PowerPoint 2013 introduced a powerful built-in feature: export timed slides and animations to HD (1280 x 720) video. The floodgates opened and a new way of using PowerPoint flowed out.

Motion graphics are now everywhere, and most use a combination of archaic stop-motion real-life photography, adobe flash, premiere, or other video editing or animating software. Now, PowerPoint jumps in and even lacking in output options, is still effective at producing finished motion graphics.

Other motion graphic projects I have worked on aside from the one found on my home page are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ0ovzBLqrA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1DehVZtBVA

SlideNote: The maximum export resolution is 1280 x 720px (.mp4) at 30fps (can include audio and audio cues). Changing the slide orientation, aspect ratio, or size will always remain confined within that limit or less. For example, changing to a square slide will result in 720 x 720px output, not 1280 x 1280px.

1 | Advanced Animations

Traditionally, animations are single dimension: they perform one desired effect, and then remain static. PowerPoint for some time has allowed for a multitude of effects in sequence or simultaneously execute (such as a fade with a motion path). Further options exist for direction, easing, bounce, nano-seconds, and even triggers.

To access these options, go to Animations > Animation Pane > Right-click in the box > select Show Advanced Timeline. Here, animations will be visualized on a timeline with a scroll bar at the bottom.

For the most part, one entrance animation can be combined with several emphasis animations. Combining entrance animations usually interrupt each other, but there are work-arounds. For example, instead of using the classic fly in animation, use a motion path, then combine with another emphasis effect or even the entrance animation fade or split. The variety of custom animations are endless.

2 | Effect Options

In the screenshot below, the yellow, orange, and blue blocks (originally white) are visualized in this manner to understand how the use of clever timed effects and layer options (objects in front of others), can create meaningful motion graphic effects. This sequence is shown in the first 2 seconds of my home page intro video.

As mentioned before, there is greater depth and customization to each and every animation. Once an animation has been applied, right-click on the desired animation and find “Effect Options…”

Most effects will have some limiting order of effect options, others will have some that are contextual to that animation (for example, text animations have a variety of options such as color, by word or letter, etc). The screenshot below demonstrates how the fly in effect can have a smooth end (as a function of total animation time) as well a smooth start, or bounce. Don’t be afraid to combine these either.

SlideNote: In PowerPoint 2013, there is a button under Animations titled “Animation Painter”. It applies the same set of animations from one object to another. It can come in handy when a series of complicated timed animations need to be replicated across multiple objects.

3 | Transitions

For the purposes of motion graphics, all slides will need to have not only a transition, but be self-timed. Under Transitions > Timing > Advance Slide, there is an option for advancing the slide either on mouse click (default) or after a designated time.

An interesting case is what if the animations within the slide are longer than the self-timed slide? Whatever is longer will take dominance, so even if, say, the slide is set to change after 10 seconds, but animations on the slide last 15 seconds, the slide will advance after 15 seconds; hence, self-timed slides are not relative numbers.

There is a diverse variety of transitions and moreover, many have effect options that can alter a transition. For example, the “Page Curl” transition can be customized to come from the left or right side.

Other clever transition effects are inspired from stop-motion photography. That is, advancing slides quickly, each with a slightly different and deliberate image, when put together, create the illusion of motion. Using the simple “Cut” transition with fast advancing slides (a tenth of a second) can achieve this effect.

4 | Timing

In the animation pane, timing is everything. For precise timing, the timeline is capable of zooming in or out for fine tuning, also the animations can be adjusted by direct number input.

Be aware that in order for animations to work simultaneously, they must not be under the start of “On-click” (found under Animations > Timing). “With Previous” will allow for animations to stack for one object. It may also be convenient to use “After Previous”, however, this will limit all animations following it. Therefore, “With Previous” allows the most flexibility and fluidity, but may be cumbersome to adjust each and every animation unit, but will deliver desired result.

For text effects, there are work-arounds and nested effects under effect options.

5 | Combining Effects

The screenshot below is a perfect example of a variety of animations executed simultaneously at the right time. Watch from 10s to 14s of my intro video to see the sequence, and then compare to the animations.

Most noteworthy, the individual buttons have a fly-in from the right with a bounce ending combined with a 720 degree spin emphasis effect and easing near the end to give the illusion of rolling.

6 | Export Video

Exporting the final project couldn't be easier. It can be difficult to determine final timing if not all slides advance automatically. Go to File > Export > Create a Video > Select: Computer & HD Displays for best results.

Depending on the length of the animation and processing power, it can take a few minutes to a long time. Videos are natively exported as .MP4 and can include audio as well.

Good motion graphics take a lot of effort for just even a minute of production, but the results can be very rewarding. Experiment, have patience, and have fun!