Smartart graphics in PPT 2007

[gwh]

Hi everyone,

I'm using Powerpoint 2007 and am using smartart graphics to insert a
hierarchy flowchart object. There are a number of different versions
available but I need one where there is the ability to insert a picture at
the top of the box and then have the person's name and title underneath the
image. I know that I can insert an image manually as a shape fill but this
inserts the image into the background of the entire box which isn't what I
want. Also I didn't want to have to do it manually as I need it to keep all
the updating functionality that smartart graphics have.

I wondered if someone could tell me if there were any addons that you can
buy to extend Powerpoint 2007 that would include one of these smartart
graphics?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Echo S]

I just answered you over on Experts Exchange. Here it is:


Unfortunately, MS hasn't done much in the way of making it easy for us to
create our own SmartArt graphics. You must edit the .GLOX file manually
(it's XML) or using VBA.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163470.aspx is an overview that
should get you started. I'm afraid much of it will be trial and error,
though there is example GLOX code to download on that page.
http://diagrams.loki3.com has additional GLOX files for download.

It can be tedious to fight with SmartArt creation, but it's also kind of
fun! I suggest that you label your diagrams carefully. I sent a friend one
to test, she did then forgot about it. Later she used it in an important
project, but nobody else had that particular diagram available! Oops. LOL!

 

[Ute Simon]

I wondered if someone could tell me if there were any addons that you can

buy to extend Powerpoint 2007 that would include one of these smartart
graphics?

There is a Picture Organization Chart SmartArt available on the Microsoft
Office Online website:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=smartart&av=TPL000
but it has the picture left of the text.

There are only a very few people up to now, who have the graphic design
skills well as XML knowledge to offer to create and sell new SmartArts. One
you might want to contact is Susanne Walter in Germany, www.pptx.de

Best regards,
Ute

 

[gwh]

Thanks to you both for the great leads.