In this tutorial, we will learn how to export a PNG graphic
from Xara X¹ with an alpha channel that PowerPoint can import.
I have used the new Xara X¹ on Windows XP Professional. The
PowerPoint version used is 2003.
Xara X¹ opens with a new open document already in place.
Choose Utilities | Galleries | Clipart Gallery or use the shortcut
key (Shift + F10) - this will open the Clipart Gallery.
If no clipart is visible within the Gallery, click the Get
Clipart... button to download some clipart from the Xara website
- you'll need to be connected online for this to work. You'll
find several folders within the Clipart Gallery - for this tutorial,
I suggest you open the 'Xara Examples 1' folder. Drag the 'Red
Car' picture into the new document (see screenshot).
Close the Clipart Gallery. Choose Edit | Select All (or Ctrl
+ A) to select all shapes that comprise the drawing and position
it in the middle of the document area. Then choose File | Export...
(or Ctrl + Shift + E). This will open the Export File dialog
box. Choose a name and location for your graphic - and choose
the PNG option in the 'Save as type' dropdown box. Click the
'Export' button.
You'll now see the PNG Export Bitmap Options
dialog box. With all other options unaltered, select 'True
color + Alpha' in the
Palette Options tab, from the drop down list for Color Depth
(see screenshot). Xara X¹ will export the drawing to an
alpha channel equipped PNG graphic. Save your document and exit
Xara X¹.
In PowerPoint, create a new presentation or open an existing
one. On a blank slide, just insert the exported PNG using the
Insert | Picture command - the screenshot below shows you how
the transparent areas reveal themselves.
