Importing Graphics into Keynote

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There are several ways to get images into Keynote. Depending on how your image was made, you'll use a combination of techniques to import images (see Chapter 5 for more on importing graphics):

  • While you can copy and paste objects into Keynote from certain applications, it's not a good idea to copy and paste bitmapped images that have semi-transparent portions (such as shadows) or aren't rectangular in shape. Pasting a semi-transparent image into Keynote usually results in an image that is 100% solid, badly dithered, or a combination of both ( Figure 14.8 ).

    Figure 14.8. Copying and pasting photo cutout images doesn't always work correctly. Here the soft transparent edge in the cutout has been replaced with a dither pattern with lots of small dots.


  • You can drag and drop images from the Finder into Keynote. This gives you the same results as choosing Insert > Choose. Using this method will ensure that your semi-transparent images work properly ( Figure 14.9 ).

    Figure 14.9. Dragging and dropping a photo cutout file from the Finder retains the soft edge of the cutout properly.


  • You can drag and drop images from some applications into Keynote. This usually works in applications that also support using copy and paste. Dragging and dropping images this way can give unexpected results. Sometimes the image comes into Keynote properly, other times you get the same type of result as when using the copy and paste method.

  • Using Insert > Choose works for any image type that Keynote supports, and it can come in handy if your screen is cluttered and you can't easily get to an image in the Finder or in another application.

  • You can make an AppleWorks or PowerPoint presentation file that contains basic shapes (like those with a single outline) and import the file into Keynote. Doing this will give you objects with an editable fill and stroke. This lets you get objects into Keynote that can't normally be created there and you can still modify them somewhat.

Tips

  • Some programs, such as Macromedia FreeHand, do not support drag and drop or copy and paste in Keynote; instead, you must export your graphics as PDF images.

  • You usually can't edit the fill or stroke on graphics imported into Keynote. One exception is certain objects in files imported from AppleWorks presentation files or native PowerPoint files. When in doubt, try editing an imported object; it might work.

  • When scaling imported objects, remember that the thickness of the stroke of the object will scale with it.


Begin by Deleting Slides

Some designers prefer to delete all but one master slide from the Master Slides Navigator and create all the slides from scratch, copying and pasting slides that are similar in style and then renaming and redesigning them. The benefit of doing it this way is that it's easy if you have many slides that have similar title and body settings or similar layouts. The drawback is that you must remember all the original master slide names and layouts, or open a reference theme once in a while to make sure you are using all the names and layouts correctly. If you're a beginner, I recommend using each pre existing master slide as a basis for your new slide. You can then copy and paste similar master slides and delete extra master slides as you go along.


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Keynote 2 for Mac OS X. Visual QuickStart Guide
Keynote 2 for Mac OS X. Visual QuickStart Guide
ISBN: 321197755
EAN: N/A
Year: 2005
Pages: 179

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