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| Converting your PowerPoint files to Flash with WildPresenter |
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| This tutorial applies to WildPresenter Pro 2+. |
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| Introduction |
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WildPresenter is an excellent PowerPoint to Flash converter, but it is also much more. WildPresenter lets you edit and enhance your existing PowerPoint files. This tutorial will cover how to import your PowerPoint files into WildPresenter and convert them to Flash. In Part II we will show you how you can edit and enhance your PowerPoint files in WildPresenter by adding animated text, video, audio, recorded on-screen activity and Flash interactivity.
Click here to download the original PowerPoint presentation we will be working with in this tutorial.
Click here to view what the presentation will look like after we enhance it in WildPresenter. |
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| The benefits of converting PowerPoint to Flash |
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There are many benefits to converting your PowerPoint projects to Flash. The key advantages are:
Flash works great on the Internet
WildPresenter gives you easy export options so you can post your Flash files to the Web for fast, easy access.
Everyone can view Flash – your files will play anywhere
Since 99% of web browsers have a version of the Flash player already installed, your viewers will not have to download anything in order to view your presentation.
Smaller file sizes
WildPresenter converts PowerPoint files to Flash using the smallest possible file size, so that your Flash files will likely be significantly smaller than the original PowerPoint files.
Projectors for easy CD-ROM distribution
WildPresenter lets you export your entire project into a projector file in a single click. (Projector files contain both the player and the file to be played in one package so no other software is needed to view the content.) The projector files can then be copied to a CD-ROM so you can share your projects with others. |
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| Importing your PowerPoint presentation |
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WildPresenter imports Microsoft PowerPoint .ppt and .pot files. PowerPoint .ppt files are converted into Flash (.swf) files when exported from WildPresenter. WildPresenter has 2 modes for importing PowerPoint files:
Editable import mode
In this mode the imported file contains the source files text, images, animation and transitions in an editable format. For the editable import option you do not need to have PowerPoint installed.
Slide image mode
In this mode the individual slides of the source file are imported as images and are not editable. For the slide version you do need to have PowerPoint installed.
Import options
To import files into WildPresenter you have several options:
You can drag the files directly onto the Edit-Preview Stage |
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| You can select File>Import from the File menu |
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| You can click on the Import File icon in the toolbar |
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You can right click on a blank space on the timeline and select "Import File"
When you import a new file into WildPresenter using one of the import options, WildPresenter will automatically create new layers for every element in the PowerPoint file and WildPresenter will assign it the name of the first SWF imported to that layer. (You can turn this automatic naming feature off in the Options window.) WildPresenter will also then place the file on the timeline.
When you first import a PowerPoint (.ppt or .pot) file the following screen appears |
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The difference between “Fully editable” and “Slides as bitmaps” options was discussed above. Right now I am going to select the “Fully editable” option so I can edit the elements of my imported PowerPoint file.
(As a general rule, the “Slides as bitmaps” mode is best used if there is some feature in your PowerPoint source file – or a specific slide within that file – that is not supported by the editable import mode.)
All Slides: This option imports all the slides in the .ppt file.
Slide Range: This option imports the specified slide range from the .ppt file.
When you have made your selections and click "OK" the following screen appears:
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After the Currently Selected Slide: This places the imported file after the slide you are currently on.
At Beginning: This places the imported file at the beginning of your WildPresenter project.
At End: This places the imported file at the end of your WildPresenter project.
Don't Ask Me Again: If you do not wish the program to ask you this question the next time you import a PowerPoint file, you can check this box. You can always reactivate this box in the Options window.
If any slides you are importing contain images the Import Image box will appear. From the Import Image box you can manage the Image Quality and control where the Flash SWF image files will be saved. |
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| It is recommended that you use a quality setting of between 50-75. At settings of 90 or higher, your file size will greatly increase, but quality will not increase by the same factor. We also recommend that you do not change the default folder for the Flash SWF files that are generated. |
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| Exporting to Flash |
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Export to a Flash (SWF) file.
It is a good idea to first preview your slideshow before exporting since the imported file may require some slight adjustments.
To preview your basic slideshow, click the “play all slides in entire project” icon in the Preview Palette located at the bottom of your stage. |
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| To export your PowerPoint files to Flash, you may click on the export icon in the Standard toolbar. |
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| To play your output file, you may click on the “O” icon right next to the export icon |
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in the Standard Toolbar.
You may also export your file by selecting the Export File window under the File menu.
WildPresenter outputs many different file types to assist you in distributing your presentation to the widest possible audience. Outputs include: Flash .swf and .flv files (the most popular media formats on the Web), Windows, Mac and Linux projectors, screen savers, HTML documents, and PDF files. WildPresenter can also be used to print your presentations to good old-fashioned paper.
Export HTML pages, projectors, PDF, and screensavers
To export your file in the following formats open the Project settings window located under the View menu.
The Project Settings window will appear. In the Output tab, click the export options you wish to select.
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Projectors
WildPresenter will output Windows, Macintosh & Linux projector files. These can be very useful for deploying your WildPresenter output on CD and for other methods of offline distribution. Projector files contain the Flash SWF output and player together, so you can be certain that the viewer does not need any additional players to view the files.
PDF
WildPresenter to export your project as a PDF file. The PDF will display each slide in your project as a separate page of the PDF output. The slide will be shown as it appears on the first frame.
Screensavers
Selecting this box will cause WildPresenter to export your Flash SWF as a screensaver for Windows. The screensaver file (an .exe file) can then be run on any computer and the Flash SWF will be added to the user's list of available screensavers and be made the default screensaver. These screensavers are for Windows only.
HTML pages
To export your project in an HTML page, click the HTML tab of the Project Settings window. |
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If you wish to deploy your Flash SWF output in a web page, you may select "Export HTML", which will produce an HTML file with the code to embed the Flash SWF output in a web page. Simply copy that HTML into whatever page you wish. WildPresenter will automatically fill in the name and path for this output HTML file, or you may click the "Browse" button to open a file dialogue box to select the output name and path.
When you are finished selecting your export options, export your project. |
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| Conclusion |
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| We have now covered everything necessary to convert your PowerPoint files to Flash. In Part II we will show how WildPresenter also lets you edit and enhance your PowerPoint files with ease. There is much more WildPresenter can do for you; other tutorials will cover these subjects. The WildPresenter help file also addresses these topics. |
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