Set the slideshow aspect ratio and crop

Determining the aspect ratio of the slideshow is the first setting you need to address. Aperture slideshows can be output at aspect ratios that match either the main or secondary display, the dimensions of a standard 4:3 or 16:9 widescreen TV, or the 3:2 aspect ratio of iPhone.

For some themes, you can also choose how photos appear within the slideshow aspect ratio. For example, you can have photos fit within the frame without cropping, or you can have photos fill the frame, which might cause cropping. You can also apply the Ken Burns effect, which zooms in to or out of photos in the slideshow.

Set the aspect ratio for the slideshow

  1. Select a slideshow album in the Library inspector.

  2. Click the Slideshow Settings button in the lower-right corner of the Slideshow Editor, and click the Default Settings button.

  3. Choose an aspect ratio from the Aspect Ratio pop-up menu.

    Figure. Aspect Ratio pop-up menu in the Default Settings pane of the Slideshow Editor.

Fit slides to the aspect ratio

Note: The Crop pop-up menu is not available in all themes.

  1. Select a slideshow album in the Library inspector.

  2. Click the Slideshow Settings button in the lower-right corner of the Slideshow Editor, and click the Default Settings button.

  3. Do one of the following:

    • To fit every photo in the slideshow within the chosen aspect ratio without cropping the photos: Choose Fit in Frame from the Crop pop-up menu.

    • To have every photo in the slideshow fill the frame of the chosen aspect ratio: Choose Fill Frame from the Crop pop-up menu.

      Cropping will occur along the longest dimension of each photo unless the photo’s aspect ratio matches the aspect ratio chosen in the Aspect Ratio pop-up menu. Drag within the images to set the portions of the photos that are visible.

    • To apply a Ken Burns effect to the photos in the slideshow: Choose Ken Burns Effect from the Crop pop-up menu.

      For more information, see Apply a Ken Burns effect to a slide.

Make an individual photo fill the screen

You can use the Crop controls in the Selected Slides pane to make a photo in your slideshow fill the screen.

Note: The Crop controls are not available in all themes.

  1. Select a slideshow album in the Library inspector.

  2. Select a photo in the Browser.

  3. Click the Slideshow Settings button in the lower-right corner of the Slideshow Editor, click the Selected Slides button, and select the Crop checkbox.

    Figure. Crop controls in the Selected Slides pane of the Slideshow Editor.
  4. Choose Fill Frame from the Crop pop-up menu.

  5. Click the Edit button to the right of the Crop pop-up menu.

    A crop overlay appears over the selected photo.

  6. Drag the crop overlay over the part of the photo that you want to appear in the slideshow.

  7. Click Done.