Embed hidden audio

[jegenes]

I want to do this in Word 2013:



Embed an audio file. I know how to do this by importing an object. Is there a way to hide the object? I want to use it as a bookmark, then use another graphic with a hyperlink to trigger the audio file.

In this case, I want to use a picture of a QR code. I need for the reader to be able to click on the QR picture and hear the audio.

This is for producing the paper in both digital and print versions. The print version would allow the reader to use their smartphone to access the audio via a website.

The only way I can think of so far is to import the audio file as an object, create a bookmark with it, then hide it somehow. Then, create a hyperlink on the QR graphic that points to the bookmark. Seems a bit clumsy, but I'd do that if I knew how.

thanks..

--je

[macropod]

If you save your QR picture as an icon (depends on the dimensions you need), you could then change the icon for the embedded audio file to that. This approach would avoid the need to have separate QR pictures and audio files.

An alternative would be to save your QR picture as an image, select the embedded audio file and the Edit|Object option (working from a PC here) to change its fill effects to use the QR picture for the fill, then apply either a transparent icon or a 1-pixel icon to the embedded audio file.

[jegenes]

thanks, Paul. good ideas. I did think of the icon thing, but unless I can create a VERY LARGE one (which I don't think I can), I'm guessing it won't be big enough for QR scanners to capture it. My QR codes are not intricate, so the data dots on it are not tiny. I'm guessing the image needs to be at least an inch square.

But your 2nd idea is certainly worth a shot. Hadn't thought of using the QR image as a fill, so I'll give that a try. Thanks a lot for that.

best,

--john

[jegenes]

Thanks for that 2nd tip, Paul. I think it'll solve the problem. Basically, I'm publishing a thesis in both print and digital editions. Since it's about being a record producer, I want people to be able to listen to sound files while they're reading it. That's easy in the digital version.... not so easy for the print version.
I've decided to use QR codes and let people scan them with a handheld (smartphone, etc) in order to access sound files. I'll have the audio files stored on a website, and will also embed them in the PDF digital version. It's a bit inelegant, but it'll do.
Was able to create an invisible icon (1 pixel) to use when I do an "insert object" with an audio clip. I use the transparent icon. In the "Caption" box I simply typed a single space to leave it blank, and so it wouldn't revert back to the original name. I found the text gets in the way of the QR image.

But here's what I had to do in order to use a square QR image. After I created the "invisible" object on the page, I selected it:
1. right clicked it and "format object"
2. "colors and lines" --> "fill effects" --> "picture" (choose the QR graphic)
3. (still in "Format Object" window): "Size" --> H/W = both "Absolute"
4. first, UNLOCK the aspect ratio!!
5. I set both the height and width to 0.64" (a square)
6. Clicked "OK"
To resize the image, hold SHIFT while dragging a corner. It needs to stay square.

Seems to be working. The minimum size seems to be about 3/4" in order to get it to scan, but that's from the computer screen. Will print copies at various sizes to see how small I can get away with, but it should work fine.

Thanks again for your help. best, -john

[macropod]

Originally Posted by jegenes

The minimum size seems to be about 3/4" in order to get it to scan, but that's from the computer screen. Will print copies at various sizes to see how small I can get away with, but it should work fine.

Unless you're going to maintain two versions, I'd suggest leaving the QR image at whatever minimum size works for both print and screen.

Do note that, if you end up publishing in PDF format (which presumably won't have the clickable audio), whatever works on screen for you might not work on a screen with a different resolution or if the user views the document with a different scale. In that case, you might also want to publish some guidelines for viewing the PDF so that the QR image works as intended for that format.

[jegenes]

Yes, the digital version will be in PDF format. I can embed the audio after converting it, so it will work fine. When converting from Word the audio will be lost, but I can re-attach it in Adobe Acrobat.
I will be controlling the size of the printed version, so can do some trial runs to make sure the QR will scan correctly. And yes, I'll definitely leave the QR image at a single size for both versions (way too much work to do otherwise).

best, --john