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SitePal® Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The SitePal Account

  1. What does an account include?
  2. That depends on your account package. SitePal currently offers three different account packages, which are summarized below:
    • Bronze - the most basic SitePal account. It allows you to do most things.
    • Silver - the middle-tier SitePal account. It offers all of Bronze's features, supports more scenes, includes more audio streams and adds additional functionality such as Text-to-Speech and add to eBay auctions.
    • Gold - the most powerful SitePal account. It has all of Silver's features, supports even more scenes, includes even more audio streams and also adds full API support, the ability to integrate with Flash and the ability to remove SitePal branding.
    You can also view our Comparison Table for a more in-depth comparison between the different SitePal packages.
  1. What is a scene?
  2. A scene combines a character that you create, a background of your choice and an audio that you record to deliver a composite audio visual talking character. The scene is what you eventually include ('embed' is the term often used) in your web page.

    By creating multiple scenes you may embed in different pages in your site several talking characters with several different messages. Note that you may update your scenes anytime and any changes immediately appear in your web pages.

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Designing SitePal Characters

  1. What is a model?
  2. A model is a base figure, which has not been customized by features, coloring or wardrobe. SitePal includes a set of models. Each model includes a set of wardrobe, glasses and accessories.
  1. What is a character?
  2. A character is a customized model. A model may be customized to fit your need by changing the wardrobe, glasses, facial hair, skin color, hairstyle and more. The customized model is referred to as 'character'. A character may be added to a scene or saved in the library for future usage.
  1. How do I design a character to be used in a scene?
  2. Select the desired model from the "Models" Panel. Use the arrows to scroll the list of available models.

    Customize the model you've selected by modifying the hair, glasses, outfit, hats, necklace/earrings and facial hair. Click on the options to create any combination you like. In the "Coloring Panel", edit the color for the eyes, hair, makeup lips and skin. In the "Adjustment" panel edit the dimensions of the mouth, nose, head or shoulders by moving the sliders. Set the age by using the "Aging Slider". When relevant change eye shadow and blush intensity levels by moving the "eye" and "blush" sliders.

    NOTE: Not all options are available for all models.

    When you design a character you may add it to the Character Library for future use. To do so select the "Character Library" tab and click "Add".
  1. Can I save a character I designed and use it again?
  2. Absolutely. That is what the Character Library is for. When you are done designing your character, you may add it to the Character Library for future use. To do so select the "Character Library" and click "Add".
  1. Can I add my own accessories?
  2. Sorry, this functionality is not currently available.
  1. Can I set the position and size of the character?
  2. Yes. At the bottom left of the display area click on the "Move" button. Use the arrows to position the character and the + or - symbols to zoom in and out.
  1. Can there be more than one character in a scene?
  2. No, each scene can contain only one character.

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Backgrounds

  1. What is the Background Library?
  2. The background library is a way to manage the collection of background images available for use in your scenes. You may upload your own background images and delete them as needed.
  1. How do I select a background image to be used in a scene?
  2. In the SitePal editor, click on the "Background Library" tab. The list of available background images is displayed. Click on a thumbnail to add the background to the scene.

    If you don't want to use a background image, simply select the first option (marked as "None").

    TIP: you can set the color of a background to a solid color by selection the "none" option and setting a color in the "Embed Scene" window.
  1. How do I upload a new background image?
  2. Please follow these steps:
    • Prepare an image to upload.
      • The image must be of type JPEG.
      • Image dimensions should be 300 X 225 pixels.
    • Select the "Backgrounds Library" tab and click "Upload Background". A new window is opened.
    • Enter the image name
    • Click on the "Browse" button and select the image you prepared.
    • Check the "Resize" option if the file you are uploading is not in the recommended dimensions but you would like the image to cover the full area behind the Avatar.
    • Click "Upload".
    The new background is added to your Private library and may now be used for other scenes.
  1. What types of images can be used as backgrounds?
  2. JPEG format images only.

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Using Audio

  1. What is the Audio Library?
  2. The audio library is way to manage all of the audios associated with your SitePal account. The audio library allows you to upload or record your own audio messages as well as rename, delete or even edit them (in the case of TTS audios).
  1. How do I select an audio to be used in a scene?
  2. To select an audio, select the "Audio Library" tab and click on the name of any audio message to select it.

    You may select multiple audio tracks for a scene. When multiple audio tracks are assigned to a scene, one of these audio tracks is selected at random for playback. To select multiple audio tracks check the "Multiple Audio Files" box and check up to 20 of the available audio tracks.
  1. How do I add my own audio to the audio library?
  2. To add your own audio to the audio library select the "Audio Library" tab and click "Add Audio". You have two options to add your own audio:
    • Record your own voice:
      To record you need a microphone hooked up to your computer.
      • Click on the "Record" button. If this is your first time, you will be asked to install the Oddcast recorder plug-in.
      • Click "Yes", and the Recorder plug-in (about 60K) will be installed automatically. This is a one-time installation. Once the plug-in is installed the recording module is displayed on your screen.
      • A "MIC Level" level box allows you to adjust the volume of your microphone. Try out different settings and verify that you can hear yourself on your speakers or headphones.
      • When you are ready, click "Record' to begin recording. Keep your eye on the recording bar to make sure that you do not exceed the recording limit. Click "Stop" to stop recording. Click 'Play' to hear what you have recorded. If you like what you hear, click 'Save' to save the recording. When done uploading, your new recording is added to your private library.
    • Upload an existing audio file:
      • Click on the "Upload" button, a new window is displayed.
      • Prepare an audio file to upload. The file should be formatted as: WAV: 16 bit, MONO, 22.050 kHz or 44.100 kHz or MP3: 16, 32, 48, 64kbs, MONO
      • Enter the audio name
      • Click on the "Browse" button and select to the audio you prepared.
      • Click "Upload".
  1. What are the specifications for audio to be used in SitePal?
    • Channels: 1 (mono) Sampling Rate: 22.050 KHz or 44.100 KHz (22.050 KHz recommended for best results)
    • Audio sample size: 16 bit Supported audio formats: WAV (PCM), MP3 (16, 32, 48, 64kbs).
    • Maximum Audio Length: 60 Seconds.

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Link Settings

  1. What are "Link Settings" useful for?
  2. The Link feature enables to add interaction from the scene to any web page. The trigger for the interaction with the web page can be manual (by the user clicking on a button) or automatically timed. The link may be to a web-page, a frame or a JavaScript function.
  1. How do I add a link?
    • In the SitePal editor click on "Link Settings". The Link settings window is displayed.
    • Enter the URL of the destination page at the "URL" field.
    • Set the "Targets" pull-down menu according to the result you would like to achieve.
    • Setting the trigger:
      For an automatic trigger check the "Auto-Link" box. You can set the Auto-Link time by changing the selection in the "When:" pull-down menu:
      • Audio starts - the URL loads while character is speaking.
      • Audio ends - the URL loads after the audio track playback is done.
    • You may set the number of seconds of delay from the time the audio begins playing or leave empty. (not providing a value is equivalent to 0 seconds).
    • Tip: In order to ensure approximate timing while using the "Auto-Link" event trigger, it is important to verifying that the audio track has been trimmed properly. A properly trimmed audio track does not contain more than and preferably less than a second of silence before and after the speech in the track.
    • To add a button check the "Display Button" box and enter the title of the button. The button is displayed in the bottom-left corner of the scene.

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The SitePal Player

  1. What is the SitePal player?
  2. The player is a graphic skin that adds a volume control slider and pause button to the scene. In the SitePal Editor, check the "Player Visible" box to turn on.
  1. How do I edit player settings?
  2. In the SitePal editor check the box next to "Player Visible". The player will display around the scene. Click on the "Player Settings" button next to it. A window pops-up where you may change the look and functionality of the player: Check the boxes to display a volume control, pause button, or a title with the name of the scene. Select any of the palette's colors to set the color of the player. In case you can't find the color you are looking for, enter a hexadecimal value of a different color and click "Apply". When you are done click "Update" to view the changes in the editor.

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Including a SitePal scene in your web page

  1. How do I add a scene to my web page?
  2. Adding a scene to your page is very simple, all you need is to copy and paste HTML code, here is how you do it:
    1. After editing a scene return to the scenes list page. Next to the scene you would like to add to your web-page, click on the "Embed in HTML page" icon. The "Embed Scene" window is displayed.
    2. To embed an optimized scene playback check the "Optimized Scene" box.
    3. You can set the scene dimensions to your specifications. The default dimensions are initially displayed. To modify the default values, enter a width (in pixels) and click "Set". The height changes proportionally. (Note that you can force a height that is disproportionate to the width. This will distort the scene accordingly. To do so, change the height to the desired value in the embed code.)
    4. To set the background color select one of the palette colors, or enter an RGB value (Hexadecimal) in the text field and click "Apply". The embed code is ready to be added to your web page. Copy the embed code from the "Embed scene" HTML code text area window into your web-page using standard copy/paste commands.
    NOTE(s):
    • The embed code includes a link to the scene that is hosted on the Oddcast servers. When you edit the scene using the SitePal editor any change is instantly reflected in your page, and does not require a new embed process.
    • To edit any of the Embed settings (screen color or dimensions), generate the embed code again by repeating the above steps or modify the pasted HTML code.
  1. I don't want repeat to hear the audio every time; Can I limit the number of times the audio plays?
  2. Yes! You can set the limit on the number of times a repeat visitor hears the audio. To set this limit go to the "My Scenes" page. Next to the scene set the "Playback Limit" box to ON and enter the number of times the audio should play for returning users. When you are done, click "Update" at the top of the page. NOTE(s):
    • The playback counter is reset a month after the visitor came to the page for the first time.
    • The playback counter is reset when a new audio is selected for the scene.
  1. How do I edit the dimensions of an embedded scene?
  2. You may re-size the embedded scene after embedding it in the page in one of the following ways:
    • Repeat the embed process by selecting "Embed Scene" and setting the desired dimensions.
    • If you are familiar with HTML, modify the dimensions properties in the HTML embed code in the web page in which the scene is embedded.
  1. What is the difference between embedding a scene and embedding an optimized scene?
  2. Yes. An optimized embed does not include the scene's background and link, and does not support TTS, which reduces the size of your scene by about 20KB and speeds up its loading time.

    We suggest using the optimized option whenever possible to save on loading time.

    In case your scene does not require those elements, check the "Optimized" option before copying the HTML code.
  1. Why do I need several scenes? Can't I just work on the same scene?
  2. After you publish a scene, add a scene to your web-page or email a scene, any changes you make to that scene in the SitePal editor will also change the way the published scene looks like.

    Creating separate scenes allows you to create different scenes for different purposes. For example, you might create one scene specifically for a web page and and another for an email, etc.

    This is why you should use different scenes for different emails or web-pages and start new scenes when you work on a new project.
  1. Can I embed a scene in a Flash movie?
  2. Yes, but only SitePal Gold account packages support this functionality.
  1. Can I embed a scene in a Power-Point presentation?
  2. Yes. Follow the instructions provided in the SitePal User's Guide PDF on how to do this.
  1. Can I use a scene in a PDA application?
  2. Oddcast has adapted the Avatar technology used by SitePal for use on some PDAs. Please contact Oddcast for more information.

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Email a scene

  1. How do I email a scene to someone?
  2. Emailing a scene is very simple. Your scene will be embedded in a web-page, a link to that page will be sent to the recipients. You don't have to own a web page in order to do so, just follow these instructions:

    After editing a scene return to the scenes list page. Next to the scene you would like to send, click on the "Email Scene" icon. A window is displayed which allows you to design the page in which the scene will be embedded:
    • You may set the dimensions of the scene by entering the width and clicking "Set".
    • You can set the color of the background area (this is applicable only if you selected no background image).
    • You can set the color of the web page.
    • You can add a title that will appear at the top of the page.
    • You can add a message that will appear at the bottom of the page. You may use HTML code in this message, including links to images and other pages.
    When you are done designing the page, enter the email addresses, or, enter multiple addresses separated by commas. Check the box if you would like to receive a copy of the email and click "Send".
  1. How do I email a scene to multiple recipients?
  2. Simply enter multiple addresses separated by commas. For example: foo1@foo.com, foo2@foo.com, foo3@foo.com

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Programming SitePal

  1. What is the Avatar API?
  2. The Avatar API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of JavaScript function calls enable a JavaScript programmer to control Avatar behavior from the web page in which Avatar is embedded. For the full API reference and examples please click here.
  1. Can user inteaction with the web page affect the behavior of an embedded Avatar?
  2. Yes. You may use the API commands to modify the Avatar behavior in response to user interaction with the page. For example: add a button that will cause playback to be repeated. See full API reference and examples for more details.
  1. Can user interaction with an embedded Avatar affect the web page?
  2. Yes! Use the "Link" feature to add a call from the host to any web-page.
  1. Can I "connect" scenes to each other (so that they will play consecutively)?
  2. This capability is not supported buy SitePal. Read more about the [V]Host Studio where navigation flow API commands are available.

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Account Info

  1. How can I view my account status?
  2. Click on "Account Info" at the top of the page. Your account information is displayed: purchase date, expiraton date, ramning streams etc.
  1. How can I edit my contact information?
  2. Click on "Account Info" at the top of the page. Your account information and contact information are displayed. To modify click on "Modify Info".
  1. How can I change my password?
  2. Please follow the instructions on how to modify the contact info; the option to modify your password is available there.
  1. My email has changed, what do I do?
  2. Please follow the instructions on how to modify the contact info; the option to modify your email is available there.
  1. I lost my password, what do I do?
  2. Please click "I lost my password" at the bottom of the login window. You will be asked to enter your login name (email address), and a temporary password will be automatically generated and sent to you. Please be sure to write down your new password in a safe place.
  1. I can't login, what do I do?
  2. Login is available only to registered users. If you are a registered user make sure you are using the right login name. Your login name is the same as the email address that you used to register. If you lost your password please follow these instructions.
  1. How can I view invoices for my SitePal purchase(s)?
  2. Click on "Account Info" at the top of the page. At the bottom of the "Account Info" page there are links to your invoices.

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Performance issues

  1. What is the average loading time?
  2. The 'loading time' is the time it takes to for a page, which contains only a scene, from the opening of the page, until the character starts speaking. For a 56k dialup connection, loading time should be in the range of 20 to 30 seconds. For a broadband connection, the loading time is less than 5 seconds.
  1. What can I do to optimize loading time?
  2. In case you are not using the link feature and do not need to add a background to your scene you can take advantage of the optimized embed option.

    While the size of the background does affect your loading time, the size of the audio does not. This is because the audio is streamed, only the first few seconds of the audio are loaded before the character starts to speak, regardless of the length of the audio message.

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