preserving image transparency

[sYs]

Hi,

This is a panic drop-in to the NG to get a quick answer that I hope
you can provide, so please pardon me if this has been addressed
recently as I don't usually monitor this NG. I need to be able to
drop an image into powerpoint from either Adobe Illustrator or
Photoshop (either would work, Illustrator would be preferable) while
maintaining the image's transparent background so that the template
shows through behind the actual artwork, rather than a white
rectangular backdrop.

I've tried .tiff, .ai, .eps, and they all come into powerpoint *with*
the background.

Anyone able to tell me how to do this? I know it can be done because
the presentations I'm updating include older images with exactly this
transparent background quality I'm trying to achieve.

Specific, step-by-step directions would be appreciated because I can
be remarkably obtuse and imprecise otherwise .

Thanks in advance,
Sherif
AUS,Inc.

 

[Kathryn Jacobs]

First thing I would do is to try saving the graphics as a transparent gif
and then bringing them in. (But take that with the caveat that I don't use
either Illustrator or Photoshop very often anymore, so others may have a
better idea.)

--
Kathryn Jacobs, Microsoft PPT MVP
Get PowerPoint answers at http://www.powerpointanswers.com
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Kathy is a trainer, writer, Girl Scout, parent, and whatever else there is
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I believe life is meant to be lived. But:
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[Steve Rindsberg]

Since you're talking about images, I'd go for Photoshop:

Adam's Transparency Tutorial (Alpha channels and more)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00190.htm

If it's vector graphics, then save from Illustrator as WMF and use insert,
picture, from file to bring it into PPT.

--

Steve Rindsberg PPT MVP
PPTLive ( http://www.pptlive.com ) Featured Speaker
PPTools: http://www.pptools.com
PPT FAQ: http://www.pptfaq.com

 

[Ute Simon]

Hi Sherif,

This is a panic drop-in to the NG to get a quick answer that I hope
you can provide, so please pardon me if this has been addressed
recently as I don't usually monitor this NG. I need to be able to
drop an image into powerpoint from either Adobe Illustrator or
Photoshop (either would work, Illustrator would be preferable) while
maintaining the image's transparent background so that the template
shows through behind the actual artwork, rather than a white
rectangular backdrop.

I've tried .tiff, .ai, .eps, and they all come into powerpoint *with*
the background.

Anyone able to tell me how to do this? I know it can be done because
the presentations I'm updating include older images with exactly this
transparent background quality I'm trying to achieve.

Specific, step-by-step directions would be appreciated because I can
be remarkably obtuse and imprecise otherwise .

There are two possibilities:

1. Insert GIF- or PNG-files, that already have a transparent color - this
should be maintained (make sure to use RGB-colors, not CMYK).

2. Use images with only ONE background color, insert them into PowerPoint
and use the "magic wand" (blue-yellow stick icon on picture toolbar) to make
the background color transparent.

Regards,
Ute

 

[TAJ Simmons]

sYs,

Specific, step-by-step directions would be appreciated

This tutorial on powerpoint transparency covers both powerpoints in-built
transparency tool, and exporting a PNG from photoshop with the transparency
in the file.
http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com/powerpointtransparency.htm

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
microsoft powerpoint mvp

awesome - powerpoint backgrounds,
free sample templates, tutorials, hints and tips etc
http://www.powerpointbackgrounds.com