Microsoft Office Reference Guide

Mar 26, 2004

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I guess it's time to think about beefing up PowerPoint presentations again, because some very cool new tools are emerging. I'll tell you about the latest version of OfficeFX and Crystal Graphics.

OfficeFX Version 2 and Professional

Last year, we covered the first version of OfficeFX, which uses its own interface inside PowerPoint to provide broadcast-quality special effects.

The first version featured very nifty visuals, including 3D objects that could be manipulated, but it fell a bit short on its ability to work with video. Since the presentation needs to be delivered through OfficeFX (not as a "normal" PowerPoint show), working with video files presented a bit of a challenge.

Not so with new version 2.0. While its interface will be familiar to users of the original product, it comes with some new themes specially suited for video work.

Figure 587

After applying a theme (notice the underlying presentation has no design in PowerPoint), this becomes the background when the presentation is run through OfficeFX.

Here is an animated transition with the slide title automatically added to the video screen that zooms into view.

Figure 588

With the slide fully in view, the video plays inside the Office FX video screen object.

Figure 589

This is accomplished with a new Video tab inside the interface (along with two other Insert object tabs). You can load video from a file, as I have here, or capture it directly on the fly from a video capture device.

Figure 590

The video I used was the one I created using Serious Magic Communicator, covered in a previous update.

There are two new versions of OfficeFX: V. 2.0 and Professional (which has the video options). For pricing and features, check their Web site.

The professional version also lets you publish the PowerPoint presentation with the effects as a new video file, similar to what we did in Camtasia Studio. But only OfficeFX enables 3D backgrounds during publishing.

Notice that in the Publish tab, there is even a 16:9 screen aspect ratio option for High Definition resolution.

Figure 591

Obviously, the true quality of the final product depends upon your hardware, and OfficeFX is hardware intensive. It requires a very strong graphics card and you should consult the web site to see the exact requirements before loading the product. To ensure there are no surprises, the software's system checker goes through your configuration prior to installation.

Crystal Graphics PowerPlugs Video Backgrounds

For years I've thought about trying Crystal Graphics' well-known PowerPlugs for PowerPoint (and many other programs) which are packaged backgrounds and transitions that enhance the visual presentation.

A few weeks ago, they sent me their new Video Backgrounds Player and Content (two separate packages). The Player lets you use any video file "behind" PowerPoint slides, while the Content package provides you with a great selection of packaged video backgrounds.

The video backgrounds are applied from a floating toolbar, which launches the Crystal Graphics Video interface.

Here, my slide already has the PowerPoint "Clouds" template applied. But I can select one of the PowerPlugs collections and select another animated background.

Figure 592

With the video effect applied, you launch the show through the Crystal Graphics player, and the text is visible over a moving background (trust me).

Figure 593

The background does not affect the actual PowerPoint template, so you may need to change text color or the masters to accommodate the look of the video background.

The third option on the PowerPlugs Video toolbar enables you to package the presentation with the player so that people without Crystal Graphics software can view (but not revise) the backgrounds and the slide show).

There are additional features like transparent or opaque backgrounds that you can apply to individual slides with content.

Figure 594

In this instance, with the player showing the slide, the animation doesn't impinge on the graph which is presented in a rounded corner backdrop.

Figure 595

PowerPlugs are not as hardware intensive as OfficeFX, and they offer a quick and dirty way to enhance a presentation in a way that most audiences have not yet seen. With a bit of creativity, you can go even further in setting your slide show apart.

Be careful with dual displays and other fancy hardware. With stuff like this, always check (and double- and triple-check) your show before taking it on the road.

Both PowerPlugs Video and OfficeFX come with different versions and options, so check out the respective Web sites for the latest information. Then sit back and watch or step up in front of an audience with a slide show the likes of which few have yet seen.

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