Master animation loop "jumps" on first mouse click

[gregsedwards via OfficeKB.com]

Good afternoon,

I'm trying to create an animated "loop" that plays in the background of my
slides. Additionally, each slide contains animated text that is introduced as
the presenter clicks the mouse.

The technique I used is to create shapes on the slide master and animate them
using canned motion path effects. I have each of the custom animation effects
on the master set to start with the previous animation, and I have used a
variety of speeds (mostly very slow) and directions (smooth, closed loops),
so there is an illusion of multiple timelines and some random movement. I
removed options such as smooth start and end to improve the look of the loop,
and I used translucent fills and gradients to create the illusion of depth.
Finally, I set each of the master animation effects to repeat until the end
of the slide.

The animated text appears in master/layout provided text boxes, and I've
tried associating the animation with both the master and the individual
slides. The key factor here is that the text animation advances on mouse
click, not automatically.

Overall, it's working pretty well, except for a small issue. When I click to
introduce the *first* text animation, the background loop "jumps" ahead
(presumably to some endpoint in the master's timeline), but then it continues
to loop normally from that point. Additional text animations on the slide do
not seem to have any affect on the background loop.

It seems like the master's custom animation timeline is "fast forwarding" to
the end when the first text box appears, as if the slide's individual
timeline follows that provided by the master. It's not altogether horrible,
but it is somewhat distracting to have the background skip each time a
slide's title is introduced.

I understand the background loops are typically accomplished using Flash, but
I'd really like to avoid pulling in other applications if possible. This
seems like the sort of thing PowerPoint should be able to handle on its own.
Short of removing mouse driven animation from my presentation, are there any
suggestions that may help me correct this issue? Thanks!

Greg Edwards

 

[Guest]

"Short of removing mouse driven animation from my presentation..."

Well that is the answer but if you replace them with trigger driven
animations (you could even use an invisible trigger) all will work. It will
still look the same (except nice background!)
--

Did that answer the question / help?
_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist
http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html

 

[gregsedwards via OfficeKB.com]

John,

Thanks for your information regarding the use of triggers. After doing some
additional testing and reading, I understand that there is a main timeline
for each slide, as well as interactive timelines created by triggers. I was
able to successfully create an object on the slide and use it to trigger the
text animations without causing the background animation to "jump."

However, I'd rather not see the trigger on my slide, and I'm not thrilled
about having to click a fixed object on my slide to advance the text
animation. I tried creating a slide-sized rectangle with no border and a 99%
transparency, and moving it to the front of the z order. That way, no matter
where you click on the slide, you hit the trigger. It works, but there are
still limitations. For instance, you're still limited to "clicking the mouse"
to advance the show - other methods (e.g., Spacebar, N, Enter, scroll wheel,
etc.) don't work, as they only appear to influence the main timeline. You
also have "jiggle the mouse" to wait for the cursor to appear.

Your reply mentioned invisible triggers. Perhaps you (or another avid
PowerPoint MVP) could shed some light on what you mean by "invisible" and/or
give me some tips about using triggers that I haven't considered. Thanks for
your continued assistance!

- Greg

"Short of removing mouse driven animation from my presentation..."

Well that is the answer but if you replace them with trigger driven
animations (you could even use an invisible trigger) all will work. It will
still look the same (except nice background!)

Good afternoon,

[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]

Greg Edwards

 

[Guest]

Youre correct if you set an animation to be triggered you can't then use the
keyboard for that animation. The show should however advace slides when you
use space , enter etc. Invisible triggers are as you say 99% transparent /
no line , they dont have to cover the whole slide as long as you know where
they are!

The mouse jiggle problem is caused by powerpoint helpfully auto hiding the
mouse. You can overide this by right click at the start of your presentation
and in pointer options > arrow options change auto > visible. This can only
be done during a show and it will reset itself afterwards. I think its
slightly different in XP but the principle's the same.
--

Did that answer the question / help?
_____________________________
John Wilson
Microsoft Certified Office Specialist
http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html

John,

Thanks for your information regarding the use of triggers. After doing some
additional testing and reading, I understand that there is a main timeline
for each slide, as well as interactive timelines created by triggers. I was
able to successfully create an object on the slide and use it to trigger the
text animations without causing the background animation to "jump."

However, I'd rather not see the trigger on my slide, and I'm not thrilled
about having to click a fixed object on my slide to advance the text
animation. I tried creating a slide-sized rectangle with no border and a 99%
transparency, and moving it to the front of the z order. That way, no matter
where you click on the slide, you hit the trigger. It works, but there are
still limitations. For instance, you're still limited to "clicking the mouse"
to advance the show - other methods (e.g., Spacebar, N, Enter, scroll wheel,
etc.) don't work, as they only appear to influence the main timeline. You
also have "jiggle the mouse" to wait for the cursor to appear.

Your reply mentioned invisible triggers. Perhaps you (or another avid
PowerPoint MVP) could shed some light on what you mean by "invisible" and/or
give me some tips about using triggers that I haven't considered. Thanks for
your continued assistance!

- Greg

"Short of removing mouse driven animation from my presentation..."

Well that is the answer but if you replace them with trigger driven
animations (you could even use an invisible trigger) all will work. It will
still look the same (except nice background!)

Good afternoon,

[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]

Greg Edwards