The PowerPoint Effect that Microsoft Forgot

This is one of those times that make you think -- "Now why didn't I think of that?"

In all the versions of PowerPoint so far, there is one really useful effect that has never been included. I am referring to the ability to make a transparency or out-of-focus object. These effects can be done using other graphics programs and those images can then be inserted into PowerPoint. However, this can be quite time consuming.

Enter Opazity -- a PowerPoint add-in, created by Steve Hards. With a few quick clicks you can make any area on a slide transparent or blurred and out of focus. Combining these effects with PowerPoint animations can make for some very interesting slides.

Opazity can be downloaded as a free trial or you can purchase a full license for a reasonable fee. The Opazity website features several short videos on some of the many effects you can create using this slick little tool.

Opazity Add-in for PowerPoint is a quick look at just a few of the tricks you can create to make your presentation stand out from the rest. I give it two thumbs up!