Smoothing pictures can be a time-consuming process. To make processing large numbers of pictures more convenient, Smoothie provides a batch mode.
When you select Batch Mode, Smoothie steps you through a series of dialogs. First you are asked about the input and output formats you want to use. Then you select the input and output files. Next the Settings dialog box comes up to let you select the appropriate settings for the current batch run.
ΓÇó Note: Some batch runs will require additional dialogs depending on which options are chosen.
Once everything has been set up, Smoothie processes all the pictures in the batch run. It puts up a progress dialog box similar to the one used by normal processing. This dialog box, shown below, shows the count of the pictures processed so far in the batch run as well as how many pictures make up the entire batch run.
 
Selecting input and output for batch processing
To start a batch processing session in Smoothie, you should choose Batch Processing… from the File menu. This brings up the dialog box (below).
 
SmoothieΓÇÖs batch mode allows you to process a group of pictures from either a scrapbook file or a folder filled with PICT files. For output, Smoothie allows you to produce either a scrapbook file, a Smoothie SlideShow, or a QuickTime movie.
Using a scrapbook file for batch input
When you indicate that you want to use a scrapbook file for input to a batch run, Smoothie puts up a standard file dialog box that allows you to select the scrapbook file you want.
Each picture found in the scrapbook file will be processed using the settings you specify in the order in which they are found in the scrapbook.
Using a folder of PICT files for batch input
When you indicate that you want to use a folder of PICT files as input to a batch run, Smoothie puts up a standard file dialog box that allows you to select a single PICT file. Smoothie will then process all the PICT files found in the folder with the PICT file you have selected.
Each PICT file found in this folder will be processed in alphabetical order using the settings you specify.
Producing a scrapbook file
When you indicate that you want to produce a scrapbook file from a batch run, Smoothie puts up a standard file dialog box that allows you to specify where the scrapbook file is to be saved.
Producing a Smoothie SlideShow
When you indicate that you want to produce a Smoothie SlideShow during a batch run, Smoothie puts up a standard file dialog box that allows you to specify where the Smoothie SlideShow file should be saved.
When you select output to a Smoothie SlideShow, Smoothie also puts up a dialog box like the one shown here, which allows you to type in a message that the Smoothie SlideShow will display whenever it is launched.
 
By default, this message indicates when the self-running slide show was created and by whom. You can change this to any message that you would like as long as it fits in the text box.
Producing a QuickTime movie
When you indicate that you want to produce a QuickTime movie from a batch run, Smoothie puts up a standard file dialog box that allows you to specify where the QuickTime movie file is to be saved.
When you select output to a QuickTime movie, Smoothie also puts up a standard QuickTime dialog box which allows you to specify how the movie is to be produced.
 
This dialog box allows you to choose the compressor you want, the colors you want, the quality you want, the number of frames per second, and the use of key frames. Refer to the ΓÇ£Smoothie and QuickTimeΓÇ¥ chapter for further details on creating QuickTime movies.
