whiteboard animation with the help of PowerPoint software

Make whiteboard animation with the help of PowerPoint software

In the world of presentations, video content, and marketing, animations are one of the most effective ways to capture attention and keep your audience engaged. Whiteboard animations, in particular, are a popular choice because of their simplicity and ability to explain complex concepts in an easy-to-understand, visually appealing way. While there are many software tools available for creating whiteboard animations, one of the most accessible options is Microsoft PowerPoint.

PowerPoint is widely used for presentations, but many people don't realize that it also has the capability to create high-quality animations. If you're looking to create a whiteboard animation without needing to learn a complicated new software tool, then PowerPoint is a fantastic option. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a whiteboard animation using PowerPoint, step by step.

What is a Whiteboard Animation?

Before diving into the specifics, let's take a moment to define what a whiteboard animation is. A whiteboard animation is a video that simulates someone drawing on a whiteboard or paper. It is typically accompanied by narration or music and is used to explain complex ideas, illustrate stories, or provide a visual breakdown of information. The style is simple but very engaging, which makes it highly effective for various use cases.

Now that you understand what a whiteboard animation is, let’s look at how you can easily create one using PowerPoint.

Step 1: Start a New PowerPoint Presentation

The first step is to open a new presentation in PowerPoint. When creating a whiteboard animation, it's essential to begin with a blank slide so that you have a clean canvas to work with. A blank slide allows you to insert the text, images, and other elements you'll need for the animation without distractions.

How to do it:

1. Open Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Click on "Blank Presentation."
3. Delete any default text boxes or elements that appear on the slide by clicking on them and pressing the “Delete” key.

With a clean canvas, you're now ready to begin crafting your animation.

Step 2: Write Your Desired Text

Once your slide is ready, it's time to add the text you want to animate. This text will form the core of your whiteboard animation. You may want to write out a script or plan your message in advance, so you have a clear idea of what you want to display in the animation.

How to do it:

1. Click on the "Text Box" button in the "Insert" tab of the ribbon.
2. Draw a text box on your slide.
3. Type in the desired text (e.g., a sentence, a phrase, or bullet points).

If you’re not sure about the content yet, don’t worry! You can always change the text later, but it’s a good idea to have a starting point.

Step 3: Customize the Font Style and Size

Text is a critical element in whiteboard animations, and it should be clear and easy to read. Choosing the right font and adjusting the size to fit the slide is crucial for clarity and effectiveness. PowerPoint offers a range of customization options that allow you to make your text more visually appealing.

How to do it:

1. Highlight the text you just entered.
2. Go to the "Home" tab in the ribbon.
3. Choose a font style and size that best suits your needs. For whiteboard animations, simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Comic Sans work best, as they are easy to read and visually clear.
4. You can also adjust the text color to ensure that it stands out against the background of your slide. For a whiteboard animation, black text on a white background is the most common choice.

With your text customized, you’re ready to start adding animations.

Step 4: Open the "Animations" Tab

Animations are the heart of whiteboard animations, as they bring your text and images to life. PowerPoint has a robust set of animation tools that allow you to animate various elements, from simple fade-ins to more complex motion paths.

To get started with animations, open the "Animations" tab in the ribbon. This tab gives you access to all the animation options available in PowerPoint.

How to do it:

1. Click on the "Animations" tab in the ribbon at the top of your screen.

This is where you will find all the animation options to enhance your whiteboard animation.

Step 5: Open the Animation Pane

The Animation Pane is a helpful tool that allows you to manage and adjust the animations you've applied to different elements on the slide. It gives you more control over the timing, sequence, and effects of each animation.

How to do it:

1. In the "Animations" tab, click on the "Animation Pane" button. This will open the Animation Pane on the right side of your PowerPoint window.
2. The Animation Pane will show a list of all animations on your slide. You’ll be able to see the order in which animations occur and make adjustments.

Having this pane open makes it easier to manage animations as you work on your whiteboard animation.

Step 6: Select the Text Box and Add Animation

Now that the Animation Pane is open, you can apply animations to your text. Whiteboard animations usually involve text appearing on the screen in a way that simulates it being written or drawn out. PowerPoint provides several animation options, including "Appear," "Fade," and "Wipe," but for the whiteboard effect, you’ll want to use the "Wipe" or "Typewriter" effect.

How to do it:

1. Select the text box you want to animate.
2. In the "Animations" tab, click on "Add Animation."
3. Choose the "Wipe" animation from the list. This animation will make your text appear to be "written" from left to right.
4. Go back to the Animation Pane, where you can see the effect has been applied to the text.

Now, the text will appear as if it's being written on the screen.

Step 7: Insert an Image of a Hand

A key feature of whiteboard animations is the appearance of a hand that simulates the drawing process. To add this to your animation, you’ll need an image of a hand. You can find hand images online (ensure they are free for commercial use) or create your own.

How to do it:

1. Go to the "Insert" tab in PowerPoint.
2. Click on "Pictures" and choose "Insert from File."
3. Download a hand image (✋) from an external source and insert it onto the slide.

The hand image will now be part of your slide, ready to animate.

Step 8: Insert the Hand Image into the Slide

After downloading the image, you can position it anywhere on the slide. You can resize the image to fit the size you need, but make sure it doesn’t cover any important text or elements.

How to do it:

1. Click on the hand image to select it.
2. Use the resizing handles to adjust the size.
3. Position the hand image where you want it to start drawing the text or images on the slide.

The hand image will appear as though it’s about to start writing or drawing on the whiteboard.

Step 9: Add the Custom Path Animation for the Hand

Now comes the fun part! To make the hand appear to be writing the text or drawing on the whiteboard, you’ll need to use a custom path animation. This allows you to control the movement of the hand as it "writes" the text.

How to do it:

1. Select the hand image.
2. In the "Animations" tab, click on "Add Animation."
3. Scroll down to the "Motion Paths" section and select "Custom Path."
4. Click to begin drawing the path for the hand to follow. You can drag the mouse to create a path that will make the hand appear to draw the text or images on the slide.

Adjust the path so it matches the flow of the text you want to appear. You can make this path as simple or as complex as you like.

Step 10: Play and Adjust the Animation

Once the path is set, it's time to test the animation. You’ll want to see how the hand moves along the path and how it interacts with the text.

How to do it:

1. Click the "Slide Show" button at the bottom of the PowerPoint window to preview the animation.
2. Watch as the hand moves along the path, "writing" the text on the screen.
3. If necessary, adjust the path or timing to make the animation look smoother.

Step 11: Adjust the Timing and Effects

For a seamless, smooth whiteboard animation, you may need to tweak the timing and effects of both the hand and text animations. PowerPoint allows you to control how fast or slow the animations occur, so you can make everything flow naturally.

How to do it:

1. Go back to the Animation Pane.
2. Adjust the timing of each animation by selecting it and clicking on the "Timing" button in the pane.
3. You can set the start option to "With Previous" so the animations happen simultaneously, or "After Previous" for a sequential effect.

Step 12: Slow Down the Animation for Realism

If the animation feels too rushed, slow it down for a more realistic effect. This will give the impression of someone drawing or writing on a whiteboard slowly and methodically.

How to do it:

1. Right-click on the hand animation in the Animation Pane.
2. Select "Timing" and adjust the duration to make the movement slower.

Step 13: Save and Export Your Whiteboard Animation

Once you're satisfied with the animation, it's time to save your work. You can either save the PowerPoint presentation as a file or export it as a video for use in your projects.

How to do it:

1. Click on "File" in the top-left corner of PowerPoint.
2. Select "Save As" to save the presentation.
3. If you want to export the animation as a video, select "Export" and choose "Create a Video."

Watch the video below for a visual walkthrough and additional tips.

Conclusion

Creating a whiteboard animation in PowerPoint is easier than you might think, and with the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to craft engaging, professional-looking animations in no time. Whether you’re creating educational content, marketing videos, or any other type of presentation, whiteboard animations can enhance your message and make your content more memorable.

By following these steps and experimenting with different animations and effects, you can produce a dynamic whiteboard animation that will captivate your audience and help you convey your ideas clearly. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today and bring your presentations to life with PowerPoint’s powerful animation features!