When exporting from LR should I be constraining the maximum size by what ShowIt recommends (I think 1200x800) or should I just keep the resolution at 300 and leaving constraint box blank? Oh, and this is for DVD (sale) preparation. THANKS!

Show it will automatically downsize the files when you import the files into the show. So, there is no need to downsize the files before hand in Lightroom. However, they take less room on your computer if you are going to leave them there. If you are going to only use them for the show it show, you can go ahead and down size them. I would keep the height and width dimentions the same on the constraint, so it doesn't matter if the image is a horizontal or vertical image.

Thanks Kari!!! I appreciate you.

your welcome! If feels good to be appreciated!

Rowena
While SIW will resize for you, you can still export constrained at a 1200 pixel max so the build process for the slideshow goes a bit quicker. I think I remember DJ saying that size is large enough for the dvd option as well. I wouldn't set it to 72 dpi though.

Thanks Nate! I now started constraining in LR 1200x1200 @ 300 dpi just for the slideshow. I figure after I build the slide then I can trash those files and free up space. If this doesn't make sense feel free to correct me. THANKS so much for your help!

Yup... that is exactly what I do too...

kari, thanks for the confirmation! have your clients ordered dvd's? how's the quality? i was talking to a bunch of togs last night and although they use showit for their clients to view their images and pass around, when a client purchases a dvd they make it from another program which they can burn themselves. that seemed like double work and it seems to me that what the clients see at first is what they fall in love with and want?

your take or anyone else?

I always do my own DVD for wedding clients, a proshow gold slideshow. I give it to them as a gift, no charge. I have once had a customer ask to buy a second copy for her parents, so I sold her one. I do a show it web show for all clients... families, babies, seniors, engagements, even weddings. So, for weddings, I end up making two shows. The show it show, I do not customize at all. I just pick a song and a template, and that is it. It is for web only, and for people to send to their friends... which creates referals for me. I always leave the option for my customers to buy the DVD, but I have only sold one. I sold two copies to a wedding customer who lives out of state. I have now idea how the quality of it is, I didn't see it at all. I have heard conflicting stories. Some photographers like the quality, and I have heard others say it wasn't as nice as they expected.

So, while the DVD option is there, almost none of my customers have chosen to buy it.