CNET Editors' review
Microsoft's Photo Story is a free Windows program that lets you create audiovisual presentations out of your photos and images. You can quickly crop, rotate, and edit your pictures; personalize them with captions and titles; and add sound effects, narration, and background music. Photo Story saves your presentations as WMV files you can play on your PC or convert using a third-party video converter. Finished files can be small enough to send by email, too. Many Windows users already have it; those who don't can download and install it or repair their current installation, if necessary. We looked at the latest release, Photo Story 3.
Photo Story 3 opens with a wizard offering three choices: Begin a new story, edit a project, or play a story. With no stories to edit or play, we started with the first option. However, in the lower left corner of the program's window is a small Help button that opens a fairly large Help file that many users may prefer as a starting point since it explains every step and even offers extras such as tips and tricks, accessibility options for individuals with disabilities, and a Glossary. In any case, the program's wizard made each step easy even for beginners. We imported some images and arranged them on the film strip. A main window displays selected images and let us crop and rotate them, correct color levels and red eye, and apply a variety of visual effects from a drop-down list. An Auto Fix feature automatically corrects color, contrast, and red eye, too. Photo Story's wizard offers lots of advice, such as telling us that removing the black borders from our images with the Remove Black Borders tool would improve its on-screen appearance. A selection tool ensures that the right part of your photo is retained. We added text, narration, and music, and saved our project with lots of playback options.
Presentations created with Photo Story 3 are great for weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations. With a little time and effort, this surprisingly versatile tool can tell all kinds of stories. It's a hidden gem in Windows.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Photo Story 3 3.0.1115.11.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
Bring your digital photos to life with Photo Story 3 for Windows. Create a photo slideshow of your life's most memorable moments. You can capture your memories just the way you want them - with the a single click, you can touch-up, crop or rotate pictures. It's that easy. Then, add stunning special effects, sountracks and personalize your stories with titles and captions. The file size makes it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail or take them with you on a Window Mobile based portable device. Start sharing your stories today.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 104 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 104 votes
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My rating:
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"Surprisingly Good And works On Windows 8."
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
Works on Windows 8. I have the 32 bit version which could be why. Though I have read some 64 bit Windows 8 users cannot run it. Like windows Movie Maker 2.1 and 2.6 quite user friendly.
Cons
Not many.Some users say it won't install or run on Windows 8. But it's working on my Windows 8 32 bit.
Summary
Photo Story 3 is working on my windows 8 Pro-the reason is probably because I have got 32 bit. Though some users on 64 bit Windows 8 cannot get it to run.Don't know if that's true or not as I don't have any 64 bit Windows. I have also tried Photo story 2 which also works on Windows 8 and compliments PS3. Photo story3 works with all version of Windows Movie Maker,Windows Movie Maker 2.1,6 and Windows Live Movie Maker. It can run on Windows 7 and Windows Vista as well as on Windows 8. Which is good news for Windows 8 users wanting this.
Photo Story 3 is working on Windows 8 at least it is on mine. It beats running Metro apps any day. But then as I have Windows 8 on a netbook,I don't get Metro apps which is no loss really.
Updated on Oct 23, 2013 -
"I could not install on Vista..."
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
I could not install on Vista...
Cons
Error 28000.Generic custom action error.
Summary
Your system has not been modified.
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"Photo Story 3 Rules"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
Easy to use
Small download
Useful features
Quick resultsCons
Basic, but still good
Summary
a href="http://www.squidoo.com/photo-story-3">Windows 7 photo story 3</a> is the best program in the world if you are looking to make a slideshow out of a few quality photos, or make an animation out of a series of photos. Download it today!
<a> href="http://www.squidoo.com/photo-story-3">Windows 7 photo story 3</a>
Updated on Mar 30, 2012
Updated on Mar 30, 2012<a href="http://www.squidoo.com/photo-story-3">Windows 7 photo story 3</a> -
"Nice little app"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
Handy and easy to use
Cons
No issues to report
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"My version of Windows (7) is invalid for this program"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
I have no idea - I could not install on Win7 OS
Cons
See below - not installable om Win7
Summary
I have no way of knowing. The program would not install on my Win7, dual core, 2 ghz, machine. Bummer.
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"great little tool"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
it's very useful
Cons
none so far
Summary
I like the product!
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"A Great Freebie"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
Easy to use and good results achieved
Cons
Come on this is a free programme and it doesnt pretend it can do jobs it cannot. I have even managed to get it working on Windows 7 because I use it that much!There are NO CONS ITS FREE AND IT WORKS!
Summary
Still photos into a slide show, add music and text and save to disc or computer. NO ONE I have done one of these for can believe its been done with a FREE programme, one of the best and most used FREE pieces of software I have ever been fortunate enough to use. If you want more bells and whistles go pay for a programme for a freebie this cannot (as of yet) be beaten!
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"Super!!!!!"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
Easy to work with
Cons
Not sure if i found any yet
Summary
Have recommended this to even pro photograhpers. Will continue to recommend to those just learning how to work with their photos
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"Excellent but no new updates"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
I've made over 2000 photo videos using PS3 - I love it but MS have never upgraded it and/or improved it.
There is a software that allows us to change the duration of all photos (This should be part of the program) but no software to change the effect duration and this has to be done manually for each photo.
Music fades out before the end of the slide show. I attach a 15 second audio to my music to compensate for that. Do not use MP3 for PS3 - convert music to wma.
Would love to see PS3 improved with new features.
malpen04Cons
Lack of features
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"A Must Download!"
Version: Photo Story 3 for Windows 3.0.1115.11
Pros
I've only had this program for a few days and I find it very easy to use. I love it's photo editing and music uploading qualities.
Cons
I wish there was a way I could a) sync my music to start at the same time as my photo slide show and b) be able to email my slideshow to friends and family.
