Jazzing Up the Presentation
Objects, like video, Java applets, music, and even other graphics can be added (embedded) to a presentation very easily. To perform this, the following menu is useful: Insert --> Object
Keep in mind that OpenOffice.org will only play content provided all relevant plug-in's are installed. For sound playback, it assumes an already configured sound-card, otherwise it will not work. Effects are another supported feature in Impress and consist of things like slide transitions, mouse-driven bullet-points, and even drawing animations. To get to the effects pop-up:
Slide Show --> Effects
A common effect is one where each bullet point appears upon a mouse-click. This event-driven effect is easily performed via selecting the "Appear" effect. Once that is selected, ticking the green tick (in acceptance) is necessary.
Click to view screen shot Fig 10.10 The Appear Effect
Performing slide transitions are also performed via the effects menu. However, to create animations, the menu is:
Slide Show --> Animation
Here simple animations can be created, like a bouncing ball along a line, for instance. This is done simply via:
- Draw a circle (ball!).
- Then draw a curve, as the path the curve should travel.
- Select the "Move along curve" effect, and apply it (as in the figure below).
- Now when the presentation is run, the ball will move along the line.
Click to view screen shot Fig 10.11 Application of Moving Along the Curve Effect
Conclusion
OpenOffice.org has the ability to be a very useful software package it includes very powerful, free alternatives to satisfy average office suite requirements. As this is only scratching the surface, there are plenty more resources available out there, so please, use the available documentation to its fullest.
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Tutorial: Using the OpenOffice.org Suite
1. Getting around the package
2. Writer
3. Calc
4. Impress
