Theme colors -- lighter / darker variations

[Blastboy88]

I would like to control the lighter/darker options when I create a set of
theme colors. I thought that the position of the accent color (e.g., Accent
#2) determines whether the color variations are 80% lighter, 60% lighter,
etc. or 5% darker, 25% darker, etc. However, it seems to randomly make the
variations lighter/darker and by different percentages based on some other
logic. Is there any way to control the variations of the standard colors or
understand how it chooses the variations?

 

[Echo S]

I don't know what the logic there is, but I don't think you can change it. I
checked in the theme builder utility
(http://www.codeplex.com/openxmlthemebuilder), and there's not a way to
specify these percentages. (The fill / line color and
subtle/moderate/exciting percentages are different than what you're looking
for) I don't see anything in the XML, either, that would be an obvious edit.

You can add your own custom colors to a theme, though. See
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007/customcolors1.htm

 

[Ute Simon]

I would like to control the lighter/darker options when I create a set of

theme colors. I thought that the position of the accent color (e.g.,
Accent
#2) determines whether the color variations are 80% lighter, 60% lighter,
etc. or 5% darker, 25% darker, etc. However, it seems to randomly make the
variations lighter/darker and by different percentages based on some other
logic. Is there any way to control the variations of the standard colors
or
understand how it chooses the variations?

Not the number of the accent color determines the shades, but how light/dark
the color itself is. Lighter colors get more darker shades, dark colors get
more light shades. I found it best to use colors of medium lightness in my
color schemes. They guarantee good contrast with dark and light backgrounds
and allow more flexibility. For a start, have a look at the built-in color
schemes.

Best regards,
Ute

 

[Blastboy88]

Thanks for the reply. It would be great if a product manager from Microsoft
could clarify how it works. If I could control the variations, I could make
them more useful for my template. 80% lighter on an already light color
doesn't give me a great palette of colors to work from.

I don't know what the logic there is, but I don't think you can change it. I
checked in the theme builder utility
(http://www.codeplex.com/openxmlthemebuilder), and there's not a way to
specify these percentages. (The fill / line color and
subtle/moderate/exciting percentages are different than what you're looking
for) I don't see anything in the XML, either, that would be an obvious edit.

You can add your own custom colors to a theme, though. See
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007/customcolors1.htm

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2007? http://www.echosvoice.com/2007.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

I would like to control the lighter/darker options when I create a set of
theme colors. I thought that the position of the accent color (e.g.,
Accent
#2) determines whether the color variations are 80% lighter, 60% lighter,
etc. or 5% darker, 25% darker, etc. However, it seems to randomly make the
variations lighter/darker and by different percentages based on some other
logic. Is there any way to control the variations of the standard colors
or
understand how it chooses the variations?