For the last 20 years, users have waited for 3D in PowerPoint. There were umpteen add-ins (small programs that plug into PowerPoint, much like Photoshop and WordPress plug-ins) that added 3D models, 3D backgrounds, and even 3D text in PowerPoint. They met the same fate–discontinued by their vendors! And that’s sad because some of them were really awesome and ahead of their time.
Finally, 3D in PowerPoint
And now Microsoft has announced that there will finally be real 3D in PowerPoint. How is that different than the other add-ins? And does this mean that you can really do 3D modeling in PowerPoint? Here are the answers to those questions:
- Microsoft’s 3D push in PowerPoint is different. Why? Because 3D is now implemented as a presentation tool. This feels like a native PowerPoint feature.
- Don’t expect to create 3D models in PowerPoint. Rather, expect to use PowerPoint as a tool that will import 3D models. The fabulous possibilities of 3D in PowerPoint are more geared towards viewing and experiencing a larger slide space.
This demo by Heather Alekson will explain more (the video is no longer available).
So what do you need to get this feature? Here is what you need:
- First of all, you need the new Windows 10 Creators Update
- Plus, you must have an active Office 365 subscription, which is set to install regular updates
And if you already have both Windows 10 Creators Update and an active Office 365 subscription, then when do you get to see the 3D stuff on your installed versions of PowerPoint? That’s an answer I am looking forward to!
Image: Microsoft Windows 10 Event
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