Design motion paths

Let’s apply a motion path. You use a motion path to move something in a very specific way on a slide. You can also combine motion paths with other effects.

Apply a motion path

1. Click the thing to which you want to add a motion path. The center of the object or text follows the motion path that you apply.

2. On the ANIMATIONS tab, click More in the Animation Gallery, and under Motion Paths, do one of the following:

   • Click Lines, Arcs, Turns, Shapes or Loops. The path chosen appears as a dotted line on the selected object or text object. The green arrow indicates the path's beginning and the red arrow indicates its end. Drag either end to put the endpoints where you want them.

   • Click Custom Path. When you click where you want the motion path to start, the pointer becomes a cross-hair.

     • To draw a path of connected straight lines   , click where you want the motion path to start. Move the pointer and click to create a line between the two click points. Move and click again to draw another line. Double-click to stop drawing lines.

     • To draw a free-hand path   , click where you want the motion to start. Hold down the left mouse button and move the pointer on the path that you want the object to follow. Double-click at the motion’s final endpoint.

3. To watch how it all works together, click Preview on the ANIMATIONS tab.

Double your effect with auto-reverse

For example, if you want a wheel to roll back and forth, select your effects (click one, press Ctrl, and click the other), click the drop-down arrow for the effects in the Animation Pane, click Effect Options, and click Auto-reverse on the Effect tab. The effects play, and then, play again in reverse.

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Video: Create custom animations with motion paths