by Together » Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:33 pm
As a relatively new user of Zionworx, I have tried combining it with Impress presentations and now have reached a set up which is pretty straightforward to use. This became possible when Zionworx was updated to allow it to be minimised. I am using Open Office 2.4.1.
To project Zionworx our computer graphics display needs to be set in "Extended Mode". At first I used Impress in "Cloned Mode" (The projector screen showing the same as the computer display). But changing from one mode to the other during a service was quite slow.
Now I set the computer in Extended Mode throughout. I changed the computer display background to a plain, fairly dark, colour. For most services we need two Impress presentations. When the computer is switched on I load each presentation (separately) and minimise them. Zionworx is loaded, the service list opened and the first song selected. It is then minimised.
When an Impress presentation is maximised the computer shows the usual display, but the projector projects the background colour only. When "slide show" is selected the first slide appears on the projector screen. Pressing the space bar puts up the next slide but the computer display does not change. As there is no indication on the computer of change, it is important for the operator to be able to see the projection screen. At the end of the slides Esc is pressed and the Impress presentation can be minimised. Zionworx can be maximised and go quickly into the song.
It is most important to press Esc before minimising Impress, if it isn't, the last projected slide remains on the screen. (To get rid of it, maximise the Presentation, click "windows" at the top of the screen. In the drop down box the name of the presentation is shown twice, one with a bullet. Highlight the one without the bullet and press Ctr+W.) It follows that an Impress presentation cannot be restarted, after minimisation, except from the beginning, unlike Zionworx. To resume from part way through I mute the projector, select slide show, and press the space bar enough times to bring up the next one required, but I have to know exactly how many as the computer display doesn't change. The alternative is to set it up as two separate presentations.
I hope this may be of interest.