PowerPoint and SmartDraw

by Geetesh Bajaj, June 10th 2004

Introduction
About SmartDraw
Why Use SmartDraw with PowerPoint?
Working with SmartDraw
Copy and Paste SmartDraw Content into PowerPoint
Exporting SmartDraw Content
How to Download SmartDraw

Introduction

In any presentation, visuals play an important role. Well designed visuals can make information easy-to-grasp and understand. On this page, we'll look at how SmartDraw, a drawing application works with PowerPoint to help create quick and effective infographics for presentations.

Here are some examples of SmartDraw content used within PowerPoint:

SmartDraw is available for a free 30-day trial download. You can configure the trial to any edition of SmartDraw. Click here to download your copy...

Above visuals are from SmartDraw.com

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About SmartDraw

SmartDraw is developed by SmartDraw.com, a company based in San Diego, CA, United States. SmartDraw, their flagship product is available in four different versions: Standard, Professional, Professional Plus and the SmartDraw Suite.

You'll find more info about SmartDraw products at their website....

My contact at SmartDraw for this review was Jason Hardy - I wish to thank him for responding to my every question.

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Why Use SmartDraw with PowerPoint?

PowerPoint already has several drawing features built-in. Many users would want to ask why should they look at SmartDraw rather than use PowerPoint's own drawing features. Here's what Jason has to say:

1. SmartDraw offers over 50,000 symbols and templates for creating business charts and diagrams.
   
   
2. SmartDraw had an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that lets you design professional diagrams with no artistic skills. SmartDraw automatically aligns and arranges everything.
   
   
3. SmartDraw is fully compatible with PowerPoint and the rest of Microsoft Office. You can simply copy-paste your drawings into a slideshow, or embed documents into SmartDraw files.
   
   
4. SmartDraw Suite allows you to insert your digital photos into your diagrams.
   
   
5. SmartDraw is available for a free 30 day trial download, and you will always have access to free technical support - even if you use the trial version.

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Working with SmartDraw

The SmartDraw interface looks very similar to the PowerPoint or Word interface. If you choose to create a new drawing, you are prompted to select the drawing type (see screenshot). You can also view examples and opt to create a drawing based on the example (or template).

SmartDraw is easy to work with and you can probably be productive within 15 minutes of using it for the first time. That's because you really don't need to do much - an impressive library of readymade shapes and drawings allows you to drag shapes from the library onto the document area.

With the SmartDraw Image Plug-In, which is included with SmartDraw Suite, you can even fill shapes with images - you could probably create an organization chart of people working in the office that included a picture of every person (see screenshot).

Whenever you are working with SmartDraw, the program will offer helpful tips and ideas. This feature can be turned off if you don't require it anymore.

SmartDraw's power lies in its connectors - these connectors can snap and link to shapes - this means that if you move a shape, connecters move with it.

SmartDraw has won the SIA's People's Choice award twice, most recently in 2003.

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Copy and Paste SmartDraw Content into PowerPoint

The easiest way to use SmartDraw content in PowerPoint is thrrough cut and paste:

1. In SmartDraw, choose Edit | Select All (Ctrl + A).
   Then, choose Edit | Copy (Ctrl + C)
   
   
2. In PowerPoint, create a new slide or choose an existing slide where you want to place the SmartDraw drawing. Choose Edit | Paste (Ctrl + V).

When you paste a SmartDraw drawing within PowerPoint, you actually embed a copy of the drawing within your presentation. PowerPoint can remember that the drawing originated from SmartDraw - you can also edit and update the drawing using SmartDraw.

To edit a SmartDraw drawing in PowerPoint (or any Microsoft Office program):

1. Double-click on the SmartDraw drawing, or
   Select the drawing, choose Edit | SmartDraw Object | Edit.
   
   
   
   
2. Make any changes as required within SmartDraw. When you are done, choose File | Close and Return to <filename.ppt>...

You'll find more info on using SmartDraw with Microsoft Office applications including PowerPoint on the SmartDraw site...

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Exporting SmartDraw Content

You might want to export your SmartDraw drawing to a graphic format like EMF or WMF and then insert the drawing within PowerPoint. This is helpful if:

• You don't need to edit the SmartDraw content - or if you are sharing the presentation with people who don't have SmartDraw installed.
  
  
• You want to ungroup the graphic in PowerPoint and animate the content - the caveat to this is that a SmartDraw drawing will not retain its original features when imported to PowerPoint, i.e. the automatic connector lines will not stick, text boxes will not individually expand, etc.
  
  
• You want your finished presentation will be more compact and portable.

To export a drawing from SmartDraw:

1.  Open or create a SmartDraw drawing. Choose File | Export...
   
   
2. The resultant 'Export' dialog box allows you to save the drawing to several graphic formats - both vector and raster. In all you can save to 18 formats - we'll choose WMF or EMF since they are the best formats to transport graphic content to Microsoft applications. Both WMF and EMF can also be natively edited within PowerPoint as drawings - they can also be thereafter animated.
   
   
3. In PowerPoint, choose Insert | Picture | From File... and navigate to and choose the WMF/EMF file.
   

There's also another method - although it merely automates the above method:

1. Copy your drawing while in SmartDraw - choose choose Edit | Select All (Ctrl + A). Then, choose Edit | Copy (Ctrl + C).
    
2. In PowerPoint, choose Edit | Paste Special and then choose the Picture (Enhanced Metafile) option in the resultant dialog box after copying a drawing from SmartDraw to the clipboard.
   
   

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How to Download SmartDraw

SmartDraw is available for a free 30-day trial download. You can configure the trial to any edition of SmartDraw. Click here to download your copy...