ProShow Producer - How to Apply the Effects?

Applying Effects

When it comes to applying effects, you basically have two categories, "automatic " and manual.

The "automatic" effects are Transitions and Slide Styles.  These effects are pre-built and ready to go.  All you have to do is select your desired effect and press Ok.   Whatever motion, timing or adjustments are needed for the effect will be created for you.  All you have to do is add your content.

The manual effects are Motion effects and Adjustment effects.   You'll use these when starting with a blank canvas and creating your own, new effects.  You'll also use these manual options to customize existing effects.

Let's start with the "automatic" effects...

Applying Transition Effects

There are two ways you can apply  a Transition effect.  The first is to use the Transition icon in the Slide List.

To Apply a Transition from the Slide List

1. Click on the Transition Icon on the right side of the Slide Thumbnail in the Slide List.
2. From the Choose Transition window, browse through the categories and select a Transition effect. 
3. Double-click to apply the effect, or press the Apply button.

As mentioned in Chapter 2, there are over 500 built-in Transition effects to choose from.  As you single-click on any effect, you will see a preview of what each Transition Effect will look like when applied to your slide.

The  second way to apply Transition effects to your slides is to use the Effects (FX) window.  From this window you can also apply and manage other effects as well, but  for now, just note that you can apply Transition effects using this window.   Regardless of which method you use, the available effects that you can apply to your slides will be the same.   

To Apply a Transition from the Effects (FX) Window

1. Click the Effects (FX) icon located in the Build Workspace Toolbar or the Design Workspace Toolbar.
2. Select the Transitions tab in the top right corner of the Effects (FX) window.
3. Browse for your desired effect and press the Apply to Slide button in the bottom right corner.

Transition Effects Tip:  To change the Transition effect for multiple slides at once, simply select all of the slides you wish to change before clicking on either the Transition or Effects (FX) icons.   When you apply your desired effect, all of your selected slides will feature the new transition.

Applying Slide Styles

Much like Transitions, there are also two ways to apply Slide Styles: from the Effects (FX) window and by using the Slide Options window.   

To Apply Slide Styles from the Effects (FX) Window

1. Click the Effects (FX) icon located in the Build Workspace Toolbar or the Design Workspace Toolbar.
2. Select the Slide styles tab in the top right corner of the Effects (FX)  window.
3. Browse for your desired effect and press the Apply to Slide button in the bottom right corner.

As you browse for effects, you'll notice that information about each Slide Style will appear on the far right side of the Effects (FX)  window. 

In this information area, you'll see:

• A thumbnail preview of the Style
•  The name of the Style
• Publisher information
• Notes about what the effect does
• Any categories the Style belongs to
• The number of Layers the Style uses
• Aspect Ratio information
• Optimal slide time and transition time
• A link that will take you to the saved location of the effect

The details listed in the information area are often overlooked, but they can be a great resource when looking for the best effect for your slide(s).

When  using the Effects (FX) window to apply Slide Styles,  you can also apply the Styles to multiple slides at once.  In the Slide List, simply select all of the slides you wish to change before pressing the Effects (FX) icon.   When you apply your desired effect, all of your selected slides will feature the new Slide Style.

The second way to apply Slide Styles is by using the Slide Options window.

To Apply Slide Styles from Slide Options

1. In any Workspace, double-click on the slide you wish to add an effect to.
   OR
   Click the Edit Slide icon located in the Build or Design Workspace Toolbar.
2. Select the Slide Styles tab in the top left corner of the Slide Options window.
   
   
3. Below the Preview, browse for your desired effect.  Press Apply to Slide to add the effect to your slide.
4.  If you're happy with the effect, press the Ok button to close the Slide Options window.  

Much like using the Effects (FX) window, you'll see an information area on the right that provides details about the Slide Style.  Right away you'll also notice one of the key advantages to using this method...the preview.   When you click on a Style, you'll see a real-time preview of exactly what the effect will look like once applied to your slide.

Just like Transitions, the exact same effects are available to you regardless of the method you choose to apply them.

Manual Effects:  Motion and Adjustments

Manual effects are exactly what the name implies, they are effects that you control on your own.  You'll use the manual control options when customizing Slide Styles or  when creating brand new effects for your shows.

We'll cover how to use these options is greater detail in later chapters, but for now, let's take a look at where these manual controls can be found.  

All of the Manual Effect controls will be found in Slide Options.

 To Apply Effects Manually

1. In any workspace, double-click on the slide you wish to add an effect to.
   OR
   Click the Edit Slide icon located in the Build Workspace Toolbar or the Design Workspace Toolbar.
2. Select either a layer from the Layers List, or a caption from the Captions List on the left side of the Slide Options window.
   
   
   
   
3. Above the Preview, select the Effects tab.
   
   
   
   
4. Below the Preview, Set your Motion or make your Adjustments
5. Press Ok to apply the changes to your slide and close the Slide Options window.

The most important thing to note is that manual controls work on an individual basis.  Each layer or caption on a slide has its own settings that you will configure separately when creating effects.