This page contains information to help you set up your files for proper slide imaging. We have included information for the most popular programs. If you don't see yours listed here or have additions questions, please give us a call or send email. 1-800-238-4189 support@exslides.com
There are usually only two items to change in PowerPoint. First, in page setup, set your page size to 35mm slides. Second, when you save your presentation, use the Save As... command in the File menu and check the embed TrueType box. Because we use high end PostScript film recorders this is really about it. Go ahead, use EPS graphics, PostScript fonts, TrueType fonts, transparent GIF's our systems can handle it all.
Every software program has some bugs or issues as Microsoft likes to call them. Sometimes these bugs effect how your slides will image. Because these bugs effect only a very small percentage of the files we receive (about 3%) we are not going to bore you with a long list of work-a-rounds and fixes. Instead, we check your file when we receive it for any potential problems. If we find any, we either correct them or contact you.
If you are using PowerPoint on a Mac there are a few extra steps to follow. We image slides on the Windows platform. Below is a chart of Mac fonts and the corresponding Windows font. If you use these fonts, by far the most popular, nothing else need to be done. If you use other fonts, please give us a call for additional instructions. We also have a large selection of PostScript fonts that match up with the popular Mac fonts.
| Macintosh font | Windows font |
| Avant Garde | Century Gothic |
| Bookman | Bookman Old Style |
| Helvetica | Arial |
| N Helvetica Narrow | Arial Narrow |
| New Century Schlbk | Century Schoolbook |
| Palatino | Book Antiqua |
| Times | Times New Roman |
| Zapf Chancery | Monotype Corsiva |
| Zapf Dingbats | Monotype Sorts |
Clipart on a Mac may present some problems that are easily handled. The best file formats to use are EPS, TIFF of JPEG.The best way to have your clipart image correctly is to use our print driver. This easy to use software will generate a PostScript file of your slides directly on your computer. Then upload the resulting file to us for imaging. This software is available for downloading at Express_Slides_print_driver or give us a call. 1-800-238-4189
Harvard Graphics sets it's page size and layout based on your output device. For this reason you will need to download our print driver. This easy to install driver is for page sizing only. In most cases you just send us the Harvard Graphics file. The following is from the Harvard Graphics 4.0 manual.
Presentations that are imaged to a film recorder (Express Slides) should be created with the film recorder set up as the output device (use our printer driver for this). In the Presentation Setup dialog box, set all margins to zero to use as much of the output area as possible. Deselect Skip background fills in the Print Setup dialog box to include the background fill on all slides.
Harvard Graphics does not embed fonts. This means you either need to use standard Windows fonts, check with us to see if we have the font, send us the font with your file, or use our print driver to print a PostScript file to send us.
If you have not made slides with Harvard Graphics in the past, it is best to give us a quick call. We are here to help you and a few minutes on the phone may save hours of your time. (1-800-238-4189 or support@exslides.com)
There are two ways to set up Freelance Graphics for slides.
For complete details go to Freelance Help..., Help Topics..., Find.... Then type in 35mm. Complete details are then listed. Instructions for our slide driver are included with the driver. While this may sound complex, it is very easy. Just give us a call if you have any questions. 1-800-238-4189 or support@exslides.com
We can image directly from your Corel Draw files up to version 7. For version 8 use our print driver. Please set your page size to 7.33x11. Do not adjust paper color. Create a background color by using a fill or image.
Because of the huge number of fonts Corel includes, we have found most people like to try them out. Please help us by including a list of fonts you used. We have all Corel Draw CD's back to version 3. If you used any non-Corel or non-standard Windows fonts, please send us the font file or use our print driver.
The Express Slides Print Driver (slide driver in Lotus speak) is a Windows 3.1/95-98/NT - 2000 or Mac print driver that serves two purposes. In some cases, such as Harvard Graphics, it is used only to set up your page size properly. In this case you still send us the program's native file. In other cases you use it to "print" a file. This resulting file is what you send us to make your slides.
Unless you are using a Mac, you should never have to use this print driver with PowerPoint. With other applications, you may find it easier to use the driver than messing with the fonts etc. The driver is very easy to install and works just like a regular printer except the output is to a computer file instead of paper.
The print driver can be downloaded from our download page Express_Slides_print_driver. A newer version of the print driver is available free on CD. Just give us a call at 800-238-4189 to place your order. (Free CD available to businesses and organizations only)