Screen Saver Toolkit™ 4.5

Some of what's new in Stardust™ Screen Saver Toolkit™ 4.X:

Improved/Customizable UI

The new Project Manager UI includes a dockable Task pane with frequently-used project and screen saver tasks, dockable preview and output panes, an expanded toolbar, and Windows theme support. You can customize your toolbars, menu commands, keyboard shortcuts, and more.

Expanded/Optimized Image Support

Screen Saver Toolkit 4.X adds support for ISO compliant JPEG-2000 and JPEG-2000 Code Stream format images. Decompressing and displaying JPEG-2000 images is now faster than before and Screen Saver Toolkit 4.5 is fully compatible with images created by Image Encoder 2004.

Faster Image Display

Runtime image sharpening is now twice as fast, and JPEG-2000 decompresses faster, so your screen saver can look its best in less time.

Expanded Audio Support

Screen Saver Toolkit supports all audio formats supported by Screen Saver Toolkit 2003 (Wave, MP2/MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, MIDI/DirectMusic, and Audio Interchange Format), and adds support for many new audio formats including ProTracker/FastTracker and FastTracker 2 Modules, ScreamTracker3 Modules, Impulse Tracker Modules, and Direct Music Segment Files.

New "Watermark" Feature

Screen Saver Toolkit lets you display a watermark of your choice on your screen saver and wallpaper images. You can control the alignment, margins, and degree of transparency; choose whether to anchor the watermark to the image or the screen; and choose to watermark the screen saver only, wallpaper only, or both. If you choose to watermark the wallpaper, the watermark will be a permanent part of the wallpaper bitmap.

New "Sticky Note" Feature

Screen Saver Toolkit allows you to include an optional Sticky Note tab in your settings dialog. If included, a floating sticky note with user-configurable message can be displayed on the screen saver. The user can turn sticky note display on and off, and change the message at any time. This allows the user to leave their computer fully locked and protected (if the screen saver password is enabled), and still provide up to date information to others.

New "Snow" Artistic Effect

You can add an animated "Snow" effect to your screen savers, which will overlay all images and image transitions. It can be configured to allow the user to turn snow display on and off, and set the snow display to Light, Medium, or Heavy.

New "Sepia Tone" Artistic Effect

You can add a sepia tone effect, similar to old photographs, to your screen saver image display. Sepia tone, snow, and sticky notes can all be used in the same screen saver if desired.

Import Projects from Screen Saver Toolkit 2003

You can easily import your Screen Saver Toolkit 2003 projects into Screen Saver Toolkit 4.5. No need to run an external conversion program, just choose the Screen Saver Toolkit Project Importer from the menu, select the projects you wish to import, and let Screen Saver Toolkit do the rest. You can even change the Publisher if you have multiple Publishers set up.

Project Backup and Restore

Screen Saver Toolkit allows you to back up and restore all your projects. You can back up all projects, or select only the projects you want to back up at this time, and choose whether or not to include external media in your backup. To restore, simply select a backup file, and tell Screen Saver Toolkit to restore it. You'll be prompted if any backup files conflict with current projects, so you can choose whether or not to overwrite them.

Multiple Project Types

Screen Saver Toolkit supports multiple project types. Choose a classic screen saver, that allows you to add your own images, videos, animations and sounds, add configurable effects and optional watermarks, set as an unlockable or time-limited demo, include custom add-ons, and much more. Or, choose a WebSaver project, and package any URL to be displayed as a screen saver, with a customized install program and optional interactive mouse. New project types will be added in future.

Enhanced Multimonitor Support

Screen Saver Toolkit includes two levels of multimonitor support. You can blank all secondary monitors and display the screen saver on the primary monitor only. Or, set the screen saver to combine all monitors into one large virtual desktop.

Add-ons Manager

The new Add-ons Manager makes it possible to view, configure, and remove add-ons installed in Screen Saver Toolkit.

Some of the key features in Stardust™ Screen Saver Toolkit™ 4.X:

Key Features

Screen Saver Toolkit packs a lot of features and technology into an easy-to-use package:

• Image Files - Include images in your screen saver in BMP, JPEG, JPEG-2000 (JPC, J2K, JP2), GIF, and PNG image file formats.
  
  
• Video/Animation - Include AVI videos, Macromedia Flash animations, MPEG videos, Windows Media Video (WMV), and .ASX streaming video in the screen savers you create.
  
  
• Sound - Wave, MIDI, MP3, MP2, Ogg Vorbis (.OGG), WMA, Audio Interchange Format (.AIFF), .ASX streaming audio files, and many other audio formats (ProTracker, FastTracker, ScreamTracker, Impulse Tracker, Direct Music, and more) can be included in the screen savers you create, powered by an internal audio engine that doesn't require Windows Media Player or codecs.
  
  
• Transition Effects - 50+ interruptible transition effects are provided for displaying your images. Transitions can be set to high, normal, or low CPU priority.
  
  
• Artistic Effects - Add animated snowflakes, a sticky note with configurable message, or a sepia tone to your screen saver. All artistic effects are user configurable.
  
  
• Wallpaper - You can choose to make the images in your screen saver available as wallpaper, with an optional Wallpaper tab in the Settings dialog that allows the user to select any image and immediately apply it as desktop wallpaper.
  
  
• Watermark - A configurable watermark of your choice can display on your screen saver, and be written out to your wallpaper files.
  
  
• Fully Customizable - Set defaults for screen saver settings such as timing, display, caption, audio, and mouse options. Individually select which options the user can modify.
  
  
• Image Sharpening and Resampling - Choose from Bicubic Interpolation or Nearest Neighbor resampling, for the highest quality image display on any screen resolution. You can also choose to sharpen your images at runtime, which lets you save disk space and avoid 'blockiness' issues associated with resizing a pre-sharpened image.
  
  
• Automatic Setup/Uninstall - Automatically create a Setup and Uninstall program for distributing your screen saver on floppy disk, CD-ROM, or the Internet. Create multiple types of setup program in one action.
  
  
• Unlockable Try & Buy - Create "Try & Buy" screen savers with unlockable content, that is only displayed when you provide the user with an unlock code. Use unique unlock codes for each user, or one unlock code for all users. You can even include content (advertising, sales material, etc.) that disappears after a screen saver is unlocked.
  
  
• Time Limitation - Create screen savers that expire on a specific date or a specified number of days after first being used. Combine this with an unlock code to make a demo screen saver that will only work for a limited amount of time, but can be unlocked into the full version even after the demo expires.
  
  
• Multi-monitor support - Multiple monitors are treated as one large virtual monitor, displaying your screen saver across its entire expanse.
  
  
• Secure Content Storage - All images and audio files are encrypted and securely stored inside Stardust's proprietary multimedia storage container, so you don't have to worry about your work being copied or stolen.
  
  
• Backup and Restore - Easily back up all projects, or selected projects, to an archive file, then restore from your archives as needed.
  
  
• Virtually Unlimited Capacity - If you want to create a screen saver with 10, 100, or 1000 images, you can. Stardust's proprietary multimedia storage container is designed to provide quick access no matter how large your screen saver project.
  
  
• Everything Built In - Everything is built in to your screen saver. No bulky runtimes or DLLs need be required.
  
  
• Easy To Use - Wizards guide you step-by-step through the process of transforming your images, sounds, videos, and other content into a complete self-installing screen saver product.
  
  
• Project Management - The Screen Saver Toolkit Project Manager lists all your screen saver projects. You can edit, build, and preview projects, all with just a click. You can also configure Screen Saver Toolkit to automatically build projects after editing, and automatically install on your computer after building.
  
  
• Content Preview - Preview images, videos and animations, and play audio files, while in the Wizard.
  
  
• Rich Text Support - Your ReadMe and License can be in Rich Text or plain text formats.
  
  
• Advanced Add-on Capability - Screen Saver Toolkit supports third-party add-ons, even those that operate at runtime. All add-ons are fully uninstallable using the Add/Remove Programs utility in Control Panel.

Rich Feature Set

The screen savers created by Screen Saver Toolkit also support a rich set of features:

• Easy to Use - Your screen saver's user interface is designed to be attractive, intuitive, and easy to use.
  
  
• Static or Live Preview - Your screen saver can display a static (single image) or live preview when it appears in the Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Me/XP Display Properties dialog.
  
  
• Selectable Transition Effects - The user can select any combination of transition effects. If they don't like an effect, they can turn it off. Effects can be set to high, normal, or low priority.
  
  
• Configurable Artistic Effects - The user can turn all effects on and off, and configure them to their liking. If a Sticky Note tab is included in the Settings dialog, the user can turn Sticky Note display on and off, and update the Sticky Note text at any time, to leave an up-to-the-moment message for visitors while leaving their computer securely locked and protected.
  
  
• Wallpaper - If a Wallpaper tab is included in the Settings dialog, the user can select any image in the screen saver as wallpaper, and immediately apply it to the desktop.
  
  
• Custom Look and Feel - You can modify the look and feel of your setup program by changing the colors and other settings, or add a custom graphic banner to your screen saver Settings dialog. Choose which features to include in your screen saver's interface.
  
  
• Web Site Connectivity - You can include a link to your web site in your screen saver Settings dialog. And, any image in a screen saver can be linked to a URL.
  
  
• Customize User Configuration - You can set defaults for all screen saver settings, and individually select which settings the user can modify.
  
  
• Include System Accessories - You can include the Desktop QuickStart applet, to make it easy for the user to launch your screen saver. Add-ons can easily be uninstalled using the Add/Remove Programs utility in Control Panel.
  
  
• Low CPU Usage - The screen saver runtime engine has extremely low CPU usage, often as low as 1% or less.
  
  
• Multiple Disk Spanning - Your screen saver Setup can span multiple floppy disks.
  
  
• Internet-Style Setup - You can create a single-EXE Setup program that makes it easy to distribute your screen saver on the Internet or through E-Mail. Data compression makes your Setup as small as possible.

Distribution

And of course:

• Unlimited Royalty-Free Distribution - No hassles. No hidden costs. You can distribute, and even sell, an unlimited number of copies of the screen savers you create.

Ralph Puccini from San Diego, California, USA 
I love great software. Stardust is well crafted
I've tried more than ten different saver creators and most provided the standard options. But none of them offered all the elements that Stardust offers. As i said, "I love great Software"

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Colin Jackson from Newcastle, England 
No fuss, no mess - a proper tool for creative professionals where time is money.
The software is superbly easy to use and the results are perfect - and that's from a video and multimedia professional with 16 years experience, I have no hesitation recommending it to all.

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Peter Encke from Sonora, CA USA 
Best of the ScreenSaver Development Systems
After an extensive search for Professional screen Saver Development systems I have come to the conclusion that based on abilities, cost, and accurate technical support your Stardust™ Screen Saver Toolkit™ is by far the best valued product available. I am looking forward to the upgrade for version 2004! Thanks, Keep up the great work technical support staff! I purchased your super pack and its a GREAT Value!!!

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Dennis O'Hara from Minnesota 
Stardust Screensaver Creator is Top Dog
After evaluating most of the top rated screensaver creator programs on the web, I must say, that Stardust is the best value. It's flexible creation menues, wallpaper option, and great customer support, has convinced me that this is the program I will continue to use for my screensaver creations now, in the future.

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Paul Diemer from Atlanta, Georgia 
Now I'm Full Time - Making and Distributing Screensavers!
I've been using Stardust Screen Saver Toolkit since 2000. It has taken several years of long, hard work, but I'm happy to say that thanks to Stardust, I'm now a full-time business owner and I was able to recently "retire" from my day job! Support and updates for Stardust have been absolutely top-rate. I highly recommend this exceptional company and their superb products without hesitation.

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Peter Encke from Sonora, California - USA 
WoW!!! Your tech supports is Accurate & Timely!
I purchased the Super Bundle from your company with the intention of creating a Promotional "Give-A-Way" Screen Saver for our local IOOF - featuring pictures from our local community. I was very impressed with the "After Purchase" Tech Support. It was accurate without the second guessing or silly answers we have come to receive from other Tech Support systems. I appreciate the timely response. Many companies after they receive your money are very slow to respond to your questions but not your company! Your product has allowed me to create a professional product in a brief period of time! Thanks So Much!

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Eric Wells from Natick, MA 
A screensaver I created has been downloaded more than 54K times.
While working for one of the largest download software libraries on the Internet I used Stardust Screen Saver Toolkit to create a freeware one for them based on Hubble deep space images. I tested several screensaver-creation programs and found Stardust to be a snap to learn and fun to use. It is extremely well designed with an easy to follow interface. And, it comes with some great built-in features to help package your screensaver. They offer excellent tech support too. Btw, the download count was flipped to zero about a year ago... it's actually well over 100K. Anyway, this is the one to get- great software from a fine company!

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Jeff Berger from Massachusetts 
Fantastic...
Screensaver Toolkit 2.1.6 is so intuitive and fast that it has led me to launch two new businesses serving new audiences with a product they didn't know existed.... Thanks, Stardust!

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Jeff Berger, CEO -- JMB Communications from Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA 
Makes Adding a Profit Center Incredibly Easy
I won't give away what I'm doing, but Stardust Screensaver Toolkit will enable me to launch two new businesses in 2002, both of which are getting great reviews in their currrent "beta" configuration. I've come up with underserved markets, bought URLs, and am starting a direct marketing program. The software is incredibly fast and easy to use. Thanks!

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Joshua Tripp from Phoenix, Arizona 
not too bad, but i think the price is a little steep for what you get
I realy like the package! I would like to see a more interactive interface, and perhaps a little more description on how to put image title names on the pictures. Otherwise I anxiuosly await the next version. I would also like to see a program group added upon the setup of your screen saver with an un-install icon. It seems many people get lost and scared useing the add/remove option in the control panel. Thanks for the great product! Joshua Tripp Technical Designer Phoenix, Arizona

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Frank Black from South Africa 
Stardust toolkit has been the backbone of my website
I tried a few screensaver products that gave various problems, until Stardust - the best. It works very well - no problems or complaints from anyone. My website (www.wildscreens.com) is growing fast and has had great reviews. Thanks

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Chijen Tsai from Taiwan, R.O.C. 
It's so good software..
Good

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Jeff Berger, CEO -- JMB Communications from Plymouth, Massachusetts 
This is one incredible find...
I am a Gemini which probably explains how I write marketing materials for Fortune 100 technology companies AND the largest St. Maarten/St. Martin travel website in the world. In search of St. Maarten screen savers for myself, I found none. Looking for screen saver producers, I found Stardust, tested it, was knocked off my chair, and bought it. Now I am building great St. Maarten shareware screensavers and starting new businesses, and the outlook is good indeed....

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Harry Tasset from Jacksonville, Florida, USA 
Our popular screen savers have given us an increasing sales volume.
Stardust gave us the opportunity to create unique screen savers that have become very popular with our on-line customers. The cost of the software was paid within a very short period and repeat sales have added to our bottom line. Thanks again to Stardust for this great software package.

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Kristján Kristjánsson from Reykjavík, Iceland 
Stella Artoris
Just great, I love it. Star of my stars.

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Christian Tipaldi from Roma, Italy 
Il più bel software del mondo.
Questo software è bellissimo, facile da usare, una meraviglia per tutti gli amanti della fotografia. Nel mio negozio di computer e fotografia digitale, ho messo in vetrina con un bellissimo montiro LCD una presentazione e screen saver con le foto dei prodotti. Enorme successo da parte della clientela che definisce la qualità del prodotto eccellente. Ancora complimenti per la realizzazione del software più importante e utile del mondo degli screen saver. Lo userò sempre per le mie presentazioni, fotografie, conferenze e per il divertimento di vedere accompagnato con una splendida cornice musicale il meglio dello screen saver. Christian Tipaldi

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Ed Robinson from Maui, Hawaii 
Excellent Business Promotional Tool
Screen Saver Toolkit has made it easy to produce professional looking promotional screen savers for my business. I experimented with (and even purchased) a number of competing products before settling on SS Toolkit. Number one reason is it is the only product that imbeds my image files to protect them against unauthorized use. Thanks for a great product.

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Rita Daniel from Houston, Texas 
Wonderful!
I was lucky enough to come across the announcement for Star Dust Screen Saver Toolkit 2.1 when it was initially released. It was one of those programs I just had to have, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. First, I can create screensavers for myself, and for my family. Secondly, I impressed 2 bosses because I made up a company screensaver! I love this program. The support has been excellent, newly added features make the program even more enjoyable! I no longer have to settle for someone else's creations as my screensaver. I can take my own artwork and turn it into a screensaver and my computer truly reflects me! This program has been worth every penny!

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Mike Holland from Lawton, OK 
Screen Saver Slideshow An Excellent Customer Service Tool
We decided to start making available a screen saver slideshow on our web site to feature our monthly new arrivals. Now instead of the customer having to click on each individual new product link, they can simply download the slideshow, and sit back and enjoy the running slides of all the new arrivals. When they see an item that interests them, they have only to press F9 to automatically take them to that product's information on the web site. Customer feedback has been overwhelming! They love it! Thanks for such a great program.

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Martin Bateson from Pacifica, CA 
Don't tell anyone
I knew a program like Screen Saver Toolkit must exist, but I had no idea there was a program available to the general public as professional and affordable as Screen Saver Toolkit. Your banner says "don't tell anyone how easy it was" - and that couldn't be more true. The program is so easy to use that you don't waste your time bogged down in learning how to use it. Once you've chossen the images you want - you can create your product in a matter of minutes. The finished product is top notch, first class... amazing! Thank you for producing a software shell that has allowed me to make my work available to the world, in a software package I can be proud of.

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Tomas Rassy from Ellös, Sweden 
The best screen saver software I have ever used.
Easy to use. Easy to setup. Great options. Creates professional screen savers in a blast. Probably the best software I´ve ever bought.

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Louise Frechette from Florida 
This program is great!
I have been using Stardust's Screen Saver Toolkit for a few months now and I think it is the easiest and produces the most professional looking screen savers I have ever seen. I purchased this program not to make money but to have a nice screen saver for myself on topics I enjoy and I have never been sorry. I am not embarassed giving screen savers that I created with Screen Saver Toolkit to my friends and family. I rather enjoy watching their faces as their favorite pictures are gracefully transitioned right in front of them! Great program!

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Mike Roberts from Maui, Hawaii 
It couldn't be easier to build a quality saver - Service is unparalleled!
With all of the screen savers on the market today, you need something special to stand out. This means a quality tool for building it and quality content to put in it. Stardust has the tool. It's simple to use and I have never had a problem servicing my customer's needs. But the best thing about Stardust is the "after-the-sale" service. Can you imagine having a product for 2 years and watching it evolve into twice the product it was when you bought it without ever paying for an upgrade? Most companies fix a bug and call it an upgrade and charge you for it. Stardust could teach the big boys a thing or two about customer service. Thanks Larry!

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Ben van den Belt from Ermelo, the Netherlans 
I think it is WONDERful !
It is a very simple way of showing my photographs to others: it's compact, quick and 'different'... To me it is much more than 'just another tool': it is what I have been waiting for! Brilliant in it's simplicity! Great: I would not want to miss it! A 5 star rating is not enough: to me it's a dazzling number of stars: it's simply WONDERful! As I professional photographer I use it almost every day. What else can I say?! Thank you very much, Stardust!