PowerPoint

Using Multiple Masters To Organize

Multiple masters are usually used in relation to different templates in a single file. At TLC, we use multiple master slides for design organization as much as different templates.

This is from a recent project that was all one template, but with 4 distinct color options. The client requested a simple structure, specifically not 4 duplicate sets of master slides. So we organized the Master Slides into 3 categories:
Top row = section divider slides in each color
Middle row = all of the content slide layouts in each color
Bottom row = title slides in each color

Just another way of providing solutions for clients using the features of PowerPoint’s master slides.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:47:58-07:00March 17th, 2014|PowerPoint, Tutorial|

Creating Quote Mark Graphics in PowerPoint 2013

PowerPoint 2010 introduced the very great “Merge Shape” tools (see this post for details). With this toolset, editable vector shapes can be can be created directly in PowerPoint – something I refer to as “Illustrator 2.0.” With PowerPoint 2013, it includes the ability to convert text to vector, which is what we will use to create the stylized quote mark graphics for a complete PowerPoint workflow.

quote mark graphics 1

1. Add text in PowerPoint.

quote mark graphics 2

2. Add PPT shape, and send to back behind text.

quote mark graphics 3

3. Select text and shape. On FORMAT ribbon >> MERGE SHAPES >> INTERSECT

quote mark graphics 4

4. The text is no longer editable, as it is now shapes. Right click and select EDIT POINTS just like any shape in PPT.

quote mark graphics 5
quote mark graphics 6
quote mark graphics 7

5. Stylize with no fill, light grey outline, drop shadow effect described in this post.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:48:18-07:00March 14th, 2014|PowerPoint, Tutorial|

Dynamic Quotes with Background Fill!

Here is one of our favorite visual tricks at TLC Creative Services for making slides with a key quote stand out. Background fill!

I am doing this as a 3-post series: this one shows the end result (see above) and PowerPoint formatting, the next post will detail our development process in Adobe Illustrator, and the third will show a PowerPoint only development process for the graphics. Thanks to Amber, a TLC staff designer, for creating the sample images for this series.

Using the quote mark .emf graphics, they are not very impressive without some styling applied and a special option for their fill color. Insert the .emf graphic (download here).
1. Right click on a quote mark and select FORMAT SHAPE.

2. Go to FILL and select SLIDE BACKGROUND FILL

3. The Quote marks will disappear on the slide because they are set to be the same background color as the slide.

4. Add a shadow effect, bevel, outline, glow or other styling effects to your quote marks. For ours, we have added a subtle drop shadow.

5. Still not super dynamic, but the quote marks are looking more styled.

6. But when placed on a colorful image background – dynamic! Move the quote mark graphics to any part of the slide and their fill updates.

Note: The slide background needs to be set with the Background Fill, not an image on the slide for this effect to work.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:48:55-07:00March 10th, 2014|PowerPoint, Templates/Assets, Tutorial|

Office 2013 SP1 Released

Last Wednesday, Microsoft released the first Service Pack (SP) for Office 2013. The list of updates to PowerPoint is fairly short and deals only with stability issues – no new features or refinement of current features. If you want the details, here is the Microsoft KB article on Office 2013 SP1.

The world of MS Office is now split into two types of installs: MSO (installed from an actual installer app) and CTR (click-to-run which is a cloud based install). How you get SP1 depends on what type of install you have.

Unfortunately, there are not labels on the About Screens that tell if an install is MSO or CTR. Here is one way of identifying the install type:
Go to FILE >> ACCOUNT >> look at the info in right pane.

If there is only 1 box “About PowerPoint” – it is an MSO install.

If there are 2 boxes “About PowerPoint” and “Office Updates” – it is a CTR install.

If you have MSO (traditional installer), the update should be available through Windows Update. Or, you can go direct to Microsoft and download the SP1 installer.
32-bit Office = https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42017
64-bit Office = https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42006

If you have CTR, SP1 will automatically install when you are online.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:50:12-07:00March 3rd, 2014|PowerPoint, Resource/Misc, Tutorial|

Webinar by Troy – PowerPoint 2013, What’s New, Better, and Different

AudioSolutionz has asked me to present a live webinar on PowerPoint 2013. It will be this Wednesday, February 19 at 10am PT/1pm ET.

I have a large list of features that are new for the application, the designer, and the presenter.

Knowing where the PowerPoint 2013 new features are, how to turn them on, and how to use them can be a frustrating experience of trial and error. This is a one-stop overview the new features demonstrated and explained. Session Highlights:
• Learn what is new with video: playback, export and usable formats
• Discover 6 menus that are no longer pop-up dialogs – and have added formatting features
• Instantly apply any color on the screen to a shape or text in 2 clicks!
• Explore all the new slide transitions
• What are Smart Guides, and what is “Equidistant?” – they are both in PowerPoint 2013
• Widescreen is now the default, but it is not the same as the old widescreen
• Presenter View is now useable
• Learn how to zoom in on a slide – during a presentation
• and more, plus Q&A

Details and registration is here.
Use the promo code “Troy 20” for a $20 discount.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T09:51:01-07:00February 17th, 2014|PowerPoint, Resource/Misc|

PowerPoint for Website Mockup

This year, TLC Creative Services finally updated its website (which is still in process). I am very happy with the new site and additional information it provides. When developing applications, and websites, PowerPoint can be a great tool in the initial stages.

For example, here is the TLC website mocked up in PowerPoint.

Each item is a separate, and editable, PowerPoint shape. The navigation labels can be revised, their order adjusted and the drop down menus revised.

Just another example of using the flexibility of PowerPoint to accomplish more than just “slides.”

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T10:10:49-07:00October 30th, 2013|Portfolio, PowerPoint, Resource/Misc|

Video of Animated Map From PowerPoint

Here is an amazing video showing a 1000 years of border history in Europe.

[original video no longer available from source]

Yes, you could fairly easily develop this video in PowerPoint. It would be what we internally call a “Flip Book” animation. One static slide per border change. Then set all slides to auto transition (with the CUT transition) and .01 to .05 seconds for the AFTER setting. When played, it will give the same effect as the above video – although sourcing the data and customizing the country shapes to each border would be a very large project! The video creation would be a simple as FILE>>EXPORT>>CREATE A VIDEO.

Here is a quick video I developed in PowerPoint using the Flip Book animation styling with a vector map of the United States (which was missing in the above video) and exported as a video.
[youtube src=”https://youtube.com/embed/Fpqd3v9gl7A?rel=0″]
57 slides, no animation, auto transitions, exported as video.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-10T10:15:18-07:00September 27th, 2013|PowerPoint, Resource/Misc|
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