Software/Add-Ins

Adobe Express – Part 3

This Jake at TLC Creative, and I am continuing our series on the new Adobe Express. I am focusing on the collaboration features, tutorials and some other fun design tools within the free to access and use, Adobe Express.

INVITE

One of the biggest features of Adobe Express is the ability for a team or group to collaborate on a project. You can invite others to work with you by sharing single files, projects or brands, by using the main navigation bar at the top and clicking INVITE:

There’s also another way to do this and that’s to click “Share” to share the file(s) within the editor, which allows you to add people or groups to it:

Note that “Share” and “Invite” are pretty much used interchangeably within Adobe Express. The only requirement is everyone must have an Adobe account (free or CC subscription).

SHARE

Along with inviting/sharing files and collaborating with others, the share feature also allows you to create and then upload posts to your social media accounts, all from Adobe Express. You would click “Share”, the same button used to invite others to collaborate, and then click on the “Share to Social” button. You can connect your accounts from Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, Pinterest and TikTok. You can also add a caption or even generate a caption with AI.  From there you can choose to publish immediately or schedule for the future.

LEARN

If you’re new to Adobe Express or looking to become well versed in it, the LEARN section is your best friend. Also located in the top toolbar (as a lightbulb icon) it has an extensive collection of tutorials. Each tutorial comes with examples that show the tools in action, making it easier to grasp how to use them.

CHARTS

For those working with data visualization, Adobe Express includes a CHARTS feature. You can build charts and tables directly within the platform and export them as images (JPEG, PNG), PDFs or Videos with animations.

Of course, while Adobe Express offers these features, it’s worth noting that PowerPoint remains a much more robust tool for creating detailed charts and tables. One area Adobe can improve on is the ability to export chart videos with transparent backgrounds or in alpha format, as PowerPoint currently doesn’t have this feature either (exported charts from Adobe Express are on a solid color, white in this example). This would give even more flexibility in how animated charts are used within presentations.

THE CATCH

Like any other tool, Adobe Express has its pros and cons. One thing to keep in mind is that several add-ons are pay-to-use, such as the “Video Effects Pro” add-on, which requires its own subscription for the full version. Also, there are limits on the number of Firefly AI-generated content pieces you can create unless you upgrade to a premium plan. Additionally, while there is a free version, accessing some advanced features requires a subscription.

Firefly itself can actually be accessed via its own website at https://firefly.adobe.com/, “Photos” within the media section are powered by Adobe Stock (which of course also can be accessed via its own website), Remove Background as well as other effects are powered by Photoshop which can also be used in its native application. It’s no surprise that Adobe Express leverages all of the power and features across its Creative Cloud applications. However, some add-ons are free and require no Premium subscriptions, it’s best to explore within the “Add-ons” tab.

GENERATE TEXT

Remember the fun yet now outdated WordArt from early 2000s Microsoft Word? Adobe Express has its own version called Generate Text that actually utilizes generative AI. Of course, we had to experiment with this feature to see it in action:

Create:

Result:

I will continue to experiment with Adobe Express features (I am looking at the plugins options next), and hope this small series on Adobe Express has provided some insights and inspiration.

-Jake @ TLC

By |2025-01-10T17:03:17-08:00February 10th, 2025|Software/Add-Ins|

Add File Size to Teams

For February we are diving into Microsoft Teams with many of our internal uses, workflows, and managing presentation files and projects with Teams/SharePoint. We are starting the month with one of those annoyances of viewing folders and files within Teams, because the file size is not turned on by default (ugh!).

Microsoft Teams offers many options in its’ directory columns beyond the default view. These can help organize and categorize file information, making daily Teams use easier and more intuitive. As an example, one of the directory options we turn on for virtually every project is showing file sizes. To add a column which displays each file’s size is a simple process.

  1. Within the Teams directory, to the right of the column titles, select + Add column to reveal the Create a column

  1. In the lower left of this panel, select to Show or hide columns.

  1. The Edit view columns panel will appear on the right. The current visible columns will be checked and at the top of the list. Scroll down to find the File Size

Check the File Size box to show (or uncheck to hide)

  1. Don’t forget to click Apply at the top.

  1. That’s it! Your File Size column is now live and will display each file’s size (NOTE: individual files have size, but folders do not).

Look through the display options as other options may be helpful.

TIP: Columns can be rearranged to your preference by simple drag-and-drop (just click and drag any column name to move to desired position and unclick to “drop”). Everyone accessing the Teams folder will see the new columns, in the order you setup. And unfortunately, we have not found a way to apply this view to all folders by default…

Mike @ TLC

By |2025-02-02T21:41:35-08:00February 3rd, 2025|Resource/Misc, Software/Add-Ins|

Adobe Express – Part 2

Presentations are very visual, and sometimes PowerPoint’s internal tools are not up to the job of creating all design elements for a professional presentation slide design. I am continuing our Adobe Express series looking at how it can help presentation design with techniques such as removing the background from a photo, designing stylized text or creating videos. These can be done within PowerPoint, but its internal tools are often not able to provide polished and professional results. Adobe Express adds a next level quality to these image needs.

Adobe Express is a free, online platform which provides a new option that is a straightforward, user-friendly approach to photo and video editing. It has an amazing Remove Background feature for images that is incredibly easy to use, and an immediate fit for presentation design needs.

Many times at TLC Creative, we use photos that need to be masked and the background elements removed. We sometimes will use the Remove Background tool within PowerPoint – sometimes… Our general go-to process is pulling the image into Photoshop and either manually clip and mask with a pen tool (still a great design skill!) or utilize Photoshop’s Generative AI to isolate the subject and remove the background. The image is then cropped to the visible pixels, exported as a PNG, then imported into PowerPoint.

The background removal tool in Adobe Express uses the same AI-powered technology to automatically detect and separate the subject from the background in an image. It has fewer adjustments and tools over Photoshop, but the results are fast and quite literally amazing. Plus, it is web-based, so there is no software to install. This is ideal for masking profile pictures or product shots without the need for advanced editing skills.

In this example, you can see the original, and how PowerPoint’s remove background vs. Adobe Express’s remove background perform. Of special note is the curly, feathered hair. PowerPoint’s remove background tool is just not up to the task, even with lots of fine tuning on the removed parts. The Adobe Express image, completed in 1-click is presentation ready. The only downside is the extra steps and work outside of PowerPoint.

Now let’s take a look at the Adobe Express interface and how to use the Remove Background feature. There are two ways to do this:

Option 1: Modify an Existing Photo on Your Computer

  1. From the web-based app home page.
  2. Under More ways to start section, click the Remove background
  3. In the new screen click the BROWSE button or drag and drop an image.
  4. That’s it – done! Here is the original image:
  5. And Adobe Express’s background removed:
  6. Two notes:
    1. This option does not allow you to select from stock photos or the cloud.
    2. The image must be a JPEG, JPG or PNG, and under 40MB in size.
  7. DOWNLOAD as a .PNG with transparent background,
  8. Or before downloading, use the options to add a colored or patterned background,
  9. Last, Adobe Express does have an online image editor with more advanced features, click the OPEN IN EDITOR

Option 2: Modify a Photo from Adobe Stock

Before demonstrating this option, it is important to know that Adobe has Adobe Stock. Adobe Stock is a paid service with literally millions of royalty free photos, illustrations, videos and music assets (TLC Creative has selected Adobe Stock as the resource for our design team). But for this blog post, the key bit of information is that Adobe Express, which is free to use, provides access to what they list as “over 1 million royalty-free photos”!!

TIP: this is a great, free, photo resource for presentation design!

  1. From the Adobe Express home page, in the upper right corner, click the big blue plus buttons.
  2. This opens the GET STARTED screen, which in other areas of the app is labelled as starting an “image from scratch.”
  3. For slides, click the LANDSCAPE aspect ratio button.
    1. TIP: Adobe Express has dozens of options. From the basic square, landscape and portrait modes to the pre-set sizes of all major social media, video and print media needs.
  4. Choose the Media option on the left column tool bar.

    1. There is an UPLOAD FROM DEVICE button, which is the same process as Option 1, just a longer way of getting there.
    2. The GENERATE IMAGE is Adobe’s AI that creates images from text prompts (the same engine is available on Adobe Stock, and it creates some really great images – but it is free here!).
    3. Below that is where you can search the Adobe Stock images available through Adobe Express. Use the SEARCH bar or the categories.
  5. Find a desired photo, click on it and Express will automatically add onto the editing canvas.
  6. Click the Remove background button and it’s gone. In the example below, we purposely have chosen a subject with a busy background to show the capabilities. Notice the thin strands of hair that remain.
  7. Change the canvas background to none. This will ensure a transparent background when exporting.
  8. Click Download and choose the PNG option. One thing to note, because we chose a template size of 1920px x 1080px (16:9), the new image will export at that size. Not the size of the edited photo. Adobe Express does have a crop tool, however it will only crop the photo on its layer. It does not crop the entire canvas size.
  9. Insert the new image into a PowerPoint file or set as background so the image fills page.

The new offering from Adobe, Adobe Express, is separate from Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, so it can be a standalone set of design tools or used in conjunction with an Adobe CC subscription. These are just a few of the photo editing and design tools that work for presentation design where images are needed. Explore the Adobe Express offering here.

Mike @ TLC Creative

By |2025-01-07T08:27:26-08:00January 29th, 2025|Software/Add-Ins|

Adobe Express – Part 1

What is Adobe Express? Formerly known as Adobe Spark, is a user-friendly tool that lets you create professional-looking social media posts, flyers, videos, and more in just a few clicks. Whether you’re running a small business, managing your personal brand, or just love pretty visuals, Adobe Express might just become your new best friend.

At its core, Adobe Express is a simplified web-based design tool. Think of it as Adobe Photoshop’s cooler, less intimidating cousin. You don’t need advanced skills to create polished content; Adobe Express provides an extensive library of templates, fonts, colors, and even royalty-free stock photos to make your designs look like they were created by a pro.

It’s perfect for creating Instagram posts, YouTube thumbnails, or even business cards—basically, if it needs to look good and you need it done fast, this is the tool. It also can be helpful to presentation designers, which is the focus of the next 2 posts.

HOW MUCH DOES ADOBE EXPRESS COST

Here’s the good news, Adobe Express offers a free plan! It includes access to many templates, fonts, and basic design tools.

The more advanced features require a paid premium plan, ~$100 annually. It is also collaboration focused and offers “team” plans, that are lower pricing, ~$50-80 annually per team member. But the most exciting offering is if you already subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, chances are you already have access to the premium version as part of your CC subscription!

WHAT ARE THE PREMIUM TOOLS

The free version is great, but the premium tools really make Adobe Express shine:

  • Remove Backgrounds: A click is all it takes to remove the background from an image. No need to fiddle with a million settings.
  • Resizing Magic: Want to turn an Instagram post into a Pinterest pin? The premium version resizes your design for different platforms in seconds.
  • Exclusive Templates & Fonts: More options mean less time spent tweaking designs.
  • Brand Kit: Save your logos, colors, and fonts to keep your branding consistent across all designs.
  • Access to Adobe Stock: Get premium stock images and graphics baked right into the platform.

DO I NEED TO INSTALL ANYTHING

Nope! Adobe Express is web-based, so you can use it directly from your browser without installing anything. Adobe Express is available for Windows, Mac, iPad, and smartphones (both iOS and Android). It’s basically wherever you need it to be.

The mobile version is especially handy if you’re managing social media on the go. It syncs with your Adobe account, so you can start a design on your computer and finish it on your phone or vice versa.


WHAT POWERS ADOBE EXPRESS FEATURES

Adobe Express is powered by Adobe’s AI technology, including Firefly. Just Adobe Photoshop, Firefly in Adobe Express can generate images from text prompts. This AI generated tool can assist with automatically removing the background or automatically resizing the layout for every social channel.

WHAT POWERS ADOBE EXPRESS FEATURES

Adobe Express is perfect for anyone who wants to create beautiful content without spending hours learning complicated software. As a team of professional presentation designers, we can see Adobe Express being part of a presentation design workflow.

Now that we have an overview and introduction to Adobe’s newest offering, Adobe Express, in the next few posts we are going to focus on using it to create presentation ready images.

By |2025-01-09T07:47:29-08:00January 27th, 2025|Software/Add-Ins|

Snagit Panoramic Capture – Even Easier!

Techsmith’s Snagit app is a must-have at TLC Creative. Literally everyone from the design team, to IT manager, to Project Coordinator and Accounting department – everyone has Snagit installed on their computer and uses it daily (note: TLC Creative maintains an Enterprise license for Snagit. It is a great value – and no sponsorship to endorse it!). 

One of the go to features is Snagit’s ability to capture documents or webpages that are longer, or wider, than your screen. Start an image capture, scroll as long as needed, and Snagit creates a super long, or super wide, image! For many years the access has been a series of click; expand the task bar, right-click the Snagit icon, go to Presets, and select SCROLLING CAPTURE. (TIP: on my computer setup I added a custom hotkey in the Snagit app and created a button on my Stream Deck to launch that hotkey, making it nearly instantaneous to start a Snagit Panoramic Capture) 

TIP: long images, like webpages or apps, are great to use on PowerPoint slides and animate under an image of a computer screen or mobile phone! 

TIP: capture extra wide Excel documents using this feature! 

Well, Snagit at some point in the past year eliminated the need for something like my Stream Deck hotkey by adding Panoramic Capture as a button directly on its capture bar! 

Christie on the TLC Creative design team takes us through how to get this new shortcut. And demonstrates how to use it. 

In order to use this new feature, Snagit must be updated to Version 2024.2.4, or higher. 

Updated Capture Dialogue Box: 

  • Capture an image with Snagit by using the PRINT SCREEN button on your keyboard 
  • A new dialogue box will appear with several capture options 
  • 1. Image, 2. Video, and the new 3. Panoramic ratio, then info about the pixel size of the capture, reset and close options. 

  • What we are excited about is the “new” Panoramic Capture button on the Snagit dialog. 

TIP: the pixel width and height, and position, of the capture can still be adjusted before the capture type is selected.  

  • Click the PANORAMIC CAPTURE button and choose to scroll down vertically or horizontally to the right. 
  • When all of the content is added to the small Snagit capture thumbnail, click DONE.  

  • Depending on how big the capture is, a progression bar with cute clipart and phrase tells you how things are going for the image to process. 

  • When processing is complete the Snagit editor opens showing the image. 
  • Modify the image here (crop, add callouts, merge with other images, etc. – Snagit is powerful and full of useful editing tools). 
  • Here is my example vertical panoramic capture of the TLC Creative website – as one long image. The capture process took around 25 seconds to create this image – and no needing to manually stitch separate captures together!  

By |2024-10-03T10:37:22-07:00November 14th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|

Find that Color with Instant Eyedropper

PowerPoint has a wonderful eye dropper tool to update a shape fill, outline, shadow, etc. to any color on the slide. Outside PowerPoint, the TLC Creative team has a small Windows app installed on every computer – Instant Eyedropper.

Instant Eyedropper is a FREE color detection tool. Instant Eyedropper is an installed app, and Windows OS only. To use: click the Instant Eyedropper icon, move the mouse to spotlight the color needed, and click. The color value is added to the clipboard. This color eyedropper is an app that does 1 thing and does it well.

There are numerous supported color formats; RGB, Hex, HTML, HSL, and others. Our team preference is between RGB, like what the eyedropper in Paint and PowerPoint uses, and HTML. To get started, click the icon in the taskbar.

The cursor becomes a target (A), displays the color to be picked up (B), and the color value that will be copied (C).

Click and done, the color value is copied to the clipboard. The cursor then reverts back to a regular cursor. Paste the color value into any project notes or app as needed.

Instant Eyedropper is free to download from their website: http://instant-eyedropper.com/

By |2024-10-29T07:12:10-07:00November 12th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|

WeCompress is the Online Version of NXPowerlite!

If you’re frequently working with large files, especially images and presentations like the TLC Creative design team does every day, you might already be familiar with the pain point of dealing with oversized files. WeCompress is an online app designed to alleviate this problem by compressing a wide variety of file types — whether you want to compress PDFs, PowerPoint Presentations, Word documents, or images.

At its core, WeCompress is essentially a free, web-based version of the popular NXPowerLite desktop application. Developed by the same team at Neuxpower (who makes NXPowerlite), WeCompress allows users to upload and compress files without the need for installation, account or subscription. This makes it incredibly convenient for anyone who needs quick, on-the-go file compression, especially for presentations or documents that exceed email attachment limits.

One thing to keep in mind when using WeCompress, especially for images, is that it doesn’t save your files into different formats. For instance, if you’re working with a TIFF image that you’d like to use in a presentation, you want to convert it to an optimized PNG. But that’s not how WeCompress works. Instead, it will compress the file while keeping its original format intact. So, if format conversion is part of your workflow, you’ll need to use a different tool.

TIP: there is a file size limit. WeCompress will allow files up to 50MB.

TIP/or maybe this is a Public Service Announcement (PSA): the wecompress website contains A LOT of sponsor ads – everywhere on it. While these ads help keep the service free, they can be distracting or misleading, so be cautious about what you click on. Stick to the main functionality of the site, and you’ll be good.

The TLC Creative design team has the desktop version, NXPowerlite, on all design computers. NXPowerlite allows for larger file sizes (ugh, 2GB + presentations!), batch compressing of multiple files, and more advanced features like custom profiles.

Let’s walk through a demo of how to compress a file using WeCompress.com:

  1. On https://www.wecompress.com/, upload a file for compression by either dragging the file to the upload area or clicking the purple + icon in the middle of the screen.
  2. Select a file for optimization, then click OPEN.
  3. The file uploads (FAQ says it is a temp file and not stored after file compression completes)
  4. After the upload is complete, there is a notice that file compression is in process.
  5. Once the file is ready to download, a “File Ready” notice appears with the new file size, and information about the percentage of compression.
  6. Click DOWNLOAD FILE. The new file name has (wecompress.com) added to the original file name.
  7. After download, a successful download notice with a link to compress another file if needed.

That’s it. Easy, quick (depending on file size and internet speed), and free! WeCompress offers only 1 compress option with no levels of compression or profiles, which is possible in NXPowerlite. Bookmark WeCompress and test it, the TLC Creative design team has used it many times (especially when working on provided show computers that lack our suite of apps and settings).

-Amber

By |2024-10-03T20:57:28-07:00October 17th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|

Build-A-Graphic Review

Build-A-Graphic seamlessly integrates with Microsoft PowerPoint, whether you’re using it on Windows, Mac, or PowerPoint Online. It offers a massive 10K+ library of pre-made, but fully editable graphics. Including graphs, charts, infographics, a favorite- Isometric (2D with a fixed 45º grid to easily align and mix-and-match) elements, and much more.

On the technical side, this is a JS Add-in (install through the “add-in” button on the PowerPoint Insert tab). As a JS add-in it enables it to be used within PowerPoint Online, and on any computer you are logged in with the registered Microsoft account.

Click the Build-a-Graphic button on the PowerPoint HOME tab. From the Build-A-Graphic action pane, search its library, or view the graphics by category and then by graphic type.

One of the best things about virtually all of the Build-A-Graphic content is they can be edited in PowerPoint; colors, text and other elements can be adjusted to align with a brand or the theme of the presentation. As an example graphic, here is a before (default on left) and after (customized on right) graphic. Colors and font changed; some content removed for a graphic customized to align with the presentation’s design.

A lot of the graphics include tips on how to edit them. As example, This Funnel graphic has a tip in the lower left about ungrouping to customize.

TIP: remove these tips before presenting!

As mentioned earlier, the primary advantage we see, is Build-A-Graphic content is PowerPoint native vector art and significant edits can be made directly within PowerPoint, saving time and simplifying the workflow. When ungrouped, elements can be deleted, customized, or replaced. A good example is that many of the graphics include icons. But the icons are not “locked” to the graphic, but separate elements (when ungrouped in PowerPoint) allowing each graphic element to be modified with different icons easily. For advanced editing beyond PowerPoint’s capabilities, graphics can be exported from PowerPoint as .SVG vector graphics and edited in Adobe Illustrator (then copy/pasted back to the slide).

Aside from the main draw of the graphic design library, one feature we like is the “Chunking” feature (yes, that is the real name!). With one click you can turn a slide full of text into separate smaller text blocks, in a stylized visual layout. Those smaller text blocks can then be modified as needed to better fit on the slide.

As example, here is a slide with 3, dense, paragraphs of text (Lorum Ipsum text for the example):

Using the “Chunk Text by Paragraph” tool, it separates the Lorem Ipsum text into separate text boxes and into separate paragraphs in one click. This can be just a starter and the new text boxes and styling elements can be edits, resized, recolored as best for the slide and content/message.

Incorporating Build-A-Graphic into a design routine can be a good time saver and an easy path to creating visual slides that stand out. Being able to quickly tweak graphics inside PowerPoint keeps things simple, especially when you’re working against tight deadlines. While it may not replace specialized graphic design software for more complex projects, it has the breadth of graphics to offer a convenient solution for enhancing slides directly within PowerPoint.

Note: Build-A-Graphic is a subscription and locks the subscription to the registered Microsoft ID (eg. your Microsoft 365 account) – and this is the first software we have used that leverages the Microsoft ID as the user.

See examples and details at the Build-A-Graphic website here.

By |2024-10-07T19:36:50-07:00October 10th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|

Who’s the new kid – Figma Slides!

Figma is a collaborative web-based design tool that many consider a competitor to Adobe. There are different capabilities between Figma and Adobe apps, but the key difference being that Figma operates entirely web-based, requiring no software installs, or updates. Figma works on any operating system, Windows, Mac, Linux, and any device; computer, tablet, phone, even on Chromebooks.

Figma is popular in the design and UX communities. Its real-time collaboration capabilities are good for teams to work simultaneously on project design elements. Figma has integrated Slack as its communication channel, and any design edits or comments are easily “slacked” to the design team. The collaboration goes further with any update requests automatically update anywhere that design element is embedded in other files (very cool!). And similar to Microsoft Teams and Google apps, you can see who also has the file open (via small onscreen avatars).

FIGMA ENTERS PRESENTATIONS

Figma announced Figma Slides on June 26th, 2024. The CEO’s clever reveal is worth a watch – go to 51:55 of the video:

FIGMA SLIDES

Figma Slides is like all other presentation and slideshow software. It creates visual aids for presentations as a series of “slides” with each slide being a combination of text, images, charts, diagrams, videos and other graphic elements. The interface is familiar, matching the layout PowerPoint established in 2010 with navigation pane on the left, current slide in the center, presenter notes under the slide, and a tools pane on the right.

The Figma slides as presentation software highlights we found include:

  • Presentation templates and many customization options with workflows that seamlessly connect to the other Figma Design tools.
  • Supports co-authoring of slides, presenter notes, and co-presenting controls.
  • Slides can have several interactive element options, including live polls, alignment scales, and voting features designed to capture live feedback and facilitate decision-making.
  • Figma expands beyond its app with a range of plugins that enhance workflows, such as a seamless Unsplash image integration, and the Figma integration with Slack.
  • The Figma Slides app has integrated Figma AI within it, and focuses on the slide copy (aka text) with a unique way to modify copy using a “tone” slider to rewrite it.

Using these features, slide decks can be created from scratch or from the many templates, which can be customized. Each template is a set of layouts with preset text, image, diagram and chart placeholders.

PRESENTING

To present a Figma Slides presentation, simply click the play button in the upper right corner of the interface:

The option to present your slideshow with or without presenter notes is available. Similar to Google Slides, if presenting with notes, 2 browser tabs open; one for slides (that automatically opens full screen with no interface) and one of the presenter notes and slide navigation.

Advancing through slides can be using keyboard (eg. arrow keys), a standard presentation remote, or the onscreen interface.

You’ll see that the presenter view will open with the presenter notes, and the full screen presentation on the right.

WHO

Figma has designed its online platform to focus on graphic designers and work teams. Figma slides is going to appeal to those already using Figma for design projects that need to present content from those design projects, as everything in a Figma project is seamlessly available in Figma Slides.

FIGMA VS POWERPOINT

It’s difficult to imagine Figma Slides disrupting the position PowerPoint and Microsoft Office have in the industry. PowerPoint’s extensive feature set and integration with the other Office apps, and its 30 years of use in the business world.

PowerPoint is the king of presentation software from user base and features. PowerPoint Online, a standalone online app, has continuously improved and allows collaboration via sharing a link with permissions. You can save projects in real time to OneDrive and its UI is a little bit more streamlined than its desktop counterpart, which could be good for those newer to the platform or does not need as many robust features. However, the TLC Creative design team still prefers the desktop version for presentation design.

What’s The Price?

Figma slides, at the time of this review, is in beta and free to all Professional and above packages through the end of the year. It does not clarify if Figma Slides will continue to be included in the packages or become an add-on. For reference, Figma is available in 4 tiers:

  1. Free: Access to the Figma editor, 3 collaborative design files, unlimited drafts (Free)
  2. Professional Team: Unlimited files, team libraries, advanced prototyping etc. ($15/mo)
  3. Organization: Organization wide libraries, design system analytics, branching and merging etc. ($45/mo)
  4. Enterprise: Advanced design system theming, default libraries by workspace, etc. ($75/mo)

Conclusion

Figma Slides, like other web-based presentation apps, require a stable internet connection to function. The Figma Slides collaborative approach is robust and great to work with. Its fresh, modern appearance of the user interface makes Figma Slides a welcome addition to a Presentation Designer’s toolbox.

~Thanks Jake, on the TLC Creative presentation design team, for researching and assisting with this blog post

By |2024-09-24T06:38:20-07:00September 24th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|

Slidewise has a FREE Version Now!

Starting with Slidewise version 2.1 there is a FREE version – and you should have it!

The free version is a feature-limited version of Slidewise. But the features it does include are invaluable (paying for all of the features is better)!

Basically, free-Slidewise is going to allow you to inspect a presentation, but not have access to the tools that automate fixing presentation issues.

As example, Slidewise shows there are are 25 fonts in this slide deck (ugh!) and several are not Microsoft fonts, because they are not embedded. The free version provides this super helpful information. The paid version enables tools to quickly update fonts throughout the deck (which is amazing!).

Another example is Slidewise Free shows a list of all images in the presentation – and displays the image file size of each image. This is super helpful in finding oversize images that are making the presentation file large. Slidewise Free keeps the ability to select an image from the list and jump to that slide, with that image selected (try it, it is fantastic!). But some of the image management tools are not available.

Two notes:

  1. Slidewise is currently a Windows PowerPoint add-in. No Mac PowerPoint option available.
  2. Just download the trial version and after the trial period ends it automatically goes to the free mode.

Checkout Slidewise at the developer website here.

Troy @ TLC

By |2024-02-03T09:09:28-08:00February 15th, 2024|Software/Add-Ins|
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