Search results for 'app:forums' matching tag 'questions'

Re: Auto collage

johnmil — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately AutoCollage can't load more than 300 images at once. This means it cannot, for example, load and evaluate all 1200 images in the folder to choose the ones for your collage. The reason for this is performance: AutoCollage loads information for every image it considers. This requires time and memory. We chose 300 as a limit for the number of images because with most types of images and most computers, AutoCollage could still do its job with 300 images.

If you're OK with doing a bit of selection of images yourself to give to AutoCollage, then you have two options to work around this limit.

Make a new folder, and copy the images you want AutoCollage to consider into that new folder. Ensure this is less than 300 images.
Use Windows Live Photo Gallery to choose a subset of up to 300 images from the folder, and use the 'Extras->Add to AutoCollage...' menu option in Windows Live Photo Gallery to send those images to AutoCollage.

There's more details about using Windows Live Photo Gallery in AutoCollage's help file, and in the online copy of AutoCollage help.

Thank you for your question, we hope this helps!

Re: Why does it rotate some images and not others?

johnmil — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Thank you for your question -

AutoCollage shouldn't be rotating any images. Whatever orientation these images have when you browse them via the windows explorer (and see them in the image browser preview in AutoCollage) is the orientation they will have in the final collage.

To see the orientation of your images, you can navigate to the folder containing your images and view them in AutoCollage. Or, you can view them in the Windows Explorer.

To use the Explorer to browse images in Vista, for example, as follows:

Open 'Computer' by double-clicking on it. Your Hard Disk Drives should be displayed
Double-click on the drive with your pictures, and navigate to the folder with your pictures by double-clicking on the appropriate folder name.
Above the list of files in the folder, is a small toolbar which should have a 'Views' option. click on the arrow next to 'Views' and select 'large icons'.

You can now inspect your images and see what orientation they are in. If you want to change the orientation of some of those images, you can do so using tools such as Microsoft Office Picture Manager or Windows Photo Gallery.

As a side note, some people have requested a feature for future versions of AutoCollage where AutoCollage will automatically detect whether a picture was taken in landscape or portrait mode. We are considering this enhancement for future versions of AutoCollage.

Please let us know if this doesn't answer your question, and we'll do what we can to help.

Thank you for your question, and for trying out AutoCollage!

Re: buying online ms research autocollage

johnmil — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:00:00 GMT

We're very sorry to hear the store experience didn't work well for you.

As part of testing out the site, I bought a copy of AutoCollage from the US store with my US Visa credit card, and from the UK store with my UK debit / visa card. It is definitely possible to purchase software using Visa cards, but perhaps the question to address now is 'how'.

Please write us at acfeed@microsoft.com if you'd like to diagnose further, and we'll try to help.

thanks, and sorry again!

John

Use as a command line utility

atomusk — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Hi,

Since autocollage is a full automatic process, could it be used as a command line utility ?

Providing files or folder, and the output name, size, quality ...

I would love to use it as a Windows Home Server Add-in to display as a photocollage the last 10 pictures uploaded or a random set of my pictures ...

Maybe I should open another post, but integrating it with deepzoom to create huge photocolage of an entire photo collection would also be fantastic !

Thanks.

Output size limitations?

rstocks — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Is there any way to create a really big collage? It seems a little limiting that the largest output size is only 8x10". I'd like to be able to output at at least 20x30", preferably be able to go larger. Once we can do larger page sizes, any chance of getting the maximum number of images in the collage increased? I understand there will probably be memory and processor constraints around this, but hey, I'm prepared to wait for it to finish :-)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

chriso — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Microsoft Research AutoCollage Frequently Asked Questions

AutoCollage comes with a comprehensive help system which describes how you can use the application to generate pleasing AutoCollages. Please read the help first if you have a question as it may solve your issue. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions on how to best use the application.

1) Q. How do I select which images I would like to use in my AutoCollage?

A. The application will automatically choose the best images from the selected folder for inclusion in the AutoCollage. If you have a preference for a certain set of images we recommend that you create a new folder and place the images you would like to include there. You can then select this folder in the application’s Image Browser and create a new AutoCollage.

2) Q. How can I redisplay the original images after I created my AutoCollage?

A. Once you have created an AutoCollage you may decide you would like to redisplay the images used to create it. To do this you simply have to press the “Esc” key.

3) Q. How can I stop the application from loading all the images in the currently selected folder?

A. If you have selected a folder with a large amount of images in error you don’t have to wait for it to complete loading all the images. At any time during the loading process you can select another folder in the Image Browser. It will stop processing the images in the previous folder, clear the loaded images, and start loading the images from the new folder.

4) Q. How can I use images on my website/remote PC through AutoCollage?

A. To ensure security, we only allow images to be used that are on the PC you are currently using. If you wish to use images from a remote PC, you have to copy these to a local folder first. Then you can select this new folder in the application’s Image Browser as normal.

5) Q. How can I register AutoCollage once I have my key?

A. See the "Registering AutoCollage" topic.

6) Q. How do I install AutoCollage once I have bought it from the Microsoft Store (EU only)?

A. See the "Installing AutoCollage after buying it in the EU" topic.

7) Q. How can I find and install the software downloaded from the Windows Marketplace?

A. In some cases, when you download software from Windows Marketplace, the software is stored in a local folder on your machine without your being prompted to install it. To view your download and potentially install it follow the steps below. Before installing ANY software, make sure you downloaded it from a trusted source.

Click on your ‘Start’ menu

Choose ‘Documents’ or ‘My Documents’, depending upon whether you’re on Windows Vista or Windows XP. This should open a file folder which contains your documents, and several subfolders.

Double click on the ‘digital locker Downloads’ folder. Your view should switch to the contents of that folder, and it should include a sub-folder named after the software you downloaded. Double-click on that folder.

You should see the file you downloaded. You can install your software by executing that file.

8) Q. How can I get my product key once I have purchased AutoCollage?

A. For US based purchases: The purchase creates a digital locker which contains your product key. To access the digital locker, go to http://windowsmarketplace.com and click on ‘your digital locker.’ Sign in if necessary. You will be directed to the ‘Your software’ page with AutoCollage listed. Click on the ‘View Your License’ link for AutoCollage.

A. For EU based purchases: To get your product key, go to the Microsoft Store at https://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/ and click on the "Account" link in the top left corner. Sign in if necessary. Your account page will show AutoCollage in the purchase history along with your license key.

9) Q. When will AutoCollage be available for purchase in my country?

A. Due to high demand, we are taking every effort to make AutoCollage broadly available by the end of Nov/2008. Please check the forum topic “AutoCollage Worldwide Availability” for more information on availability outside of US and EU when it becomes available.

10) Q. I’m having problems purchasing AutoCollage. Where do I go for help?

A. For US based purchases: You can contact Customer Support for further help on the Windows Marketplace site by going to one of the following links:

Phone based Support

Email based Support

A. For EU based purchases: Customer Support is available on email, phone and by post. For further information please go to https://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-46.