TLC Creative Services (that’s me), was asked by Microsoft to develop some sample PowerPoint 2010 presentations. Some are featured on the Microsoft SlideFest Competition in the Category samples.
When I looked I saw these TLC Creative Services developed presentations:
– Simply The Best
– Real Estate
– The Best Candidate
– Declaration of Independence
– The Game of Rugby
– Troy @ TLC
Unfortunately, in general, Microsoft does not work well with layered Photoshop (.psd) files. This includes Windows Explorer previewing them or PowerPoint being able to insert them. I do a lot of work in Photoshop, so I have a lot of Photoshop files for each presentation project. Sometimes, it is a time trap waiting for Photoshop to open the files just to identify if it is a needed file for the presentation. This is especially true when I receive 1-2-30GB files from a graphic department. It takes even a fast computer some time to process a 30GB file with upwards of 50 layers.
Here is a quick way to open, view and identify what those large files are.
1. In Photoshop, go to FILE>>OPEN and select the .psd file
2. If the OPEN button is clicked, the full file opens, including all of the layers
3. But if the SHIFT and ALT keys are held down, then the OPEN button the file opens as a flattened composite image
The advantage is the file, any size, opens instantly. The disadvantage is if layers are turned off they are not visible. I generally create a small .jpg with the same file name for easy reference in Windows explorer.
– Troy @ TLC
Microsoft has featured TLC Creative Services on the MS Office Blog this week for our use of Excel and MS Web Apps in tracking design projects. The irony is that it features our use of Excel – and no one here will admit they are great at working in Excel.
The full post is Here.
– Troy @ TLC
Just a personal note that I am very honored by. I have been awarded as a Microsoft MVP for PowerPoint again (basically renewed)!
– Troy @ TLC
With Office 2010 now in full release this is one of those great new features that is difficult to explain, but a great asset to the new features of PowerPoint 2010 and several other Office applications. Back in the November Top 15 PPT 2010 features I listed the new Background Removal tool as #11. Tucker Hatfield is the Microsoft Program Manager I was quoting when I said it worked with “magic coding” – his words, not mine.
Around the same time, Tucker had a detailed post on the Microsoft Office 2010 Engineering blog (I know we all read it daily) about the Background Removal Tool. It is worth revisiting to grasp what this tool is capable of. The next few posts here will be examples and tips of my use of the Background Removal Tool.
View Tucker’s full post on the Microsoft Blog here.
Tucker also did a follow post on MS Engineering Blog here that went into more detail and a pretty cool example of the Background Removal tool in action.
– Troy @ TLC
Office 2010 is officially available to all, and I highly recommend upgrading. Microsoft has released Office 2010 in 6 versions/bundles. The good news is PowerPoint is in all versions!
Pricing ranges from $150 to $680. Microsoft has a free upgrade from Office 2007 promotion going and I have seen deals as low as $60 using the promo!
– Troy @ TLC
Last week Microsoft officially rolled out Office 2010 (and SharePoint 2010) is in big staged event. Don’t get to excited, it is the official launch/release to large corporate clients not the general public. Next month in June it will be available to everyone. I have been running Office 2010 for several months (one of the perks of being a Microsoft MVP) and HIGHLY recomend new verion over any previous version – it is really that good.
There is a good article at BetaNews about the launch event. Microsoft as a whole has changed a lot of its development focus and marketing strategies. Earlier this year at the MVP Summit hosted at Microsoft in Redmond, WA they had several MVPs (ie. not employees) demo Office 2010 and give their real-world use opinion of it (which was refreshing from scripted marketing speak by a spokesperson). It obviously was well received as Microsoft did the same thing at the official launch, letting real clients explain their reasons for moving to Office 2010.
(Office MVP Beth Melton on stage at the 2010 MVP Summit talking about PPT 2010)
– Troy @ TLC
Here is a link to PDFs of all the Office 2010 Product Guides which give a good overview of what’s new.
Every “2010” product is avaiable:
Here are a few pages from the Web Applications guide I downloaded:
– Troy @ TLC
Microsoft announced a program last month that allows you to purchase Office 2007 (full version, not upgrade) and be eligible to download and register Office 2010 when it is available this June for Free. Details are at the Microsoft Technology Guarantee page:
Office 2010 Technology Guarantee – is the following:
• Purchase Office 2007, or a new PC with Office 2007, and activate it between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010.
• Have, or create a Windows Live ID.
• Redeem your Tech Guarantee before October 31, 2010.
• The Office 2010 Technology Guarantee will be fulfilled online, via download, at no additional cost.
– Troy @ TLC
This week the Microsoft PowerPoint Team Blog had a guest (eg. non-Microsoft employee) poster – me 🙂
Full post here.
– Troy @ TLC