Attraction Mode

Attraction Mode is a special function of Caricature Studio 5.0 designed to showcase novelty photos on a second display monitor to “attract” customers. You can use this function during slow periods if using a computer system with a single video source, or use it full time by running a second instance of Caricature Studio on systems capable of running two video sources. Here’s the difference:

Single video source systems use a VGA splitter to send the same video output to 2 or more monitors. In other words, the output seen on your display is the same output seen on the customer display(s). In this mode, you can choose to enable the customer display only when launching the Attraction Mode function, or leave it on full-time if you’d like to give your visitors the ability to watch you work as you create the photos. If using a laptop, a single splitter will actually provide 3 outputs, because by design laptops already support an external video source.

Example of single VGA splitter

Dual video source systems have the ability to split output between 2 or more monitors by employing additional video channels and configuring multiple displays within the Windows operating system. This is accomplished by using a second video card or a special video card with multiple outputs. The benefit of dual mode is that you can perform your editing work on one display while running Attraction Mode on a secondary display full-time.

Example of a multi-port VGA splitter

Example of single video source splitter used with 2 displays and a laptop

To use Caricature Studio 5.0 Attraction Mode, you first must save a number of images to a special folder accessible from the top menu. When the function is launched, images within the folder will be rotated in a slideshow format. For example, if you create something for a customer that came out particularly well and you want to showcase it, simply save a copy to the Attraction Mode folder.

There are a few parameters you can specify to configure your slideshow. You can choose the transition effect that controls how images scroll from one to the next, such as a fade in. Or you can choose to randomize the effects for variety. You can also specify the frame time in seconds for each photo to control how long it displays.

Tip: Configure your displays vertically! This allows your images to show in larger proportion. Since the image automatically adjusts to the size of the view, turning the display vertically makes much better use of available screen real estate. The 8” x 10” format is longer than it is wide for portrait-oriented photos. Landscape-oriented photos would show larger on a regularly positioned display. The below graphic illustrates the difference.

22” wide-format display, vertical and horizontal comparison

Using a wide-format 22” or larger LCD display positioned vertically is a great way to use Attraction Mode for maximum visibility.

Change the orientation of your display within Windows by holding down the Ctrl + Alt keys simultaneously and selecting an arrow key. The arrow key selected will be the position of the top of the display. For instance, when selecting the right arrow key, the entire display will rotate 90 degrees clock-wise. Likewise, the down arrow would actually rotate the display 180 degrees to flip the display upside down.

The Attraction Mode folder works like any other folder. Simply save items to the folder to add them in the slideshow, and delete them from the folder to remove them from the slideshow.

Placing Your Displays

The customer display monitor that you use with Attraction Mode should face outward, away from your booth. Place it on your customer counter so that it is viewable as people approach the booth.

As an alternative, you can purchase a display stand that is designed to elevate an LCD display. This is an excellent way to get high visibility for your slideshow as the display is above head level, thus unobstructed and visible from a distance.