Microsoft PowerPoint XP
Customizing Objects: Shading, Shadows, and 3-D Effects
You can create or alter your slides in PowerPoint by manipulating objects. Objects can simply be layered, duplicated, or grouped (See Working with Objects: Layering, Duplicating, and Grouping). Objects by themselves or grouped can be enhanced by shading and shadowing. This document gives instructions on the following:
Shading Objects
Once you have drawn objects with PowerPoint’s drawing tools or selected a shape from the AutoShape menu, you can enhance them with special shading effects. You can also add color (see Formatting AutoShapes in Drawing in Office XP).
Shading Objects: Shading the Fill Color
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Select the object or group of objects you want to shade
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From the Format menu, select AutoShape...
The Format AutoShape dialog box appears. -
Select the Colors and Lines tab
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From the Color pull-down listing, select desired color
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From the Color pull-down listing, select Fill Effects...
The Fill Effects dialog box appears. -
Select the Gradient tab
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Under Colors, select One color, Two colors, or Preset
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Adjust the color using the Dark and Light scroll bar
OR
From the Color 1 pull-down list, select appropriate color
NOTE: The Dark and Light scroll bar is not an option if you have two colors or a preset. For information on the More Colors option, see Using the Colors Dialog Box. -
Adjust the Transparency as desired
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In the Shading styles section of the dialog box, select the style of shading you want
As you select, the Variants and Sample sections automatically adjust. -
In the Variants area, select the variant you want
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To close the Fill Effects dialog box, click OK
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To close the Format AutoShape dialog box, click OK
Adding 3-D or Shadows
You can enhance your objects by adding 3-D or shadow effects.
NOTE: You may add one or the other to any object, but not both.
Adding 3-D
Lines, most AutoShapes, and freeform objects can be given a 3-D appearance. With 3-D, you can change depth, color, rotation, angle, direction of lighting, and surface texture.
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Select the object or group of objects you want to appear 3-D
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On the Drawing toolbar, click 3-D STYLE
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Select the desired 3-D effect
Customizing 3-D
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Select the object or group of objects you want to customize
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On the Drawing toolbar, click 3-D STYLE
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Click 3-D Settings...
The 3-D Settings toolbar appears.
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Use the 3-D Settings toolbar to make desired changes
Adding Shadows
You can add a shadow to any object, even text. The size, direction, and color of shadows can also be modified to fit your needs.
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Select the object or group of objects you want to shadow
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On the Drawing toolbar, click SHADOW STYLE
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Select the desired shadow effect
Customizing Shadows
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Select the object or group of objects you want to customize
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On the Drawing toolbar, click SHADOW STYLE
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Click Shadow Settings...
The Shadow Settings toolbar appears.
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Use the Shadow Settings toolbar to make the desired changes
