Valu-Present — User Manual

How-to guides — one job at a time

45 short guides: what it is for, where to find it, the steps, the keys, tips. In the app they come with Try it buttons: Help → Show me how.

Start a case

For: A new deposition or trial job.

Where: Start screen · ☰ Menu → New Deposition / New Trial / Arbitration

Choose New Deposition for a single deposition, New Trial / Arbitration for a trial.
Name the case and choose where its folder goes.
For a trial, the Case Intake opens by itself — follow the steps or close it and come back later (Case → Case Intake).
Add exhibits: ＋ Add (top bar or the ＋ in Files & Exhibits), or drag files and folders onto Valu-Present.

Tips

Every big tool works the same way — Clip Maker, Slide Creator, Witness Kit, Storyboard, Docket: its own window, the same bar on top (name · picker · ＋ New · actions · ▶ / ⇪ · ? · Done), Esc closes it. Colors mean the same everywhere: blue = new / play / the main action, gold = SHOW, red = LIVE, green = export and IN / OUT, teal = exhibit, yellow = words, purple = look and A.I.
The case folder holds everything — copy the folder to move or back up the case.
The case type (Deposition / Trial · Arbitration) shows in the middle of the bottom bar; change it in Job Settings.

The keys

For: Knowing what to press — the keys for every day, grouped by what you are doing.

Where: Help → Key Card (print) · every key: Help → Keyboard Shortcuts · change any key: App Settings → Keyboard

Get it — X calls up an exhibit by ID, name or Bates; Ctrl / ⌘ + F finds a document.
Show it — F6 SHOW puts it on the Display, F5 LIVE lets the Display follow you, B blanks it, Esc clears.
Mark it — one letter, the word: C callout · H highlight · Z zoom · R redact · D draw · S square · O circle (oval) · L line · A arrow · T text · N number. Ctrl / ⌘ + Z undoes.
Move — ← → pages, Home / End first and last, Space plays video.
Prepare — F2 rename (Alt+F2 undo) · F3 Bates (Alt+F3 remove) · F4 name a page (Alt+F4 undo — Windows: Alt+Shift+F4, since Alt+F4 closes programs there) · F9 mark for identification · Ctrl / ⌘ + S saves the screen · Ctrl / ⌘ + B pin cites the page.

Tips

Print the Key Card (Help → Key Card) and keep it by the keyboard — one page, about thirty keys.
Hold Ctrl or Alt (⌘ or ⌥ on a Mac) for a moment: the keys for where the mouse is pop up.
On a Mac the F-keys need fn — or System Settings → Keyboard → “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys”. ⌘ Return = SHOW and ⌘ Shift Return = LIVE work without them.
Export my keys / Import keys (App Settings → Keyboard) takes your keys to another computer: ⌘ on a Mac becomes Ctrl on Windows, and back.

Keys

X Get it: call up an exhibit
F6 Show it: SHOW
F5 Show it: LIVE
B Show it: BLANK
Esc Show it: clear
C Mark it: callout
H Mark it: highlight
Z Mark it: zoom
Ctrl+Z Mark it: undo
→ Move: next page
F2 Prepare: rename
F3 Prepare: Bates
F9 Prepare: mark for identification
Ctrl+S Prepare: save the screen

Case Intake

For: Getting a trial case organised in one pass: schedule, parties, witnesses, depositions, exhibits, designations, a first plan.

Where: Case → Case Intake (opens by itself for a new trial)

Case & schedule — caption, number, court, judge, courtroom, address (Open in Maps). Enter the first trial day and the number of court days → Make trial days. Change the hours to match the judge’s order (for all days, or one day at a time); tick “no court” for dark days.
Parties & counsel — each party with its attorneys and a color. Choose “our side” if you work for one party.
Witnesses — ＋ Add, paste names, or Import witness list (any form): Excel / CSV are matched column by column (Save as template); a Word, PDF or text list — even a pleading with numbered names and “expected to testify” paragraphs — is read by Valu-Present A.I. (or line by line when A.I. is off) and shown for you to tick. Set Category (Fact, Expert, 30(b)(6) …), Called by and Will / May call.
Depositions — ＋ Add deposition (transcript + video). Each is linked to its witness by name; change the dropdown if it guessed wrong.
Exhibits — ＋ Add each party’s exhibits (they go in that party’s folder). Import the exhibit list (Excel / CSV) to match the list to the files.
Designations — Import a list… for each deposition (email, Word, PDF or Excel).
First plan — put each witness on a trial day with an estimated time; the day bars turn red when a day is over-full.
Review & open — shows what is set up and what is still missing. Finish opens the case.

Tips

Every step can be skipped and finished later — nothing is lost.
Exhibits are stored once, in the offering party’s folder; a witness links to exhibits from either side — nothing is copied.
The attorneys’ exhibit numbers are never changed.

Docket

For: Planning each trial day — and recording what really happened.

Where: Case → Docket · Today’s Docket

Set the trial days and hours first (Case Intake → Case & schedule).
All days: one column per court day. ＋ Add: a witness, a deposition to play, a Presentation, a storyboard, exhibits selected in Files & Exhibits, or a task. The bar under each day shows planned hours against the court day (red = too much).
Drag a card to another day or up / down to change the order. Right-click a card for time & note.
On the day: Today’s Docket. Call to stand / Go to jump straight to each item.
End of the day: mark each item ✓ Done, ◐ Part, ↷ Move, ✕ Struck or ⊘ Cancel — each with a note.
Day report (PDF): the plan, what happened, and what was shown that day. Trial report prints every day.

Tips

Moving a witness card also changes the witness’s trial day.
↺ puts an item back to planned.

Keys

Ctrl+Alt+P Docket — all days
Ctrl+Alt+D Today’s plan & check-off

Witnesses

For: Who testifies, for which side, when — with their exhibits, deposition, report and CV in one place.

Where: Case → Witnesses

The list is grouped by category. Click a witness to open the profile.
Profile: category, called by, will / may call, contact, trial day, time, deposition, notes, tags. Experts: field, Report, CV, opinions. 30(b)(6): company and topics.
Link exhibits: select them in Files & Exhibits → ＋ Selected, or ＋ The one on screen.
Call to stand — the top bar shows who is testifying; exhibits you mark or present are linked to them. Done offers the next witness.

Tips

Trial days view shows the lineup day by day; Lineup (PDF) prints it.
A witness with a synced deposition also has a witness folder in Case File (see “Folders”).

Call up and present

For: Putting exhibits on the witness / jury screen.

Where: Top bar: Open Screen · SHOW · LIVE · BLANK

Open Screen once (choose the monitor, or a window to share in Zoom).
Call up: press the call-up key and type EX4, EX4.12 or a Bates number.
SHOW sends what the Counsel Table shows and freezes it — keep working unseen. The SHOW button pulses gold while something is on the Display. SHOW again (with nothing changed) takes it off.
LIVE shows everything as you do it — the LIVE ON button pulses red. Click it again to stop.
BLANK blacks out the Display instantly (its notice stays on the Counsel Table so you can’t miss it).

Tips

Sent the wrong one? The note after each send has ↶ Undo — it puts back what was on the Display before.
Courtroom Mode (☰ Menu) gives bigger buttons and locks editing during a hearing.
Ready Check (top right) shows whether a presentation display is chosen and how the graphics card is doing (it warns over Remote Desktop).

Keys

X Call up by ID, page, Bates
F6 Show (again = take it off)
F5 Live on / off
B Blank the Display
F7 Bring it back to the Counsel Table
Alt+Shift+← Previous shown

Play video and audio

For: Deposition video, recordings, 911 calls — played in the Counsel Table and on the Display.

Where: Load the video / audio → the play bar under the Counsel Table

Load it from Files & Exhibits; ▶ plays, ◀ 2s / 2s ▶ step, drag the bar to move through it.
Jump to a time: type it in the time box and press Enter — 1:23, 23:15, 1:23:45, or digits only (0130 = 1:30, 010101 = 1:01:01). A time past the end says so and doesn’t move.
In LIVE the Display follows to the second; in SHOW it plays what you sent.
Show captions: tick it on the play bar (CC ▾ loads a .vtt / .srt or makes them with the Speech Engine).

Tips

Every format plays (MPEG-1, WMV, AVI, WMA…) — ones the player can’t show directly stream through the built-in ffmpeg; nothing is converted.

Keys

Space Play / pause

Mark an exhibit

For: The official exhibit sticker on a document.

Where: Exhibit Marking panel · Files & Exhibits right-click → Mark as Exhibit

Load the document. Check the next number in Exhibit Marking.
Mark — the sticker follows the pointer; place it, then ✓ Confirm (Enter).
A marked copy is saved in the exhibits folder; the original is never changed.

Tips

“Show stickers on screen” (Exhibit Marking, Ctrl+Alt+K): off = the stamped files are made as usual but no sticker shows on the Counsel Table or the Display.
Already marked and want the sticker off the screen? Right-click the exhibit → Hide sticker on screen. The marked file keeps it.

Keys

F9 Mark

Add files, folders, depositions

For: Getting anything into a job — one place for all of it.

Where: Top bar → ＋ Add · the ＋ in Files & Exhibits · or drag onto Valu-Present

＋ Add → Files… for documents, photos, video, audio, 3D models.
＋ Add → A Folder… for a client’s folder of tabs: the tree is kept and every file gets an ID from its tab (1A, 1-S1-A…). See “Client folder with tabs”.
＋ Add → A Deposition… opens Sync a Deposition (witness → transcript → video). See “Sync a deposition”.
＋ Add → Create: Whiteboard, Chalkboard, Web Page.
Or just drag: files, a folder, or a transcript together with its video — Valu-Present sorts them itself (folder → tree, transcript → deposition paired with its video, the rest → documents).

Tips

The same file twice? Valu-Present notices (Same file already in the job) and offers to remove the new copy.
The folder button next to ＋ in Files & Exhibits opens All Case Files: every document, video, transcript, clip and presentation in folders, like Finder / File Explorer. Double-click to show.

Client folder with tabs — keep the tree

For: A client hands over a folder of tabs, each with files and sub-folders, and you need to find things the way THEY filed them.

Where: ＋ Add → A Folder… · or drag the folder onto Valu-Present · Client Files (Files & Exhibits folder button)

Drag the client’s top folder onto Valu-Present (or ＋ Add → A Folder…). The preview shows every file with the ID it will get.
IDs come from where the file sits: Tab 1 → 1A, 1B, 1C… · a sub-folder in Tab 1 → 1-S1-A… · deeper → 1-S1-S2-A · loose files → 0A. The tab number is read from the folder name (“Tab 07” → 7). Every file keeps its own name.
Add a prefix if those IDs are already used in the job (T → T1A). The files go in a client folder named after the top folder.
A transcript inside the folder becomes a deposition, paired with the video in the same folder.
Client Files shows the real tree: + / − opens a folder, click a file to load it, double-click to Show, right-click for Live, Mark, Exhibit Details, Finder / Explorer. ↗ opens it in its own window.

Tips

Everything else works as usual — the files are also in Files & Exhibits with their IDs.

Folders — clients and witnesses

For: Keeping each client’s material together, and each witness’s deposition, video and clips under their client.

Where: Case File panel

＋ Client makes a client folder (your first import asks for the client name and makes it). Each client has one color, used everywhere for that client.
Witness folders sit under their client: a synced deposition files itself in its witness’s folder — made automatically if there isn’t one (under the client folder you are in, or the one its video is in).
Click a folder to see what is in it AND below it (a client shows its witnesses’ material too). Show All Files shows everything.
Right-click a folder for color, party, rename, delete (its witness folders move up — nothing is lost).

Tips

Folders are a view — files are never moved on disk.
Marked exhibits show in every folder (they belong to the whole record) — a setting in Job Settings.

Sync a deposition — here, free

For: A deposition transcript and its video: matched line by line on this computer, the VALU-SYNC way.

Where: ☰ Menu → Sync a Deposition · ＋ Add → A Deposition · Case menu · Transcript panel → ✦ Sync it now

☰ Menu → Sync a Deposition. One window, in order: 1 · the witness (a witness folder already in the job, or a new one), 2 · the transcript (the one already in that folder, or choose the file: .txt, .ptx, .lef, .mdb), 3 · the video parts in order — what is in the witness folder is listed and ticked; ↑ ↓ to order; ＋ Add video file(s) brings in the rest.
Next opens the sync check: the transcript is checked (pages, lines per page, problems). Start and End of the testimony — like VALU-SYNC, you choose them: a first guess is filled in; Pick in transcript… shows every page — click the first line of testimony (the videographer going on the record, or the first question) and the last one. Lines outside (cover, appearances, certificate) get no times. Set “talking starts” for a video with a long silent lead-in.
Sync: Valu-Present listens to the video (the Speech Engine, on this computer — nothing is uploaded, no per-hour fee); the bar shows how far it has listened (e.g. 0:42:10 of 2:02:31) and about how long is left. Then it matches every line to the moment it is spoken and runs Smart Check. Speech Engine not installed yet? Sync a Deposition says so first — Settings → Video & Captions → Download.
The review shows how sure it is: green = matched to the spoken words, amber = matched loosely, red = estimated (colloquy, breaks, off the record). Stretches worth a look are listed — ▶ plays it, Match again re-listens to just that stretch, Spread evenly spaces it out. Undo Smart Check puts its fixes back.
One line off? Play to the moment, right-click the line → ⏱ This line starts now — it is pinned and never moved by a later sync. The status line → Sync check reopens the review any time.
The deposition goes in its witness’s folder (Client → Witness). Clips and designations follow the new times.

Tips

It is VALU-SYNC’s method: runs of 4+ matching words anchor the lines, everything between is filled in order. A VALU-SYNC .mdb opens as it is (multi-part videos included) — no sync needed.
Sync again keeps the words it already heard, so a second run is quick. Works the same on Mac and Windows.
Syncing here is an account add-on (App Settings → License shows your add-ons).

Transcripts, clips and designations

For: Synced deposition testimony.

Where: Case → Depositions · Transcript panel

Add a deposition with ☰ Menu → Sync a Deposition (or drag the transcript and its video in together).
Search the testimony; click a line to move the video, double-click to play.
Select lines → Create Clip, Designate, or Ctrl/⌘+B to bookmark (Ctrl/⌘+Shift+B for a note).
Designations → Import list… reads attorney lists (email, Word, PDF, Excel with templates) — one list for every witness: a Witness column or “Deposition of …” headings send each block to that witness’s deposition; timecode IN / OUT works too.

Tips

Video or audio with captions but no official transcript: Search Everything finds the spoken words — click a hit and it plays from there.
. and , jump between your bookmarks. Notes never show on the Display.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+J Transcript panel

Clip Maker — one screen for deposition clips

For: Making impeachment clips and designations the way every tech knows — transcript in the middle, the video on the right — plus exhibits that come up and go away inside the clip.

Where: ☰ Menu → Clip Maker (Alt+C) · Transcript panel → ✂ Clip Maker · select lines → ✂ Clip Maker

Four steps across the top light up as you go: 1 Find · 2 Mark · 3 Identify · 4 Present.
FIND — search the transcript in the middle, or type a page:line (52:7) and Enter. / goes there.
MARK — click the first line, Shift+click the last. Or play the video and press I (Mark start) and O (Mark end) — the big buttons under the video.
IDENTIFY — the card under the video asks Who is this for? ✂ Clip (impeachment — no side) · ● Plaintiff · ● Defendant (keys N · P · D). Then the exhibit (or drag one from 📎 Exhibits onto a line: it comes up there, goes away after the answer). ✓ Save.
PRESENT ▾ — LIVE on the Display, the Counsel Table, a presentation, or an MP4. During trial X + its ID calls it up.
Lists: 📋 Import a list ▾ — Clips (paste the attorney’s email: every range becomes a clip, checked) or Designations (each side’s file). 📤 Export a list ▾ — the clip list as text or Excel, reports, the designations.
Designations play in ⚖ Jury view: everything the court allows, both sides, in page order — ▶ Play LIVE straight through, or one MP4. C on a designation = the court’s ruling (play ↔ skip).
⚠ Check before court flags objections inside, the next question bleeding in, mid-word starts — each with a one-click fix. ✂ Fine-tune ▸ under the video: ±0.1 s, Hear start / end, Clean edges, dead space.

Tips

Every clip’s ID is its first page and line: 52:7 → 5207. X 5207 Enter calls it up LIVE. A list makes M1, M2… instead. Rename any ID; the attorneys’ own numbers never change.
Two clips on the same testimony show ↔ same lines — play both and keep the better take.
Double-click a line: hear it from there. The transcript follows the line being heard (scroll it yourself and it stops following for a moment).
Nothing here changes the transcript, the sync or the video file — a line you take out is only skipped when it plays.

Keys

Alt+C Clip Maker
Alt+V Change how a playing clip looks
Alt+T Words on screen on / off
Space Play the next clip when it waits

Open ▾ — where everything is

For: Finding anything without knowing where it lives: witnesses, depositions, exhibits, issues, presentations, and the panels on your screen.

Where: Top bar → Open ▾ (next to Call Up) · ☰ Menu → Open…

Open ▾ → Start here for the dashboard, or 🔎 Search everything.
Case: Overview, Witnesses (each by name), Exhibit List, Evidence Room, Issues, Binders, Docket, Today’s Docket, Reports.
Testimony: Depositions — click a witness and the transcript and video open, ready to play. Add a deposition, Designations, Clip Maker.
Panels on this screen: ✓ shows what is open — click to show or hide one (a closed panel comes back this way). More panels ▸ has the rest.

Tips

A witness is one person: their deposition, folder, exhibits and designations all hang off their name. Case → Witnesses → the witness shows them all, with Open deposition, Clip Maker and ＋ Add their deposition.
Adding files whose names mention a witness (“O.J. Simpson – Medical Records”) asks whether to link them to that witness.
The clean screen: Files & Exhibits · Case File · Counsel Table · Exhibit Details with History under it. Exhibit Marking is a tab beside Exhibit Details when the case marks exhibits (Job Settings → Marking exhibits in this case).
The line above the page says where you are: the case › the client / witness › the deposition › what is on screen (page n of N, Bates, status, how often shown). Click a part to go there.
A witness page starts with what you can do — Open deposition, Clip Maker, Go through their exhibits, Review; their details (side, day, notes) are under Details.

Start here

For: A quick launcher for the day’s main jobs — the same tools as the menus, one click away.

Where: ☰ Menu → Start here… (Ctrl/⌘+Alt+T)

Trial — the dashboard: the case, the trial date and where you stand (days to trial and what is missing, or today’s witnesses), then Trial Schedule · Witnesses · Evidence Room · Designations · Build Presentation · Minutes & Reports. Find evidence, Ask this case, Issues, Binders and Dry run are underneath.
Deposition: Documents & exhibits · Live · Mark & annotate · Clips from a deposition.
Tick “Show this when a case opens” to see it every time.

Tips

Show this when a case opens: tick the box at the bottom (Ctrl/⌘+Alt+T opens it any time).

Keys

Ctrl+Alt+T Start here

Issues — everything on one topic

For: Seeing everything about Damages, Notice, Causation… in one place: documents, pages, clips, designations, slides, witnesses.

Where: ☰ Menu → Issues… · right-click a document → Issues

＋ New issue (Liability, Damages…) — or From a tag… to turn a tag you already use into an issue.
Link things to it: ＋ Link puts what is in the Counsel Table there; right-click a document (or a page) → Issues → tick it; clips and designations have Issues in their ⋯ menu.
Each item has Open and ▶ Show. Make a binder turns the issue into a list you can go through with Next.

Tips

Nothing is copied: an issue is a link (a tag) — the exhibit stays one file, in its folder.
Notes on the issue are only for you.

Binders and ⭐ Key Evidence

For: Putting the things you need together — Smith cross, exhibits for today, the judge’s questions — in your own order.

Where: ☰ Menu → Binders… · right-click → ⭐ Key evidence / Binders

Right-click a document → ⭐ Key evidence (one click) or Binders → a binder / New binder…
Clips and designations: ⋯ → Binders.
In the window: ↑ ↓ to order, ✕ to take out (the item stays in the case), ▶ Show for one.
▶ Go through them: a small bar at the bottom — Next ▶ opens the next one (on the Display too while LIVE).

Tips

Key Evidence is a binder that is always there.

Evidence Room and the Trial Record

For: Where every exhibit stands — marked, offered, admitted, refused, withdrawn — and whether the jury saw it.

Where: ☰ Menu → Evidence Room…

The tiles count each status — click one to list those exhibits (Admitted, never shown is a good check before resting).
One click records a ruling with the date: Offered · Admitted · Refused · Withdrawn (click again to undo). ✎ adds a note (e.g. limited purpose).
Trial Record (PDF): each exhibit — marked, offered, admitted, excluded, withdrawn, first shown and how often.

Tips

Statuses are the same ones as right-click → ADMIT / Status — change them in either place.

Dry Run (rehearse)

For: Rehearsing with the real screens before court — without anything going into the trial record.

Where: ☰ Menu → Dry Run…

Dry Run… → choose a binder or presentation to practise (or anything) → Start dry run. An orange bar shows you are a dry run.
Work exactly as in court: call up, mark, zoom, play clips, present.
End dry run → the rehearsal report: screens shown, exhibits, video, marks, time, anything in the plan you never tried, and missing files.

Tips

What you show while a dry run is never added to History or the Trial Record.

Compare two documents or two versions

For: Contract drafts, revised exhibits, redacted vs. original — side by side, or overlaid so the changes light up.

Where: Select two documents → right-click → Compare … · Versions… → Compare with now

Select two documents in Files & Exhibits (Ctrl/⌘-click) → right-click → Compare.
Or right-click a document → Change the document → Versions… → Compare with now.
◀ Both ▶ turns both pages; Line up moves one side if the page numbers differ. Overlay — show the differences paints what changed in red.
Show both on the screen puts them side by side on the Display, pages moving together.

Redact a copy

For: Hiding names, numbers or anything confidential before a document is shown or handed out.

Where: Right-click a document → Change the document → Redact a copy…

Right-click the document → Change the document → Redact a copy…
Drag black boxes over what must be hidden; ◀ Page ▶ for other pages; click a box to remove it.
Save redacted copy: a NEW exhibit (… -R, “REDACTED”) appears. The original is never changed.

Tips

Pages with boxes become flat pictures in the copy, so the hidden words are really gone — not just covered.

Designations — make the list, link exhibits, play it back

For: Playing deposition testimony to the jury: each side’s designations in its color, objections and rulings, and the exhibits the witness talks about coming up beside the video.

Where: Transcript panel → Designations · Exhibits tabs

Make the list: select lines → right-click → Designate as (Plaintiff / Defendant… each in its color), or New / import list… to paste ranges (37:8-38:4) or open the attorney’s email / Word / Excel / PDF.
Objections and rulings: right-click → Add objection…; on a designation ⋯ → Edit sets Admitted, Overruled, Sustained, Excluded, Withdrawn. Excluded / withdrawn / sustained are skipped when it plays.
Exhibits beside the video: Exhibits tab → ✦ Find exhibits mentioned (every “Exhibit 4”, “PX 7” matched and linked — you tick which), or right-click a line → 📎 Show an exhibit here… (or drag the document onto the line).
Take it down: right-click a later line → ⊘ Put the exhibit away here — or set “at line …” / “after N seconds”.
Designations → ▶ Play all → Play LIVE: every designation in page order. Each side’s chip shows its total time; ⏱ Time allowed… sets the court’s limit per side (red when over).

Tips

⏱ The testimony clock (Designations tab and the Clip Maker’s ⚖ Designations): played and left for this witness, each side in its color, the bar fills as it plays — ↺ Reset for the next trial day.
The Exhibits tab lists every link with ▶ to check it, ✎ to change it and ✕ to remove it.
“Text on screen” (Exhibits tab) turns the testimony text under the video on or off.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+J Transcript panel

Show a website on the Display

For: A company’s website, a product page, a patent search — shown live with its address, never your mouse or buttons.

Where: ☰ Menu → Web Browser · ＋ Add → Web Page

☰ Menu → Web Browser. The Counsel Table becomes a browser (Chrome’s engine). Type the address — or search words — and press Enter.
Click, scroll and type in the Counsel Table as in any browser. A− / A+ make the page smaller or bigger for the jury.
SHOW shows the page as it is at that moment — scroll ahead unseen, then SHOW again. LIVE shows every scroll and click. The Display shows the page with its address bar above it.
📸 Save screenshot (or right-click → Save Screenshot) saves Screenshot 01, 02… as a PDF stamped with the full address and the date, time and time zone, in the current client folder. Rename it like any document; Open & mark puts the exhibit sticker on it.
Esc or ✕ closes the browser (Esc twice when the page is live) and brings back what the Counsel Table had before.

Tips

Right-click the page → Inspect Element: the inspector opens under the page — drag the bar between them for more room; ✕ closes it. Only you see it.
Websites show light, like a printout. Tick Dark pages in the browser bar for a site’s dark look.
Every page shown is in History — click one to go back to it.
The screenshot picture itself is kept too (PNG, next to the PDF) — it is the file of record of the capture.
Sign-ins made in the browser stay with this case only. Downloads from websites are off. Your Show / Live keys still work while you are in a page.

Exhibit binder for the jury, judge or mediator

For: One PDF of the admitted (or marked / selected) exhibits to hand out.

Where: ☰ Menu → Exhibit Binder

☰ Menu → Exhibit Binder — choose Admitted, every Marked exhibit, or the documents selected in Files & Exhibits.
Title and subtitle go on the cover. Save the PDF.
It has a cover, an Index — Table of Contents (click any line to jump to that exhibit), each exhibit (its stamped copy when it was marked) and bookmarks: Cover, Index, then one per exhibit.

Tips

Word / Excel files are included through their PDF copy; other file types are listed as skipped.

Whiteboard

For: A witness or expert sketching a scene, a timeline or a diagram.

Where: ＋ Add → Whiteboard / Chalkboard

＋ Add → Whiteboard (white) or Chalkboard (dark). It opens with the pen ready.
Draw with the pen, arrows, shapes and text — LIVE shows it as you draw.
Save Screen keeps a drawing; Mark makes it an exhibit like any document.

Two techs over the internet (remote session)

For: Remote trials and arbitrations: each tech has the job on their own computer, changes go both ways.

Where: ☰ Menu → Start Remote Session / Join Remote Session

Tech 1 (has the job): ☰ Menu → Start Remote Session… — a session code and a passphrase are shown. Give both to the other tech (phone / text).
Tech 2: ☰ Menu (or the start screen) → Join Remote Session… — type the code and passphrase, choose where to save the job, and (if you already have the exhibits, e.g. a shared Dropbox folder) point to them.
A progress bar shows the job arriving, files found on this computer, missing files coming from the other computer, and the marked exhibits being made here too.
While connected, a green REMOTE ON pill shows next to the case name with the code and how many are connected. A mark, a rename, a designation, a new file on either computer shows up on the other within seconds.
Done: click REMOTE ON → Leave (you leave, the other tech carries on) or End Session (finished — closed for everyone; each computer keeps the job and carries on alone).

Tips

Both techs add the same file? Valu-Present notices and offers to use the exhibit that is there — the numbering stays one list.
Everything is encrypted with the passphrase before it leaves the computer — the server only passes it on. The passphrase is never saved.
Very big files (over 400 MB, e.g. deposition video) aren’t sent through the server — keep them in a shared Dropbox / OneDrive folder and point to it when joining.
Starting a session is an account add-on; anyone with Valu-Present can join.

3D models — devices, scenes, reconstructions

For: A device demo, a laser-scanned scene or an expert’s accident reconstruction model.

Where: Import like any file (.glb, .gltf, .obj, .stl, .ply, .fbx, .usdz) → Files & Exhibits → 3D models

Import the model — .glb is best (one file). The original is kept as the file of record.
Load it into the Counsel Table. Drag to turn it, right-drag to move it, scroll to zoom. The Display follows when it is live.
The small bar: ⟲ home view, Front / Back / Left / Right / Top. ▶ plays an animation built into the model — nothing is invented.
Save Screen keeps the exact view; call it up later and the model turns back to it.
Drawing tools mark over the model just like a document.

Tips

A “DEMONSTRATIVE — ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY” label shows on the model; turn it off for one model with right-click → Demonstrative label on screen.
If a computer’s graphics can’t draw 3D (old driver, Remote Desktop, a virtual machine), the Counsel Table says so.

Storyboard — openings and closings in order

For: Putting an opening or a closing together: chapters of cards (an exhibit screen, a clip, a designation, a slide), in the order you will present them.

Where: ☰ Menu → Storyboard · View ▾ → Windows → Storyboard

＋ New storyboard (or ＋ Start an Opening / a Closing).
Add cards: put an exhibit (with its callouts) in the Counsel Table → ＋ This screen; clips and designations from their ⋯ menu; a simple slide with ＋ Slide.
Drag cards to put them in order; chapters (Duty · Breach · Damages…) keep them grouped.
▶ Show plays it from the first card — Page Down / Page Up (or a clicker) moves through it. Presenter view gives you your notes, the next card and a timer.

Tips

⏱ The running time is at the top — an estimate from the clips and a few seconds per card.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+Y Storyboard
Ctrl+Shift+K Add this screen to the Storyboard

Slide Creator & PowerPoint

For: Making slide decks for openings, closings and demonstratives — presenting them, and exporting them to PowerPoint.

Where: ☰ Menu → Slide Creator · View ▾ → Windows → Slide Creator

Slides → ＋ New deck. A deck is also a Presentation.
＋ Slide → title, bullets, quote, big number, chart, timeline, side by side — or “The screen in the Counsel Table now” to add an exhibit with its callouts.
Pictures, video, sound — like PowerPoint: Insert ▾ → Picture… / Video… / Audio… (from this computer — copied into the case’s Demonstratives folder, the original never changes) or From the case… (stays the file of record). Choose Blank for a slide with only pictures and shapes.
Shapes and text: Arrow · Line · Square · Circle · Highlight · Number on the bar — or click the slide and press A · L · S · O · H · N · T (text). Drag to move, the corner to resize, the ends of a line to bend it; things snap to the edges, the centre and each other (hold Alt for no snap). Shift-click selects more; Align ▾ lines them up; Ctrl / ⌘ + Z undoes, Ctrl / ⌘ + D duplicates, Delete removes.
Layout ▾: text left · picture right, picture left · text right, a full picture, two pictures side by side.
Exhibit callout: Insert ▾ → Exhibit callout… → pick the exhibit and page (it starts on the one in the Counsel Table), drag over the part to show → it lands on the slide as a clean blow-up with its cite under it (e.g. PX-12 at 4, with the Bates when there is one). The exhibit is never changed.
Icons: Insert ▾ → Icon ▸ — person, people, company, document, email, calendar, clock, money, car, truck, house, phone, hospital, scales, warning, check, X, location, question. One style; pick the color on the right.
Footer: Deck ▾ → Footer… — the firm / case caption on the left and the slide number on the right, on every slide of the deck.
Crop a picture: select it → Crop… on the right → drag over the part to keep (the file is not changed). Lock: tick Locked so it can’t be moved or deleted by accident. Group: Shift-click two or more → Group (Ctrl / ⌘ + G) so they move as one; Ctrl / ⌘ + Shift + G ungroups.
Background picture: Layout ▾ → Background picture → From this computer / From the case; Faded light keeps dark text readable, Faded dark turns the words white; Use this background on every slide.
Video and sound on a slide play when you click them (or press Space) in the Counsel Table — or by themselves when the slide comes up (choose Plays on the right). The Display plays the sound; the Counsel Table stays quiet while you present.
Type on the right; the slide updates as you type and saves by itself. Drag slides on the left to reorder.
▶ Show deck starts the slide show, live. → / Space / a clicker shows the next point, then the next slide; Esc ends.
Export to PowerPoint… saves a real, editable .pptx with real charts and your notes.

Tips

A client’s PowerPoint: import it like any file — slides for the screen are made in the background; Open in PowerPoint for its own animations.
✦ Draft a deck with A.I. asks what to cover and which files to use; an A.I. draft has a gold DRAFT banner until you save it.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+U Slide Creator
Ctrl+Shift+Y Storyboard

A.I. Builder — openings, closings, impeachment

For: Getting a first draft from your own files: a deck, an outline, a timeline or a written summary.

Where: ☰ Menu → A.I. Builder · Slide Creator → ✦ Draft a deck with A.I.

1 · What to use: the whole case, or any mix of depositions, witnesses and exhibits.
2 · What to make: opening, closing, impeachment, witness outline, timeline, key exhibits, a written summary — or Give me ideas.
3 · The goal: what the jury should take away (or let the A.I. offer angles).
Build: the draft deck opens in the Slide Creator and a record goes to A.I. Summaries.
Check every slide against its cite before using it.

Witness Review — admissions and impeachment

For: Preparing a cross or a direct: what the witness said, what they conceded, and where their story conflicts with other testimony or an exhibit.

Where: Case → Witnesses → a witness → ✦ Review this witness · ☰ Menu → Witness Review

Link the witness’s deposition and exhibits first (Case → Witnesses).
Optional: type topics or questions, one per line.
Review: it reads topic by topic, then checks each statement against the exhibits and other testimony.
You get a summary, key admissions and possible impeachment — the statement and the conflicting passage side by side, both cited.
Tick the ones you want → Make slides from the ticked.

A.I. Summaries — everything the A.I. made

For: Reviewing, keeping and exporting the A.I.’s work.

Where: ☰ Menu → A.I. Summaries

Each item shows when it was made, what was asked and which files it used.
Open one to read it, click cites to go to the page or line, ask follow-ups, Export PDF, Mark reviewed or Delete.
The case index updates itself in the background (a ✦ chip in the status bar); it pauses while you present live.

Search Everything and tags

For: Finding anything in the case — by words, dates or tags.

Where: ☰ Menu → Search Everything · ☰ Menu → Tags…

Type two letters or more — documents, testimony, spoken words, notes, designations, witnesses and slides are listed together.
Dates work too: “March”, “3/14/24”, “last week” — documents dated, added or shown then.
Type #tag for everything with that tag. Tag a document (right-click → Tags), a single page (right-click the page → Tag this page… — found as EX4.12), a clip, a designation, a slide.
☰ Menu → Tags… lists every tag with how often it is used: Show (everything with it), Rename or Delete — everywhere at once; ＋ Add tag makes a new one.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+G Search Everything

Valu-Present A.I.

For: Asking questions about the case, finding passages by meaning, drafting slides — on this computer only.

Where: ☰ Menu → Ask Valu-Present A.I.

First time: Download (about 2.6 GB, once).
Build case index (later: Update — only what changed is re-read).
Ask: type a question; the answer cites [1] [2] — click to go to the page or transcript lines.
Related meaning: describe what you are looking for in your own words.

Tips

Nothing from the case leaves the computer.
A.I. can be wrong — always check the sources before relying on it.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+I Valu-Present A.I.

Courtroom Mode

For: Running a live hearing safely.

Where: ☰ Menu → Courtroom Mode

Turn it on before the hearing: its own layout (Files & Exhibits · Counsel Table · History + Exhibit Marking), bigger buttons.
Renaming, deleting, importing, Bates changes, rotating and moving panels are locked.
Turn it off to get your preparation layout back.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+T Courtroom Mode on / off

Arrange the screen and the look

For: Putting panels where you want them, and choosing how Valu-Present looks.

Where: Just drag (any time) · 🔒 (top right) · ☰ Menu → Panels · Settings → Themes

Like OBS — move things any time: drag a panel by its tab (drop near an edge to put it there; the middle stacks it as a tab), press-and-hold a tool group, drag a section header. It is kept as you leave it.
Two panels stacked as tabs? Right-click the tab → Move Out — Below / Right / Left, or Float.
Closed one by mistake? ☰ Menu → Panels → tick it.
🔒 (top right) or ☰ Menu → Lock Layout keeps everything still; click again to unlock. Courtroom Mode always locks it.
The look: Settings → Themes. The default is Lab Dark (simple, clean, precise); Lab is its light version, and “Lab — follows the computer” switches by itself. Pick any other; ✎ edits one, ⊘ hides one; Your colors sets the accent, background tint and text (Auto / My color, Bold, Outline). Save as my theme keeps it.

Tips

↺ My look from before the update (Settings → Themes) brings back the theme you had.
History times are off by default — ⋯ → Show Times (or hover a row).
Settings → Layout → Screen templates resets to Minimalist, Medium or Full.

Work together on a shared drive

For: Two techs (or a tech and an attorney) on one job in the same office; handing the presentation back and forth.

Where: Job Settings → Collaboration · the chip next to the job name

Put the case folder on a shared drive and open it on both computers.
Job Settings → Collaboration → tick Share this job, type your name, Save (on each computer).
Work as normal — the other computer’s changes appear within a few seconds.
To present: press SHOW. If the other computer is presenting you are asked Take control? — say yes.
Done presenting: click the chip → Hand off, or just stop presenting.

Tips

Not in the same office? Use a remote session instead (see “Two techs over the internet”).

Choose a screen template

For: A quick starting screen: Minimalist, Medium, Full or Simple.

Where: ☰ Menu → Screen Templates… · Settings → Layout · asked on a new install and after Reset

Click a template to see a big preview: Minimalist = canvas + Files & Exhibits · Medium = the everyday set-up · Full = every panel · Simple = big labelled buttons.
Click Confirm. Add panels later with ☰ Menu → Panels.

Witness Kit — everything for one witness, in order

For: Preparing a direct or a cross: the exhibits (with their callouts), screens, clips, designations, slides and notes in the order you will use them — and walking through them at trial.

Where: View ▾ → Witness Kit · Open → Witness Kit · Case → Witnesses → 🧰 Kit

Open the Witness Kit and choose the witness at the top.
✦ Fill from the witness adds their clips, designations, the exhibits linked to their testimony and the documents in their folder.
Add more from the right: Exhibits, Testimony, Screens, Slides — or ＋ This screen (the Counsel Table as it is, with its callouts) and ＋ Note.
Drag the steps into the order you will use them; click one to see it in the middle and add your note.
At trial: ▶ Start at trial — Page Down / Page Up (or Next / Back) opens each step in the Counsel Table; SHOW (F6) puts it on the Display.

Tips

Right-click any document, clip or designation → Binders → 🧰 a witness adds it to that witness’s kit.
A binder → Witness Kit puts the whole binder in, in its order.
Closing the kit window changes nothing on your screen — ✕ on the bar ends the walk-through.

Keys

Ctrl+K Open the Witness Kit

Impeach — find it in the deposition, play it LIVE

For: The witness says something different from the deposition: find the lines and play them in seconds.

Where: Open → ⚡ Impeach · or the key

Press the Impeach key (or Open → ⚡ Impeach). The deposition of the witness on the stand is chosen for you.
Type words the witness said — the matching lines show as you type.
↑ ↓ moves to another match; Shift+↓ takes one more line.
Enter plays those lines LIVE on the Display with the words. Shift+Enter shows the transcript page instead.

Tips

It works best on a synced deposition — the lines play exactly.
Everything you play is written in the Minutes.

Keys

Ctrl+J Impeach

View ▾ — every panel and window

For: Showing or closing any panel, opening a tool window, going back to the standard screen.

Where: Top bar → View ▾

View ▾ lists every panel: ticked = on the screen. Click to close it; click again to bring it back.
Windows: All Case Files, Clip Maker, Witness Kit open in their own windows.
Screen: the standard deposition / trial screen puts every panel back; Templates and My layouts are there too.
To move a panel, drag it by its name: the color shows where it lands — UNDER (green), ABOVE (orange), LEFT / RIGHT OF (purple), INSIDE as a tab (blue).
Open a panel and close it again: your screen goes back to how it was.

Tips

Call up an exhibit is the X key (also the first line of View).
Lock the layout (View ▾) so panels can’t be moved by accident.

Send / Receive changes — the firm and the trial tech

For: Keeping two copies of the case in step — a paralegal at the firm and the trial tech each work on it; nobody re-types anything.

Where: Open → ⇪ Export & hand-offs → Working with someone else · Case menu

Start from the same case (one of you sends a Case Package once).
⇪ Send my changes: a small .vpchanges file — exhibit details, statuses, stickers, saved screens, designations, clips, exhibit links. Not the documents. Email it or put it in a shared folder.
The other person: ⇩ Receive changes → every change in a list — ＋ new (blue), ✎ changed (green), ✕ removed (red). Untick what you don’t want.
⚠ Both changed the same thing (orange): side by side — Keep mine or Use theirs.
Apply the ticked changes → ⇪ Send mine back, and you are both on the same page.

Tips

A new document in their copy is listed but not added — ask for the file, add it, then receive again.
The app remembers your last exchange, so it can tell their change from yours.

Exhibit Workbook — every exhibit in one table

For: Big cases: find, sort and update hundreds of exhibits at once.

Where: Case → Exhibit Workbook

Click a column name to sort (again to reverse). The chips filter: a party, a status, Shown to the jury, Admitted never shown, a #tag.
Type in the search box — it looks in every column.
＋ New column: your own (Witness, Objection, Confidential…) — free text, a list of choices, or a tick box.
Tick rows → change them together: Status, Party, a tag, your columns.
Views… → Save this view (e.g. “Admitted for Smith”) — the filter, the search, the sort and the columns, one click away.
⇪ Export (Excel / CSV): exactly what you see.

Tips

Double-click a row: it opens in the Counsel Table. Right-click: SHOW, LIVE, mark, rename, notes.
Nothing is copied — a change here is a change everywhere.

Keys

Ctrl+Shift+O Case Overview

Export & hand-offs

For: Everything that leaves the job: the jury exhibits, a binder, reports, designation and clip videos.

Where: Open → ⇪ Export & hand-offs · Case → Reports

Clip and designation videos: ⇪ Export videos — this clip, every clip, what the jury will see, or every deposition (a folder for each witness); one file each or one video in order; burn in the transcript lines or not.
Open Export & hand-offs.
For the jury, the judge or the mediator: Jury exhibits folder copies every ADMITTED exhibit (the stamped copy when there is one) into a folder you choose, with an index PDF; Exhibit binder makes one PDF.
Exhibits: the report (PDF) or the list for Excel.
Designations & clips: pick the deposition, then the report, the CSV, or the MP4 videos (what the court allows, with the words and exhibits).
The day and the case: History, time report, lineup, inventory.

Tips

Set each exhibit’s status in the Evidence Room — Admitted is what goes in the jury folder.
The original files are never changed — everything here is a copy.

Call up by ID, name or Bates	`X` then type (e.g. 4, Expert Report, ABC0001234) and press `Enter`
Or pick it	Click it in the Files & Exhibits (left). Click ▸ to see its pages.
Jump to a page	Type the page number and press `Enter`, or use the Go To box under the Counsel Table
Jump by Bates	`X` then ID, dash, last digits of the Bates — e.g. EX1-319 (no Bates match → page 319)
Bates page in this document	`Alt`+`X` then the last digits (e.g. 231) — PDF page: type it in the Counsel Table
Find words in this document	`Alt`+`F` or the Find in document box · `Enter` next, `Shift`+`Enter` previous (outlined on your screen only)

Next / previous page	`→` / `←` or the mouse scroll wheel
First / last page	`Home` / `End`
Collapse / expand the list	— or the button above the list
Page menu	Right-click the page
Key menu	Hold Ctrl / Alt / Shift / ⌘
Name a Most Shown page	F4
Type a page number	Click the page number at the bottom

Show what the Counsel Table shows	`F6` (or the gold SHOW button)
Live on / off	`F5` — everything you do shows immediately
Clear the screen / close it	`Esc` once = the logo or black · twice = close the Display
Black out the screen	`B` or the BLANK button in the top bar — a black strip above the Counsel Table says when it is black
Work on the Display	`Alt`+`Shift`+`T` shows the tools there — in SHOW your Counsel Table isn’t touched
Put back what the witness saw before (Prev shown)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`←`

Transcript panel	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`J` — click a line = video there · double-click = play
Impeach on the fly	Go To box: 37:8-14 then Shift+Enter = play it LIVE · or right-click lines → Play LIVE now
Make a clip	Select lines (click, Shift-click) → Create Clip · adjust IN / OUT ±0.1 s
Attorney list	Designations → Import list… (paste the email or open the file)
Review designations	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`D` — timeline, objections, rulings, reports, video clips
Play them between exhibits	Tick → Add to Presentation

Whole page	`F`
Full width (top of page)	`W`
Fill the screen with the content	`Alt`+`A` — trims blank margins (great for slides)
Zoom into an area	`Z` then drag a box
Nudge counter-clockwise / clockwise	`Shift`+`[` / `Shift`+`]` — straighten a crooked scan

Highlight	`H` then drag across the text
Tool choices	Right-click a tool with a corner mark ◢ (highlight, arrow, redact, callout)
Callout (blow-up)	`C` then drag a box · drag any corner to enlarge · `Alt`+drag a corner to crop · double-click to close
Laser pointer	`Alt`+`Shift`+`L` — red dot follows your mouse on the Display
Undo the last mark	`Ctrl`+`E`
Remove one mark	Double-click it — any tool (highlight, bullet, circle, arrow, pen, text…)
Erase all marks	`E`
Back to the arrow	`V`

Two documents side by side	`/` — click a side, then call up a document
Back to one	`Alt`+`Shift`+`1`
Top / bottom as one page	`\` then hold `Ctrl` + scroll wheel
Next pages across 3 / 4 panes	`Ctrl`+`/`
Move all panes together	`Alt`+`L` — Link on: blue LINKED badge in the Counsel Table; off: arrows move only the selected pane

Play / pause	`Space` or ▶ on the play bar under the Counsel Table
Back / forward 2 seconds	`←` / `→` — hold ◀ 2s / 2s ▶ to scan faster
Go to a time	Type it in the time box (1:23 · 23:15 · 1:23:45) and press `Enter`
Volume / mute	On the play bar — sets the Display sound. The Counsel Table is silent while presenting (no echo)
Play what’s on the Display	In SHOW, with something else in the Counsel Table: `Alt`+`Shift`+`T` shows the tools on the Display with ⏮ ◀ 2s ▶ 2s ▶ and the time — or just press `Space` when the Counsel Table has no media
Captions	Tick Show captions on the play bar (off by default) · CC ▾ to load a .vtt / .srt or make them with the Speech Engine

Mark the document on screen	`F9` → place the sticker → ✓ Confirm
Word / Excel / other files	Right-click the file → Mark as next exhibit…
Rename a document	`F2` — EX / PX / DX… IDs sort to the top; the selection moves on to the next file

Transcript panel	`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`J` — click a line = video there · double-click = play
Impeach on the fly	Go To box: 37:8-14 then Shift+Enter = play it LIVE · or right-click lines → Play LIVE now
Make a clip	Select lines (click, Shift-click) → Create Clip · adjust IN / OUT ±0.1 s
Attorney list	Designations → Import list… (paste the email or open the file)
Review designations	`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`D` — timeline, objections, rulings, reports, video clips
Play them between exhibits	Tick → Add to Presentation

New Deposition or New Trial / Arbitration	Start screen or File menu. Deposition: exhibits, marking, call-ups, Bates, presenting — the transcript and video sync appear once you import them; nothing else in the way. Trial / Arbitration: adds storyboards, designation review, ADMIT / exhibit status, trial exhibits, work mode (Law Firm / Tech) and the Case overview tabs. Pick a name and where to save it; the next New remembers your last choice.	`Ctrl`+`N`
Change the case type	Click DEPOSITION / TRIAL in the middle of the bottom bar, or Job Settings → Case Type & Work Mode. A deposition can grow into a trial case any time — nothing is deleted, only shown or hidden. Using a trial feature in a deposition asks whether to switch. Each type keeps its own panel layout.
Open a job	Open a case folder you made before. The last jobs are listed on the start screen (✕ removes one from the list).	`Ctrl`+`O`
Job Settings	The Job Settings button — this case only, in clear groups: Files (Names & Import, Bates), Screen (Clear Screen, Exhibit Stickers), Case (Case Type, Monitor Map for trial / arbitration).	Job button
App Settings	⚙ — every job, in clear groups: You (License & User), Look (Appearance, Themes, Layout, Animations), Working (Files & Exhibits & Import, Marking & Callouts, Video & Captions, Keyboard), Presenting (Presentation, Monitors, Exhibit Labels, Split Screen), Help (Guides, Startup & Reset).	⚙ `Ctrl`+`,`
License & User — law firm or tech	App Settings → License & User → Who uses Valu-Present. Law firm: enter the firm, attorney(s), the side you usually represent, address, phone and email — every new case then works as a law firm (your side only), the firm goes on the exhibit sticker and the attorney on the clear screen. The Tech choice is hidden; tick Also work as tech if you sometimes show opposing counsel’s material too. Independent tech: every party and client.
Reset settings	App Settings → Startup & Reset → Reset all settings: everything back to a new install — Standard — Dark theme, standard glass 40% see-through, interface size 100%, animations off, no clear-screen logo (Esc = black screen), the clean layout. Your saved layouts, user / firm details, monitor names, licence and jobs are kept — load a saved layout to get your set-up back.
Files & Exhibits settings	App Settings → Files & Exhibits: which columns show (Icons, ID, File Name, Bates, Tags, Times shown — all on by default), the colors, the list fonts, the order and how the list behaves. Settings groups are color-coded: You, Look, Working, Presenting, Help.

Transcripts (depositions)	☰ Menu → Sync a Deposition (or ＋ Add → A Deposition): pick the witness, the transcript (.txt, .ptx, .lef — or an already-synced .mdb from VALU-SYNC) and the video parts in order; Next checks it and syncs it on this computer (Sync Check shows anything worth a look). The deposition files itself in its witness folder. The Transcript panel shows pages, line numbers and Q / A; click a line to move the video there, double-click to play from it. Search finds words instantly (Enter = next). Select lines (click, Shift-click or drag) → Create Clip (N): IN / OUT come from the sync — adjust with ±1 s / ±0.1 s or Set IN / OUT here, without changing the sync. ▶ plays the clip and stops at OUT, then goes back to its first line. ⋯ → Add to Presentation puts clips between your exhibit slides. The video plays in the Counsel Table, so SHOW / LIVE work as usual.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`J`
Depositions in Files & Exhibits	The Depositions tab (and the top of All) lists every deposition: SYNC = its video is linked, plus its clip and designation counts. Click one to open it in the Transcript panel; right-click to import a designation list or open the Review. Videos that belong to a deposition show SYNC too.
On-the-fly impeachment	Type a cite in the Transcript panel’s Go To box (37:8-14, 37:8, 1521-1611) → Enter selects it and moves the video there; Shift+Enter plays it LIVE on the Display. Or select lines and right-click → ▶ Play LIVE now. You never leave your documents.
Attorney designations	Transcript panel → Designations → Import list… : paste an email or open a text, Excel / CSV (match the columns), Word or PDF list. Understands 12:4-14:18, 0015:02, 15.02, 15:02-18, 106 12 - 106 16, 187 9-19, 1521-1611, p. 23, l. 12 – p. 24, l. 8, whole pages and witness / party block titles. Lines it can’t read turn red — type the fix. Each party has its own color (⚙ Parties & colors); overlapping designations show every party’s bar. Types and statuses are editable. The attorney’s file is never changed (a copy is kept with the job).
Designation Review	The Designation Review panel (`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`D`): witness, a timeline per party with the overlaps, tabs All · each party · Objections · Rulings. Click a row to jump the transcript and video, double-click to play, change status in the row, ⇆ = overlaps another party. Tick rows → Add to Presentation (the folder item only points at the designation), Compare (two), Report (PDF), Excel / CSV, load file, or video clips.
Objections and rulings	Select lines → Objection… (party, objection, related designation, status, ruling, notes). The line gets an orange !; objections stay attached to the testimony. Statuses (Pending, Admitted, Excluded, Overruled, Sustained, Modified, Withdrawn) can be renamed or added.
Menu — find anything	Click the Valu-Present logo (top left) or press F10: every menu in one panel — recent cases, Open / New Case, “Go to” (Files & Exhibits, Counsel Table, Storyboard, Transcript, Case, Exhibit Marking…) and File, Edit, View, Show, Storyboard, Transcript, Help. Type in the search box to find any command (e.g. bates, relink, split) and press Enter.
Web Browser	☰ Menu → Web Browser (or ＋ Add → Web Page). The Counsel Table becomes a browser (Chrome’s engine): type an address or search words, Enter. Click, scroll and type as usual; A− / A+ size the page for the jury. SHOW shows the page as it is at that moment; LIVE shows every scroll and click. The Display shows only the page — never the mouse, the address bar or the buttons. 📸 Save screenshot saves what the page shows as Screenshot 01, 02… (a PDF with the address and the date / time under the picture; the picture itself is kept as the file of record) in the current client folder — rename it and mark it like any exhibit (Open & mark). Sign-ins stay with this job; downloads are off. ✕ closes the browser.	—
Tags	☰ Menu → Tags… lists every tag with how often it is used — Show (everything with it), Rename or Delete everywhere at once. Tag a single page: right-click the page → Tag this page… (Search #tag finds it as EX4.12).	—
Folders: clients and witnesses	Case File: client folders, with witness folders under them. A synced deposition and its video go in the witness folder (made if missing). A client folder shows everything in it and below it. Folders are a view — nothing moves on disk.
SHOW on / off	SHOW pulses gold while something is on the Display; SHOW again (nothing changed) takes it off — ↶ Undo in the note puts it back. LIVE ON pulses red; click it again to stop.	`F6`
Jump to a time (video / audio)	Type in the time box on the play bar and press Enter: 1:23, 23:15, 1:23:45 or digits only (0130 = 1:30). A time past the end says so. In LIVE the Display follows to the second.
Panels	Drag any panel by its tab any time (drop near an edge to split, the middle to stack). Right-click a tab → Move Out — Below / Right / Left, Float. ☰ Menu → Panels brings back a closed one; 🔒 locks the layout.
Storyboard (openings, closings, outlines)	Top bar → Storyboard (Ctrl/⌘+Shift+Y). Start an Opening or Closing — chapters (Introduction, Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages, Ask) you can rename, move or delete. Each chapter holds cards in order: the screen in the Counsel Table (exhibit, callouts, split — Ctrl/⌘+Shift+K adds it), a deposition clip or designation (Transcript panel → ⋯ → Add to Storyboard), or a simple slide (title, bullet points, or a quote with its cite). Drag cards to reorder or move between chapters; double-click to edit; every card has speaker notes and a time — the running time shows at the top. ⋯ → Print outline with notes (PDF) for the binder.
Show a storyboard	▶ Show puts card 1 on the Display (LIVE) and opens the Presenter window on your screen: the card now, the next card, your notes, and the time. Clicker / Page Down = next, Page Up = back; clips and designations play from IN to OUT. Right-click a card or chapter → Show from here. You can still call up anything (X) in the middle and carry on.
Work mode: Law Firm or Tech	Job Settings → Work Mode (asked when you create a case). Law Firm: our side only — you pick who you represent; the other side’s controls are hidden and stickers default to your side. Independent Tech: all sides; the “Working for” button in the top bar keeps each client’s storyboards, Demonstratives and saved screens apart — prep made while working for one client never shows for another (shared evidence stays shared). Every switch is logged.
Big video: linked, not copied	Deposition video is linked where it lives (a drive or NAS) instead of being copied into the case — a trial with hundreds of GB stays fast and small. If the drive is not connected the file shows MISSING; File → Relink Missing Files, point at the drive or folder, and every file is found by name. (Settings → Media to copy video instead.)
Work right on the Display	Click on the Display and it becomes your work area — separate from the Counsel Table. Press X and type (EX7, EX4.3, a Bates number, a saved screen): a call-up box shows in its lower-left corner so you see what you type, and Enter puts it straight on that screen (the box goes away). Type a number to turn to that page, Alt+Shift+2 / 3 / 4 to split it, and every tool works there (show them with “Tools on screen”). Your Counsel Table is left alone for preparing the next thing. Everyone watching sees what you do.
Images and scans	PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, BMP and TIFF (also multi-page scans) import and show like documents; HEIC photos show on a Mac. The original picture is always the file of record — a TIFF is never turned into a PDF (Valu-Present only makes hidden viewing pictures to display it). Marking an image saves the same kind of file with the sticker burned in: PNG → PNG, JPEG → JPEG, TIFF → TIFF with all its pages.
Media folder	Everything imported into the job is kept in media/ sorted by type: PDF, Documents, Demonstratives, Spreadsheets, Email, Images, Video, Audio. Older jobs: File → Organize Media Folder by Type.
Admit / exhibit status	Right-click exhibits in Files & Exhibits → ADMIT (or Status… : Marked, Offered, Admitted, Refused, Withdrawn). Admitted shows a green ADM tag; the ✓ Admitted chip above the list shows only admitted ones. The date of each status is kept for the Trial Exhibit List. Give Admit a key in Settings → Shortcuts.
Client colors	Each client folder gets its own color when it is created (blue, red, green, gold… — clear on any screen). Right-click the folder → Color… to change it, Party… to link it to Plaintiff / Defendant. That one color is used everywhere for the client: folder, Files & Exhibits rows, exhibit stickers (a light shade, so the text stays readable), depositions (right-click → Client…), designations and reports.
Trial exhibits	Exhibit Marking → Deposition \| Trial. Trial marks “Plaintiff’s Trial Exhibit 12” with the case number on the sticker and its own numbering (deposition numbers are not touched). The report adds a court-style Trial Exhibit List: No., description, party, offered, objection, admitted.
Send exhibits (email / cloud)	Exhibit Marking → Send…, Marked Exhibits → Send…, File → Send Exhibits, or right-click selected documents → Send. Everything goes in one .zip (with the marked exhibits list PDF if you like). ✉ Email starts a new message in Apple Mail or Outlook with the zip attached and the reporter’s address filled in (other mail apps: the message opens and the zip is shown to drag in). ☁ Cloud folder copies the zip into Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive / iCloud / Box — right-click it there → Share for a link. Over 20 MB? Use the cloud folder.
Export video clips	Designations or clips → Export video clips…: each as its own MP4 (named e.g. “JC 3 106.12-106.16” — {initials} {num} {from}-{to} …) or one video with all of them, frame-accurate at IN / OUT. For slides, other players or email.
Add files	Pick files, or drag them onto Files & Exhibits or a folder. The Add Media window finds the naming pattern (e.g. “4 - Expert Report” → ID 4) and asks you to confirm it. The window asks 1 · Smart, 2 · Manual (as before) or 3 · Create list (every file gets 1, 2, 3… / 01 / A in order, and a PDF list for the client is saved — reprint it any time: right-click in Files & Exhibits or on a client folder → PRINT FILE LIST WITH ID). Smart naming (choice remembered; it also asks whether to read Bates numbers from the pages — off by default): Tab01 / Tab 1 / tab1 → ID 1 and Bates-named files ABC000000012345 → ID 12345 (no leading zeros), keeping the whole file name as the Name — dragged-in files use it too unless you picked Manual. The rename tools only open when there’s no clear pattern, or when you click “Change how names are split”. Files on a network or external drive: copy them into the job (default) or use them where they are; turn off “Ask when files are dragged in” in Settings to add dragged files straight away (hold `Alt` while dropping to get the window anyway).	`Ctrl`+`I`
ID and File Name	The file name is split at the separator you choose (e.g. “4 - Expert Report” → ID 4, File Name Expert Report). The ID is what you type to call a document up.
Build the ID (rename tool)	Add Media → Manual → How should each file’s ID be made? Keep the names (split at the dash) · Counter (1, 2, 3 or 001, letters in front like EX) · Pick characters — click a character in the file name, hold Shift and press → to select (or drag, or double-click a run of digits); tick “Count from the end” when the names are different lengths (Bates) · Number in the name (Tab 80 → 80) · Custom mask (rename codes). “Then - and the whole file name” keeps the name after the ID. More options: search & replace, upper / lowercase, order, saved settings (F2). The originals are never renamed.
Record Bates numbers	Tick the gold box when the client gave you Bates-stamped files. Clean pages are filled in; pages that don’t read cleanly get a ⚠ on the document for you to check.
⚠ on a document	Click it: Keep what was found, Not Bates-stamped — remove, or Check page by page. You can apply the choice to every document with ⚠.
Client folders	Group documents by party or client in the Case File panel. A document can be in more than one folder.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N`

Show a document	Click it — it loads in the Counsel Table (not on the Display).
Search the list	Find by ID, name or Bates. * and ? work as wildcards.	`Ctrl`+`F`
Rename	Change the ID (and File Name).	`F2`
Order of the list	Default: exhibits first — EX, EXH, EXHIBIT, PX, DX, JX, “Plaintiff’s Ex.”, “Def Ex” and the like, in number order (EX2 before EX10) — then every other file A–Z / by number. Settings → General → Files & Exhibits order: Exhibits first, A–Z by ID, A–Z by File Name, Leave where they are (import order) or Manual (drag files up / down). Add your own prefixes there. Job Settings can give one job its own order; the sort button above the list changes it for now.
Rename and keep going	When a rename moves a file (1 → EX1 jumps to the top), the selection stays in place on the next file so you can rename one after another. Settings → General → After a rename → Follow the renamed file, if you prefer.	`F2`
PowerPoint / Excel in the list	Clicking one only selects it — the document on screen stays. Double-click (or right-click → Open) opens it in its program.
Name a page	Give one page a name, e.g. “para 12”.	`F4`
Remove Bates	Removes the Bates numbers from the whole document — the one selected in Files & Exhibits, or the one on the Counsel Table. Asks first.	`Alt`+`F3`
Add / detect Bates	Fill Bates is the master override: type the first Bates number and it replaces whatever the pages had (imported or not). Number from the first page onwards (default), from the page you are on, a page range, or on through all the exhibits after it. The numbers show live in Files & Exhibits as you type; Cancel puts them back. Detect reads the Bates printed on the pages instead.	`F3` / `Shift`+`F3`
Collapse / expand all	The button above the list (▾ Collapse all / ▸ Expand all) or the key toggles every document’s pages.	—
Page menu	Right-click the page (without dragging): Show / Live / Blank, zoom (full page, width, halves, auto-fit), layout (single, side by side, top / bottom, with next page, swap), pages, rotate, nudge, invert, save, labels, mark, undo, clear. Esc or a click elsewhere closes it. Right-drag still pans.	Right-click
Activation	Type the email of your Valu-Present account and click Activate. Settings → License shows your plan, when it ends, how many activations you have and which computers use them; Deactivate this computer frees one so you can activate another. The plan and end date also show at the bottom of the window. Valu-Present checks your account each time it starts; if the server can’t be reached it keeps working for 48 hours, then waits until it can connect (a successful check resets the 48 hours).
Audio & video	In gold SHOW you can still run the video / audio that is on the Display while you prepare something else in the Counsel Table: the presentation tool bar (`Alt`+`Shift`+`T`) shows ⏮, ◀ 2s, ▶ / ❚❚, 2s ▶ and the time; Space and ← → work there too. Call up a video or audio file like a document. The Counsel Table gets a play bar: Play / pause (Space), ◀ 2s / 2s ▶ (or ← →) — hold to scan faster (2× → 16×), drag the timeline, type a time (1:23, 23:15 or 1:23:45) and Enter, speed, volume and mute (they set the sound of the Display), CC. The presentation shows only the video, or a clean audio screen (title, waveform, time). Sound plays once, from the presentation (the one you share in Zoom); the Counsel Table is silent while presenting so it never echoes, and plays normally when you are not presenting. Sound is never muted by default. Auto-play is off unless you turn it on in Settings → Media. Save Screen remembers the time.	Space
Any video or audio format	MPEG-1/2, AVI, WMV, FLV, MTS, MOV (ProRes), WMA, AIFF and more: files the player can’t show play live from the original file through the ffmpeg built into Valu-Present (Mac and Windows — nothing to install). Nothing is converted and no new file is made: the evidence file is never changed. Starts in about a second; seeking restarts the stream at the new time. H.264 in AVI / MKV / MTS is passed through without re-encoding the picture.
Captions	A .vtt / .srt with the same name next to a video is picked up when you add it; or CC ▾ → Load a caption file; or the Speech Engine (optional download in Settings → Media — runs on this computer, any format). With Speech Engine installed, captions are made automatically in the background for video / audio that has none — a “CC 42%” tag shows in the list. They are made ahead of time, not live while it plays. The Show captions tick box on the play bar turns them on / off — off by default; size, position and background in Settings → Media.
List fonts & colors	Settings → General → Files & Exhibits colors: File Name color (default silver; pages named with F4 are white and bold). List fonts: font, size and bold for the ID and File Name columns, Case File, Most Shown and the History — each on its own, with a preview. The ID is bold and a little bigger by default so it is easy to read and type at call-up.
Color themes	Settings → General → Appearance: Light, Dark, Mocha, Slate, Courtroom Navy, Graphite, Forest, Paper, Cloud, Sage, Pop, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.
Update available	When Daniel releases a new version, an Update chip appears at the top right. Click it: what kind of update (maintenance, new features or security), what’s new, and Download / Later / Skip this version. Download checks the file before it opens it; nothing installs by itself, and never while you are presenting. Security updates can’t be skipped. Help → Check for Updates looks right away.
All versions	Settings → License → All versions… opens the web page with every version — keep or go back to one you prefer. Versions withdrawn for a security problem are listed without a download.
Your account online	Settings → License → Manage account online (or the website’s portal page): sign in with your account email and password to see every activated computer, deactivate one you lost or replaced, see the activity log (when, what, which computer, from which IP address) and change the password.
Key menu	Hold Ctrl, Alt, Shift or ⌘ for a moment: the shortcuts for where the mouse is (documents list, canvas, folders) pop up — the ones you use most there in big print, the rest below; let go to close. It learns as you work. On/off and delay in Settings → Help / Guides.	Hold a key
The list follows the screen	Bring up a page from Most Shown, History, a saved screen or call-up and Files & Exhibits opens that document at that page (the one it opened before folds away), so you always see where you are.
Shown pages	Pages you present turn green — stronger the more often they are shown, with a count (e.g. 12×); pages never shown stay gray. Right-click → Clear shown mark if it was an accident.
Most Shown	Case File → Most Shown lists the pages presented most: ID.page and the Bates number first (amber), the file name underneath, and the count. Click to show, F4 or double-click to name it, right-click to present or clear.	F4
History	Click ▸ on an entry to see exactly what was on the Display (pages, Bates, callouts, marks); click the entry to bring it back.
Type a page number	Click the page number at the bottom of the Counsel Table (e.g. 1 / 250), type a page, press Enter.	Click
Show in a window	Display (choose the monitor) → tick “Create virtual display” (was “Also open a separate app window”. Works on its own (no second display) or together with the monitor(s); share either in Zoom. Drag a corner to size it — 16:9 or 16:10 stays locked.
Right-click a document	Load, open in its own program, rename, Bates, add to folder, properties, show in File Explorer, mark as next exhibit, replace with a new file, restore original, delete from the job.
Word / Excel files	Calling one up (X) or pressing Enter on it opens it in its program (Settings → General → “Open them automatically” — on by default). A single click only selects it; double-click or right-click → Open always opens it. Select one and press Mark to save it as the next exhibit (named copy, logged).

Call up	Type an ID (4, EX4), a page (EX4.12), a full Bates number, a saved screen code, or part of a name — Enter.	`X`
Call up by Bates	ID, a dash, then the last digits of the Bates: EX1-319. If no Bates matches, it opens page 319. Press `Alt`+`X` then the digits (231) to go to that Bates page in the document on screen; X works as usual, and the PDF page number is typed straight into the Counsel Table.	`X`
Bates page in this document	Press `Alt`+`X`, type the last digits of the Bates (e.g. 231), Enter — goes to that Bates page of the document on screen, even if another document has the same digits. On by default (Settings → General → Call-up).	`Alt`+`X`
Jump to a page	In the Counsel Table just type the page number and press Enter, or use the Go To box under the Counsel Table.
Find words in the document	Searches the text of the document on screen, jumps to each page with a hit and outlines the words — on your screen only, or on the Display too while Live is on. Enter = next, Shift+Enter = previous, ✕ or Esc clears. Scanned PDFs have no text to search.	`Alt`+`F`
Find in the document	The Find box under the Counsel Table searches the document on screen: Enter = the next match, Shift+Enter = the previous one (across pages). A scanned document: click “Read the pages”, then it can be searched too. To search the whole case use Search Everything.

Next / previous page	Or turn the mouse scroll wheel.	`→` / `←`
First / last page		`Home` / `End`
Whole page	Shows the full page, never cut off.	`F`
Full width	Page fills the width, top of the page. Full width — bottom shows the bottom.	`W` / `Shift`+`W`
Auto-fit content	Trims blank margins, page numbers, Bates lines and filing stamps so the content fills the screen.	`Alt`+`A`
Zoom tool	Drag a box around what you want — it zooms to that box (a plain click does nothing, so a stray click never jumps the page). Hold `−` (or `Alt`) and click to zoom out a level.	`Z`
Crop zoom	Shows only the box you draw; split panes line up at the same scale.	`Shift`+`Z`
Pan a zoomed page	Hold the right mouse button and drag (or use the Pan tool).	`M`
Nudge (straighten a crooked scan)	Turns the page a tiny amount clockwise / counter-clockwise (default 0.25° each press, set in Settings → Presentation). View only — the PDF is not changed. Rotate [ ] resets it.	`Shift`+`[` / `Shift`+`]`
Zoom in / out		`Ctrl`+`=` / `Ctrl`+`-`
Rotate		`]` / `[`
Invert colors	Light text on dark — for hard-to-read scans.	`I`

Side by side / top and bottom		`/` / `\`
Single / dual / 3-view / quad	Or the layout buttons on the toolbar.	`Alt`+`Shift`+`1` · `Alt`+`Shift`+`2` · `Alt`+`Shift`+`3` · `Alt`+`Shift`+`4`
Next pages across the panes	Lays the page and the ones after it across every pane (4 \| 5 \| 6), each fit to its pane. The arrow keys move only the selected pane — turn on Link (a blue LINKED badge shows on the Counsel Table, not on the Display) to move the whole row (7 \| 8 \| 9).	`Ctrl`+`/`
Link panes	Page turns and zoom apply to every pane together — great for comparing two versions.	`Alt`+`L`
Scroll top / bottom as one page	In a top / bottom split, hold `Ctrl` and turn the scroll wheel: both panes scroll down the document like one long page, zoomed to full width (the bottom pane stays one screen ahead).
Next pane / swap panes		`Tab` / `Alt`+`/`
Clear one pane	Use ✕ Clear above that pane.

Remove one mark	Double-click it with any tool — highlight, bullet, circle, box, arrow, pen or text. (`Alt`-click works too.)	Double-click
Tools with choices	A tool button with a small corner mark (◢) has choices — right-click it: Highlight (colors, ends), Arrow (which end follows the mouse), Redact (write REDACTED), Callout / Zoom (what the Display shows in LIVE).
Highlighter	Drag across text. Hold `Ctrl` for the secondary color. Right-click the highlighter for colors and Rounded / Square ends (also Settings → General). Lines that touch or overlap blend into one even band — no darker double lines.	`H` / `Ctrl`+`H`
Pen / freehand marker		`D` / `Shift`+`F`
Arrow / line		`A` / `L`
Rectangle / ellipse / polygon	Filled versions are in the “…” menu.	`S` / `O` / `Shift`+`H`
Bullets / numbers	Click to place 1 2 3, A B C, a b c, i ii iii, dots, arrows or checks. Style, size and color are in the strip that appears on the toolbar.	`N`
Text	Click and type.	`T`
Redact	Black box over the area.	`R`
Colors	The color button, or keys 0 – 9.	`Shift`+`0 – 9`
Undo / redo		`Ctrl`+`Z` / `Ctrl`+`Y`
Erase last / erase all	Erase Last removes exactly the last thing you added.	`Ctrl`+`E` / `E`
Back to the arrow		`V`

Make a callout	Drag a box around the text. Several callouts arrange themselves so they don’t overlap.	`C`
Enlarge	Drag any corner — the opposite corner stays put.
Crop	Hold `Alt` and drag a corner: same magnification, more or less of the page.
Slide the text inside	Hold the right mouse button inside the callout and drag.
Move	Drag the callout.
Close	Double-click it, `Alt`+click it, or press ✕.
Align	Re-arranges several callouts at one size.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`A`

Save a screen	Saves the Counsel Table (layout, zoom, marks) under a code like EX4.2-A. Call it up by typing the code.	`Ctrl`+`S`
Update a saved screen		`Ctrl`+`U`
Presentation (slides)	+ Slide adds the current screen to a folder; step through them in order.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`P` · `Alt`+`→` / `Alt`+`←`
History	Everything shown is logged with the time; export it as a CSV or print it.

Set up (once per job)	Job Settings → Exhibit Stickers: sticker text (e.g. Plaintiff’s Exhibit), agency, name, date, color, size, where it goes, and the exhibits folder.
Mark the document on screen	The sticker appears at the upper right of page 1. Drag to move, drag its corner to resize, then ✓ Confirm (or Enter). The number and file name can be changed before confirming.	`F9`
Word / Excel / other files	Right-click → Mark as [next number]… saves a renamed copy (no sticker). Nothing else changes.
Change a placed sticker	Double-click it on the page; the saved file is replaced.
Exhibit Marking box	Shows the next sticker, the last marked and a history. Where it sits is up to you (View → Customize Layout… → Exhibit Marking): pops up when you mark (default), always on as a docked box, in its own window, or inside the Exhibit Details panel.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`M`
Show stickers on screen	One switch in the Exhibit Marking box (or Ctrl+Alt+K). Marking ALWAYS saves the stamped exhibit file; the switch only decides whether stickers show on the canvas and the Display. Turn it off and every sticker in the job is hidden on screen — turn it on and they come back. One sticker only: right-click it in Exhibit Marking → Hide sticker on screen.
Marked exhibits / folder		— · `Ctrl`+`Alt`+`E`
Replace / restore	Right-click a document → Replace with new file (keeps ID and name) or Restore original (removes sticker and renaming).

Play from a line	Double-click a line in the transcript — the video plays from there. Space plays / pauses.
Make a clip	Select lines in the transcript → ✂ Clip, or Clip Maker → ＋ New clip. Untick a line to take it out.
The look	Clip Maker → 🖥 On the screen: 💬 Words ON / OFF · 📎 Exhibit ON / OFF — the picture follows (other looks are under Advanced). The blue sentence over the picture says what the jury sees.
The words	Under the video, over it (bottom or top) or off · Lines at a time: 1, 2, 3 or 5. The words always shrink to fit their box.
Exhibit IN / OUT	Clip Maker → 📎 ＋ Add an exhibit, then Exhibit IN here / OUT here at the playhead — or drag its teal bar on the timeline. It belongs to that clip; when it goes out the video takes the screen back.
Arrange	✥ Arrange the screen: drag a box, pull its corner. Save as a look to use it again.
The timeline	Under the picture: ▶ Video (🔊 Audio) · 💬 Words · 📎 Exhibit · 🖥 Look. Drag the green IN / OUT, or I / O at the playhead; J K L play like any editor.
Size an exhibit	Click its teal bar (or ⤢ Size): drag the exhibit and the video where you want them while it is up. When it goes down the video takes the room back.
Export videos	⇪ Export videos: this clip, every clip, what the jury will see, or every deposition (a folder per witness); one file each or one video in order. Burn in the transcript lines and the exhibits — or neither, for a plain video.
Testimony clock	Designations tab and Clip Maker → ⚖ Designations: played and left for this witness, each side in its color; the bar fills as it plays. ↺ Reset for the next day.
Exhibit Workbook	Case → Exhibit Workbook: sort by any column, filter, your own columns, tick rows to change them together, save views, ⇪ Export to Excel.
Send / Receive changes	Export & hand-offs → ⇪ Send my changes / ⇩ Receive changes: the firm and the trial tech trade a small file, approve each change, send theirs back.
A list for every witness	Designations → Import list…: a Witness column or “Deposition of …” headings send each block to that witness’s deposition. Page:line or timecode IN / OUT. Anything without a deposition is listed, not guessed.
Witness Kit	Everything for one witness, in order — Page Down plays the next item.	`Ctrl`+`K`
Impeach	Type what they said; Enter plays it LIVE.	`Ctrl`+`J`

Big tools	Clip Maker, Slide Creator, Witness Kit, Storyboard and Docket each open in their own window with the same bar: name · picker · ＋ New · actions · ▶ / ⇪ · ? · Done. Esc closes. App Settings → Layout → Big tools can keep them in the main window.
Colors	The same meaning everywhere: blue = new / play / the main action · gold = SHOW · red = LIVE · green = export, IN / OUT · teal = exhibit · yellow = words · purple = look, A.I.
Interface size	App Settings → General: 50 – 150%. Makes toolbars, panels and text smaller or larger in Valu-Present only (not the presentation), whatever your display scaling is.
Animations	Off on a new install. App Settings → Animations: a master switch, one tick box per effect, and the style (Smooth, Book page turn, Fade).
Shortcuts	App Settings → Shortcuts: click any key to change it. Printed guides show your keys.
Collaboration — more than one computer	Job Settings → Collaboration → Share this job. Put the case folder on a shared drive (network drive, NAS, Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive) and open it on each computer. Edits from every computer go into the one job and show on the others within a few seconds (never while you are typing or in a dialog). Whoever is presenting has control. Press SHOW and, if someone else is presenting, you are asked Take control? — their Display turns off and yours comes on (flip the courtroom A/B switch to your computer). The chip under the job name shows who is here and who is presenting; click it for Take control / Hand off. The presenter's monitor set-up (which external monitor, a Zoom window, the resolution) is saved in the job and used by whoever takes control.
Screen templates	☰ Menu → Screen Templates… (or App Settings → Layout → Choose a template…). Every template has the same tools — only the layout differs. Simple: big labelled buttons. Minimalist: the Counsel Table and Files & Exhibits, compact icons. Medium: Files & Exhibits · Case File (attorney / client folders) · canvas · Exhibit Details over History. Full: every panel and tool. Click one to preview, then Confirm. A new install and App Settings → Reset ask you to choose. Add more panels any time with Customize Layout.	—
Customize Layout	View → Customize Layout… (or App Settings → Layout). Drag tiles into columns — each column is a column of the main window — or onto ＋ for a new column; drag to “Not shown” to hide. Saved Screens, Demonstratives, Most Shown and History can sit inside Case File or be panels of their own. Tools: tick each group on or off and choose where it goes — Top or Bottom of the Counsel Table, or Panel (stacked neatly in the Tools panel, which you place in any column or above / below the Counsel Table). Exhibit Marking: pops up when you mark, always on as a docked box, its own window, or inside the Exhibit Details panel. The preview shows the result before you apply it. A new install and Reset to clean layout = Files & Exhibits · Case File · Counsel Table with its tools on top.	—
Tool groups on two (or more) lines	Drag a tool group by its ⋮⋮ grip (any time — unless the layout is locked 🔒) into the gap under a line of tools: a line across the bar shows it will start a new line there. Or right-click the group’s name / grip → Start a new line with this group (Join the line above undoes it). E.g. Presentation on the first line, Navigation · Layout · Marking · Edit on the second.
Move tools and panels any time	Like OBS. Tool groups: grab its ⋮⋮ grip or its name (sliders and buttons inside a group never move it), and drag it onto the top bar, the bottom bar or the Tools panel (a “＋ Tools panel” target appears if it isn’t open). Right-click a group’s name: Top / Bottom / Tools panel / Hide. Sections of Case File (Most Shown, Saved Screens, Demonstratives, History): drag the header — a blue box shows where it lands (above / below / left / right of any panel); drop it on Case File (green) to put it back inside. Panels: drag the tab. Nothing to switch on first: panels, tool groups and sections move any time and the layout is kept as you leave it. 🔒 Layout (top right) locks it so nothing moves by accident (Courtroom Mode always keeps it still). A banner appears — Save keeps it (and updates the saved layout you loaded, if any), Save as new layout… stores it under a name, Dismiss keeps it as it is for now without saving it as a layout, Discard puts everything back the way it was. Then it locks again. While editing, drop a tool group in front of another to change the order (a glowing line shows where). Settings → Layout → a saved layout → Edit opens that layout for editing.	—
Case tag	The case type (Deposition / Trial · Arbitration) shows in the middle of the bottom bar; change it in Job Settings. New, Open, recent cases, Print and Export are in ☰ Menu.
Case Intake	☰ Case → Case Intake (opens by itself for a new trial): case & schedule (trial days, the judge’s hours, courthouse with Open in Maps), parties & counsel, witnesses (import a list; categories such as Fact, Expert, 30(b)(6); called by one or both sides), depositions, exhibits (each party’s folder; import the exhibit list to match numbers to files), designations, a first plan and a review of what is missing. Every step can be skipped and finished later. Step-by-step: ☰ Menu → Help → How-to Guides.
Docket	☰ Case → Docket (Ctrl+Alt+P): a column for each trial day — witnesses, depositions to play, Demonstratives, storyboards, exhibits and tasks, with the planned hours against the court day. Drag to move. Day plan & check-off (Ctrl+Alt+D): Call to stand / Go for each item, then mark it Done, Part, Move, Struck or Cancel with a note. Day report (PDF) shows the plan, what happened and what was shown.	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`P`
How-to Guides	☰ Menu → Help → How-to Guides: one printable page with a short, step-by-step guide for each job — what it is for, where to find it, the steps and the keys.
Top bar	One row: ☰ Case (Overview, Exhibit Workbook, Witnesses, Depositions, Designations, Reports) · Add · Call Up · Storyboard · Slides · Display · Open Screen · Clear · SHOW · LIVE · BLANK · Ready · ☰ Menu. ☰ Menu holds Search Everything, Valu-Present A.I., Courtroom Mode, layout, Job and App Settings and Help. On a smaller screen the labels shrink to icons. App Settings → Layout → Top bar buttons pins Search, Courtroom or Edit Layout back onto the bar.
Slide Creator	Top bar → Slides (Ctrl+Shift+U): decks on the left (drag to reorder), the slide in the middle, its settings on the right — saves as you type. ＋ Slide: title, bullets, quote, big number, bar / line / pie chart, timeline, side by side, or the exhibit screen in the Counsel Table. Export to PowerPoint… makes a .pptx with editable slides, real charts and your speaker notes. ✦ Draft a deck with A.I. (asks what to cover and which files to use) / ✦ Improve this slide make suggestions you accept or not.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`
Timeline	Slide Creator → ＋ Timeline… (or Deck ▾). Events: type them, paste “date \| event” lines, or ✦ Find the dates in the files (A.I.). Optional exhibit + page per event. One timeline slide: the points come in one click at a time (8 per slide). Timeline show: the timeline grows event by event and each event’s exhibit page follows it. Into a new Presentation (tick Also save as PowerPoint for a timeline-only .pptx) or inserted after slide # of a deck.
Charts from content	📊 Make it a chart (under a slide): a list of amounts → bar / pie / line chart, a list of dates → timeline — only the numbers and dates already on the slide. Deck ▾ → Charts where they fit does every slide. The A.I. Builder has the same tick box.
A.I. and the graphics card	A Mac with Apple Silicon always uses its GPU. Windows: with an NVIDIA, AMD or Intel Arc card, Valu-Present A.I. downloads a graphics-card engine and uses it — much faster than the CPU. If the card can’t be used it switches back to the CPU by itself and tells you why. App Settings → Valu-Present A.I. → Graphics card: Automatic / Always try / Never, Download the graphics-card engine, Try again. Every A.I. job says how long it should take on this computer.
Turn Valu-Present A.I. on / off	App Settings → Valu-Present A.I. → Use Valu-Present A.I. It is off until downloaded and switches on when the download finishes. Off hides every ✦ button and menu and stops the background index — nothing is deleted.
A.I. Builder	☰ Menu → ✦ A.I. Builder (or Slide Creator → ✦ Draft a deck with A.I.). 1 · What to use: the whole case, or any mix of depositions, witnesses (their deposition + linked exhibits) and exhibits. 2 · What to make: opening, closing, impeachment, witness outline, timeline, key exhibits, written summary — or Give me ideas. 3 · The goal; leave it empty and the A.I. offers angles from the files to pick from. A progress bar shows what it is doing. The draft deck lands in Demonstratives and a record in A.I. Summaries. Drafts only — check every cite.	—
Witness Review	A witness → ✦ Review this witness (or ☰ Menu → ✦ Witness Review). Reads their deposition and linked exhibits topic by topic (your topics / questions, or its own): summary, key admissions, and possible impeachment — the statement and the conflicting passage or exhibit page side by side, both cited (Strong / Possible). Tick → Make slides from the ticked. Ask follow-up questions; answers stay with the review.	—
A.I. Summaries	☰ Menu → A.I. Summaries: every review, summary, idea list, draft deck and saved answer — with the date, the request and the files used. Open, click cites, ask follow-ups, Export PDF, Mark reviewed, Delete. The case index keeps itself up to date in the background (✦ chip with a progress bar in the status bar; pauses while presenting live; App Settings can turn it off).	—
Demonstratives folder	Case File → Demonstratives: everything you can play. A badge says what it is — APP (made in Valu-Present), PPT / KEY (an imported PowerPoint / Keynote file), DRAFT (A.I., not saved yet). ▶ presents the whole thing as a slide show. ⋯ (or right-click): Show from the slide on screen, Edit, Open the original in PowerPoint / Keynote, Update from the file, Export to PowerPoint, Rename, Duplicate, Delete. ＋: New presentation, Timeline, Import PowerPoint / Keynote, A.I. Builder. It opens by itself when you save or import one. Under the canvas the pill shows Slide 3 of 9; ‹ › and ← → step the slides.
Editing an imported PowerPoint / Keynote	⋯ → Edit: Edit in PowerPoint / Keynote changes the content in the original — save it there and, when you come back to Valu-Present, it notices and offers to update the slides. Arrange in Valu-Present changes the order, takes slides out or adds exhibits, text or charts between them (the original file is not changed). Keynote (.key) files are shown through Keynote on a Mac.
Slide colors	Slide Creator → 🎨 Colors: Best fit (color on title / big-number / quote slides, white where people read), one theme for every slide, or this slide only — Classic white, Navy & gold, Courtroom ivory, Slate, High contrast (projector), Forest. The A.I. Builder asks too (Best fit lets it choose by the kind of presentation). PowerPoint export keeps the colors.
Slide show	▶ Show deck in the Slide Creator, or ▶ next to a deck under Demonstratives (Case File), goes live from slide 1. → / Space / Page Down / clicker: the next bullet, bar, line point or timeline point, then the next slide — builds come in on click, like turning pages. ← / Page Up: back. Esc or End show: finish (the last slide stays up). A red SLIDE SHOW bar over the Counsel Table shows the slide, the steps and your speaker notes. Calling up an exhibit ends the show.
Client PowerPoint (.pptx)	Import it like any file — the original .pptx stays the file of record; slides for the screen are made in the background and it appears under Demonstratives. On the canvas a bar offers ▶ Play here (a slide show, one slide per click) or Open in PowerPoint for its own animations, video and transitions (logged in the History). Files & Exhibits right-click: Play as a slide show / Add to Demonstratives.
Valu-Present A.I.	Optional — App Settings → Valu-Present A.I. → Download (about 2.6 GB, once). It runs entirely on this computer; nothing from the case is sent anywhere. Open it with Ctrl+Shift+I or View → Valu-Present A.I. First click Build case index (later: Update — only what changed is re-read). Ask: a question answered from your own documents and testimony with [1] [2] citations — click one to go there. Related meaning: finds passages that mean the same thing even with different words (also from Search Everything). Draft slides: describe the opening / closing and it drafts a storyboard for you to check — every slide is tagged #ai-draft. A.I. can be wrong: always check the sources.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`I`
Slide builder	Storyboard → ＋ in a chapter, or right-click a Presentation → New slide: title, bullets, quote, big number, bar / line / pie chart, timeline or side by side. Type the data one line each (Label \| value, Date \| event, left \| right) — the preview updates as you type; ▶ Replay build shows the animation (bars grow, the line draws, bullets come in one by one). Untick Build animation for a still slide.
Search Everything	The ⌕ button (top right) or Ctrl+Shift+G: one box for the whole case — documents, testimony in every transcript, your notes, designations and clips, witnesses, storyboard cards, Presentation slides and saved screens. Type #damages to find everything tagged damages. Enter opens the first result; the last button searches inside every document’s text too.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`G`
Versions	Replacing a document’s file, or rotating all its pages and saving, keeps the old file as a version — nothing is deleted. Right-click → Versions… (or Exhibit Details → Versions…) to open an earlier one or make it current again.
Tags on everything	Right-click a clip, designation, transcript note, storyboard card or Presentation slide → Tags… (witnesses: Tags in their profile). Search Everything with #tag finds them all together with tagged documents.
Courtroom Mode	The ⚖ button (top right) or Ctrl+Shift+T: for running a live hearing. Its own layout (Files & Exhibits · Counsel Table · History + Exhibit Marking — change it with Edit Layout, it is remembered), bigger buttons and a bigger “on screen now” preview. Anything that renames, deletes, imports, changes Bates or rotates is locked until you leave, so nothing gets changed by accident in front of the court. Press it again to go back to your preparation layout.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`T`
Transcript notes & bookmarks	Transcript panel: select lines and press Ctrl/⌘+B for a bookmark or Ctrl/⌘+Shift+B for a note (or right-click → Notes). Press . and , to jump between them. The Notes tab lists them — click to jump, double-click to edit or change the color, Copy all puts every note with its testimony on the clipboard. Transcript search finds your notes too. Notes never show on the Display. (Plain B is still BLANK.)	Ctrl/⌘+B
Designation templates	Import Designation List → open an Excel / CSV file → match the columns once → Save as template. The next file with the same column names matches itself.
Reorder Demonstratives	Drag a slide up or down, into another Presentation, or drag a Presentation above / below another. A line shows where it will land.
Rotate all pages and save	Turns every page of the PDF and saves a rotated copy in the job (asks first) — your original file is not changed. Working in Files & Exhibits: the selected document; otherwise the one on the Counsel Table.	`Alt`+`[` / `Alt`+`]`
Your colors	App Settings → Themes → Your colors: pick your own accent color and a background tint (color + strength) on top of any theme. “Use the theme’s colors” goes back. Standard Dark is Valu Ink, a deep blue-slate.
Tool pointer	The pointer on the Counsel Table always shows the tool you picked — magnifier for Zoom (− while Alt is held), hand for Pan, pen, highlighter, shapes — the moment you pick it, even with the mouse standing still.
Panels	Drag a panel’s tab to dock it somewhere else (the drop areas light up), or ↗ to pop it into its own window. Saved Screens, Demonstratives, Most Shown and History can each become a panel of their own: click ⇱ on the section’s header, then drag that panel’s tab into any column or next to another panel (close it to put the section back). Esc can also collapse Files & Exhibits (Settings → General). In Case File, drag the thin bar under a section (Saved Screens, Demonstratives, Most Shown) to make it taller or shorter — double-click the bar for automatic. Lock the layout so nothing moves during a depo. Save named layouts (section sizes are saved with them); Reset to default gives a clean layout.	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`S` · `Ctrl`+`Alt`+`L`
Clear screen	Job Settings: a logo (PDF or image) for the Esc screen and a presenter name in the lower third. Or right-click any page → Use as Clear Screen.

Ready check	The Ready button (top right) checks everything before a depo: Display, Zoom, sound, exhibits folder and next number, free space, backup copy, licence and updates — each with a fix button. It shows ✓ (green) when all is set and – with a number (orange) when something is left. Anything you don’t need can be dismissed (Undo brings it back).	Ready
What the witness sees	While presenting, the status bar shows a live mini picture of the Display and LIVE / SHOW / BLANK / READY. Point at it to enlarge.
Backup copy	Settings → General → Backup copy: pick another drive or a cloud-synced folder; the History, the Marked Exhibits report and the job record are copied there after every change.
Save a marked copy again	Deleted a stamped exhibit by mistake? Right-click the document → “Save marked copy … again”, or Marked Exhibits → Again. Alt-click Again to pick another folder.
Settings on another computer	Settings → Layout → Export settings… makes one .vpsettings file (look, layouts, shortcuts, list fonts, labels…); Import settings… on the other computer sets it up the same.
Quick tour	Help (?) → Quick tour shows the main controls again.
Nothing showing on the Display?	Check the top pill: READY means nothing has been presented yet — press SHOW. BLANKED means black out is on.
Keys not working?	Click on the Counsel Table first — a text box may have the keyboard. Esc leaves most boxes.
Scanned PDFs	No text: Find in document and Bates reading won’t work. Type Bates with `F3`.
Before a deposition	Print the Operator Quick Guide (Help Guide menu) and keep it next to the keyboard.

New Deposition or New Trial / Arbitration	Start screen or File menu. Deposition: exhibits, marking, call-ups, Bates, presenting — the transcript and video sync appear once you import them; nothing else in the way. Trial / Arbitration: adds storyboards, designation review, ADMIT / exhibit status, trial exhibits, work mode (Law Firm / Tech) and the Case overview tabs. Pick a name and where to save it; the next New remembers your last choice.	`⌘ Cmd`+`N`
Change the case type	Click DEPOSITION / TRIAL in the middle of the bottom bar, or Job Settings → Case Type & Work Mode. A deposition can grow into a trial case any time — nothing is deleted, only shown or hidden. Using a trial feature in a deposition asks whether to switch. Each type keeps its own panel layout.
Open a job	Open a case folder you made before. The last jobs are listed on the start screen (✕ removes one from the list).	`⌘ Cmd`+`O`
Job Settings	The Job Settings button — this case only, in clear groups: Files (Names & Import, Bates), Screen (Clear Screen, Exhibit Stickers), Case (Case Type, Monitor Map for trial / arbitration).	Job button
App Settings	⚙ — every job, in clear groups: You (License & User), Look (Appearance, Themes, Layout, Animations), Working (Files & Exhibits & Import, Marking & Callouts, Video & Captions, Keyboard), Presenting (Presentation, Monitors, Exhibit Labels, Split Screen), Help (Guides, Startup & Reset).	⚙ `⌘ Cmd`+`,`
License & User — law firm or tech	App Settings → License & User → Who uses Valu-Present. Law firm: enter the firm, attorney(s), the side you usually represent, address, phone and email — every new case then works as a law firm (your side only), the firm goes on the exhibit sticker and the attorney on the clear screen. The Tech choice is hidden; tick Also work as tech if you sometimes show opposing counsel’s material too. Independent tech: every party and client.
Reset settings	App Settings → Startup & Reset → Reset all settings: everything back to a new install — Standard — Dark theme, standard glass 40% see-through, interface size 100%, animations off, no clear-screen logo (Esc = black screen), the clean layout. Your saved layouts, user / firm details, monitor names, licence and jobs are kept — load a saved layout to get your set-up back.
Files & Exhibits settings	App Settings → Files & Exhibits: which columns show (Icons, ID, File Name, Bates, Tags, Times shown — all on by default), the colors, the list fonts, the order and how the list behaves. Settings groups are color-coded: You, Look, Working, Presenting, Help.

Transcripts (depositions)	☰ Menu → Sync a Deposition (or ＋ Add → A Deposition): pick the witness, the transcript (.txt, .ptx, .lef — or an already-synced .mdb from VALU-SYNC) and the video parts in order; Next checks it and syncs it on this computer (Sync Check shows anything worth a look). The deposition files itself in its witness folder. The Transcript panel shows pages, line numbers and Q / A; click a line to move the video there, double-click to play from it. Search finds words instantly (Enter = next). Select lines (click, Shift-click or drag) → Create Clip (N): IN / OUT come from the sync — adjust with ±1 s / ±0.1 s or Set IN / OUT here, without changing the sync. ▶ plays the clip and stops at OUT, then goes back to its first line. ⋯ → Add to Presentation puts clips between your exhibit slides. The video plays in the Counsel Table, so SHOW / LIVE work as usual.	`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`J`
Depositions in Files & Exhibits	The Depositions tab (and the top of All) lists every deposition: SYNC = its video is linked, plus its clip and designation counts. Click one to open it in the Transcript panel; right-click to import a designation list or open the Review. Videos that belong to a deposition show SYNC too.
On-the-fly impeachment	Type a cite in the Transcript panel’s Go To box (37:8-14, 37:8, 1521-1611) → Enter selects it and moves the video there; Shift+Enter plays it LIVE on the Display. Or select lines and right-click → ▶ Play LIVE now. You never leave your documents.
Attorney designations	Transcript panel → Designations → Import list… : paste an email or open a text, Excel / CSV (match the columns), Word or PDF list. Understands 12:4-14:18, 0015:02, 15.02, 15:02-18, 106 12 - 106 16, 187 9-19, 1521-1611, p. 23, l. 12 – p. 24, l. 8, whole pages and witness / party block titles. Lines it can’t read turn red — type the fix. Each party has its own color (⚙ Parties & colors); overlapping designations show every party’s bar. Types and statuses are editable. The attorney’s file is never changed (a copy is kept with the job).
Designation Review	The Designation Review panel (`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`D`): witness, a timeline per party with the overlaps, tabs All · each party · Objections · Rulings. Click a row to jump the transcript and video, double-click to play, change status in the row, ⇆ = overlaps another party. Tick rows → Add to Presentation (the folder item only points at the designation), Compare (two), Report (PDF), Excel / CSV, load file, or video clips.
Objections and rulings	Select lines → Objection… (party, objection, related designation, status, ruling, notes). The line gets an orange !; objections stay attached to the testimony. Statuses (Pending, Admitted, Excluded, Overruled, Sustained, Modified, Withdrawn) can be renamed or added.
Menu — find anything	Click the Valu-Present logo (top left) or press F10: every menu in one panel — recent cases, Open / New Case, “Go to” (Files & Exhibits, Counsel Table, Storyboard, Transcript, Case, Exhibit Marking…) and File, Edit, View, Show, Storyboard, Transcript, Help. Type in the search box to find any command (e.g. bates, relink, split) and press Enter.
Web Browser	☰ Menu → Web Browser (or ＋ Add → Web Page). The Counsel Table becomes a browser (Chrome’s engine): type an address or search words, Enter. Click, scroll and type as usual; A− / A+ size the page for the jury. SHOW shows the page as it is at that moment; LIVE shows every scroll and click. The Display shows only the page — never the mouse, the address bar or the buttons. 📸 Save screenshot saves what the page shows as Screenshot 01, 02… (a PDF with the address and the date / time under the picture; the picture itself is kept as the file of record) in the current client folder — rename it and mark it like any exhibit (Open & mark). Sign-ins stay with this job; downloads are off. ✕ closes the browser.	—
Tags	☰ Menu → Tags… lists every tag with how often it is used — Show (everything with it), Rename or Delete everywhere at once. Tag a single page: right-click the page → Tag this page… (Search #tag finds it as EX4.12).	—
Folders: clients and witnesses	Case File: client folders, with witness folders under them. A synced deposition and its video go in the witness folder (made if missing). A client folder shows everything in it and below it. Folders are a view — nothing moves on disk.
SHOW on / off	SHOW pulses gold while something is on the Display; SHOW again (nothing changed) takes it off — ↶ Undo in the note puts it back. LIVE ON pulses red; click it again to stop.	`F6`
Jump to a time (video / audio)	Type in the time box on the play bar and press Enter: 1:23, 23:15, 1:23:45 or digits only (0130 = 1:30). A time past the end says so. In LIVE the Display follows to the second.
Panels	Drag any panel by its tab any time (drop near an edge to split, the middle to stack). Right-click a tab → Move Out — Below / Right / Left, Float. ☰ Menu → Panels brings back a closed one; 🔒 locks the layout.
Storyboard (openings, closings, outlines)	Top bar → Storyboard (Ctrl/⌘+Shift+Y). Start an Opening or Closing — chapters (Introduction, Duty, Breach, Causation, Damages, Ask) you can rename, move or delete. Each chapter holds cards in order: the screen in the Counsel Table (exhibit, callouts, split — Ctrl/⌘+Shift+K adds it), a deposition clip or designation (Transcript panel → ⋯ → Add to Storyboard), or a simple slide (title, bullet points, or a quote with its cite). Drag cards to reorder or move between chapters; double-click to edit; every card has speaker notes and a time — the running time shows at the top. ⋯ → Print outline with notes (PDF) for the binder.
Show a storyboard	▶ Show puts card 1 on the Display (LIVE) and opens the Presenter window on your screen: the card now, the next card, your notes, and the time. Clicker / Page Down = next, Page Up = back; clips and designations play from IN to OUT. Right-click a card or chapter → Show from here. You can still call up anything (X) in the middle and carry on.
Work mode: Law Firm or Tech	Job Settings → Work Mode (asked when you create a case). Law Firm: our side only — you pick who you represent; the other side’s controls are hidden and stickers default to your side. Independent Tech: all sides; the “Working for” button in the top bar keeps each client’s storyboards, Demonstratives and saved screens apart — prep made while working for one client never shows for another (shared evidence stays shared). Every switch is logged.
Big video: linked, not copied	Deposition video is linked where it lives (a drive or NAS) instead of being copied into the case — a trial with hundreds of GB stays fast and small. If the drive is not connected the file shows MISSING; File → Relink Missing Files, point at the drive or folder, and every file is found by name. (Settings → Media to copy video instead.)
Work right on the Display	Click on the Display and it becomes your work area — separate from the Counsel Table. Press X and type (EX7, EX4.3, a Bates number, a saved screen): a call-up box shows in its lower-left corner so you see what you type, and Enter puts it straight on that screen (the box goes away). Type a number to turn to that page, Alt+Shift+2 / 3 / 4 to split it, and every tool works there (show them with “Tools on screen”). Your Counsel Table is left alone for preparing the next thing. Everyone watching sees what you do.
Images and scans	PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, BMP and TIFF (also multi-page scans) import and show like documents; HEIC photos show on a Mac. The original picture is always the file of record — a TIFF is never turned into a PDF (Valu-Present only makes hidden viewing pictures to display it). Marking an image saves the same kind of file with the sticker burned in: PNG → PNG, JPEG → JPEG, TIFF → TIFF with all its pages.
Media folder	Everything imported into the job is kept in media/ sorted by type: PDF, Documents, Demonstratives, Spreadsheets, Email, Images, Video, Audio. Older jobs: File → Organize Media Folder by Type.
Admit / exhibit status	Right-click exhibits in Files & Exhibits → ADMIT (or Status… : Marked, Offered, Admitted, Refused, Withdrawn). Admitted shows a green ADM tag; the ✓ Admitted chip above the list shows only admitted ones. The date of each status is kept for the Trial Exhibit List. Give Admit a key in Settings → Shortcuts.
Client colors	Each client folder gets its own color when it is created (blue, red, green, gold… — clear on any screen). Right-click the folder → Color… to change it, Party… to link it to Plaintiff / Defendant. That one color is used everywhere for the client: folder, Files & Exhibits rows, exhibit stickers (a light shade, so the text stays readable), depositions (right-click → Client…), designations and reports.
Trial exhibits	Exhibit Marking → Deposition \| Trial. Trial marks “Plaintiff’s Trial Exhibit 12” with the case number on the sticker and its own numbering (deposition numbers are not touched). The report adds a court-style Trial Exhibit List: No., description, party, offered, objection, admitted.
Send exhibits (email / cloud)	Exhibit Marking → Send…, Marked Exhibits → Send…, File → Send Exhibits, or right-click selected documents → Send. Everything goes in one .zip (with the marked exhibits list PDF if you like). ✉ Email starts a new message in Apple Mail or Outlook with the zip attached and the reporter’s address filled in (other mail apps: the message opens and the zip is shown to drag in). ☁ Cloud folder copies the zip into Dropbox / OneDrive / Google Drive / iCloud / Box — right-click it there → Share for a link. Over 20 MB? Use the cloud folder.
Export video clips	Designations or clips → Export video clips…: each as its own MP4 (named e.g. “JC 3 106.12-106.16” — {initials} {num} {from}-{to} …) or one video with all of them, frame-accurate at IN / OUT. For slides, other players or email.
Add files	Pick files, or drag them onto Files & Exhibits or a folder. The Add Media window finds the naming pattern (e.g. “4 - Expert Report” → ID 4) and asks you to confirm it. The window asks 1 · Smart, 2 · Manual (as before) or 3 · Create list (every file gets 1, 2, 3… / 01 / A in order, and a PDF list for the client is saved — reprint it any time: right-click in Files & Exhibits or on a client folder → PRINT FILE LIST WITH ID). Smart naming (choice remembered; it also asks whether to read Bates numbers from the pages — off by default): Tab01 / Tab 1 / tab1 → ID 1 and Bates-named files ABC000000012345 → ID 12345 (no leading zeros), keeping the whole file name as the Name — dragged-in files use it too unless you picked Manual. The rename tools only open when there’s no clear pattern, or when you click “Change how names are split”. Files on a network or external drive: copy them into the job (default) or use them where they are; turn off “Ask when files are dragged in” in Settings to add dragged files straight away (hold `⌥ Option` while dropping to get the window anyway).	`⌘ Cmd`+`I`
ID and File Name	The file name is split at the separator you choose (e.g. “4 - Expert Report” → ID 4, File Name Expert Report). The ID is what you type to call a document up.
Build the ID (rename tool)	Add Media → Manual → How should each file’s ID be made? Keep the names (split at the dash) · Counter (1, 2, 3 or 001, letters in front like EX) · Pick characters — click a character in the file name, hold Shift and press → to select (or drag, or double-click a run of digits); tick “Count from the end” when the names are different lengths (Bates) · Number in the name (Tab 80 → 80) · Custom mask (rename codes). “Then - and the whole file name” keeps the name after the ID. More options: search & replace, upper / lowercase, order, saved settings (F2). The originals are never renamed.
Record Bates numbers	Tick the gold box when the client gave you Bates-stamped files. Clean pages are filled in; pages that don’t read cleanly get a ⚠ on the document for you to check.
⚠ on a document	Click it: Keep what was found, Not Bates-stamped — remove, or Check page by page. You can apply the choice to every document with ⚠.
Client folders	Group documents by party or client in the Case File panel. A document can be in more than one folder.	`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`N`

Everything in Valu-Present, and how to use it.

Quick start — the basics of every deposition

1 · Bring up a document

2 · Move through pages

3 · Show it to everyone

Depositions · transcripts · designations

4 · Zoom & fit

5 · Point things out

6 · Side by side

8 · Audio & video

7 · Mark an exhibit

1 · Bring up a document

2 · Move through pages

3 · Show it to everyone

Depositions · transcripts · designations

4 · Zoom & fit

5 · Point things out

6 · Side by side

8 · Audio & video

7 · Mark an exhibit

The manual — what every function does

Getting started

Importing documents

Files & Exhibits

Calling up and finding

Moving around the page

Split screen

Presenting

Marking up

Callouts (blow-ups)

Saved screens and Demonstratives

Marking exhibits

Depositions, clips and witnesses

Settings and layout

Tips

Getting started

Importing documents

Files & Exhibits

Calling up and finding

Moving around the page

Split screen

Presenting

Marking up

Callouts (blow-ups)

Saved screens and Demonstratives

Marking exhibits

Depositions, clips and witnesses

Settings and layout

Tips

How-to guides — one job at a time

Start a case

The keys

Case Intake

Docket

Witnesses

Call up and present

Play video and audio

Mark an exhibit

Add files, folders, depositions

Client folder with tabs — keep the tree

Folders — clients and witnesses

Sync a deposition — here, free

Transcripts, clips and designations

Clip Maker — one screen for deposition clips

Open ▾ — where everything is

Start here

Issues — everything on one topic

Binders and ⭐ Key Evidence

Evidence Room and the Trial Record

Dry Run (rehearse)

Compare two documents or two versions

Redact a copy

Designations — make the list, link exhibits, play it back

Show a website on the Display

Exhibit binder for the jury, judge or mediator

Whiteboard

Two techs over the internet (remote session)

3D models — devices, scenes, reconstructions

Storyboard — openings and closings in order

Slide Creator & PowerPoint

Save a screen	Saves the Counsel Table (layout, zoom, marks) under a code like EX4.2-A. Call it up by typing the code.	`⌘ Cmd`+`S`
Update a saved screen		`⌘ Cmd`+`U`
Presentation (slides)	+ Slide adds the current screen to a folder; step through them in order.	`⌘ Cmd`+`⇧ Shift`+`P` · `⌥ Option`+`→` / `⌥ Option`+`←`
History	Everything shown is logged with the time; export it as a CSV or print it.

`X`	Call up an exhibit
`Ctrl`+`F`	Find a document
`Alt`+`F`	Find on the page
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`G`	Search everything

`F6`	SHOW on the Display
`F5`	LIVE — Display follows
`B`	BLANK the Display
`Esc`	Clear
`F7`	Bring it back
`Alt`+`Shift`+`←`	Shown before

`C`	Callout
`H`	Highlight
`Z`	Zoom
`R`	Redact
`D`	Draw
`S`	Square
`O`	Circle (oval)
`L`	Line
`A`	Arrow
`T`	Text
`N`	Number
`Ctrl`+`Z`	Undo the last step
`Ctrl`+`Y`	Redo (put it back)
`E`	Erase all marks

`→`	Next page
`←`	Previous page
`Shift`+`→`	Next document
`Shift`+`←`	Previous document
`Home`	First page
`End`	Last page
`Ctrl`+`0`	Whole page
`W`	Full width
`Space`	Play / pause video

`F2`	Rename
`Alt`+`F2`	Undo rename
`F3`	Bates
`Alt`+`F3`	Remove Bates
`F4`	Name this page
`Alt`+`Shift`+`F4`	Undo page name
`Ctrl`+`B`	Pin cite this page
`Ctrl`+`S`	Save the screen
`F9`	Mark for Identification

Command	Default	Yours
Impeach — find it in the deposition and play it LIVE	`Ctrl`+`J`
Batch stamp exhibits	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`B`
Courtroom Mode (live: big controls, no editing)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`T`
Show (put the Counsel Table on the Display)	`F6`
Show (Alternate)	`Ctrl`+`↵`
Bring What’s Showing Back to the Counsel Table	`F7`
Live On/Off	`F5`
Live On/Off (Alternate)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`↵`
Open the Display	`Shift`+`F6`
Add Screen to a Demonstrative	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`P`
Next Slide	`Alt`+`→`
Previous Slide	`Alt`+`←`
Close the Display	`Ctrl`+`Esc`
Blank the Display	`B`
Blank the Display (Alternate)	`F8`
Previous Shown — What the Witness Saw Before (presentation history)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`←`
Next Shown — Step Forward Through What the Witness Saw	`Alt`+`Shift`+`→`
Copy the Display as a Picture	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`C`
Exhibit Labels on the Display On/Off	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`L`
Tools on the Display On/Off	`Alt`+`Shift`+`T`
Mark for Identification (sticker + saved copy)	`F9`
Table 1	`Ctrl`+`1`
Table 2	`Ctrl`+`2`
Table 3	`Ctrl`+`3`
Table 4	`Ctrl`+`4`
Table 5	`Ctrl`+`5`
Table 6	`Ctrl`+`6`
Home table — jump to it and put it on the Display	`Ctrl`+`9`
Previously Marked Exhibit… (no sticker — names it Prev#)	`Shift`+`F9`
Mark for Identification (Alternate)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`E`
Stickers on Screen — hide all / show (marked files keep them)	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`K`
Storyboard	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Y`
Add This Screen to the Storyboard	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`K`
Show to: audience 1 (Everyone)	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`1`
Show to: audience 2	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`2`
Show to: audience 3	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`3`
Show to: audience 4	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`4`
Show to: audience 5	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`5`
Show / Hide / Bring Back Exhibit Marking	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`M`
Open Marked Exhibits Folder	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`E`

Command	Default	Yours
Show Next Page	`→`
Show Previous Page	`←`
Next Document (in the Files & Exhibits order) — shows it when presenting	`Shift`+`→`
Previous Document (in the Files & Exhibits order) — shows it when presenting	`Shift`+`←`
Play / Pause Audio or Video	`Space`
Show First Page	`Home`
Show Last Page	`End`
Scroll to Top (or previous page)	`PgUp`
Scroll to Bottom (or next page)	`PgDn`
Fit Page	`Ctrl`+`0`
Full Width (top of page)	`W`
Full Width, Bottom of Page	`Shift`+`W`
Exact Top Half	`Ctrl`+`W`
Exact Bottom Half	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`W`
Full Height	`F`
Auto-Fit Content (trim blank margins)	`Alt`+`A`
Zoom In	`Ctrl`+`=`
Zoom Out	`Ctrl`+`-`
Rotate Clockwise	`]`
Rotate All Pages Clockwise and Save	`Alt`+`]`
Rotate All Pages Counter-clockwise and Save	`Alt`+`[`
Rotate Counterclockwise	`[`
Nudge Counter-clockwise (straighten a crooked scan)	`Shift`+`[`
Nudge Clockwise (straighten a crooked scan)	`Shift`+`]`
Split Vertical (side by side)	`/`
Split Horizontal (top / bottom)	`\`
Split Vertical w/ Next Page	`Ctrl`+`/`
Split Horizontal w/ Next Page	`Ctrl`+`\`
Swap Split Panes	`Alt`+`/`
Swap Split Panes (Alternate)	`Alt`+`\`
Single Pane	`Alt`+`Shift`+`1`
Dual	`Alt`+`Shift`+`2`
3-View	`Alt`+`Shift`+`3`
Quad	`Alt`+`Shift`+`4`
Select Next Pane	`Tab`
Select Previous Pane	`Shift`+`Tab`
Select Next Pane (Alternate)	`=`
Link Panes (advance & zoom together)	`Alt`+`L`
Clear the Display (press twice: close it)	`Esc`
Clear Active Pane	`Shift`+`Esc`
Toggle Toolbar	`Ctrl`+`T`
Find Words in This Document — Counsel Table	`Alt`+`F`
Find Words in the Document on the Display (turns the Display’s page, outlines the words)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`F`
Counsel Table Full Size (in the window) On/Off	`F11`

Command	Default	Yours
Select	`V`
Move the Page (pan)	`M`
Zoom	`Z`
Crop Zoom	`Shift`+`Z`
Arrow	`A`
Callout (a blow-up of a passage)	`C`
Align Callouts (no overlap, same size)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`A`
Draw (Pen)	`D`
Circle / Oval	`O`
Erase All (every mark on the page — Ctrl/⌘+Z brings them back)	`E`
Erase Last Annotation	`Ctrl`+`E`
Erase Selected / Last (Alternate)	`Delete`
Freehand Marker	`Shift`+`F`
Highlight (primary color)	`H`
Highlight (secondary color)	`Ctrl`+`H`
Bullet / Number Marker	`N`
Laser Pointer (red dot on the Display)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`L`
Invert Colors (white on black)	`I`
Line	`L`
Polygon	`Shift`+`H`
Square / Box	`S`
Redact (black box over text)	`R`
Text	`T`
Undo (the last step)	`Ctrl`+`Z`
Redo (put it back)	`Ctrl`+`Y`
Save Screen	`Ctrl`+`S`
Update Saved Screen	`Ctrl`+`U`
Set Color #0 – #9	`Shift`+`0 – 9`

Command	Default	Yours
Call Up Exhibit (X)	`X`
Call Up a Bates Page in This Document	`Alt`+`X`
Add Files (documents, video, transcripts)	`Ctrl`+`I`
Rename Document	`F2`
Undo Rename (back to the name before)	`Alt`+`F2`
Name This Page	`F4`
Undo Page Name (back to the name before)	`Alt`+`Shift`+`F4`
Pin Cite — bookmark this exact page	`Ctrl`+`B`
Add Bates Numbers	`F3`
Remove Bates Numbers (whole document)	`Alt`+`F3`
Detect Bates Numbers from Pages	`Shift`+`F3`
Show Exhibit Details	`Shift`+`F4`
Docket (all trial days)	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`P`
Today’s Docket & check-off	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`D`
Slide Creator — make and present slide decks, export to PowerPoint	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`
Valu-Present A.I. — ask, related meaning	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`I`
Witness Kit — everything for one witness, in order	`Ctrl`+`K`
Search Everything (documents, testimony, notes, designations, witnesses, slides, #tags)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`G`
Find in Files & Exhibits	`Ctrl`+`F`
Collapse All Documents	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`-`
Expand All Documents	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`=`
Delete (from case only)	`Shift`+`Delete`
New Case	`Ctrl`+`N`
Theme Creator — your own look	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Shift`+`K`
Open Case	`Ctrl`+`O`
Open Last Case	`Ctrl`+`L`
Reload Case	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`R`
Show Case File	`Alt`+`3`
New Case File Folder	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N`
Print	`Ctrl`+`P`
Show Minutes	`F12`
App Settings	`Ctrl`+`,`
Show Me How — the How-to Guides, with Try it	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`/`
User Manual — what every function does	`F1`
Save Panel Layout…	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`S`
Panel Layouts…	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`L`
Menu — everything in Valu-Present	`F10`
Case Overview (details, exhibit list, depositions, reports)	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`O`
Start here	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`T`