PowerPoint Tips

Topics Covered

• PowerPoint basics• Common Pitfalls• How to insert multimedia

.pptx is the new powerpoint extension in new powerpoint 2007.

.ppt is old extension, will still work.

Screen resolution = 72 pixels/in.

Print Resolution = 300 pixels/in.

Default PowerPoint slide(4:3)

= 10 in. X 7.5 In. = 720 X 540 Pixels@ 72 pixels/in.

Default Widescreen PowerPoint slide(16:10)

=10in. X 6.25in = 720 x 420@72 pixels/in.

This presentation = 12in x7.5in

Slide Show basics

Hard to see text is lame.

Please Avoid Strange Colors

Hard to see text is lame.

Hard to see text is lame.

• Sample Text here• Sample text here too• Blah • Blah• Blah

Nice Muted Colors with Black text is nice. It’s easier on the eyes and it doesn’t make you want to put sunglasses on.

1. Point one

2. Point two

3. Point three

Avoid White backgrounds as well…..because it just hurts

• Ouch• Ouch• Ouch?

White text on It’s ok, but really darkens the room.

Going back and forth between black and lighter backgrounds can hurt the eyes

Avoid gaudy

Painfull Annoying

Slide Transitions

It’s silly! Just say NO!

Avoid strange fonts• Hello My name is freak

• Hello My name is freak• Hello My name is freak

• Hello My name is freak• Hello My name is freak• Hello My name is freak

Different fonts can be good, but don’t expect everyone to have your font. Try to remain Consistent throughout your presentation.

If you must have a different font, please be sure to bring your font file with you, just in case.

ImagesImages can be good if used correctly

Image is worth “a thousand words”

Make sure they are good words being conveyed.

Examples of Bad Images• Pixelation• Stretching( usually resized incorrectly)• Image as Background(if not properly adjusted)• Hand Drawn(Could be good if done right – But do you have the time?)

Go from Large to small…

…Not small to large.Pixelation occurs.

Adjusting Images

• Digital Cameras Produce larger images all the time. 10-15 megapixel images produce very large file sizes.

• Resize Images proportionally• Use Image size and canvas size in imaging software.• Save Images as JPG before importing into PowerPoint. Don’t

use Tiffs as they are uncompressed and can contribute to extremely large file sizes. (exception: printing a poster)

Screen resolution = 72 pixels/in.

Print Resolution = 300 pixels/in.

Default PowerPoint slide(4:3)

= 10 in. X 7.5 In. = 720 X 540 Pixels@ 72 pixels/in.

Default Widescreen PowerPoint slide(16:10)

=10in. X 6.25in = 720 x 420@72 pixels/in.

This presentation = 12in x7.5in

Adjusting Images

Imaging Software

Photoshop CS3 $177 if purchased on campus(through professor)

$299.98 Journeyed.com (student)

Photoshop Elements $70 Journeyed.com

The GIMP www.gimp.org *free*

Serif PhotoPlus www.freeserifsoftware.com *free*

Avoid Text on a picture

Can you actually see this text?

If you must use an image, drop the contrast down to minimize the impact and highlight your text.

Inserting Multimedia“the Hammer and Nail” also known as the Control Toolbox (Instructions for

PowerPoint 2007)

• Click Microsoft Office Button on the top left corner > click “PowerPoint Options” at the bottom of the panel > go to the “PowerPoint Options” window > click “Popular” on the left column > select “Show Developer tab in the Ribbon” on the right column > click “OK” at the bottom

• On the “Developer” tab > go to “Controls” group > Click the icon of hammer and nail for “More Controls” > go to the “More Controls” window

• On the “More Controls” window > select “Shockwave Flash Object” in the list > click “OK” at the bottom > use your pointer to drag on the slide to draw and resize the control (you can do this with other movies as well)

• Right click the control you draw > click “Properties” in the right-click menu > go to the “Properties” window

• On the alphabetic tab > click the “Movie” property > type the full drive path in the value column (the blank cell next to Movie), including the file name (e.g. C:a.swf) or URL (e.g. http://www.a.com/b.swf)

Inserting Multimedia(Part II)

• To make the Flash play automatically when the slide is displayed, set the “Playing” property to “True“; To embed the Flash into PowerPoint, set “EmbedMovie” property to “True” On the “Developer” tab > go to “Controls” group > Click the icon of hammer and nail for “More Controls” > go to the “More Controls” window

• Finally close the “Properties” window and save your presentation.

• Be aware of proportions to avoid stretching