The provided source materials document a collection of free digital resources for users of ProShow software, a platform for creating photo and video slideshows. These resources are offered by hobbyists and small production companies, primarily for use with ProShow Gold and ProShow Producer versions. The freebies include slide styles, transition effects, and calculation tools designed to assist with animation and layout planning. The materials are distributed through hobbyist websites and are provided "as is," indicating they are not official products from the software developer but rather community-created or redistributed assets. Access typically involves downloading files directly from the hosting websites, with no mention of purchase requirements, subscription fees, or formal registration processes. The resources are compatible with specific ProShow versions and are intended for users who already have the ProShow software.
The sources are primarily personal or small business websites, not major brand portals or official promotional channels. Therefore, the information should be evaluated as user-contributed content rather than verified corporate offers. The freebies are focused on digital assets for creative production rather than physical consumer product samples, which is a deviation from the typical free sample categories (beauty, baby care, etc.) but falls under the broader umbrella of "brand freebies" in a software context. The documentation does not reference any U.S.-based consumer sample programs, mail-in offers, or trials for physical goods. All available information is derived directly from the provided source chunks, which consist of website descriptions and file listings.
Overview of Available Free Resources
The free resources described are categorized into three main types: slide styles, transitions, and calculation tools. These are designed for use with ProShow software, which is used to create multimedia slideshows. The resources are hosted on two primary websites: Dinky Slideshows and Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions. Both sites present the materials as free downloads for hobbyists and ProShow users.
Dinky Slideshows is described as a hobby site owned by an individual in New Zealand. The site hosts freebies that originated from a collection released by Photodex, the developer of ProShow software. The resources are linked to a ProShow Producer 9 support group. The site offers downloadable files, with instructions to click on an icon below a YouTube video link to initiate the download.
Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions, LLC, presents a more structured list of free resources. The site provides styles, transitions, and tools for ProShow Producer and Gold editions. The materials are released with specific dates (e.g., 2010, 2009, 2010) and are provided "as is" for the specified software. The site also includes resources in multiple languages, including French and Russian, suggesting a broader, international user base. The resources are not presented as part of a formal promotion or trial but as standalone free assets.
Specific Freebies and Their Functions
The available freebies include specific slide styles, transitions, and calculation tools. Each resource is tailored for a particular function within ProShow software.
Slide Styles
Slide styles are pre-configured settings for arranging and animating images within a slideshow. The provided sources list several styles:
- FPVP Styles: The Grid Grid (from Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions): This style creates a 3x3 grid of images that appears after an initial image is displayed. The grid then fades to reveal a final full-screen image. The effect requires 11 images: 9 for the grid, 1 for the start, and 1 for the end. It is described as a revamped version of a Photodex style. It is compatible with ProShow Producer 4.5 and later. The files are provided as a single download containing multiple style files (PXS, v4 & later) for different layouts: Single Portrait, Double Portrait, and Single Landscape.
- FPVP Freebie Producer Styles Basic (from Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions): Released on May 17, 2010, this package contains three simple styles for positioning images and adding borders and shadows. It is provided "as is" for ProShow Producer. The download includes 3 different style files (PXS, v4 & later), though the source notes "(16 total styles)," which may be an error or refer to a broader collection. The styles are for Single Portrait, Double Portrait, and Single Landscape.
- FPVP Freebie Gold Styles Basic (from Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions): Released on May 8, 2010, this package is similar to the Producer version but is for ProShow Gold or Producer. It includes 3 simple styles for positioning and adding borders/shadows. The files are provided "as is" for ProShow Gold or Producer.
Transitions
Transitions control how one slide changes to the next. The source provides one transition package:
- FPVP Transitions: Image Delay (from Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions): Released on September 29, 2010, this package includes 5 transitions that use a transparent box to bring in the next image. It is provided "as is" for ProShow Producer 4.5 and later. The download includes 5 different transition files (PXT, v4.5 & later).
Calculation Tools
Calculation tools are spreadsheets designed to assist users in planning complex animations by calculating parameters like pan, zoom, and rotation center. These tools are based on equations developed for ProShow.
- Pan and Zoom Calculation Tools (from Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions): The sources describe Microsoft Excel (.xlsm) and OpenOffice (.ods) spreadsheets that implement equations for ProShow. These tools help users calculate layer width and height, pan, zoom, and rotation center values. They support all ProShow aspect ratios, safe zones, and layer or slide aspects. The tools can calculate unknown parameters when given certain inputs. For example, a user can enter a zoom value to get recommended screen rotation point, layer pan, and rotate center values. The tools have been updated to support three layers instead of one, allowing for predefined aspects to be used by any of the three layers. The documentation for these tools is provided in multiple languages (English, French, Russian), indicating a multilingual user community. The tools are provided for free without any stated restrictions on use, other than being for ProShow software users.
Access and Eligibility
The process for accessing these free resources is straightforward and does not involve formal eligibility criteria, subscriptions, or purchases.
- Source Websites: The freebies are hosted on Dinky Slideshows (dinkyslideshows.com) and Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions (fenimorephotovideos.com).
- Download Process: For Dinky Slideshows, users are instructed to click on an icon below a YouTube video link to download the freebie. For Fenimore's PhotoVideo Productions, the site lists the resources with release dates and file descriptions, implying that direct download links are available on the respective product pages (though the specific landing pages are not provided in the source chunks).
- Eligibility: There is no mention of geographic restrictions (e.g., U.S.-only), age requirements, proof of purchase, or membership in a specific group (beyond the mention of a ProShow Producer support group for Dinky Slideshows, which may be a separate entity). The resources are offered freely to anyone who visits the websites.
- Compatibility: The resources are explicitly tied to specific versions of ProShow software (e.g., Producer 4.5+, Gold, Producer 9). Users must have the appropriate software to utilize the files.
- Terms: The materials are provided "as is," with no warranties or guarantees. This is a standard disclaimer for free, community-shared digital assets.
Comparison to Traditional Consumer Freebies
It is important to note that the resources described in the source materials are fundamentally different from the typical free samples, trials, and brand freebies sought by U.S. consumers in categories like beauty, baby care, or household goods. Those offers usually involve physical products shipped to consumers, often as part of a marketing campaign by a major brand. The ProShow freebies are digital assets for a niche software application, distributed by hobbyists or small businesses, not large consumer brands. The source data contains no information about physical product samples, mail-in programs, or promotional offers for consumer goods. Therefore, this article addresses a specific subset of "freebies" relevant to a creative software user base rather than the broader consumer sample-seeking audience.
Conclusion
The provided source materials document a set of free digital resources for ProShow software users, including slide styles, transitions, and calculation tools. These assets are hosted on hobbyist and small business websites and are available for direct download without formal registration or payment. The resources are tailored for specific ProShow versions and are provided with disclaimers. The information is derived exclusively from the source chunks, which describe the resources, their functions, and access methods. No information about consumer product samples, trials, or offers is present in the sources.