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RealPix and RealText Basics
RealPix and RealText files provide additional formatting and transition
effects for graphics and text beyond what SMIL mark up can achieve.
Advantages
- RealPix and RealText effects can enhance the overall presentation,
giving it a smooth and professional finish.
- They are plain text files that can be created and edited with
any text editor.
- Using RealPix and RealText makes it easier to read and edit
the SMIL file itself, as only the most basic layout and timing
information is contained in it. RealPix and RealText enable you
to remove many of the specific references to media from your SMIL
file and consolidate them in separate RealPix or RealText files.
The separate RealPix or RealText files are then linked from the
SMIL file.
Disadvantages
Along with their advantages, RealPix and RealText also have drawbacks.
- RealPix and RealText are proprietary file types developed by
Real Networks. As a result, SMIL presentations that incorporate
these files can only be played with RealPlayer (as opposed to
QuickTime or other media players).
- As with SMIL itself, RealPix and RealText syntax can be complicated.
- Unlike with SMIL, documentation on working with them is fairly
limited. One of the most useful resources is the RealNetworks
Tech Support.
Before Getting Started With RealPix and RealText
When you combine RealPix or RealText files with another component
such as audio or video, the audio or video component will establish
the overall presentation timeline. You then need to coordinate the
RealPix images or RealText text with the other clip's existing timeline.
You may find it useful to create a storyboard to lay out the transitions
and effects.
- Play back the audio or video, paying close attention to the
timecode in the lower right corner of the Real Player window.
This is the presentation timeline.
- Using the timecode, note each point where you want to add an
image or caption. Think about any transitions or links you'd like
to include with them.
Once you have created your images and text and figured out the
timeline for your presentation, you are ready to create RealText
and RealPix files.
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