Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

Photo Story 3 software can be downloaded free from www.microsoft.com/downloads. Search for Photo Story 3 for Windows. Once you have downloaded the software open the file Pstory.msi.

This will take you through the installation wizard.

Click on 'Start' then 'Programs'. Find the software 'Photo Story 3 for Windows'. Click twice to open this software.

A window like the one shown here will appear. Click on 'Begin new story' and push 'Next'.

Before using this software it is strongly recommended that you take the time to

plan your story using a Storyboard. Collect your images and audio and have them ready for creating your

digital story.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

Click ‘Import Pictures’. This will open a window like the one shown below. Locate the folder with the images you want to use for your story. The folder I am using here is titled ‘Photo4DST’. Click to open.

If you want to select the entire folder, click on your first image. Hold the shift key down and click on the last image.

To select different images hold the control key down and select each image you want to use. Click OK once selected.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

To edit images click on the ‘Edit’ button below the large preview window.

In this section you can rotate images or crop images.

Rotate: Click on the directional arrows to rotate image around.

Crop: Align the box by hovering over the corners to reveal arrows. These will allow you to move the box to the section you want. When you push save your cropped image will be saved.

Once you have selected your images they will appear in a timeline at the bottom of the window. You can rearrange the images by dragging them or by clicking on an image and using the buttons on the right hand side of the window.

To move right

To move left

X To delete an image

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

You can add text to images by clicking on an image and typing into the text box towards the right hand side of the window. Click on another image to add text to a different image.

You can left justify, right justify or centre text. Text can also sit at the top, middle or bottom of the page.

REMEMBER TO SAVE PROJECT REGULARLY!!!

To change font click on the AA icon. Here you can change font, size, style and colour.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

Before you start recording voice it is a good idea to plan what you are going to say. Preparing your story before you start to create your story will reduce the time it takes to complete your story.

The first step to recording your voice in your Photo Story 3 is to check that your microphone function is working. Use the microphone symbol to check that everything works. The software will take your through a testing wizard. Once this is done its time to record.

This is the record button. Press this button to start recording. To check what your voice sounds like click the ‘Preview’ button. Each voice recording is attached to the image you have clicked. You will need to click on another image to continue recording.

This button is to delete voice recordings that you are not happy with. You will see a small speech bubble icon on top of each image that has a voice recording. Delete by clicking on the image and clicking this button.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

Below the preview window you will see the ‘Customize Motion’ button. This is useful for zooming into one object/person in an image or giving the illusion of a moving still..

Click ‘Preview’ to review your motion and remember to save your work.

You can insert transitions between each image. Click on ‘the Transition’ tab behind the ‘customize motion tab. Click on a transition and preview on the middle window above. If you like the transition push ‘save’ and use the small arrows to move to the next one.

Please note: Having too many types of transitions in one story can be quite distracting. Try and stick to one or two per story.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

You can add music to your story. The software has a ‘create music’ facility which allows users to use copyright free samples.

To add other music click on ‘select music’ This will open your folders window. You will need to locate your music with your computer

Please note: Consider Copyright laws when adding music to Photo Story 3 creations.

You can preview your project at any time to review your project by pushing the ‘preview’ button.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

You can save your story in several formats.

Playback on computer will turn your story into a .wmv format that can be played in Windows Media Player.

Email option will turn your story into a small file that can be emailed to another email address. The file will still be a .wmv.

Browse: Click on the browse button to locate the folder you want to save your story in. Please rename your story otherwise you will end up with 10 versions of Photo Story 1.

Once this is complete click ‘Next’.A window will appear showing the progress of your Photo Story 3 turning into a Video file.

Naketa Ferguson, Regional ICT Facilitator, CORE Education Ltdnaketa@core-ed.net

Once your story has turned into a video file a window like the one shown above will appear. Note the File name and location of your movie for future reference. You can save your project at this point.

The Photo Story 3 Project can be saved for future editing and rearranging of content at a later date.

The Windows Media Video (.wmv) format is the complete and finished product. This can not be re-edited at a later date but can be uploaded to blogs, emailed and put on CDs for others to view.