Tutorial

Use Windows 7 Mobility Center Before Every Presentation

Windows 7 is great – running on virtually every computer here. There are a number of hidden features that are very important to presenters. The WINDOWS MOBILITY CENTER is one of them.

To open the Mobility Center, hold down the Windows key and the X key

I use this as a quick check for:
1. Confirm computer volume
2. Confirm plugged into to power (not on battery)
3. Confirm Maximum Performance power setting (vs. battery saving low power option)
4. Wireless network turned off
5. Computer sees an external display/projector
6. Presentation Settings are active (covered in next post)

Everything seen here can be accessed separately, but this is an easy 1-stop view of them all.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:23:46-07:00March 22nd, 2011|Resource/Misc, Tutorial|

Open PhotoShop File as Flat Composite

Unfortunately, in general, Microsoft does not work well with layered Photoshop (.psd) files. This includes Windows Explorer previewing them or PowerPoint being able to insert them. I do a lot of work in Photoshop, so I have a lot of Photoshop files for each presentation project. Sometimes, it is a time trap waiting for Photoshop to open the files just to identify if it is a needed file for the presentation. This is especially true when I receive 1-2-30GB files from a graphic department. It takes even a fast computer some time to process a 30GB file with upwards of 50 layers.

Here is a quick way to open, view and identify what those large files are.

1. In Photoshop, go to FILE>>OPEN and select the .psd file

2. If the OPEN button is clicked, the full file opens, including all of the layers

3. But if the SHIFT and ALT keys are held down, then the OPEN button the file opens as a flattened composite image

The advantage is the file, any size, opens instantly. The disadvantage is if layers are turned off they are not visible. I generally create a small .jpg with the same file name for easy reference in Windows explorer.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:24:25-07:00March 16th, 2011|Tutorial|

Ascend or Float Up?

In PPT 2003 and 2007, I made lots of animation effects with the “Ascend” and “Descend” entrance animations.

In PPT 2010, it was a near panic when these popular animations were not found. But, nothing to fear, the same animations effect have been renamed “Float Up” or “Float Down.”

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:28:23-07:00February 16th, 2011|Tutorial|

Is the “Compress” Animation Gone in PPT 2010?

PPT 2003 and 2007 gave us the “compress” entrance animation, which I have used lots. In PPT 2010, it is mysteriously missing from the animation options. But is it really gone?

To get it back, here is one solution:
Create a single slide presentation in PPT 2003 or 2007 that has a single shape with the Compress animation (or download one below). Here is mine from PPT 2003:

Open the slide in PPT 2010:

Interestingly, when you select the animated shape and go to the Animation tab, it shows the Compress animation!

Use the Animation Painter to pickup the Compress animation from the sample shape and apply to any element in your presentation.

Download Compress animation slide here.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:28:49-07:00February 14th, 2011|Tutorial|

How To Move An Object Seamlessly With Multiple Motion Paths

Motion path animations are a great feature, but using them beyond the basic can be confusing. For example, here is the slide from yesterday’s timeline sample:

The animation effect was great and the design of it relied on a lot of motion paths. This is a quick step-by-step example of moving an object to two positions with motion paths.

1. The blue box is the object to move. First to area “1” and then to area “2.”

2. Moving to area “1” is easy. Select the box and add a Motion Path to the left.

3. To move to area “2” is a bit more involved. First, add a Motion Path up. Note: It is added to the existing position. During slide show the box will move to the left, then jump back to the original location and move up – not the seamless effect wanted.

4. Select the “up” motion path. Note: You must be in the Animation tab to view motion paths and select them. Then, click and drag it over so it’s green start is exactly aligned with the first motion paths red end.

5. Done. Now, the box will seamlessly move to area “1” and then up to area “2.”

Download presentation with this sample animation (17K). Note: if your browser changes downloaded file to”.zip” rename to “.pptx”.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2025-01-02T13:41:38-08:00February 4th, 2011|Tutorial|

Baseline Shift/Offset Any Text, Any Amount

If you need a custom super-script registration mark, or special text layout, using the OFFSET option can be the solution. Select text to adjust, open font dialog, and customize the Offset box.

Here is the standard super-scripted registration mark and a customized registration:

Another use of the text offset can be custom layouts such as this:

Note: I am not saying this is a good layout idea, just that it is possible all within one text box.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:32:10-07:00January 25th, 2011|Personal, Tutorial|

Baseline Shift = “Offset”

When a super-script or sub-script is applied, there is actually an automated adjustment to PowerPoint’s OFFSET function. To access, highlight text and click the arrow on the bottom right of the FONT group to launch the FONT DIALOG BOX.

Super-script text is a 30% baseline shift/offset and sub-script text is a -30% baseline shift/offset.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:32:59-07:00January 21st, 2011|Personal, Tutorial|

What is Baseline Shift?

Baseline shift = “To move a selected character up or down relative to the baseline/level of the surrounding text.“

Baseline shift is an essential typography fine tuning function. The most common use of it in PowerPoint is when a super-script or sub-script is applied to text. For example, here is my sample text:

After applying the super-script function, the number 1 is raised up higher than the text next to it – the baseline has been shifted.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:36:01-07:00January 19th, 2011|Personal, Tutorial|

Collapse the Ribbon

Sometimes having a bigger work area makes designing slides easier. A larger monitor or higher resolution monitor is an option, or just temporarily removing the ribbon is an easier option.

Standard ribbon (taking up screen realestate)

Collapsed ribbon (with more screen realestate for the design work)

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:36:28-07:00January 16th, 2011|Personal, Tutorial|

Using BackGround Removal and Blur Tools (by Ric Bretschneider)

PowerPoint MVP Ric Bretschneider added a great tutorial to his personal blog this week called “The PowerPoint Blur Trick”.

The image effects are done by combining the Background removal tool, duplicate images, and the Blur tool – all really good ways to achieve ‘Photoshop’ images direct in PowerPoint.

Check out the full tutorial here.

– Troy @ TLC

By |2016-08-16T10:39:09-07:00January 13th, 2011|Tutorial|
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