VisualBee 2 for PowerPoint
Reviewed: Geetesh Bajaj
Date Created: March 28th 2011
Last Updated: March 28th 2011
Introduction
Using VisualBee 2
Pricing and Support
Conclusion
Introduction
VisualBee 2 is a PowerPoint add-in with an easy to use wizard based interface. The add-in automatically analyses your PowerPoint presentation text and structure, and builds a new designed presentation with appropriate templates, images, and graphics.
VisualBee 2 is the new and improved version of an add-in that we have already reviewed -- read the review of the previous version of VisualBee here. In this new version, VisualBee designs and images database has been significantly enhanced.
VisualBee is a freeware, and you can use it for
free to enhance your presentations. For additional
capabilities such as access to a larger library of design styles, a larger
image bank, and the ability to brand presentations with your company
logo, will need to be a premium user which will entail an annual
subscription, that comes at a cost.
This add-in is created by VisualBee.com, a company based
in Israel. You can learn more about VisualBee from
their site.
My contact at VisualBee.com for this review was Motti Nisani - thank you, Motti.
Using VisualBee 2
Download the installer from the VisualBee site, run the setup routine, and follow the instructions. The add-in is for 32 bit versions of Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 and PowerPoint 2010 only. Follow these steps to use VisualBee 2 in PowerPoint 2010:
- Open any presentation that you want to enhance. For this tutorial
I have used Indezine's sample presentation,
as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: PowerPoint presentation
- Now locate the VisualBee tab in the PowerPoint Ribbon (see Figure
2).
Figure 2: VisualBee tab on the Ribbon
- Click the “Enhance Presentation” button to start the makeover process
(highlighted in red refer to Figure 2 above).
- This opens the Enhance Presentation window, as you can see in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Enhance Presentation
- Here you can choose a Style for the presentation (refer to Figure
3). Available styles are Business, Finance, Legal, Medical,
Technology, Education, Classic, Artistic, Special Occasions, Nature,
Sports, and Travel. Under Settings
check the "Keep
My Pictures" option
to retain the original pictures in the presentation. Choose any
of the styles as required to proceed.
- VisualBee 2 will now analyze the presentation and the content of
the slide and displays the enhanced presentation in the next
window, as shown in Figure
4.
Figure 4: Preview of enhanced presentation
The window is divided into three areas, which are explained below:
- Slide Pane: Contains all the slides of the presentation.
- Preview: Displays the preview of the selected slide.
- Design: The options within this sections are:
- Image: Enables you to Replace Image, gives you option to open the Replace Pictures gallery and select image from there, and Remove Image.
- Layout: Changes the slide layout.
- Undo: Gets you one step backward.
- Redo: Redo steps.
- Restore Original Slide: Gives you two options
- Restore Original Layout, and Restore Original Template.
Note: The options within the Design area are not active in all the slides. They can be used on slides that contain pictures, etc.
- Figure 5 shows the enhanced presentation.
Figure 5: Enhanced presentation
The options within the VisualBee tab on the Ribbon (refer to Figure 2)are explained below:
- Re-enhance Slides: Choose this option to re-enhance an already enhanced presentation.
- My Images: With this option, you can create your own image library.
- My Logo: Enables you to insert your own logo in all your presentations.
- My Account: Displays your account information
- About: Displays information about the add-in.
- Give us Feedback: Opens an online feedback form.
- Learn More: Provides links for Demo Video, Support Center, and VisualBee Homepage.
Pricing and Support
Although VisualBee 2 is a freeware, you still need to have a paid account to access the premium templates, premium images, to create your own image library for PowerPoint, and to get your own logo in all your presentations. You can opt for the monthly subscription which costs $9 per month and $75 for an annual subscription.
Support options are extensive and include email support, an online FAQ, forum, and user guides.
Conclusion
VisualBee 2 continues making the process of enhancing your presentations simple and easy -- and it does have a great price:performance ratio.