Adding animations to your PowerPoint presentations can make them more dynamic, visually appealing, and help convey concepts more clearly. One useful type of animation is a motion path, which allows you to precisely control how an object moves on a slide.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to create custom motion paths in PowerPoint to animate text, shapes, images, and other objects.
What is a Motion Path Animation?
A motion path animation enables an object to move along a predefined route on a slide. Instead of just fading, flying in/out or other basic animations, a motion path lets you specify the exact path the object should follow.
For example, you could:
- Make a ball bounce around a slide in a figure 8 pattern
- Animate text to move in a circular path
- Draw a custom curved line for an image to follow
Motion paths bring an extra dimension to animations, allowing you to demonstrate concepts, tell stories, and make presentations more visually compelling.
How to Add a Motion Path Animation in PowerPoint
Adding a motion path animation only takes a few clicks. Here are the basic steps:
- Select the object you want to animate
- Go to the Animations tab and click Add Animation
- Scroll down and select a Motion Path option
- The path will apply immediately with a preview
You can then customize the animation further in the Animation Pane.
Let’s look at this in more detail.
Select an Object to Animate
Click on the text box, shape, picture or other object that you want to animate with a motion path. This is the element that will move along the path.
Access the Animation Menu
Go to the Animations tab and click the Add Animation button. This will open the menu with all the different animation types.
Choose a Motion Path
Scroll down to the Motion Paths section and hover over the options to preview them. Pick a predefined path or select Draw Custom Path to create your own route.
The motion path will immediately apply to the selected object so you can see it in action.
Customizing the Animation
The animation will now play on your object, following the route you selected. You can customize it further in the Animation Pane:
Effect Options – Change direction, speed, auto-reverse, and more
Edit Points – Add, delete or move path points
Triggers – Start/stop based on clicks or timing
Exploring these options will help you achieve exactly the motion path effect you want.
Tips for Using Motion Paths
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of motion path animations in PowerPoint:
- Be Subtle – Don’t overdo it. Use sparingly to emphasize key points.
- Keep it Simple – Complex paths can be distracting. Often a basic route is best.
- Check Transitions – Make sure entrance/exit animations sync well.
- Set Precise Timing – Refine start, duration and delay settings.
- Preview on Different Devices – Test how it looks on mobile, web, etc.
Creative Examples of Motion Path Animations
With some creativity, you can use motion paths to make some truly unique animations. Here are just a few ideas to spark your imagination:
Animated Process Diagrams
Illustrate a step-by-step process by animating shapes and arrows to move between stages.
Talking Head Videos
Make static headshot images more dynamic by slowly panning across the photo.
Scrolling Text Bars
Animate text in a straight or curved path like a breaking news headline.
Interactive Game Elements
Let users click to move characters or objects around a scene.
The options are endless! Apply motion paths for a more memorable, engaging presentation.
Conclusion
Adding custom motion path animations can take your PowerPoint slides to the next level. By specifying exactly how you want objects to move, you can better demonstrate concepts, tell stories, and make more visually compelling presentations.
The key is to use them judiciously. Subtle, simple motion paths aligned to your content will give the best results. Get creative and see how you can incorporate them into your next PowerPoint deck!
