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PhotoShow Circle Help Guide

Welcome to PhotoShow Circle, the essential online companion service to PhotoShow Express and PhotoShow Deluxe software. With PhotoShow software, you can easily create amazing musical slideshows from your digital photos and video clips. A slideshow made with PhotoShow software is called a PhotoShow. PhotoShows are different from ordinary slideshows: they feature still photos and live-action video; custom transitions and effects; animated clip art and text; and musical soundtracks.

With PhotoShow Circle, you’ll be able to share your memories on your own PhotoShow Circle web site, and even personalize your site with custom layouts and themes. Using the tools provided, you can view your online PhotoShows and photo albums, arrange them in galleries, and share them with friends and family around the world.


Help Sections:

  1. PhotoShow Circle Membership
  2. Creating a PhotoShow Circle Account
  3. Setting Up a PhotoShow Circle Web Site
  4. Viewing a PhotoShow Circle Web Site
  5. The PhotoShow Player Page
  6. Managing Your PhotoShow Circle Web Site
  7. PhotoShow Circle Privacy Settings
  8. Account Preferences
  9. The Help Guide





PhotoShow Circle Membership

Anyone can create their own PhotoShow Circle account, even if they don't use PhotoShow software. There are two PhotoShow Circle membership levels: basic and premium. Basic membership is free, while premium membership carries a nominal annual fee. One year of complimentary premium PhotoShow Circle membership is included with the purchase of PhotoShow Deluxe 4 software.

Basic membership entitles the account holder to their own PhotoShow Circle web site, where they can manage and showcase their online PhotoShows. However, basic membership has certain limitations: basic PhotoShow Circle members cannot upload shows with more than 24 photos to their web site, nor can they upload shows featuring video clips. Plus, PhotoShows on basic members' sites expire after 30 days. Basic members also have fewer custom layout and design options for their web site.

Premium membership entitles the account holder to everything basic membership does, plus extra benefits and features. Premium PhotoShow Circle members are able to share PhotoShows that include video clips, and the PhotoShows on premium members' websites do not expire as long as they remain premium members. Premium members also enjoy a wider range of layout and design options to personalize their site.

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Creating a PhotoShow Circle Account

Creating a PhotoShow Circle account is quick, easy, and free. In order to create an account, you must have a valid email address. You do not need to own PhotoShow software, and you do not need a credit card.

To create a PhotoShow Circle account, go to the PhotoShow Circle home page and click the Sign Up button. This will take you to the PhotoShow Circle registration page.

On the registration page, enter your Name and Email address in the required fields. In the Password field, enter a password between 5 and 32 characters in length. In the Confirm password field, enter your password again. After reading the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy, check the acceptance box and click Sign Up to create your account.

When you create your PhotoShow Circle account, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you entered on the registration page. The email will contain a verification link, which you must click in order to verify your account. Your PhotoShow Circle registration will not be complete until you have verified your account by clicking this link. Because the link will only be valid for three days, it's best to check your email inbox for the PhotoShow Circle confirmation email shortly after you register, so you can verify your registration and immediately begin enjoying all the benefits of PhotoShow Circle membership.

Note: If you don't see a confirmation email from PhotoShow Circle in your inbox within one day of creating your account, it may have been intercepted by your spam-filtering software. Be sure to check your spam or bulk folder for the confirmation email.

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Setting Up a PhotoShow Circle Web Site

Once you have registered your PhotoShow Circle account and verified your email address, you are ready to create your PhotoShow Circle web site. The first time you sign in to PhotoShow Circle after verifying your email address, you will be taken to the PhotoShow Circle site creation page. Here you can follow the prompts to create your custom web site in just three easy steps.

  1. Step One – Pick a Theme

    There are many different themes which can be used to enhance the design of a PhotoShow Circle web site. Each theme offers a unique combination of layout, background, and color scheme. To choose a theme for your PhotoShow Circle web site, click on the thumbnail image representing the theme you like best in order to select it, then click Next.

  2. Step Two – Personalize Your Site

    On this page you can customize your PhotoShow Circle web site.

    In the Your Name field, type the name you would like to use when sharing online PhotoShows with other people via email invitation.

    In the Site Title field, type the name of your PhotoShow Circle web site. This title will appear at the top of every gallery in your web site.

    In the Web Address field, type the name, word, or phrase you would like to be included in the URL for your PhotoShow Circle web site. It's best to use only lowercase letters. Do not include spaces or punctuation.

    In the Galleries section, check the box next to each PhotoShow gallery that you'd like to include on your web site. You must include at least one gallery. A Favorites gallery is the default selection, but you can add as many galleries as you like. Later, you will fill these galleries with PhotoShows, and arrange the shows as you see fit.

    You can create a new gallery by checking the Custom box and typing the name for your custom gallery into the text field provided.

    When you finish personalizing your PhotoShow Circle web site, click Next. To return to the previous page, click Back.

  3. Step Three – Add PhotoShows

    Now you’re ready to showcase PhotoShows on your website. You can do this in three ways: by using PhotoShow software to create PhotoShows and upload them to PhotoShow Circle; by receiving PhotoShows that have been sent to you by friends and family; or by linking to shows on other people's PhotoShow Circle web sites.

    To complete the PhotoShow Circle web site creation process, click Finish. To return to a previous page, click Back.

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Viewing a PhotoShow Circle Web Site

You can view your PhotoShow Circle web site by entering the site's URL in the address bar of your web browser. This will take you to your PhotoShow Circle main page, where you can view the PhotoShows in your web site's gallery or galleries. The main page is what your friends and family will see when they visit your PhotoShow Circle web site.

To watch a PhotoShow featured in one of your galleries, click on the PhotoShow's thumbnail image. This will launch the PhotoShow Player Page for that show.

Note: in order to watch a PhotoShow, you must have Flash Player 6 or higher installed on your computer. If you don't have the Flash Player browser plug-in, you can download it for free from www.macromedia.com.

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The PhotoShow Player Page

When you click the link to view an online PhotoShow, it launches the PhotoShow Player page in a separate window. On the Player page you can watch the PhotoShow, view an album comprised of the photos and videos in the PhotoShow, and perform PhotoShow Circle sharing functions pertaining to the PhotoShow.

The Player page looks the same for every PhotoShow. It features two main tabs: the PhotoShow tab and the Album tab. When the Player Page first opens, the PhotoShow tab is depressed by default.


The PhotoShow Tab

As soon as the PhotoShow Player page opens, it will begin to load the PhotoShow in the viewing window. While short PhotoShows can load quickly, PhotoShows with many photos and/or videos can take longer to load, so be patient. The PhotoShow will automatically begin to play once it has been completely loaded.

In the bottom left corner of the Player page is the PhotoShow Control Panel, which you can use to control PhotoShow play back.

Click the Pause button to pause play back.

Click the Play button to resume play back.

Click the Restart button to start your show from the beginning.

Click the Back button to go back one frame.

Click the Forward button to go forward one frame.

Click the Mute button to turn off the show's sound. Click it again to turn it back on.



The Album Tab

To view the individual photos and videos contained in a PhotoShow, click on the Album tab. The viewer window will display a thumbnail Tiled View of all the photos and video clips contained in the PhotoShow. Clicking on a thumbnail will change the Album from Tiled View to Close Up View.

In Close Up View, a close up of the photo or video you have selected is displayed on the left of the viewer window. Video clips will automatically play back, and then replay continuously. The right side of the viewer window displays a vertical film strip of the photos and video clips that are included in the PhotoShow. Click on a thumbnail in the film strip to view a close up of that photo or video. Click the Up and Down triangles to scroll through the film strip. Click on the close up to return to Tiled View.

In the bottom left corner of the page is the Album Panel, which you can use to control what is displayed in the viewer window, and to download photos and video clips featured in the PhotoShow to your computer.

Click the Tiled View button to view your PhotoShow in Tiled mode.

Click the Close Up View button to view your PhotoShow in Close Up mode.

In Tiled mode, click the Left Arrow to select the previous photo or video in the PhotoShow. In Close Up mode, click the Left Arrow to view the previous photo or video.

In Tiled mode, click on the Right Arrow to select the next photo or video in the PhotoShow. In Close Up mode, click on the Right Arrow to view the next photo or video.

In Tiled mode, click the Download button to download the photo or video you have selected to your computer. In Close Up mode, click the Download button to download the photo or video you are viewing to your computer.


The Share Panel

In the bottom right corner of the Player page is the Share Panel, which you can use to easily share the PhotoShow you are viewing.

Click the Email button to invite a friend to watch this PhotoShow by emailing them a link to view it. Clicking the Email button launches the Email Dialog Box.


The Email Dialog Box

To email a friend a link to view this online PhotoShow, type your friend's email address in the Friend's Email field. You can enter multiple addresses; be sure to separate them with commas. In the Subject field enter a subject for your email. In the Add a message field enter the body of your email message.

When you are ready to send your email, click Send. To close the Email Dialog Box, click on the Email button in the Share Panel.

Click the My Favorites button to add this PhotoShow to your Favorites list and to one of your PhotoShow Circle galleries. Clicking the My Favorites button launches the My Favorites Dialog Box.


The My Favorites Dialog Box

 

To add this PhotoShow to your My Favorites list, check the box to Add to My PhotoShows Favorites. To also add a link to view this PhotoShow to one of your PhotoShow Circle galleries, check the box to Also add a link to this show in my gallery, then use the drop-down menu to choose one of your galleries. When you're ready, click the AddShow button.

 

Click the DVD button to purchase a DVD of this PhotoShow from our PhotoShow DVD service. Professionally manufactured and beautifully packaged in a variety of personalized styles, PhotoShow DVDs are the best way to enjoy your memories on TV. Clicking the DVD button launches the Order DVD Dialog Box.


The Order DVD Dialog Box

To order a custom PhotoShow DVD of the PhotoShow you are viewing, click the Order DVD button. This will launch the PhotoShow Circle DVD order page in a separate window, where you can complete the DVD purchase process.

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Managing Your PhotoShow Circle Web Site

In order to manage your PhotoShow Circle web site, you must sign in to your account. To do so, click the Sign In link in the top right corner of your PhotoShow Circle web site. On the sign in page, fill in the email address you used to create your account, along with your password. Click Sign In again to sign into your PhotoShow Circle account.

Once you have signed in, you will have full access to all of PhotoShow Circle's management tools, which you can use to edit your site design and preferences, to update your account information, and to arrange your shows in galleries.

The My Site Page

Click the My Site tab to view your PhotoShow Circle web site's main page. If you have only one gallery of PhotoShows, they will be previewed here in the form of thumbnail images. To watch a PhotoShow, click its thumbnail. This will launch the PhotoShow player in a separate window.

If you have more than one gallery of PhotoShows, the main page will display a list of your gallery titles. Click on a gallery title to view the contents of that gallery. By default, your PhotoShow Circle web site will display the contents of the first gallery in your list.

Editing the My Site Page

You can edit the layout and preferences for your PhotoShow Circle web site by clicking on the Edit My Site button in the top right corner of your My Site page. Clicking on this button activates PhotoShow Circle's Edit Mode, causing several buttons to appear across the top of the page and making it possible to access pop-up menus associated with your site title, galleries, and shows.


The Change Theme Button

Click the Change Theme button to access the Theme Picker page. Here you can select a new theme for your gallery or web site. To apply a theme to the gallery you were just viewing, click the Apply to…Gallery radio button. To apply the theme to your entire web site, click the Apply to all galleries radio button. Then, to select the new theme and apply it to your gallery or galleries, simply click on the preview thumbnail for the theme you prefer.


The Options Button

Click the Options button to access the Edit Gallery Dialog Box pertaining to the gallery you are viewing. In the Edit Gallery Dialog Box, you can change your gallery's layout, settings, and permissions.

Click the Layout tab to change the way the PhotoShows in your gallery are displayed. If you want the layout you select to be applied to all your galleries, check the Apply to all galleries box. Then select the layout style you like and click OK.

Click the Settings tab to change your gallery name or URL. Fill in the Gallery name or Web address field, then click OK.

Click the Permissions tab to choose who is permitted to view the gallery. Select the Anyone radio button to let anyone who visits your site view this gallery. Select the Only people with these email addresses radio button to allow only individuals you designate to view this gallery.

To give someone permission to view your gallery, enter their email address in the upper field and click Add. PhotoShow Circle members who have signed in using this email address will now be able to view this gallery. To remove someone from your list of permitted viewers, select their email address in the lower field and then click the Remove button. To apply these settings to all your galleries and PhotoShows, check the Apply to all galleries and PhotoShows box. When you're done, click OK.


The Add Gallery Button

Click the Add Gallery button to add a new gallery to your web site. In the dialog box which appears, type a name for your new gallery and click OK.


The Add PhotoShow Button

To add a PhotoShow to one of your galleries, click the Add PhotoShow button. This will launch the Add PhotoShow to Gallery dialog box, where you will select a show. In the dialog box, click the Shared Shows tab to choose a show which you have uploaded; click the Received Shows tab to pick a show which someone else sent you; or click the Favorite Shows tab to choose from your list of favorites. Click the title of the show you want to select, then click OK.


Changing Your Web Site's Title

To change the title of your PhotoShow Circle web site, mouse-over the title and click on the triangle button which appears. In the pop-up menu, click Rename. A text box featuring your title will appear. Type a new title into the text box and then hit the Enter key on your keyboard to apply your changes.


Editing Your Galleries

To edit your galleries in a variety of ways, mouse-over a gallery title and click on the triangle button which appears to access the pop-up menu. The pop up menu includes several options.

Select Rename to change the name of your gallery.

Select Move Up to move the gallery up in your galleries list.

Select Move Down to move the gallery down in your galleries list.

Select Remove Gallery to remove the gallery from your list of galleries.

Selecting Settings, Theme, or Permissions from the pop-up menu will launch the Edit Gallery Dialog Box for that gallery (see the Options section of the PhotoShow Circle Help Guide for more information on the Edit Gallery Dialog Box).


Editing your PhotoShows

Though you can add, arrange, and delete the PhotoShows on your PhotoShow Circle web site, the shows themselves cannot be modified. PhotoShows can only be changed or updated by using a PhotoShow desktop application, and then re-uploading them to your PhotoShow circle web site.

To edit the way a PhotoShow is displayed on your PhotoShow Circle web page: while in Edit Mode, mouse-over the thumbnail of a PhotoShow in one of your galleries to access a pop-up menu with various options pertaining to that PhotoShow.

Select Move Up to move your PhotoShow up on the page.

Select Move Down to move your PhotoShow down on the page.

If you have more than one gallery, select Move to Gallery and pick a destination gallery from the pop-up list in order to move your PhotoShow to that gallery.

Select Remove PhotoShow to remove the PhotoShow from your gallery. Removing a PhotoShow from a gallery does not delete it from your PhotoShow Circle web site: you can still access it on the My PhotoShows page and add it to another gallery at any time.


The My PhotoShows Page

Click on the My PhotoShows tab to access the My PhotoShows page, where you can manage your online PhotoShows. The My PhotoShows page features three tabs: Shared Shows, Received Shows, and Favorite Shows.

Click on the Shared Shows tab to see a list of PhotoShows which you have uploaded to your PhotoShow Circle web site.

Click on the Received Shows tab to see a list of PhotoShows which other people have shared with you via PhotoShow Circle.

Click on the Favorite Shows tab to see a list of your favorite PhotoShows and shows you have linked to from other people's PhotoShow Circle web sites.

The PhotoShow lists on these tabs have many similar features. Next to the PhotoShow thumbnail, you will see the show's title, author, and publication information. There is also a drop-down menu with four options to choose from. Clicking on the show's title or selecting Info, Settings, or Permissions from the drop-down menu will take you to the PhotoShow Details page for that PhotoShow. Click Delete in the drop-down menu to permanently delete the show from your PhotoShow Circle web site.


The PhotoShow Details Page

The PhotoShow Details page is where you can watch or delete your PhotoShow, and edit the viewer settings and permissions relevant to that show.

Click the Watch button to view the PhotoShow in a separate player window.

Click the Delete button to delete the PhotoShow from your PhotoShow Circle site.

Click the Info Tab to discover information about which gallery or galleries the PhotoShow appears in, and to learn whether other PhotoShow Circle members have linked to your PhotoShow from their own site.

To delete the show from a gallery, click the x button next to the gallery name. To add the show to a gallery, click the + button and select the gallery where you'd like your show to appear from the pop-up menu.

Click the Settings Tab to edit the viewer settings for this PhotoShow. Viewer settings dictate which actions viewers can take in regard to your show. By clicking in the appropriate check boxes, you can allow or prevent viewers from taking the following actions:

  • Invite others to view this PhotoShow.
  • Include a link to this PhotoShow on their PhotoShow Circle sites.
  • Order this PhotoShow as a PhotoShow DVD.
  • Allow others to download photos from this PhotoShow.

When you are satisfied with your settings, click OK.

Click the Permissions Tab to choose who will be permitted to watch this PhotoShow. Select the Anyone radio button to let anyone who visits your PhotoShow Circle site view this PhotoShow. Select the Only people with these email addresses radio button to allow only the individuals you choose to watch your PhotoShow.

To give someone permission to watch your PhotoShow, enter their email address in the upper field and click Add. PhotoShow Circle members who have signed in using this email address will now be able to watch your PhotoShow. To remove someone from your list of permitted viewers, select their email address in the lower field and then click the Remove button. When you're done, click OK.

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PhotoShow Circle Privacy Settings

With PhotoShow Circle, you have complete control over who can view the galleries and PhotoShows featured on your personal web site. You can designate a gallery or PhotoShow as public, which means that anyone who visits your site can view it, or private, which means that only the people you have specified can view it.

To designate a gallery on your PhotoShow Circle web site as public or private, follow these instructions:

  • Sign into your PhotoShow Circle account.
  • View your site by clicking on the My Site tab.
  • Click on the title of the gallery you wish to make private to select it.
  • Click on the Edit My Site button. If you don't see the Edit My Site button, you have not signed in to your PhotoShow Circle account.
  • Click on the Options button in the editing toolbar. This will launch the Edit Gallery dialog box.
  • In the Edit Gallery dialog box, click the Permissions tab.
  • To make your gallery public (so anyone who visits your site can view its contents) select Anyone.
  • To make your gallery private, select Only people with these email addresses .
  • In the upper field, type the email address of the person you want to be able to view the gallery, then click Add. That person will be added to the list of people who are permitted to view the gallery (which appears in the lower field). You can repeat these steps as many times as you like to add more people to your permission list.
  • To apply these permission settings to all your galleries and PhotoShows, check the appropriate box.
  • To remove someone from the permission list, select their email address in the lower field, then click Remove.
  • When you're done, click OK.

To designate a PhotoShow on your PhotoShow Circle web site as public or private, follow these instructions:

  • Sign into your PhotoShow Circle account.
  • View your list of PhotoShows by clicking on the My PhotoShows tab.
  • Click on the thumbnail of the PhotoShow you wish to make private. This will open the PhotoShow Details page for that PhotoShow.
  • Click on the Permissions tab.
  • To make your PhotoShow public (so anyone who visits your site can view its contents) select Anyone.
  • To make your PhotoShow private, select Only people with these email addresses .
  • In the upper field, type the email address of the person you want to be able to view the PhotoShow, then click Add. That person will be added to the list of people who are permitted to view the PhotoShow (which appears in the lower field). You can repeat these steps as many times as you like to add more people to your permission list.
  • To apply these permission settings to all your galleries and PhotoShows, check the appropriate box.
  • To remove someone from the permission list, select their email address in the lower field, then click Remove.
  • When you're done, click OK.

In order to view a private gallery or PhotoShow, the people whose emails you have included in your permission list will need to sign into their own PhotoShow Circle account using the email address you specified. Once they have signed in, they will be able to view your gallery or PhotoShow.

If they don't already have a PhotoShow Circle account, they will need to create one. Creating a new PhotoShow Circle account is quick, easy, and free. Anyone can do it, regardless of whether they own PhotoShow software or not. To create a PhotoShow Circle account, go to http://www.photoshow.net/home and click the button to Sign Up Today.

With your PhotoShow Circle management tools, you can also control whether viewers can invite other people to view your PhotoShow, order your PhotoShow on DVD, or download photos from your PhotoShow to save on their computer.

To edit the viewer settings for a PhotoShow, open the PhotoShow details page for that show and click the Settings tab. Viewer settings dictate which actions viewers can take in regard to your show. By clicking in the appropriate check boxes, you can allow or prevent viewers from taking the following actions:

  • Invite others to view this PhotoShow. This controls whether the Email button is available to people viewing your PhotoShow. If you uncheck this box, the Email button on the PhotoShow player page will be grayed out.
  • Order DVDs of this PhotoShow. This controls whether the DVD button is available to people viewing your PhotoShow. If you uncheck this box, the DVD button will be grayed out.
  • Allow others to download photos from this PhotoShow. This controls whether the Download button is available to people viewing your PhotoShow in Album view. If you uncheck this box, the Download button will not appear on the Album view page.

When you are satisfied with your PhotoShow viewer settings, click OK.

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Account Preferences

Click the My Account link in the upper right corner of your PhotoShow Circle web site to visit the My Account page, and edit your account preferences. The My Account page features two tabs: Profile and Email Addresses.

Click the Profile Tab to edit your PhotoShow Circle profile in the following ways:

In the Your Name field you can set or edit the name you use when you share online PhotoShows via email invitation.

In the Web Address field you can change the custom URL which acts as the web address for your PhotoShow Circle site. It's best to use only lowercase letters. Do not include spaces or punctuation.

In the Password fields you can change the password associated with your account by entering it in the upper field, then confirming it again in the lower field.

When you are satisfied with the changes you have made to your account preferences, click OK.

Click the Email Addresses Tab to change the primary email address associated with your account, or to add secondary email addresses to your account.

In the Primary email field, you can edit the main email address for your PhotoShow Circle account. Shows you share are sent "from" your primary email address. Only a verified email address can be entered in this field. To apply your changes, click OK.

In the Your email addresses field, enter any secondary email addresses which you would also like associated with this account, then click the Add button. To delete a certain email address, click the Delete button next to that address in the Email addresses list. If you have multiple email addresses, your PhotoShow Circle account can receive shows sent to any of them.

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The Help Guide

The PhotoShow Circle Help Guide can be accessed at any time by clicking on the Help link in the upper right corner of the screen.

If you have any further questions please visit our customer support center.

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