Quality Images in PowerPoint

How to Ensure Quality Images in PowerPoint

Apply Animations the Smart Way.

In this third installment of our series on everything related to pictures, we delve into the crucial aspects of image quality, animations, and layouts. Issues surrounding image quality and layout are common challenges that many users face. The solution lies not just in understanding basic principles but also in utilizing effective techniques that can mitigate these problems.

Bigger Photos Without Quality Loss

A Description of the Technique

With the advancements in digital photography, presentations now feature a growing number of images. These images often possess high pixel dimensions, which can be resized manually on the template. However, despite high megapixel counts, images can still appear blurry. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward technique to enhance the quality of images in your presentations.

Basic Concept: Instead of manually resizing the image, allow PowerPoint to perform the resizing automatically by calculating the megapixels internally.

To illustrate this method, consider the example of a zoomed-in image of a saint. The head figure is cut out from a large original photograph and duplicated.

In the first image, the size was reduced manually with the mouse, while in the second image, PowerPoint’s resizing feature was used.

The right image was adjusted using the effect >Grow/Shrink, >25%.

This process is repeated for the right image, applying the effect >Grow/Shrink, >25% once again. After this, both images are the same size.

Finally, both images are selected and the option >Grow/Shrink, >1500% is applied.

The difference in quality is remarkable.

This method may initially seem cumbersome, but with practice, it becomes quicker, and the results are well worth the effort. After all, no one wants to present low-quality images.

In the example provided, both photos were edited differently. While both were initially made smaller, one was resized manually and the other using PowerPoint’s animation options. Both were then zoomed in by 250%. Despite being identical, the quality of the details is notably different.

Feel free to experiment with your own images. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how these images were edited:

Left Picture:

1. Insert the image from your desktop using >Insert, >Picture.
2. Manually reduce the size using the mouse.
3. Resize the image by navigating to >Animations, >Grow/Shrink. In the Animation Pane, select >Picture 1, choose >Effect Options, and enlarge the image to your desired size.

Right Picture:

1. Insert the image from your desktop using >Insert, >Picture.
2. Resize the image using >Animations, >Grow/Shrink.
   
3. Access the Animation Pane. Click the drop-down arrow next to >Picture 1, select >Effect Options, and reduce the image size (try 40% or a similar value). Ensure you hit the enter key after entering your percentage to register the size.
   
4. Adjust the time lapse to 0.01 seconds via >Animation Pane, >Timing, >Duration.
   
5. Create a second animation by selecting >Add Animation, >Grow/Shrink, and input the final enlarged size for your image. Adjust the time lapse for this second animation to 0.01 seconds in the same way.
6. To ensure smooth transitions without manual clicks, select >Animation Pane, >Picture 1, >Drop down arrow and set to >Start After Previous.
7. To only display the enlarged image and not the initial size reduction, overlay a white box. Use >Insert a rectangle, set the shape fill and outline to white. Then, select >Add animation, >Disappear, and in the animation pane, set to >Start After Previous.

You will immediately notice the difference in quality between the two pictures.

This animation technique is particularly effective for enlarging maps, where clarity of geographical details is essential for recognition.

The more you zoom in on a photo, the blurrier it becomes. If you need to significantly enlarge your graphic while maintaining quality, let PowerPoint handle the resizing. If a single reduction isn’t sufficient, simply repeat the steps multiple times.

How to Effectively Use Layouts and Panoramas in PowerPoint

Get Rid of the Foreground and Background Problem and Master Layout Animations.

Object Planes

If you’ve previously worked with a few objects and images in your templates, you might not have faced issues with different planes and organizing your layout. However, as you incorporate more objects and images, managing them effectively becomes crucial. Consider the potential problems when attempting to place several distinct objects on the same slide.

The rectangular objects below (ideal for lists, image placements, etc.) may appear to be on the same plane. However, when you attempt to move them, you’ll discover that they actually exist on various levels.

To edit an object obscured by others, many users overlook the >Format/Drawing Tools, >Selection Pane. This pane displays all objects on your template, allowing for individual selection.

For example, the image below shows Rectangle 7 selected. By clicking the eye icon next to it, you can hide the object. This feature is particularly useful when you have numerous objects and need to edit just one. By making others invisible, you can easily make edits without worrying about accidentally repositioning them. Additionally, double-clicking allows you to rename the object.

To expand objects, navigate to >Animations, >Grow/Shrink, >Animation Pane. Then, click the downward arrow on the animation, select >Effect Options, and set your desired >Size.

While this method allows for expanding objects, it can also lead to one object covering another. To prevent this, select the rectangle (with the animation applied) and utilize the >Reorder arrow to move it to the top. Alternatively, right-click the object and select >Bring to Front. This ensures the rectangle expands over the others.

This approach works well for expanding a single object, but if you wish to apply this effect to multiple objects, you will encounter limitations, as only one object can be at the top of the selection pane at a time. To work around this, copy the slide multiple times (using >Ctrl + D). On each copy, bring the desired rectangle to the top of the selection pane and apply the animation feature (>Animations, >Grow/Shrink, >Animation Pane, >Effect Options, and your desired >Size).

Now, the object should be visibly in the foreground, appearing as if you have a single slide rather than multiple ones.

For even smoother transitions, consider applying the following:

In the >Animation Pane, select the >object, navigate to >Effect Options, and enable >Auto-reverse. This will result in the object growing and shrinking back to its original size. By selecting >Start After Previous, you can create an effect where transitions occur automatically without manual intervention.

Be creative when applying this method to images relevant to your subject. Enhance the visual appeal of your templates!

Animation with Photos

Some Tips for the Animation of Photos and Graphics

Since the 2010 version of PowerPoint, you may have noticed that animated graphics or photos exhibit motion during animations. This is not the case in the 2007 version, and unfortunately, improvements are limited. Generally, slower animations reduce movement.

Here are some additional tips:

• Compress graphics
• Experiment with different graphic formats
• Ensure graphics fit within the template width
• Incorporate various animations
• Adjust the placement of graphics if necessary
• Toggle the hardware accelerator on or off

Panoramic Images

Integrating extra-wide panoramic photos into the template can be challenging. A popular technique is to allow the panorama to drift across the template. To achieve this, insert a picture, navigate to >Animations, >Lines, and adjust the red and green arrows horizontally to dictate how the image moves.

Save Your Printing Costs

If you need to print your presentation but don’t require the photos, graphics, or animations, consider excluding them from the printout! Simply go to >View, >Grayscale, select your images, and choose >Don’t Show. After completing your edits, return to your slides by selecting >Back to Color View.

This method does not impact your slideshow but provides an option for printing without images. Before printing, remember to select >Grayscale to hide your pictures.