Opazity
Reviewed: Geetesh Bajaj
Date Created: January 8th 2008
Last Updated: February 26th 2009
Introduction
About Opazity
Download & Installation
Using Opazity
Pricing and Support
Conclusion
Introduction
The new versions of PowerPoint seem to have everything apart from the kitchen sink -- but yet, it's amazing too see vendors create small add-ins that provide an impressive capability that PowerPoint lacks.
Opazity is one such add-in that creates opaque effects inside PowerPoint -- and if you are wondering what's so great about an opaque effect in PowerPoint, then read on.
About Opazity
Opazity is from SteveHardSoft, a company based in London, UK. You can find more information about Opazity at the Opazity site...
Steve Hards was my contact at Opazity for this review - I wish to thank him for his help.
Download & Installation
Download the installer from the their site, run the setup routine and follow the instructions.
When installed, the add-in creates an Opazity toolbar within PowerPoint
as shown in Figure 1 -- if you don't find it there choose
View | Toolbars | Opazity Toolbar.
Figure 1: Opazity Toolbar
In PowerPoint 2007, Opazity can be found within the Add-Ins tab of the Ribbon (see Figure 2 )
Figure 2: Opazity in the Add-Ins tab
Using Opazity
Opazity effects can help hold and maintain a presentation audience’s attention by obscuring and hinting at something to be revealed.
Use the steps give below to use Opazity:
- Create or open a presentation in PowerPoint.
- Draw a shape on the slide, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: A shape (also called an AutoShape in older PowerPoint versions)
- Select the shape, and click the Opazity button on the toolbar or the
Add-Ins tab (refer to Figures 1 and 2 above).
- This will bring up the Opazity dialog box, as shown in Figure
4.
Figure 4: Opazity interface
You now need to add a blur using the options available through the sliders -- according to your requirement, you can:.
- Adjust the degree of blur between sharp and fuzzy.
- Adjust the opacity of the blur between full Opaque or Transparent.
- Change the color of the opacity.
- Apply opacity to lines (or otherwise).
- You'll see a preview of applied changes -- once you are happy with
the results, press OK to apply the opacity and return to the PowerPoint
slide.
- Now you can place this shape (AutoShape) on a colored or picture
background, or even a text box. Figure 5 shows an
Opazity shape on a picture background providing a distinct, opaque
glass effect.
Figure 5: Opaque glass effect
Steve Hards of Opazity discusses ways you can use this add-in to create cool effects -- he also explains scenarios in which you can use Opazity -- the Opazity site has several tutorials, and Steve did a detailed conversation on Indezine some time ago...
Pricing and Support
Opazity costs $47.00.
Support options includes an online FAQ and phone support.
Conclusion
Opazity is a one-trick pony that lets you accomplish many more tricks in your PowerPoint slides. It allows you to pique your audience's curiosity -- and helps hold their attention.
If you find uses for Opazity, and use it well, it is a great concept -- and money well spent.
A lot is at stake -- power, money, reputation, future plans, justice. You need to win this case. Your presentation materials surely will play an important role in helping the judge and jury experience the sights, sounds, and details of the case ... or not. The choice is up to you, says one tech-savvy attorney.
The choice is up to you, says one tech-savvy attorney. It all depends upon whether you are willing to push PowerPoint beyond its normal boundaries to maximize its interactive and persuasive potential. This article by Robert Lane and
Bruce A. Olson
provides a better idea of using PowerPoint in court. 
