CrystalGraphics

[Junkyard Engineer]

Any comments on that add-on to PowerPoint ? Worth it ? Any other similar
package ?

 

[Bill Dilworth]

Let's answer those questions in reverse order.

Crystal graphics (as I heard it) has had a unique relationship with
PowerPoint from very early on. Their transition package was the only one of
it's type that I was aware of until recently. There is a new company that
does some amazing things called OfficeFx. You may want to look them up and
compare their products. Please note that CG's other PowerPoint packages
(backgrounds, images, effects, photo editor, charts, etc.) have many other
sources; some free but most of their competitors are professional.

"Worth it?" depends on what you are trying to do and how much time you have
to invest in it. If you want a book page turn effect, CG will offer that
for a price. Alternately, you could make a crude work around or export and
import solutions, but these are time consuming and sometimes skittish.
Ultimately, you must decide the value of your time.

CG has many add-in packages available for PowerPoint. I will guess that you
are asking about one of their Transitions packages or one of their groups
that includes these add-ins. Their product is good and it is sound, but how
well it works for you depends on your hardware. If your computer's graphics
card can not render the transitions real-time, then you will need to wait
while the add-in pre-renders them prior to starting the presentation. For
me (with my old laptop) this was a problem. I needed to jump into and out
of shows fairly quickly and waiting between them was not an option
regardless of the coolness of the added transitions.


--
Bill Dilworth
A proud member of the Microsoft PPT MVP Team
Users helping fellow users.
http://billdilworth.mvps.org
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
yahoo2@ Please read the PowerPoint FAQ pages.
yahoo. They answer most of our questions.
com www.pptfaq.com
..

 

[tohlz]

It's always best to try it out yourself to know whether these add-in suit
your taste or not. Add-ins such as officeFX and PowerPlug have high
requirements that may not be suitable to laptop or low-end computers. This is
another factor that you will need to consider before purchasing them. See
what kind of presentations you are doing and where are you going to make
these presentations. Check to see if the system you are having the
presentations on meet the requirement of these add-ins. If you are going to
have your presentations on a laptop, these add-ins are probably not suitable
for you.
I would recommend you to download the demo first and make sure that your
presentations run smoothly. Best if you can test it out on the actual system
that you will be having your presentations on.
For instant effects' officeFX, follow the instructions regarding the
downloading of demo here:
http://instanteffects.com/downloads_officefx.html
And CrystalGraphics' PowerPlugs:
http://www.crystalgraphics.com/presentations/transitions.download.access.asp
--
====================
http://www.pptheaven.xs3.com
PowerPoint Heaven - The Power to Animate
Contains tutorials on creating amazing animations for your PowerPoint
Presentations.
====================

 

[Junkyard Engineer]

Thanks Bill,

OfficeFX seems to be the "nec plus ultra" in presentation package nowadays
and the price is certainly up-to-date in that respect compared to CG. But
the requirements for a graphic card "game style" is another collateral
"damage" to the wallet.

Seems to me CG is a good first step.

 

[Junkyard Engineer]

you're right. Thanks for the advice.

Really impressive ppt you got on your site

 

[tohlz]

Thanks
--
====================
http://www.pptheaven.xs3.com
PowerPoint Heaven - The Power to Animate
Contains tutorials on creating amazing animations for your PowerPoint
Presentations.
====================