How to Create a Graphic with Transparent Effect in PowerPoint?

Fig. 1-1  Transparent tape and other graphic objects created in PowerPoint

Do you want to create a transparent tape graphic similar to the one in Fig. 1-1 above?  PowerPoint has powerful features to create such graphics.  Two of PowerPoint versatile graphic design options are Fill Effects and Transparency.  With these, you can create a transparent tape and other graphics similar to objects in the real world.

Let’s create a transparent tape graphic.  You can use it, as feasible, for your multimedia PowerPoint presentations, scenarios for e-learning courses and others.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Create a Transparent Tape / Graphic in PowerPoint

STEP 1: Start PowerPoint.  Create the tape graphic with the Scribble tool.  You can access it by clicking AutoShapes > Lines > Scribble (Fig. 1-2) in the drawing toolbar.

Fig. 1-2  Click AutoShapes > Lines > Scribble to draw the tape

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STEP 2: To fine tune your graphic, edit the points.  First select the object (tape), then click Draw > Edit Points on the drawing toolbar (Fig. 2-1).

Fig. 2-1  Select the tape object and click Draw > Edit Points to fine-tune the graphic

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STEP 3: Double-click the tape object.  The Format AutoShape dialog displays (Fig. 3-1).

Fig. 3-1  The Format AutoShape dialog

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STEP 4: Click the down arrow in the Color field and click Fill Effects.  The Fill Effects dialog displays (Fig. 4-1).

Fig. 4-1  The Fill Effects dialog

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STEP 5: Click the Two Colors radio button.  It allows you to choose two colors to give a gradient effect to the tape.

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STEP 6: Select one color from Color 1 and Color 2 fields: choose a light gray and dark gray color from Color 1 and 2 respectively.

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STEP 7: In the Transparency frame, set the From and To values to 50% (experiment with different numbers till you get the desired effect).

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STEP 8: In the Shading styles frame, click the Horizontal radio button.

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STEP 9: Click OK to close the Fill Effects dialog.

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STEP 10: Click OK to close the Format AutoShape dialog.

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How to Create a Table Graphic in PowerPoint?

• Use the rectangle tool to create the table
• Double click the table object to open the Format AutoShape dialog
• Click Color > Fill Effects.  The Fill Effects dialog displays
• Click the Texture tab and select a texture (Recommended: Oak)
• Click OK.