Comments on: Review: PowerPoint 2010 Bible

By: Bob Mathews

Bob Mathews — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:59:01 +0000

Yes, and one thing to remember is that if you DO change the size by dragging, the bevel dimensions (i.e., 36pt per inch of diameter) will need to be adjusted to the new sphere size. It just doesn’t look right if you apply the bevel, THEN resize it.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:50:51 +0000

Hi Bob,
I wondered that too, but I was taking it from the book. I think Faithe was trying to make it very clear for all situations and to give an example of the resulting numbers for the bevel, related to the size of the circle. But your suggestion is a good one and you’re right–most people don’t need an exact sphere size.
Ellen

By: Bob Mathews

Bob Mathews — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:47:44 +0000

Thanks Ellen; good tip about the sphere. I’m all for eliminating steps whenever possible though, so I’m wondering why draw the oval to an arbitrary shape only to resize it with the size boxes? If you select the oval shape and click once on your slide, you’ll get a 1″x1″ circle — no guesswork. So set all the bevels to 36 pt, and you have a 1″ sphere. Want it bigger? Shift+drag to make it bigger and retain its circular proportions. If you need EXACTLY a particular size (and how often do you REALLY?), then those size boxes are there, but otherwise you get your sphere quicker. (Incidentally, the single-click method works with any shape. In mathematical terms, it will make a regular polygon out of any of the polygons in the palette.)

By: Julian

Julian — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:55:53 +0000

Hi Ellen. Great review, thanks. We’ll be glad to hear your opinion about one of the references appearing on this book for Free PowerPoint templates ( our site, FPPT.com ). Your opinion would be much appreciated in order to create new and even more free templates for everyone.