enhances performance, especially for presentations that use
memory-intensive features such as QuickTime movies. If you don't want the
screen resolution to change when you play a slide show, hold down the
Option key while you start the slide show."
So I should probably be able to play the presentation ("slide show") at
full resolution when I do it on Wednesday.
Who would have thought that a) AppleWorks would automatically change
resolutions when you play a slide show, and b) the change in resolutions
(still within the acceptable range listed in the projector's manual) would
cause the projector to lose the signal from the PowerBook?! (Some people
made suggestions regarding the projector's refresh rate, but since I don't
really understand the relevance of that, I won't try to summarize.)
Several people also commented that switching to PowerPoint, if I didn't
mind the expense, would be a good move; but since this presentation will be
my second [successful, I hope] one using AppleWorks, and I don't really
feel a need for any PowerPoint bells and whistles that may be missing in
AppleWorks, I'm still not ready to break my chain of completely avoiding
the use of Macroshaft end-user products <hurray for me!!!>.
Thanks to Ilan, Mike, and Seth for your suggestions, too.
Rodney
(in Hayama, Japan)
Original question:
At 1:03 PM +0900 10/23/02, Rodney A. Hoiseth wrote:
>I'm not sure whether this is exactly a macwizards type question but I'm in
>sort of a bind and I don't know where else to get a quick answer.
>
>I'm preparing a presentation using AppleWorks 6.1.2. (OS 9.0.4, Japanese
>Language Kit installed and AW "registered", PowerBook G3 233 MHz
>Wallstreet 14", 1024 X 768 [simulscan when connected to the projector]
>resolution). Today I went to confirm the connection to the projector; and
>after we were able to successfully hook up the projector and to project
>the desktop, menus, various applications, etc. onto the screen I would
>have thought that we should have been all set.
>But when I tried to play the presentation, using the "play" button in the
>AW presentation mode "Controls" window, although the presentation played
>fine on the PB display, the projector somehow lost the signal and
>projected [rough translation from Japanese] "No input signal" onto a blank
>screen. Switching out of presentation mode back to edit mode, the signal
>was regained and the desktop, document windows, etc. were again projected
>onto the screen.
>
>I tried switching resolutions, pressing the various function keys (both
>with and without depressing the "fn" key), and using various other
>presentation documents from the AW templates (all with the same result).
>As a rank amateur at presentations (this is only my second time) I didn't
>know what else to try.
>I am assuming that the problem is with the settings or something else on
>the PB or in AppleWorks, not anything to do with the projector (the
>operator of the projector is rather unfamiliar with it -- I was able to
>deal with it better than he was), since we were able to project everything
>but the presentation itself.
>
>I hope there's a simple answer. I've set up another appointment for the
>day after tomorrow to go and try again.
>
>Of course I will summarize.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Rodney
>(in Hayama, Japan)
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