If you really need to make a completely free slideshow, Powerpoint is one of your best options. However, there is not currently a good, free method for making a DVD slideshow from a Powerpoint presentation unless you convert it to Flash first, and then burn it to DVD. You can find free Powerpoint to Flash converters by visiting a reputable site like Cnet and search the downloads section for a free application with good user and editor reviews.

You can burn your Powerpoint slideshows to CDs, but these will only play on a PC, and not on a DVD. Still, it is conceivable that if you want to start a slideshow business with no financial investment in DVD slideshow software, you could do so with Powerpoint by creating affordable CD slideshows that your customers would then play on PCs. You could also make personal or commercial slideshows and convert them to Flash for websites.

A few quick tips for making a slideshow with music in Powerpoint:

1. Make sure all of the files for your slideshow are in the same folder, including sound and music files. This is important.

2. Keep your image and sound files as small as possible while making sure they look and sound clear. Don’t use a 10mb photo when a 1mb photo has a high enough resolution to look sharp on a full-screen. Beware of editing and saving .jpg files repeatedly, because they will deteriorate with each iteration.

3. Use .png images for any transparent graphic elements. For example, a frame with a transparent center to place over another image should be a transparent .png file. The .gif file format also supports transparency, but .png files generally look much better.

4. Learn to use transitions between slides to your advantage, and as with any slideshow, don’t go overboard with motion and special effects. You want to strike a balance for an esthetically pleasing slideshow that does not tire the eyes.

5. Take some time to study Powerpoint before creating your first slideshow. It can be tricky to learn its advanced features, but the payoff is a professional looking slideshow with visually-pleasing pan and zoom effects, a well-timed soundtrack, and special effects that no one will believe were achieved in Powerpoint.

Powerpoint slideshows are a good alternative to buying slideshow software. If you have a wedding or other special event coming up, find a friend or relative who is an advanced Powerpoint user and has a good eye for design, and ask them to make your slideshow for the event. Or call FauxFlix DVD Slideshows for the best custom slideshow available. We are happy to answer your questions and help you in any way we can. Call or email us today!

To fix this, just add another slide immediately after the first, and copy the layers from the end of the first slide to the entire second slide. So the second slide might be 2 or 3 seconds of just the photos in a still position that matches exactly the layout of the end of the first slide. With zero seconds between the two slides (no transition, or “cut” instead of  “fade”), they will seem to be one smooth slide.

You can achieve the same effect and improve slide transitions with one slide by adjusting keyframes, but this can be a simpler way to make a more professional looking photo slideshow.

Panning means to move your photo(s) from one point on a slide to another. This can be done either in a single slide, or across multiple slides.

Zooming means to increase or decrease the size of your photo for an animated zoom-like effect, thus the term, “pan and zoom.”

When used artfully, pan-and-zoom effects animate and add life to your slideshow, giving the effect of watching an actual video. But when overdone, panning and zooming can distract from your photos and overwhelm your viewers’ eyes, making them turn away from watching your slideshow.

A good rule of thumb is to tone down your pan-and-zoom effects if you have any doubt–similar to the advice that a woman should always remove a piece of jewelry after dressing for an evening out to enhance her beauty.

Making basic, beautiful slideshows is not as difficult as it first seems. Especially when you learn a few tricks like pan-and-zoom (the Ken Burns Effect).

So in the spirit of making things easy, here is a simple overview of what it takes to build a nice, cohesive slideshow that people will want to watch again and again:

1. Gather your photos, and have photos scanned that are not already on disk or on your computer. Whether scanning yourself or using a service, be the resolution is at least 300 dpi.

2. Organize your photos into sections by sorting them into 3 – 5 folders (beginning, middle, end). Name the files with letter prefixes, such as “a-baby1″ etc. Letter prefixes will help ensure proper sorting better than numeric prefixes. Don’t get too stuck on the exact order of photos, because you may decide to move some around for artistic reasons later.

3. Edit your photos for color fading and red-eye in your favorite free photo editor. If you don’t have one on your computer, try www.pixlr.com. I just discovered this site, and it’s my favorite free online editor so far. Be sure to save each photo as you edit it.

4. Think about your music before you add it. I usually have 2 or 3 more songs in mind than I end up using, then make final decisions after trying the tracks with my photos. It can be difficult to know ahead of time which music will match the flow of your slides best until you see them in motion.

4. Open your favorite slideshow design software or website and read the help file or user’s manual. If you don’t know where to begin, check your PC for Photo Story 3, or go to cnet.com to download it free.

5. Insert your photos slideshow frames, select motion effects and transitions. Add your music tracks and try them out before making your final draft. Remember that the timing of your music will affect your show length, and you may have to work on adjusting slide timing quite a bit to get it just right.

This should get you started on your show. Remember to buy high-quality DVDs for burning your show if you want to have hard copies. Also, buy labels made just for DVDs. I prefer Memorex labels because their template software seems to work best for my printer. Mis-aligned labels can drive you crazy and waste ink and paper!

Feel free to ask me any questions, and I’ll start posting resources ASAP.

– Ask all your relatives for their vintage family photos for a “family heritage slideshow” or
- Gather the best photos of all your children and create one family video for every family member. It’s a great way to make one gift for everyone at no cost (besides DVDs and cases, if you want more than a virtual gift.
- Need a creative anniversary gift? Use wedding photos for a first anniversary slideshow, or highlights of a couple’s lifetime together for a 25th or 50th wedding anniversary gift.

The best part, besides being free? When you create a gift by hand, you can be sure it will be unique. The recipient will know you cared enough to invest yourself in their gift, and creative slideshows are often the most talked-about gift after the event is long over. It’s a great way to show you care.