The Story Of Lines With PowerPoint 2010

PowerPoint 2010, a part of Microsoft Office 2010, codenamed Office 14, is due for commercial release around June this year. But if you want to dig your teeth in the much-acclaimed software to get a taste of what is in store, do head right away to this site to download a free beta version.

As always the case, new versions of any software carry changes for more ease of use and incorporating improved technology. PowerPoint 2010 does that too, and, shall I say, with aplomb.

People use PowerPoint in myriad ways. Some make simple slideshows, while others knock you off with mind-blowing flash-like videos. That’s the beauty of PowerPoint; it appeals to a wide range of skill-sets but not at the cost of simplicity.

PowerPoint 2010 has had rave reviews, one of which is here. Since at 2WebVideo we mainly use PowerPoint to make automated web videos, let me dwell on some of the new video-related features in PowerPoint 2010.

Before that though have a look at this simple smallish video on the use of lines with PowerPoint. Notice the transitions between the slides and how smooth they occur. The first 2 sound effects are from PowerPoint’s own supplies while I’ve added the peppy background music as the video progresses.

I hope to do more videos on PowerPoint 2010 features including inserting videos to make a final web video.

Embedding Videos

In the past edition of PowerPoint it was somewhat difficult to embed external videos into your PowerPoint presentation. In the 2010 edition it is made rather easy.

Insert Option

Clicking ‘Insert’ tab at the top menu reveals the ribbon with several options. In the media option to the extreme right, click on video. That in turn brings in 3 options in a dropdown.

You can insert a video from your computer (wmv/avi/mpeg), or embed one from a video sharing site like YouTube, Metacafe, etc. In the latter case the embed code have to be entered into a popup box that PowerPoint 2010 provides you.

When the presentation or the slideshow is run (hitting F5) and the slide with the embedded video comes, PowerPoint 2010 enables it with player controls having start/pause buttons (picture below).

Playing video in PowerPoint 2010

Using authorSTREAM

A useful add-in for PowerPoint since its earlier versions is the free authorSTREAM software. The aS add-in helps retain the embedded video even during online viewing.

When you download authorSTREAM desktop plugin, it automatically appears on the PowerPoint ribbon with all its set of options.

authorSTRTEAM coaxes you to use authorPOINT, the free or Lite version of which allows you to convert your PowerPoint presentation to flash (SWF) output.

This proves handy if the slideshow is smaller in scope and can be easily referenced to others.

Video Editing

It’s here but don’t expect it to be any close to what the pure video editing software allows you to do by putting the video onto a timeline. The video editing included in PowerPoint 2010 permits you to alter the look and feel of it, which is perhaps why the editing tools come under the video playback options (picture below).

Video Conversion

If you are in web video you’ll be aware that video conversion is a major issue to reckon with. There could be many reasons why converting video from one format to another is necessary, but perhaps all of those are attributable to either the need to make a smaller sized output or to enhance its viewing or both.

In the 2010 version PowerPoint at long last provides video makers the conversion facility. In order to do that, click the File button and then go to the Share > Create a Video option (picture below). You can convert to Windows Media Video (WMV), but not to any flash format like MP4 as yet.

Transitions

Among all the video-related improvements in PowerPoint 2010, I like the transitions between the slides the most. True you could make great animations within a slide, but when a slide makes way to the next, the change used to be singularly lackluster.

Not anymore. Not only you have the transitions, you also have a fascinating range of it for sheer viewing pleasure (see picture below). I’ve used some of them in the video above.

Summing Up

PowerPoint is popular which according to me is because both the beginners and professionals find it useful. And it is easy to use as well. More so since there is no dearth of quality training materials available free on the net.

Seen from that angle there isn’t a doubt that PowerPoint 2010 will be eagerly awaited by many a user. For them the fully functional beta version is a help to understand the new features and how, if at all, they can be of help for their needs.