Shape misalignment and missing shadow

Hi Amy - don't you hate that??  I ran into the same issue with the shape shifting on a recent project..  While this may not be the best solution, what I came up with is to make sure that there are no image effects (shadows, etc) on any of the images.  I did want a shadow, so I created a blank box that was behind everything and that was the only object that had the shadow.  Then I could get the other shapes to line up.

The fact that that shadow is disappearing is an odd one to me.  Could it be a layering thing?  Sorry that isn't much help. 

I look forward to other responses on your issues - it is really annoying when things look good previewing in PPT and then having them shift in Articulate.

Thanks Brent! It is indeed frustrating when you think you've done everything right and then some little line of code somewhere foils your best-laid plans!

Anyway, kust to make sure I went in and clicked on the shape-with shadow and then clicked on Bring to Front and the shadow is back! I assumed it *was* all the way forward since I could see everything in PPT, but it seems to have solved the problem.

The shape-shifting is still an issue, though.

Glad that the shadow came back!

My thought is that the shape shifting has to do with the mirror reflection you have going on that outside box.  Perhaps give it a try without that effect and see if that helps.  That was kind of what I was running into when I had a shadow on a box that I replicated from slide to slide - it shifted just a bit when published.  I got rid of the shadow on the object, and the alignment came in perfectly.  To add the shadow, I created a blank box the same size and put it at the back - that box had a shadow, so it looked like the front one did.

Does that make sense?  I don't feel like I am saying it very well...

Brent, that makes perfect sense. I tried first taking out the shadow, and I'll be darned if it didn't solve the alignment problem. *shakes fist* I really had gotten attached to the reflection effect!  Then I put a duplicate box behind the first one like you suggested and added the reflection and lo and behold, it WORKED! Thanks a million for your help.

Now, if only we knew WHY the reflection messes with the alignment!

Hooray!  I am so glad that it worked for you! 

And yes - I would love to know why the shadows or reflections seem to cause that problem, too!  I was hoping someone with superior knowledge would jump all over this! 

Here's hoping someone still will!

Hi Amy and Brent,

Here's another possible workaround:

1. Right-click the the object, and select Format Shape.
2. Select the 3-D Rotation tab on the left side of the window.
3. Subtract one-tenth (.1) of a point from the Z Rotation Axis. Here are some examples:

• If the Z axis is currently 0, change it to 359.9.
• If the Z axis is currently 90, change it to 89.9.
• If the Z axis is currently 180, change it to 179.9.
• If the Z axis is currently 270, change it to 269.9.

    4.  Click the Close button.

    5.  Republish your presentation.

Nice new face pic, Brian! 

So - this is like the straight line/arrow issue, eh?  I remember seeing those directions with a question regarding getting arrows or lines to be straight.

Hi Brent,

Yes, by rotating the axis slightly, it requires PowerPoint (and Articulate) to view the shape as an image.  Same basic principle used in this macro that helps publish your course quicker:

http://www.builtbyburton.com/?p=811

Thanks for the comment on the pic!  My wife thought my old pic was a little dated.

Ironically, I just watched the Screenr on this tip yesterday but never made the connection to my situation.

Thanks for your help!