Monthly Archives: October 2010

Gradients for Custom Text

Final gradient sample (for this series). In this slide the gradient fill is used for the text outline, the box outline and the box fill.

One of the really great features is the ability to make lines gradient. On the text close-up it is easier to see the outline is opaque white at the top and gradients into a semi-transparent grey.

1. Select text, open the Format Text dialog and choose TEXT OUTLINE
2. Change Text Outline to GRADIENT LINE
3. Add a white gradient stop. I moved mine to the right to extend the amount of solid white at the top of each letter
4. Add a 2nd stop that is black and semi-transparent (or use an opaque grey for same effect)

For the lower box I combined a gradient fill and a gradient outline. This is great to be able to create a single element with custom design and text all in one element.

For the box fill, the gradient is right-to-left:
1. Choose FILL and angle is 180
2. White stop that is slightly semi-transparent
3. Black stop that is transparent

For the box outline, the gradient is left-to-right:
4. Choose LINE COLOR and GRADIENT FILL with angle 0
5. White stop that is slightly semi-transparent
6. Black stop that is transparent

Also, I set the right indent on the TEXT BOX section to .3 to inset the text equally on all slides.

Download the Gradient Text slide here (34k) .

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T11:01:47-07:00October 15th, 2010|Tutorial|

Gradient Triangle Accent Elements

This is another layout recently developed for a project. The goal was to avoid a bulleted list and create a more dynamic, and memorable, graphic layout.

1. Create a tall triangle

2. Using the gradient fill options modify the triangle to move from semi-opaque to transparent

1. Open the FORMAT SHAPE dialog and go to the FILL section
2. Select GRADIENT FILL
3. Make certain the type is LINEAR
4. Stop 1 (top of triangle) is desired color and 20-25% transparency
5. Stop 2 (middle of triangle) is a lighter color and 40-50% transparency
6. Stop 3 (bottom of triangle) is any color and 100% transparency

3. The result transforms the triangle to this

4. And here is an example layout using all PPT shapes and text

5. The great thing is the triangles use transparency and not white, so they can be used on any background

Click here to download the slide layout (29K).

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T11:02:24-07:00October 13th, 2010|Tutorial|

Gradient Circle Fill Effect

I have been experimenting with gradient fills for a recent project. First, the gradient tool in PPT 2010 is great! It still has some usability issues, but overall it is easy to use and has a lot of flexibility. Here is one effect I developed and below is a link to download a slide with the gradient shape.

1. Start with an oval. No outline and any fill.

2. After applying a custom gradient fill here is the result.

3. To create the gradient fill I adjusted 5 elements:
1. Open the FORMAT SHAPE dialog, go to the FILL section and for fill type choose GRADIENT FILL
2. Change the type of gradient to PATH
3. Make the far left color black. Slide to position of 10-15%. Transparency = 0% (solid black).
4. Move second color to right side at position of 80%. Make color white, or change Brightness to 100% (white) and set Transparency to 100% (no fill).
5. Add a third color bar/stop even further to the right at position of 95%. Make color white (or set brightness to 100% to change any color to white) and make it slightly transparent with Transparency at 25%.

4. Now position gradient cirle under any object for a bit of perspective.

5. Because the shape was created with transparency, it can go onto any color background.

Download slide with gradient shape here (35K).

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-05-04T09:45:29-07:00October 11th, 2010|Tutorial|

Where Have You Been Lately…

Sometimes projects and life just get a bit out of hand. Well I spent the past month developing graphics for a large meeting and the past week on showsite. The great news is the show was awesome. The better news is that after 4 days of non-sleep I am back, sleeping long hours and able to work on this month’s posts!

Here are a few pictures from the show:

Top: my work area. Fairly simple show from a graphics perspective, single wide screen High Def (1900×1080) presentation. So two show computers (primary and backup), work computer, network, some peripheral equipment and the all-important script book with every presentation cue.

Middle: stage. It was a really, really big widescreen presentation at 60 feet wide x 40 feet tall (that is a real car on stage for perspective).

Bottom: show had a crew over 100 people and communication is critical. These are just the wireless ‘com’ units (most shows has lots of wired headsets and maybe 3-4-10 wireless, this show had 30+ wireless)

By |2016-08-16T11:02:52-07:00October 7th, 2010|Personal|
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