Adding effects to elements in PowerPoint can enhance your presentation's visual appeal. It's important to understand the difference between transitions and animations, as they apply to different aspects of your presentation. While transitions apply effects between slides, animations apply effects to individual objects, such as shapes, text, or pictures, on a slide.
The concept of adding a "transition" to a shape typically refers to adding an animation effect that makes the shape appear, disappear, or move on the slide. However, PowerPoint also features a specific slide transition called "Shape." This transition applies an effect when you move from one slide to the next, making the new slide appear in a shape-like pattern.
Understanding Transitions vs. Animations
Here's a quick breakdown of the key differences:
| Feature | Transitions | Animations |
|---|---|---|
| Applies To | Entire Slides | Individual Objects (Shapes, Text, Images, etc.) |
| Purpose | Controls how you move from one slide to the next | Controls how objects appear or behave on a slide |
| Tab | Transitions Tab | Animations Tab |
Adding the 'Shape' Transition to a Slide (Using the Reference)
Based on the information provided, the "Shape" option is available as a slide transition. This effect controls how the entire slide appears as you advance your presentation.
To add the 'Shape' slide transition to a slide:
- Select the Slide: In the slide thumbnail pane on the left, click the slide you want to add the transition to.
- Go to the Transitions Tab: Click on the "Transitions" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.
- Locate the 'Shape' Transition: In the Transition to This Slide group, you'll see various transition options. As referenced, In the Transitions tab, locate the "shape" transition option.
- Apply the Transition: Click on it to apply the effect to the selected slide.
- Preview (Optional): Click the "Preview" button on the left of the ribbon to see how the transition looks.
- Adjust Options (Optional): Use the "Effect Options" button to change the direction or variation of the Shape transition (e.g., Circle, Square, Diamond). You can also adjust the "Duration" to make it faster or slower.
- Apply to All (Optional): If you want the same 'Shape' transition between all slides, click "Apply To All."
This applies the 'Shape' effect when you move to the selected slide from the previous one.
Adding Effects (Animations) to a Shape
If you want a shape itself to appear, move, or change on a slide, you need to use animations.
Here's how to add an animation effect to a shape:
- Select the Shape: Click on the shape on your slide that you want to animate.
- Go to the Animations Tab: Click on the "Animations" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.
- Choose an Animation: In the Animation group, click on the dropdown gallery to see available effects. Animations are categorized as:
- Entrance: How the object appears on the slide.
- Emphasis: Effects that draw attention to an object already on the slide.
- Exit: How the object leaves the slide.
- Motion Paths: Makes the object move along a specified path.
- Select an Effect: Click on an animation effect (e.g., "Fade," "Wipe," "Fly In," "Zoom"). The animation will be applied to your selected shape. A small number will appear next to the shape, indicating its animation order.
- Preview: The animation will usually play automatically after you select it. You can also click the "Preview" button on the left of the Animations tab.
- Adjust Options: Use the "Effect Options" button (if available for the chosen animation) to customize how the animation behaves (e.g., direction, sequence).
- Timing and Triggers: In the Timing group, you can set when the animation starts (On Click, With Previous, After Previous), its Duration, and Delay. You can also set up Triggers to start an animation when you click another object.
While there isn't a direct animation effect for a shape that mirrors the "Shape" slide transition exactly (where the entire slide content appears within a growing shape), using various Entrance animations like "Zoom," "Wipe" with shape-like effect options, or customizing a Motion Path can create similar visual effects for individual shapes.
In summary, use the Transitions tab to apply effects between slides, including the 'Shape' transition, and the Animations tab to apply effects to shapes and other objects on your slide.
