Custom Powerpoint Themes Crash Powerpoint 2007! HELP!

[zombiepixel]

I'm trying to save and distribute a theme created in powerpoint. I've
followed the steps outlined here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA102501061033.aspx

After I save a theme, no matter where the theme is located, it crashes
powerpoint when I try to use the .thmx file. I've tried saving it in the
default themes folder in the appdata directory, in the "document themes 12"
folder in program files, and my desktop. If I try to open the theme or even
select it from the themes pane, Powerpoint immediately crashes.

What am I doing wrong???

Also I've tried creating templates and even though they open fine, in the
"Recently Used Templates" area of the "New Presentation" dialogue box they
show up with an icon that looks like a document with a big "X" on it, instead
of just a screen shot of the template.

 

[Echo S]

There's obviously something in the theme that PPT doesn't like. Sorry, it's
hard to say what without knowing what changes you made.

I suspect the X in the thumbnail is related to a bug. Did you add a
placeholder to the title slide layout?

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

Don't Miss the PPTLive User Conference! Atlanta | Oct 11-14

 

[zombiepixel]

The only items in the ppt theme that are not inherent to Power Point are a
custom .png used for the bullets, and a .png logo file in the master slide.

Could they be the culprits?

 

[Echo S]

I don't know. I wouldn't think so, but I guess anything is possible. Try
making the bullets not-picture bullets and try again. If it still crashes,
then try removing the logo from the master slide.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

Don't Miss the PPTLive User Conference! Atlanta | Oct 11-14

 

[zombiepixel]

I started rebuilding the template/theme from scratch. what i'm noticing is
that as soon as i remove or replace master layouts the theme save from that
no longer works.

Is it bad to remove master layouts? The remove master layouts are not being
used by any presentation slide. PP won't let you remove a mast er layout that
is being used.

 

[Echo S]

That's good information. Which master layout are you removing? I think you
may want to make sure you have a Title Slide layout and the Title and
Content layout. Otherwise, you should be able to remove the others.

[I am not 100% positive you have to have the Title Slide and Title and
Content Layouts. Just going with a gut feeling, educated guess type of thing
there. But I tend to trust my gut in these cases. ;-) ]

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

Don't Miss the PPTLive User Conference! Atlanta | Oct 11-14