Motion Path Question

[Jim Varner]

In a .ppt file, I have a map on which I would like to have a line appear as
if a ship is traversing from one point to another. I assume that if with
anything, it would involve a Motion Path. I can't find (I didn't say it
wasn't there) enough info in Help to tell me if this is doable or not.
Anyone know, and if so, how do I do it?

Thank you.

pinger

 

[Lucy Thomson]

Hi

There is a training course on using motion paths here:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC061174671033&pid=CR061832731033

Hope that helps.

Lucy

 

[Jim Varner]

LT- Thanks. I went through that and increased my knowledge, but it did not
address my particular challenge.

pinger

 

[Telstar]

If you are talking about the merging free-form line such as that found in
Casablanca's start, you will need to use another program.

 

[Lucy Thomson]

Ooops, sorry, I misread the question. I was thinking you wanted a little
boat moving about... I would approach this by drawing a free-form line then
giving it a wipe entrance from the appropriate direction. If there is
double-ing back you may need to create a few lines. And maybe use a one
spoke wheel animation, it all depends on the path you are trying to create.
Does that make sense? Wouldn't it be great if there was a 'leave trail'
option on motion paths....

Lucy

 

[Telstar]

Although this will sort of work, the issue is that the line needs to be
uncovered (appear) at a constant rate, no matter its shape. If a free form
line that mostly goes downward, then turns right, etc is revealed with a
wipe, most will appear all at once. Perhaps a complex series could be
created, but this will be jerky i.e. appearing at different velocities. I
think it would be a nightmare for anything but the very simplest line
pattern.

 

[Lucy Thomson]

You are completely right - you can sort of fake it with a simple 'path' but
anything complex will need a great deal of jiggery-pokery. And in the end
you have to look at the whole effort:worth ratio...

Lucy

 

[Ute Simon]

Although this will sort of work, the issue is that the line needs to be

uncovered (appear) at a constant rate, no matter its shape. If a free
form line that mostly goes downward, then turns right, etc is revealed
with a wipe, most will appear all at once. Perhaps a complex series could
be created, but this will be jerky i.e. appearing at different velocities.
I think it would be a nightmare for anything but the very simplest line
pattern.

If you do not need a solid line, you could combine lots of dots (or short
lines) to make a dotted line and animate them with "Appear" one after the
other.

Best regards,
Ute

 

[Jim Varner]

Just got in to read the last four posts. That is exactly what I ended up
doing. A series of lines. When the line kind of changed directions since
the "speed of wipe" would "appear" to be different, I'd begin a new
one--with a new wipe direction-- "with previous" with a delay. It did take
some, shall we say, "adjusting" (as was eluded to in the replies) to get the
desired results. I'd overlap the lines a little, then set the timing so the
new line would start to wipe just a touch before the old one ended (this was
necessary since if I set it for "after previous" their is an ever so slight
hiccup delay before the newt sweep starts [dang]) . It's almost seamless (in
a few, it is seamless) . I need a little more work on it but, just to let
you all know....that appears to be the best answer for Powerpoint in trying
to do what I'm doing. Thank you all for your input.

Jim Varner

 

[Jim Varner]

I just got in to see the new replies. In the last four posts, that's
exactly what I did.... a series of lines. Set a new line whenever the
general direction would change to avoid the appearance of speeding up or
slowing down. I overlapped the lines just a little, then set them for "with
previous" with a longer and longer delay for each line. When I sent them
for "after previous" there is just a small hiccup delay, so the way I have
it, and it did take a good deal of tweaking.....I have several of the
transitions "seamless" and need to go in and do a little more work on some
of these. At any rate, that appears to be the best answer for Powerpoint in
doing what I'm trying to do. Thanks to all for your input.

Jim Varner