How to change default black background with PP "Save as Picture"?

[Leah]

* I have graphics with text boxes and arrows drawn in PowerPoint.
* I want to select ONLY the objects and "Save as Picture"
* The picture is save at very high quality -- much better than copy/paste
or Prt Scr.
* Unfortunately, the picture is also saved with a default black background,
which totally obliterates the text in the text boxes, and also makes the
picture impossible to use in a document (where white background is preferred).
* Setting the background of the PP slide to white makes no difference.

How can I change this default?

I would also like to know if I can increase the DPI or quality of standard
Windows Copy/Paste, or Prt Scr...

Thanks!

 

[TAJ Simmons]

Leah,

I've not come across exports with a black background before.

I've just done a quick test - (using powerpoint 2003 - what are you using?)

And the exported file (whether .png or .emf) has a clear or transparent
background.

Maybe the graphics package you are using is defaulting to a black
background?

If you want to increase the resolution of a print screen capture, you will
have to increase the resolution of the 'windows desktop' to the highest your
computer can accept.

Right click a blank area of your desktop, choose "properties" then on the
far right tab, move the slider to the right eg 1024x768 or higher


for other stuff read
Improve PowerPoint's GIF, BMP, PNG, JPG export resolution
http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00052.htm

Cheers
TAJ Simmons
PowerPoint Master

http://www.awesomebackgrounds.com
awesome - powerpoint templates,
powerpoint backgrounds, free samples, ppt tutorials...

 

[Leah]

Hi TAJ,

I'm running PowerPoint 2003 on Windows XP.

I want to clarify:
* I am NOT trying to save the slide. Just the grouped objects on the slide.

* I use the cursor to select all of the objects (make a big square around
them and it automatically selects them all), right-click, and choose "Save as
Picture."

* Someone used PP to edit graphics for a manual. They pasted in screen
captures and photos, then added arrows, text boxes, etc., as callouts.

* In many cases, the text boxes sit outside the confines of the graphic, in
the empty area of the slide.

* The person who did this was not creating a PP presentation. They did not
care about size or confines of the slides; they were simply using PP as a
tool for storing, editing, and adding callouts to graphics.

* I need to extract those graphics from PP the quickest way I can. At
first I was copying and pasting, but the output was horrible regardless of
whether I used Corel PhotoPaint 12 or Paintshop Pro 7. (BTW: my screen
resolution is 1280 x 1024, 32 bit.)

* Then I tried PP right-click, "Save As Picture" and tried saving only the
objects I wanted, straight to JPG. This was by far the fastest method.

* For anything that was graphic only, it was fantastic. But for anything
with callouts, arrows, or text boxes that extend beyond the edge of the
graphic, I have this black background problem.

* I tried some tests:
Save as JPG - black background outside the confines of the graphic.
Save as BMP - grey background outside the confines of the graphic.
Save as PNG - in Corel PhotoPaint I *do* get transparancy, but as soon
as I save it as JPG (the format I ultimately need), I get a grey background
outside the confines of the graphic.

I just don't understand why I get these default colors and why I can't
change them. It's ridiculous! I've checked all the Windows, Corel, and
PowerPoint settings I can think of, and nothing helps. It's like some
arbitrary thing.

I was really hoping for a one step method of extracting these graphics, but
I should have guessed Murphy wouldn't let it be so.

At the current time, my best bet is Save as Picture but use the BMP format
instead of JPG. That way I get clean lines where the grey background is, and
it's a simple matter to use a Fill tool to change the grey to white.

However, it would be best of all, if I could just tell Windows or whatever
that I want white default instead of a grey or black default.

So, try your test again by pasting in a graphic of some sort, then adding
arrows and text boxes outside of it. My text boxes have no outline, and the
font is black. The arrows can be any color. Ours are red.

Select the objects only, right-click and choose "Save as Picture." Try JPG
and tell me what happens.

Thanks, and take care,
Leah