Desktop Picture Frame

[bellyman]

I have been looking for a really good Windows Desktop picture frame program. So far I am using the Yahoo Widget Picture frame app.
It's failing is that it will not read the JPEG tags and thus not automatically adjust the orientation of the picture (as XnView obviously does).

What I would love to see with XnView is a version of the slide show that could be called upon (command line perhaps with a parameter file).
Something that has a nice border - sits on the desktop (but not on top). And randomly shows the pictures.

I tried doing this with the sldieshow but then XNVIEW stays on the screen.

Perhaps there should be an app called "XnFrame" or something - very simple program that reads folders/files (like slideshow) and then plays them.

With everyone buying the digital cameras - this would be a great new app.

I love XnView and even have it on my Axim PPC.

belly

[xnview]

I have been looking for a really good Windows Desktop picture frame program. So far I am using the Yahoo Widget Picture frame app.
It's failing is that it will not read the JPEG tags and thus not automatically adjust the orientation of the picture (as XnView obviously does).

What I would love to see with XnView is a version of the slide show that could be called upon (command line perhaps with a parameter file).
Something that has a nice border - sits on the desktop (but not on top). And randomly shows the pictures.

I tried doing this with the sldieshow but then XNVIEW stays on the screen.

Perhaps there should be an app called "XnFrame" or something - very simple program that reads folders/files (like slideshow) and then plays them.

With everyone buying the digital cameras - this would be a great new app.

I love XnView and even have it on my Axim PPC.

belly

So you want the slideshow of xnview but not 'always on the top', right?

[bellyman]

So you want the slideshow of xnview but not 'always on the top', right?

Almost but not exactly.

I looked at the slideshow and some of the basic functionality is what is required. Like file and picture selection. Plus extra options on sizing; time to change; random or by sequence; picture frame etc. To show extra data (file name; EXIF tags etc).

The widget apps are nice since they allow you to adjust the level of display as well (on the desktop - fixed (can't move it) or floating; above other apps; on top etc). If it is fixed on the desktop, MINIMIZE ALL should not minimize the frame.

It should run and sit in the system tray.

Like other "picture frames" to go forward or back a picture, pause. But also an "X" as well to delete. (if you click the frame it shows the extra buttons). I take a lot of pictures and don't have time to sit there going one by one cleaning up (deleting or keeping). But it would be nice to quickly erase it as I am seeing it in the picture frame (that is blurry - just delete it and proceed with the next picture).

Perhaps you love a picture - perhaps a quick way to make it the wallpaper. etc.

As I said XnView is a great viewer - just need a different method packaging and showing pictures.

EDIT: Another idea (outside of a separate app) I am wondering if XnView could have a new tool (PictureFrame like SlideShow) and allow you just simply drop XnView into the system tray.

[xnview]

So you want the slideshow of xnview but not 'always on the top', right?

Almost but not exactly.

Could you post screenshot of current yahoo widget?

[Drahken]

There are also automated wallpaper switchers which do almost the same thing, but don't have any frame, and I don't know if any have auto-rotation of any kind. There's a bunch of such wallpaper changers here: http://www.snapfiles.com/downloadfind.p ... =wallpaper
I've used this one before: http://www.snapfiles.com/screenshots/Wa ... Master.htm

This one sounds a lot like the one bellyman is describing: http://www.snapfiles.com/screenshots/muralpix.htm (In fact, this one even has an option to rotate based on EXIF.)

[bellyman]

Could you post screenshot of current yahoo widget?

This is what the actual frame will look like. Right now I don't have it ALWAYS ON TOP. My resolution is 1600x1200 so most of my apps are on the screen and on the top right is the picture viewer.


The method of the slideshow building IMAGES or DIRECTORIES and storing them in a file for later use would be better than this basic idea


New frames could be added later


Placement and Opacity are the main things of interest today

A short cut in Startup could call a version of XnView to sit in the system tray and start showing pictures in the frame. And/or a SERVICE is started and it sits in the system tray. From the system tray I can start a slideshow or bring up XnView (short cut).
If NOT XnView itself, then another app like XnFrame or something that is a skinny version of XnView that does just this.
On the fly deleting and "making this picture your wall paper" would be nice too.


(Thanks Drahken - I will check out the snapfiles stuff)

Cheers!
bellyman