Avoid a bullet point

You could use a gradient box that fades out to transparent now much easier to do in 2010 with the new gradient tool

Phil

Agree with Phil. Use Format Shape (right click on shape) and in Fill, set the gradient direction, angle, gradient stop and transparency level to achieve the effect you want.

Michael

In photoshop again use a gradient foreground to transparent, just dont go all across the page, easier in ppt for this effect

Phil

Not sure about new ppt, probably even easier. But for those of us stuck with older versions of ppt this can be done on the cheap without any additional software.

It involves creating(2) colored shapes, not one. That allows you to manipulate "where" the fade happens and how much solid color is left to place text on.

1) One shape is solid fill color

2) The other shape is your transition. Set the fill effect to one color (same as #1) then set transparency from 0 to 100.

3) Align all three objects and adust widths of your colored shapes to achieve the size and fade rate desired.

Hope this helps.

Nice example Bob, I forgot that prior to 2007 you could only have 2 colours in your gradient

Phil

Thank you so much for the quick responses. I think I got it.

Bob, I am stuck with 2003 and that is a great tip! Thank you!

Here's a similar approach that David shared awhile back - it really creates a nice look between the text and the image!

One tip that I like to use is never use a flat color. (format / shape fill / gradient / more gradients / gradient fill radio button / then gradient stops.) Just adding a slight gradient adds depth. Even if fading to a transparent...I'd still add another gradient color so that it gave a bit of depth. Also...many times I use the same colors in each gradient stop and just change the transparency to differ the colors. (that way you don't have mess with other colors)

You could also layer 1/2 transparent boxes on top of shapes to give a "highlight" feel. (just make it 1/2 the height of the shape you're covering)