Updated : January 4, 1996
CD article first appeared on: October 1995

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Chapter 19: Switching to MS PowerPoint


~Previous Chapter_____^Office Resource Kit Contents_____Next Chapter~

This chapter includes information about file translators used by Microsoft PowerPoint to convert files created in other presentation packages. Table show exactly how features in various versions of Harvard Graphics and Freelance Graphics are converted in PowerPoint, so you can help your users understand what happened in their files when they opened them in PowerPoint.


Contents


Translating Presentations Created in Other Programs

The file translators provide PowerPoint users a mechanism to convert files from other presentation packages into PowerPoint presentations that can be changed and edited. When a file is translated, the result will be a new untitled PowerPoint presentation.

The translators are listed in the Files Of Type drop-down list box in the Open command dialog box ( File menu). The following translators are available:


Note

Installation of the translators is an option in the Office Setup program. If the translators do not appear in the Files Of Type list in the Open dialog box, you need to rerun Office Setup to install them. For custom installation scripts, make sure the PowerPoint translators are specified for installation on computers where files from other presentation programs will be opened.


Translating Multiple Files

You can select multiple files in the Open dialog box by pressing SHIFT and clicking on filenames in the list. If multiple files are selected, PowerPoint translates them one by one, with each file creating a separate PowerPoint presentation.

If you have to convert a large number of files to PowerPoint 7.0 format, the Microsoft Office Resource Kit CD includes a conversion utility called BatchConvert.exe that you can use to convert multiple files at once. If you want to move the files as you convert them, you can specify a new destination and extension for the converted files.

Document Contents

Harvard Graphics Translation Features

The following table indicates special cases where Harvard Graphics features might not be translated as expected.

Harvard Graphics feature

PowerPoint translation

Tables

Tables are converted to PowerPoint text retaining row and column position and creating lines and borders graphically.

Templates and background objects

Template options are applied to associated charts and background objects are applied to individual slides rather than to the slide master.

Shaded objects and backgrounds

Harvard Graphics supports only vertical shading and only when printing to film recorders. Shading will be translated to PowerPoint shading, which can be previewed and printed on all devices supported.

Transitions

Terminology is different in some cases, but the effects are essentially the same. Some effects (overlay, keep, weave, and rain) have no equivalent; these will be assigned as None.

Sequential AutoBuilds

No equivalent, become text builds.

Highlight AutoBuilds

No equivalent, become text builds.

AutoBuilds that are both Sequential and Highlight

Become text builds where previous highlighted text turns gray.

HyperLinks

Not translated, but can be implemented using drawn objects and the Interactive Settings command.

HyperShow

Not translated, but can be implemented using drawn objects and the Interactive Settings command.

Build slides

Harvard Graphics creates multiple slides for builds, so these will be translated to multiple slides in PowerPoint. User can remove extra slides and use the PowerPoint Build feature on one slide.

QuickSlides

Not supported.

Harvard Graphics 2.3 for DOS

Objects are translated as closely as possible to PowerPoint objects. The following tables list translation details.

File Types

Harvard Graphics 2.3

PowerPoint

Comments

.tpl - Template file

N/A

When referenced in .shw, converted to slide. Background items such as company logos are placed in Slide Masters.

.cht - Chart file

.ppt

Converted to presentation with one slide.

.cbk - Chartbook file

N/A

Not supported.

.shw - Show file

.ppt

Converted to presentation with multiple slides, complete with notes (translated from Practice Cards) and Slide Masters.

.pal - palette file

N/A

Not read in directly, but when referenced, the colors are used in PowerPoint color scheme. Palette is handled as follows:
1. Look in explicit path for .pal file.
2. Look in current folder for .pal file.
3. Use built-in default palette if .pal file is not found

Fonts

Harvard Graphics 2.3

PowerPoint (True Type)

Executive

Arial

Traditional

Times New Roman

Square Serif

Courier New

Roman

Times New Roman

Sans Serif

Arial

Script

Monotype Corsiva

Gothic

Century Gothic


Note

For fonts which are not in the table, the Windows typeface mapping mechanism replaces the fonts automatically. The original font name shows up in the Font list box. Windows substitutes the appropriate TrueType font for display.


Speedo Fonts

For Speedo and hardware fonts, Speedo names will be named Speedo[number] and hardware fonts will be named LP[number]. Use the Replace Fonts feature in PowerPoint to assign to the appropriate TrueType font.

Text Attributes

Harvard Graphics 2.3

Converts to PowerPoint

Comments

Filled

No

Plain text.

Skewed

No

Plain text.

Table

Yes

PowerPoint objects of text and lines, not table. Each text object is separate item.

Colors - palette of 16 colors

Yes

Colors are maintained and added to Color scheme if palette file found.

Kerning

No

Organization Chart

Yes

Converted to Microsoft Organization Chart object, size not always maintained. Only five levels are supported. Levels greater than five are converted to Level five.

Bitmap fills

No

All bitmap filled objects translated to single-color filled objects.

Charts

Harvard Graphics 2.3

Converts to PowerPoint

Comments

Charts

As Microsoft Graph 5.0 objects

Maintain all data in the datasheet, Graph type converted as closely as possible.

Linked charts

No

Multiple graphs created with same datasheet, not linked in Microsoft Graph.

Pie chart - Sort slices option

No

Ignored.

3-dimensional combination charts

No

Maintain combination chart (overlay), turn into 2-dimensional charts.

Pyramid chart

No

Column chart.

Cylinder chart

No

Column chart.

Charts with datasheet (table)

No

Maintain chart, data is retained in datasheet but is not displayed.

XY Line and Point Curved

No

Translated to a Line chart; the user may change to a Curved line.

XY Line and Point Best Fit

Yes

Translated to Line chart; the user may change to a Regression Line.

Charts plotted along Y axis horizontally

No

Plotted along X-axis vertically in Microsoft Graph.

XY Bar (Horizontal)

No

Paired Bar, series overlay 100%.

Pie chart with both data labels and values

No

Microsoft Graph allows only labels, or values, or percentage and label. Displays labels only.

More than 4 overlay charts

No

Data is retained in the datasheet, but rows are excluded so only first 4 charts are plotted.

Hyperlinks, HyperShow

No

Other Chart Information

Text in Title Charts

Text in Simple List Charts

Text in Bullet List Charts

Text in Column Charts

Slide Show Transitions

PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics provide different types of fades, dissolves, and other transitions between slides in slide shows. This table describes how different slide transitions are translated.

Harvard Graphics 2.3

PowerPoint

Replace

Cut

Overlay

No Transition

Keep

No Transition

Wipe Right

Wipe Right

Wipe Left

Wipe Left

Wipe Up

Wipe Up

Wipe Down

Wipe Down

Scroll Right

Cover Right

Scroll Left

Cover Left

Scroll Up

Cover Up

Scroll Down

Cover Down

Fade

Dissolve

Fade Down

Dissolve

Open Right

Split Vertical Out

Open Left

Split Vertical Out

Open Up

Split Vertical Out

Open Down

Split Vertical Out

Close Right

Split Vertical In

Close Left

Split Vertical In

Close Up

Split Vertical In

Close Down

Split Vertical In

Blinds Right

Blinds Vertical

Blinds Left

Blinds Vertical

Blinds Up

Blinds Horizontal

Blinds Down

Blinds Horizontal

Iris In

Box In

Iris Out

Box Out

Weave

No Transition (not supported)

Rain

No Transition (not supported)

Drawing Objects

PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics provide different types of drawing objects. This table describes how different objects are translated.

Harvard Graphics 2.3

PowerPoint

Rectangle

Rectangle

Frame (two rectangles)

Freeform and rectangle

Octagon frame (rectangle + octagon)

Polygon

Rounded rectangle

Rounded rectangle

Shadowed rectangle (four directions)

Shadowed rectangle

3-D rectangle (four directions)

3-D rectangle

Page (four directions)

2 objects: rectangle + polygon

Caption (four directions)

Polygon

Octagon

Polygon

Buttons

Emulated with set of polygons

Circle/oval

Circle/oval

Line

Line

Angled polylines

Polygon

Curved polylines

Freeform

Symbols (clip art)

PowerPoint objects

Other Drawing Information

Harvard Graphics 3.0 for DOS

Objects are translated as closely as possible to PowerPoint objects. The following tables list translation details.

File Types

Harvard Graphics3.0

PowerPoint

Comments

.ch3 - Chart file

.ppt

Converted to presentation with one slide.

.sh3 - Show file

.ppt

Converted to presentation with multiple slides, complete with notes (translated from Practice Cards) and slide masters.

.tp3 - Template file

Not supported

Chart attributes are applied to associated charts. Objects are placed on associated slides.

.pc3 - custom palette file

Not supported

Ignored.

.pl3 - chart palette file

N/A

.pl3 palettes are translated to PowerPoint color scheme if found. Palette is handled as follows:
1. Look in explicit path for .pl3 file.
2. Look in current folder for .pl3 file.
3. Use built-in default palette if .pl3 file is not found.

Fonts

Harvard Graphics 3.0

PowerPoint (TrueType)

Swiss

Arial

Dutch

Times New Roman

Geo Slab

Courier New

HG Roman

Times New Roman

HG Sans Serif

Arial

HG Script

Monotype Corsiva

HG Gothic

Century Gothic

Monospace

Arial


Note

For fonts which are not in the preceding list, the Windows typeface mapping mechanism replaces the fonts automatically. The original font name shows up in the Font list box. Windows substitutes the appropriate TrueType font for display.


Speedo Fonts

For Speedo and hardware fonts, Speedo names will be named Speedo[number] and hardware fonts will be named LP[number]. Use the Replace Fonts feature in PowerPoint to apply the appropriate TrueType font.

Text Attributes

Harvard Graphics 3.0

Converted to PowerPoint

Comments

Filled

No

Plain text.

Rotated

Yes

Rotated to closest possible position.

Skewed

No

Plain text.

Evolved

No

Look maintained, converted to objects.

Connected to an object

No

Plain text, each character is individual text item.

Stretched vertically and horizontally

No

As close as possible.

Outline

No

Bold text.

Color

Yes

Color.

Regular

Yes

Plain text.

Bold

Yes

Bold.

Drop shadow

Yes

Drop shadow.

Slant

Yes

Italic.

Underline

Yes

Underline.

Table

Yes

PowerPoint objects of text and lines, not table. Each text object is separate item.

Top, Center, Bottom

Yes

Top, Center, Bottom.

Superscript

Yes

Superscript.

Subscript

Yes

Subscript.

Left, Center, Right, Justify

Yes

Left, Center, Right, Justify.

Colors -- palette of 64 colors defined by .pc3 file

Yes

Colors are maintained and added to Color scheme if palette file found.

Organization chart

Yes

Converted to Microsoft Organization Chart object, size not always maintained. Only five levels are supported. Levels greater than five are converted to Level 5.

Gradient fill (rectangle behind text)

No

Ignored.

Bitmap fills

No

All bitmap filled objects translated to single-color filled objects (use object fill color).

Bezier curve

No

Freeform curve.

Charts

Harvard Graphics 3.0

Converted to PowerPoint

Comments

Charts

Converted to Microsoft Graph objects

Maintain all data in the datasheet, Graph type converted as closely as possible.

Linked charts

No

Multiple graphs created with same datasheet, not linked in Microsoft Graph.

Pie chart - Sort slices option

No

Ignored.

3-dimensional combination charts

No

Maintain combination chart (overlay), turn into 2-dimensional charts.

Pyramid chart

No

Column chart.

Cylinder chart

No

Column chart.

Charts with datasheet (table)

No

Maintain chart, data is retained in datasheet but is not displayed.

XY Line and Point Curved (option 2 in Gallery)

No

Translated to a Line chart; the user may change to a Curved Line.

XY Line and Point Best Fit (option 3 in Gallery)

Yes

Translated to Line chart; the user may change to a Regression Line.

Charts plotted along Y-axis horizontally (for example, Horizontal Line Gallery)

No

Plotted along X-axis vertically in Microsoft Graph.

XY Bar (Horizontal) (Gallery option 6)

No

Paired Bar, series overlay 100%

Pie chart with both data labels and values

No

Microsoft Graph allows only labels, or values, or percentage and label. Displays labels only.

More than 4 overlay charts

No

Data is retained in the datasheet, but rows are excluded so only first 4 charts are plotted.

Pictures - .tif, .pcx, .pcc

.tif, .pcx supported
.pcc not supported

.pcc will be ignored, .pcx and .tif files will be converted if they are located in explicit path, or in the current folder and if appropriate graphics filter is installed by PowerPoint Setup.

Other Chart Information

Text in Title Charts

Text in Simple List Charts

Text in Bullet List Charts

Text in Column Charts

Slide Show Transitions

PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics provide different types of fades, dissolves, and other transitions between slides in slide shows. This table describes how different slide transitions are translated.

Harvard Graphics 3.0

PowerPoint

Replace

Cut

Overlay

No Transition (not supported)

Keep

No Transition (not supported)

Wipe Right

Wipe Right

Wipe Left

Wipe Left

Wipe Up

Wipe Up

Wipe Down

Wipe Down

Wipe In

Box In

Wipe Out

Box Out

Scroll Right

Cover Right

Scroll Left

Cover Left

Scroll Up

Cover Up

Scroll Down

Cover Down

Scroll In

Cover Up

Scroll Out

Cover Down

Fade

Dissolve

Fade Right

Dissolve

Fade Left

Dissolve

Fade Up

Dissolve

Fade Down

Dissolve

Fade In

Dissolve

Fade Out

Dissolve

Open Right

Split Vertical Out

Open Left

Split Vertical Out

Open Up

Split Vertical Out

Open Down

Split Vertical Out

Open In

Box Out

Open Out

Box Out

Close Right

Split Vertical In

Close Left

Split Vertical In

Close Up

Split Vertical In

Close Down

Split Vertical In

Close In

Box In

Close Out

Box In

Blinds Right

Blinds Vertical

Blinds Left

Blinds Vertical

Blinds Up

Blinds Horizontal

Blinds Down

Blinds Horizontal

Blinds In

Blinds Vertical

Blinds Out

Blinds Horizontal

Iris In

Box In

Iris Out

Box Out

Drawing Objects

PowerPoint and Harvard Graphics provide different types of drawing objects. This table describes how different objects are translated.

Harvard Graphics 3.0

PowerPoint

Rectangle

Rectangle

Frame (two rectangles)

Freeform and rectangle

Octagon frame (rectangle + octagon)

Polygon

Rounded rectangle

Rounded rectangle

Shadowed rectangle (four directions)

Shadowed rectangle

3-D rectangle (four directions)

3-D rectangle

Page (four directions)

Two objects: rectangle + polygon

Caption (four directions)

Polygon

Octagon

Polygon

Buttons

Emulated with set of polygons

Circle/oval

Circle/oval

Line

Line

Angled polylines

Polygon

Curved polylines

Freeform

Symbols ( clip art)

PowerPoint objects

Other Drawing Information

Drawing Object Attributes

Drawing object attributes are converted as follows.

Harvard Graphics 3.0

PowerPoint

Fill Style: Solid Color

Fill Style: Solid Color

Fill Style: Pattern

Fill Style: Pattern (patterns may differ)

Fill Style: Gradient

Fill Style: Shaded (one color to gray)

Fill Style: Bitmap

Fill Style: Solid (object fill color). Can be changed to bitmap fill after translation.

Line Style: Solid, Dotted, Dashed

Line Style: Solid or Dashed

Line Width: 1 to 25

Line

Arrowhead: Double-tipped

Arrowhead: Double-tipped

Arrowhead: Single-tipped

Arrowhead: Single-tipped

Layering (front, middle, back)

Preserve layering

Grouped and ungrouped

Preserve grouping


Note

Harvard Graphics Animation is not supported.


Lotus Freelance 4.0 for DOS

Objects are translated as closely as possible to PowerPoint objects.


Note

Lotus Freelance for DOS 3.0 files are not translated. To convert Lotus Freelance for DOS 3.0 files, they first be upgraded to Lotus Freelance for DOS 4.0 format.


In translating Freelance files, VGA defaults are used in many cases where the original information cannot be determined. For example, fonts, background objects, pattern fills, and color palettes are referenced in a system table device file, whose information is not stored in the .drw file. A set of VGA defaults is used in the case where the information is not available. In the case of the color palette, it is also dependent on the target output device (VGA, plotter, and so on) for which there is a set of default colors for each output device.

The following tables provide translation details.

File Types

Freelance 4.0

PowerPoint

Comments

.drw

.ppt

Converted to presentation with one slide.

.shw - Show file

.ppt

Converted to presentation with multiple slides.

.pfl - Portfolio file

Not supported

Fonts

Freelance 4.0

PowerPoint (True Type)

Swiss

Arial

B-Swiss

Arial bold

I-Swiss

Arial italic

B, I-Swiss

Arial bold italic

Dutch

Times New Roman

B-Dutch

Times New Roman bold

I-Dutch

Times New Roman italic

B, I-Dutch

Times New Roman bold italic


Note

If the font table is not located, the translator will use a built-in default table that matches the Freelance default configuration.


Drawing Objects

Freelance 4.0

PowerPoint

Line

Line

Arrow: one-head

Line + Arrowhead

Arrow: two-heads

Line + Arrowheads

Rectangle

Rectangle

Polygon

Polygon

Circle

Circle

Slice

Freehand

Bow

Arc

Freehand

Freehand

Drawing Object Attributes

Freelance 4.0

PowerPoint

Line width: single

1 pixel width line

Line width: narrow

2 pixel width line

Line width: medium

3 pixel width line

Line width: wide

4 pixel width line

Line width: very wide

6 pixel width line

Line style: solid

Solid

Line style: dashed

Dashed

Line style: long dash

Dashed

Line style: chain, dotted

Dashed

Line style: chain, dashed

Dashed

Fill: solid (A)

Fill with color

Fill: narrow crosshatch (B)

Pattern 36

Fill: narrow right hatch (C)

Pattern 10

Fill: narrow left hatch (D)

Pattern 14

Fill: wide crosshatch (E)

Pattern 36

Fill: wide right hatch (F)

Pattern 11

Fill: wide left hatch (G)

Pattern 15

Fill: empty (H)

None

Fill: solid (I)

Fill with color

Fill: 75% shade (J)

Pattern 3

Fill: 50% shade (K)

Pattern 4

Fill: 25% shade (L)

Pattern 8

Fill: 12% shade (M)

Pattern 7

Fill: 6% shade (N)

Pattern 6

Fill: 3% shade (O)

Pattern 5

Table

PowerPoint objects of text and lines, not table. Each text object is separate item.

Colors - palette of 16 colors

Default values are used depending on the target output device.

Pattern fills

Default VGA values used.

Charts

Freelance charts are converted to Microsoft Graph charts, maintaining all data in the datasheet, with the graph type converted as follows:

Freelance 4.0

Conversion to PowerPoint

Comments

Bar-Vertical

Yes

Column

3-D Bar - Vertical

Yes

3-D Column with 2.5-D gridlines

Bar-Horizontal

Yes

Bar

Stacked Bar-Vertical

Yes

Stacked Column

Stacked Bar-Horizontal

Yes

Stacked Bar

Line

Yes

Line

Pie

Yes

Pie

XY (Scatter)

Yes

XY Scatter

Scatter withregression lines

Yes

Scatter

High-Low-Close-Open

Yes

Line (Hi-Low-Open-Close)

Area

Yes

Area

Bar-Line

Yes

Combination

3-D Bar (XYZ)

Yes

3-D Bar, 3-D Column

Text chart

No equivalent

Text becomes PowerPoint body text objects

Slide Transitions

Freelance 4.0

PowerPoint

Replace

No Transition (not supported)

Wipe up

Wipe up

Wipe down

Wipe down

Wipe right

Wipe right

Wipe left

Wipe left

H-Split in

Split Horizontal Out

H-Split out

Split Horizontal In

V-Split in

Split Vertical In

V-Split out

Split Vertical Out

Scroll up

Cover Up

Scroll down

Cover Down

Scroll right

Cover Right

Scroll left

Cover Left

Fade

Dissolve

Box in

Box in

Box out

Box out

Diagonal up-left

Strips Up-Left

Diagonal up-right

Strips Up-Right

Diagonal down-left

Strips Down-Left

Diagonal down-right

Strips Down-Right

Weave

Random Bars Vertical

Shake

No Transition

Drip up

Build - Fly From Bottom

Drip down

Build - Fly From Top

Spiral clockwise

Box Out

Spiral cntrclock

Box Out

Half up

Cover Up

Half down

Cover Down

Half right

Cover Right

Half left

Cover Left

Quad up-left

Cover Up

Quad up-right

Cover Down

Quad down-left

Cover Right

Quad down-right

Cover Left

Freelance Graphics for Windows

The translator reads files created by Freelance Graphics 1.0 through 2.1 for Windows.

Freelance

PowerPoint

Comments

.pre - Presentation File

.ppt

Converted to presentation with multiple slides.

Text and Fonts

Bullets

In Freelance, enumerated bullets and symbol bullets are translated to dash bullets in PowerPoint. Also, any clip art symbol can be a bullet. This is not supported in PowerPoint, and is translated as a simple dashed bullet.

Tables

Freelance table objects are translated to tab-delimited PowerPoint text, retaining row and column position and creating lines and borders as appropriate. Columns can be aligned by adjusting the tab locations for the text box in PowerPoint after translation.

Organization Charts

Organization charts are translated to Microsoft Organization Chart 2.0 objects.

Layouts

Text that is entered in the page layout of a Freelance presentation will not be preserved when translated to a PowerPoint presentation. The page layout contains text such as the "Click Here" messages that should not appear in the translated presentation. The text can be restored in the PowerPoint presentation by adding it to the master slide.

Drawing Objects

Because of differences in the coordinate systems used by Freelance and PowerPoint, there may be slight differences in the scaling and placement of objects relative to the slide boundaries.

This table describes how different objects are translated.

Freelance for Windows

PowerPoint

Line

Line

Arrow: one-head

Line + Arrowhead

Arrow: two-heads

Line + Arrowheads

Rectangle

Rectangle

Rectangle with Round (low, medium, high)

Rounded Rectangle shape

Polygon

Polygon

Circle

Circle

Curve

Freehand

Arc

Arc

Freehand

Freehand

Charts

All charts are translated into Microsoft Graph 5.0 objects. The appearance of a chart may change slightly when translated, due to differences in the two charting components.

Axes

Pie Charts

Legends

Graph Types

The following table shows how different types of graphs are translated.

Freelance for Windows

PowerPoint

Bar (2-D and 3-D)

Column (2-D and 3-D)

Stacked Bar

Stacked Column

Horizontal Bar

Bar

Horizontal Stacked Bar

Stacked Bar

Line (2-D and 3-D)

Line (2-D and 3-D)

Bar-Line

Combination

Single Pie

Pie

Multiple Pie

Only one pie chart is displayed, but all data is preserved in the datasheet

XY (Scatter)

XY Scatter

Radar

Radar

High-Low-Close-Open

Line (Hi-Low-Open-Close)

Area (2-D and 3-D)

Area (2-D and 3-D)

3-D Bar (XYZ)

3-D Bar, 3-D Column

Number Grid

Simulated table using text box and lines

Other Chart Information

Slide Show Transitions

PowerPoint and Freelance provide different types of fades, dissolves, and other transitions between slides in slide shows. This table describes how different slide transitions are translated.

Freelance for Windows

PowerPoint

Blinds

Blinds Horizontal

Bottom

Wipe Up

Box In

Box In

Box Out

Box Out

Center

Box Out

Checkboard

Checkboard Across

Curtains

Split Vertical Out

Diagonal Left

Strips Down Right

Diagonal Right

Strips Down Left

Draw

Cover Down

Fade

Dissolve

Hsplit In

Split Horizontal In

Hsplit Out

Split Horizontal Out

Leftside

Wipe Right

Louvers

Blinds Vertical

Paint Brush

Cover Left

Pan Left

Uncover Right

Pan Right

Uncover Left

Rain

Random Bars Vertical

Replace

Cut

RightSide

Wipe Left

Scroll Top

Cover Down

Scroll Bottom

Cover Up

Shade

Cover Left

Text Top

Uncover Down

Text Bottom

Uncover Up

Text Left

Uncover Left

Text Right

Uncover Right

Top

Wipe Down

Use Bitmap Colors

Cut

Vsplit In

Split Vertical In

Vsplit Out

Split Vertical Out

Zigzag

Strips Right Down

Other Items


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