PowerPoint Tips & Tutorials

Certain effects require that you put objects one on top of the other. For example, to create my quiz game, you need to put AutoShapes exactly in the same place, one on top of the other. You might also want to use transparency to blend two objects that are in the same place.

The technique is also useful for creating concentric geometric figures, such as a smaller circle centered inside a larger circle. You can create some beautiful effects this way.

The best way that I've found to do this is to use the Align and Distribute feature. Follow these steps:

1. Select both objects (you need at least two objects selected to use this feature).
2. If you want to center the objects on the slide, choose Draw>Align or Distribute>Relative to Slide.
3. From the Drawing toolbar, choose Draw>Align or Distribute>Align Center, which aligns the objects horizontally.
4. With objects still selected, choose Draw>Align or Distribute>Align Middle, which aligns the objects vertically.

This is the sun AutoShape with a From Center gradient, copied and pasted several times and centered using this technique.

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