During our sessions, questions may arise as to what I have presented or perhaps something I have not presented that you would like to know about. At the end of each session and in between sessions and even after our sessions are over with please email me questions or call me and I will post the questions and answers on this page.
Questions and Answers:
Question:
Can you search a document in presentation mode?
Answer given on web:
Here's how to search within a document in Presentation mode:
1. Open the document in Presentation mode:
You can typically do this by navigating to the document in TrialDirector's Case Explorer or Document Manager, and then selecting "Presentation" or a similar option.
2. Use the search function:
TrialDirector provides a search tool within the Presentation mode. You can typically find this tool on the toolbar, or through the Edit menu (like "Find...").
MY COMMENT: HOWEVER - I DO NOT FIND THIS TOOL FOR THE TOOL BAR IN PRESENTATION MODE? SO IN MY VERSION OF TRIALDIRECTOR I DO NOT SEE THIS FEATURE - CHECK IN YOUR VERSION TO SEE IF YOU FIND A TOOL FOR SEARCHING IN PRESENTATION MODE.
3. Enter your search term:
In the search tool, type the term or phrase you want to find within the document.
4. Run the search:
Click "Find All" or a similar button to execute the search and locate the occurrences of your search term.
Question:
Is it possible to access TrialDirector offline? In other words, do the exhibits you upload to TrialDirector sync automatically such that you don't need a internet connection to present?
Answer:
If you are going to be working with a case both on a server and then away from the server with no internet connection you need to have synchrnonization turned on for that case. CLICK HERE to see how IPRO recommends the case be created and data synch enabled.
Question: Is it possible to enlarge your screen? its hard to see which buttons you are clicking. Thanks!
Answer:
I will test this out before next session to see if this can be done but if you can get a larger screen on your end that would also be helpful. Webinar presentations size are ultimately determined by the size of your screen although I have created a PowerPoint with enlarged icons for the presentation tool bar - click here to see it.
Thank you, Karl, for the webinar. I tried to learn how to use TD by using YouTube but I’m looking forward to learning how to use the workbooks because I do not understand those.
Answer: The workbooks are where you drag and drop the documents, videos, clips that you plan to use when you present the case. Not all of the documents and video, audio, etc. that you import will be dragged down into those folders - just the ones you plan to show to the jury. The carousel type of workbook enables you to have those documents rotate back and forth when in presentation mode and are used when discussing one exhibit means bring back up quickly another in sequence.
Question: In the Document Explorer tab when you upload documents what would be the purpose of giving the document a Common Name?
The documents that I upload are generally all exhibits. When uploading they are already named Exhibit 1 or Exhibit 2 so I will the Exhibit No column to rename the exhibit with a short name like “Ex2” or “Ex10” so I can quickly find the exhibit when in Presentation Mode. Are there benefits to using the Description, Trial Exhibit No and Common Name columns?
Answer:
Shorter abbreviated common names are useful when you want to present the exhibits by typing in the name and hitting the enter key on the keyboard. Use the common name field when you wish to just type the name and press enter to have it appear.
Yes, there are definite benefits to using Description, Trial Exhibit No, and Common Name columns when organizing and managing exhibits, especially in a legal context. These columns provide a clear and concise way to identify, track, and refer to different exhibits throughout the legal process, from discovery to trial. Utilizing the Description, Trial Exhibit No, and Common Name columns in TrialDirector offers several benefits for managing and presenting evidence, according to an inData Corp Quick Start Guide. These features enhance organization, searchability, and presentation clarity during legal proceedings.
Question: Can you just type the exhibit number to bring up the item in presentation mode?
Answer: Yes you can, just tested this. But if you have many exhibits it is best to have a table in which the exhibit number is listed next to the name of the item or next to a description of the item.
Question can you blur faces in a video using the media editor?
Answer: No, but there is a way to do this in youtube video editor - see:
https://youtu.be/IFhj2E9Y7_4?si=mt1wkjbZza8FFKxL
Question: Can you use batch import from Netdocs?
Answer see these links:
https://support.netdocuments.com/s/article/205220100
and
https://my.ipro.com/help/Eclipse/Content/Review/Eclipse_web/First_Steps/Batch_Selection.htm
If the version of Netdocs you have doesn't create the supported batch file, you can export the documents to a folder then use TrialDirector's option to import all the documents in a folder.
Question: Is the Annotation window where you can redact?
Answer: Yes - see the image above
Question: Can you print all of the documents?
Yes - place a check mark in front of all of them and right button click and choose print.
Question: 4:11 PM: Can you sync video depos and the txt transcripts in trial director 360 or would we need another program to do that first?
You would use a different program to synch the text with the video of a video transcript.
https://www.depolinklegal.com/bring-your-transcripts-to-life/video-synchronization/
Questions You have Asked and Answers
Can I increase the size of the tools in Presentation mode?
No. The toolbar can be detached and moved up or down or to the right but the icons for the tools can't be enlarged.
Many of our trial exhibits are in native format – MOV; MP4; PSD; PowerPoint. How do I load those into documents? If I load them in through “Media”, how do I keep track of them since they are trial exhibits?
Answer:
Media like MP4 files can be loaded using the Media tab in your load window. But PowerPoints and Word documents, Excel spreadsheets will be converted to PDF files or use the native apps to present them outside of TD360. To uses these in the presentation, create a media work book in the workbook area and drag these down into the workbook.
I have made several clips and created playlists. I want to show the playlist in Zone 1 and the Exhibits in Zone 2. However, as the playlist advances it reverts to Zone 9 and I lose the Exhibit.
Maybe instead of a playlist use stages - in presentation mode press f1 then put the video clip into f1 then press f2 and put the exhibit image in zone2 then press the icon for save stage - you can do this for each of the clips and exhibits creating separate stages then use the stage folder to present the exhibits
Can I batch change names of trial exhibits? The exhibits were loaded into Trial Director and the names are too long to see in Presentation mode.
Not that I know of - you can rename them individually and give them a common name but to do so all at once seems to be a problem.
How do I move through multi-page exhibits?
I need help with Presentation Zones.
I added an exhibit number to Plaintiff’s Exhibit 126 using annotations. I need to remove that.
Do I use exit or escape to get out of Presentation mode?
exit
Should I set up a Workbook for each witness and put their deposition transcript and clips/playlists into?
How do I use the pre-set “Admitted Exhibits” and “Trial Exhibits in the workbook?
When I have a document open in “Workspace” and then want to show it in Presentation, do I have to select the file in the Presentation screen? Seems redundant.
I will have some long playlists with multiple exhibits for witnesses that will not be live at the trial. What is the best way to present these playlists? We have “linked” exhibits – not “synched” exhibits.
Does a video clip that has been made versus one that has been finalized save differently so to identify those that are final?
If you want to see which clips have been finalized choose report and then choose Finalized Only - If selected, the report only includes clips that have been marked as final. Synchronized Exhibits - If selected, the report will include information on synchronized exhibits applied to the clip. Barcode - If selected, the report includes a selected barcode with each clip
If we create and save a layout, does it apply to the entire TD360 program or is it specific to each case in which you created and saved the layout?
If by layout you mean when you are choosing which tabs to have shown in the explorer and then save that layout as your default, in that case, it will always be that layout whenever you enter that case. Also - if you are logging into TrialDirector as the same user each time, then the default layout you have set to be the default layout for you will also be the layout in all cases you open.
Are they de-duping based off MD5 hash or other?
IPRO has another software program that does de-duping and per that program I found this:
ItemHashValue (this value is the equivalent of the MD5 Hash; however, Streaming uses SHA1 for de-duplication so I am assuming TD uses the SHA1 for its de-duplication during import but am waiting on an answer from them to confirm.
See:
https://my.ipro.com/help/ECapture/Content/eCapture/Reports/Streaming_Discovery_De-Duplication_Detailed_Report.htm
Also - my preference when importing is to tell TD to bring in the duplicates the programmers think they have found using their code but bring the duplicates in with the preface DUP. De-duplicating is never a 'perfect' process. By bringing in the supposedly duplicate documents, I can check to make sure they are actually duplicates. So called artificial intelligence is using a coding program process that produces these hash numbers regarding each document and that process is USUALLY accurate. But why not bring in the alleged duplicates and if any of these are critical to the evidence in a case, review them yourself to make certain.
Do you need to add that audio utility to play an audio file in presentation mode?
No you do not need to add the audacity program to play an audio file. I have added it to my utilities so that it is easier for me to open audacity while I am using TD for the purpose of editing an audio file that I want to later import into evidence.
What is Mirror Mode?
When you have two monitors - ie your laptop screen and it is connected to a projector or a large flat panel, you can use Mirror mode which then allows you to present the exhibits without the jury seeking you work the tools on the tool bar. Here is a PowerPoint link to learn more about how to enable it and set it up: Mirror Mode
Question: The tool that has the green arrow and red arrow (not sure the proper name) - Can you drop down the exhibit, go to another exhibit to present and then pull it back up?
Answer: - yes you can - the tool is called the show hide tool - if you have an exhibit on the screen and click that tool it will cause the presentationi area to go blank. You can then choose a different exhibit and upload it but it would show until you click the show hide button again and then the new exhibit you want them to see will be there not the previous exhibit.
When I work on the case before trial, I work on my desktop machine. But, when I go to trial, I want download the files to my laptop, disconnect from the network and reconnect to the case when I come back from trial? How do I do this?
There are two ways you can accomplish this.
If you have TRIAL DIRECTOR already installed on the laptop, you can open TRIAL DIRECTOR on the laptop. Then, in the grid in Case Manager, select the Data Sync enabled case and click the Bring Case Data Local button
or
On your desktop machine, in the grid in Case Manager, select the Data Sync enabled case and click the Bring Case Data local button
When you click Bring Case Data Local, you specify the location where the files can be downloaded. If the laptop is connected to the network, you can provide the UNC path to the laptop (and the location on the laptop) where you want the case data localized, when you click Bring Case Data Local the files are pushed to the specified location on the laptop.