3D-Album Home

HiTekMom · Guest

Hi,

I'm a homeschooling mom of 2 with a homebased web design biz. I'd like to update my skills and branch out into something different, something not everyone is doing, something a tadbit more creative.

I came across Picture Presentation3D/3D-Album and PicturePro products and want to know more about how I can convert my static website design buz into a biz were I would convert digital and hardcopy photos into movie-like presentation via DVD/CD or website.

I've downloaded an earlier 3D-Album Personal Edition 2.03 and will play with that.

I'd only want to start off scanning hardcopy pix or receiving photos via email or the Net before I expand to other types (if necessary).

Does anyone have a specific product suggestion? Or biz-startup suggestions?

All would be appreciated.

Regards,
http://monicar.com

Mom of 3, Wife to 1, Child of ONE

rsnow · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject:

I started out much the same way with the original Personal Edition. I soon realized that if I was going to do it as a business, I would need a business tool. Being on a limited budget it wasn't easy to justify spending the money but I went ahead and ordered the Commercial Suite. I have not regretted doing so.

HiTekMom · Guest

Frogprintz · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:12 pm Post subject:

Hitekmom,

Yes, there are samples of individual work in the Gallery Section of this forum. I believe most were created with Commercial Suite. You will need a broadband connection to view, but they will give you a very good idea of what is possible.
_________________
Michael Young
FrogPrintz Productions
Authorized Resellers of 3D Album

rsnow · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 7:12 am Post subject:

HitekMom,

"I'm a very agressive sells person"

Unfortunately, I'm not. So, my sales rely on the product speaking for itself. So far, I have not had any complaints about the work I've produced using CS.

"But, the product has to perform."

As Frogprintz has pointed out, there several examples in the Gallery section of the forum. Some are quite good. As with any computer program, there is a learning curve. Also, as with any endeavor that requires artistic skills, there are many levels and variations. As to the quality of the CS program, I have been using it for nearly 2 years and I think it is a great program. Is it perfect? No, but the support folks do a wonderful job and the program has been continuously improved.

I don't think there is a trial version (I can't find one on their web site). Whatever your decision, I wish you good luck.

lizmag · Guest

My husband and I are venturing into a new business using 3-D Album. However, we plan on just purchasing the PicturePro Platinum vs. the Commercial. Is there a TRUE necessitiy to get Commercial instead of just platinum if using for a business?? The only thing that looks different about the two is that Commercial provides encryption/password protection which we feel we won't need. ANy advice?

LISA

nan · Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject:

The question is, do you need the license to sell the creations (albums and DVDs)? If yes, you need to have the commercial suite for the license.

lizmag · Guest

I'm not sure if we need the licesnse to sell what we create?? How do I find that out?

lisa

Frogprintz · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2004 5:22 pm Post subject:

Lizmag,

Anytime you use 3D-Album software to create a product that will be sold, you need permission to do so. In effect, this is what a license gives you. The permission to use their software to create a product that you profit from by selling.

For this reason you will need to purchase the commercial suite. The commercial suite gives you a license to resell. All the other products do not extend this reseller license agreement to you. The other products also come with a license, but this license extends to you the right to use the software for personal use only.
_________________
Michael Young
FrogPrintz Productions
Authorized Resellers of 3D Album

HiTekMom · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject: Other product and/or equip needed

I've decided to play with Picture EZ, create a personal album, upload to my server, send links out to family and friends to see if I can generate any busy before investing in the commercial suite and other equipment I'll need.

As I looked over the FAQ and FAQ forum, it appears alot of people are having the same kind of problems creating DVDs, printing labels, etc.

My questions is, and I'm trying to get around most of the trials and errors, I want to product professional CDs, DVDs, and html versions posted to a site. It appears I may need the following, minimal, to start making money.

Could you pls look over my list and tell me yea! or nah!

1. Commercial Suite
2. Quality CDs
3. A DVD burner (because I don't want to go through the VAC DVD Converter hassel, unless you can assure me that's all I'll need)
4. A printer that prints quality CD labels

Am I missing anything, equipment wise?

Thx so much for your assistance.

Happy Homemaker in NC (a.ka. Mocha Martha Stewart)

Frogprintz · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:03 pm Post subject:

HitekMom,

If you want to produce "Professional" results, you will need more than is on your list. But first things first.

I agree with you. Starting with Picture EZ and producing a few albums is a good idea. This is the only way you will get a true feel for what is involved and required. After this effort, you will be either disappointed or encouraged. In any case you will know if this is the right small business opportunity for you.

I would begin by establishing a budget. A minimum of $5000 is a good rule of thumb. Having the right hardware and software is critical. Expect to invest (if you haven't already), approximately $3000 for the right combination of PC hardware features. (maybe 20% less if you custom build a system yourself). Another $500 - $1000 for software.

Then you need to think about how you will advertise and market your work. I cannot set a budget range for you, but one way to begin is to perhaps have video/picture parties. Kind of like a Tupperware Party. Invite all your friends, neighbors, co-workers, family, etc., to show off your work and offfer to do something similar for them. This is a good way to measure your success in other venues.

Now I have a lot more I could tell you ... but I will stop here and let others join this thread with their ideas and input. I'm sure they will have something to say about hardware, software and marketing ideas. But keep in mind that producing Professional work is complex and time consuming. It is also an expensive investment. Rethink whether you want to be a true professional, or just an enthusiastic hobbyist with a desire to earn a few dollars on the side. Understanding the difference between the two is important and will justify or not, the additional expense and required learning curve.

You might also post a few examples of your work in the "Gallery." Ask the forum members to critique your work. Their critical eye, which may be better than someone who has never seen the type of style effects that 3D Album provides, might give you more practical feedback. Ask for first impressions, not to pick apart your work. Most video sales are impulsive, "fun" buys, based on content. Thus first impressions are more important than an in depth analysis of your video creative skill.

I hope this information helps you.
_________________
Michael Young
FrogPrintz Productions
Authorized Resellers of 3D Album

Bill Smith · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 7:49 pm Post subject:

You mentioned CDs a DVD burner, and a printer that prints quality CD labels.

You'll need to buy DVDs, not CDs (to create DVDs with), and on the printer I would look for a printer that prints directly onto the DVD so that you avoid the whole paper label issue.

HiTekMom · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject:

Frogprintz,

Thx for the many suggestions and directions which I can take my biz.

I guess you can classify me as a professional-hobbyist because when it comes to charging a fee, doing the best for my clients is the only way I know how to work. However, I do understand the difference bwt a hobbyist and a professional.

I love your idea of hosting a Tupperware-type party to introduce the product and take immediate orders. It's so me!

I will also take your suggestion and post to the gallery for feedback. If your product does what it says it can do coupled with my natural creativity and love/experience for technology, then I'm sure I'll be a p/t success.

To: Bill Smith,

Thank you for your feedback. I will make sure that I offer CD's for the PC and DVD products for the DVD player.

I will also research the various types of DVD printers that prints directly onto DVDs. Meanwhile, I will test the market to determine which is more profitable and in demand; albums produced for the PC or for the DVD.

Regards,

Mocha Martha Stewart in NC

HiTekMom · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:09 pm Post subject:

In addition, I viewed some very delightful albums in the Gallery, including yours Frogprintz, but did not see any that comes close to what is on your website.

Is it that know one has chosen the templates displayed as samples on your site?

I'm hoping to recreate much of what I see from your demo.

Any comments!

Frogprintz · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:59 pm Post subject:

HiTekMom,

To answer your question, the video samples on my website demonstrate a wide variety of techniques. They include animations, CamCorder clips, effects created with professional Video Editing software, and Electronic Books. Not everything on my website was created with 3D Album software. I have a professional video and audio recording studio. I do this for a living, and have done so for a number of years. As such, I have many, many tools, utilities, and high performance workstation hardware.

Quite a few of the samples on my website are also posted in the Gallery. Many 3D users have visited my website and sent me favorable comments. But since some of my work was not created with 3D Album, it wouldn't be fair to the user group to post non-3D Album examples in the Gallery that couldn't be duplicated by them. This is the reason you may see a difference. Some of my examples have also been edited with Ulead Video Studio 8 or Adobe Premier. But all the 3D Album effects, both in the Gallery and on my website, are contained in the template library of the Commercial version.

In order to produce "professional" quality work, you will need many tools, not just 3D album. These additional tools include (but are not limited to), high performance PC hardware and software like:

1. A Video Editor package (like Ulead Studio 8 or Adobe Premier).
2. An Audio Editing package or utility.
3. DVD Authoring Software
4. Music Clip Library.
5. For animation, a .gif creation package at the minimum. Or, a product
like Dreamweaver, Poser, or similar.
6. Website creation software (you already have this).
7. Hosted website space (ditto).
8. A 19" + Color correction capable monitor and software.
9. DVD/CD packaging.
10. Photographer quality lighting system.
11. CamCorder.
12. Digital camera.
13. Blue Screen video editing capable software.
14. Scanner, both film/slide and print capable.
15. VHS Tape recorder/player w/ S-Video connectors.
16. A DSL or Cable broadband connection.

Now I'm not suggesting that you need all this, and more, to enjoy creating excellent quality video presentations. But if you are going to succeed in building a professional business that will last beyond just a few initial sales, you will need to constantly upgrade your skills and invest in more poweful hardware and software tools. 3D Album is a great package. It is also a lot of fun to use and express individual creativity. Just look at some of the work by FORTEMAC. Cyndy (fortemac), has posted some excellent work in the Gallery. If you haven't looked at her work, do so. But my point is: if you limit your business to the use of 3D Album alone, you will only go so far. Eventually you will need some, if not all, of the other tools listed above. If your budget and time is limited, it may take you several years to acquire what's needed. And with that said, since technology changes so rapidly, by the time you've expanded your toolbox you may have to re-invest all over again. Such is the nature of digital art.

On the upside - you may be one of those individuals with an excellent eye and ear for color, design and music. As such, you will have the ability to tell a story with other people's pictures and music. You can also selectively choose content (subject matter), that evokes an emotion in others. If you are such a person, you will have found your calling and can derive a great deal of satisfaction through your work. After all, most of the great artists of history had a very hard time even paying for their paint and brush. It was their passion that kept them going. So let me encourage you if I can! Keep with it. Practice, practice, practice. Buy the best you can afford. Show your work often - even if you give it away. Always keep it fun, not work. Read all you can. Ask for help when needed. Help others if and when you can. Send cookies to the address posted on my website! Laughing

The users on this forum are a good bunch! Very helpful, very creative. I'm sure they will continue to add to this thread and give you the benefit of their own experience.

B-T-W ... All others reading this thread are invited to send cookies too. Laughing

Enjoy!
_________________
Michael Young
FrogPrintz Productions
Authorized Resellers of 3D Album