To really get things done we tap into the genious of outside application programmers. A PowerPoint "add-in" is a set of code that adds additional functionality to PowerPoint. Each computer at TLC Creative Services Inc. is outfitted with these highly recommended add-ins:

1. PPTOOLS Starter Set @ www.rdpslides.com/pptools/FAQ00095.htm
   - Adds additional tool bars to PowerPoint that bring new and hidden features within use to all. (Even better, get the Start Set Plus - approx. $20.)
   - FREE!
   
2. PPTxtreme @ http://www.pptxtreme.com
   - GREAT tools for animation! Check out the "Animation Settings" tool in the Edit set (it picks up an object's animation that can be copied to other objects!) and the very handy, and needed, "Color Picker"! We literally use ALL of the add-ins these guys make.
   - $20 to $250
   
3. -FlashBack @ www.mvps.org/skp/flashback.htm
   - If you have a Flash file in your presentation you NEED this add-in!
   - FREE!
   
4. PFCMedia @ www.pfcmedia.com
   - Use this comprehensive add-in to video to a presentation. PFC stands for "Plays For Certain" and it works!
   - Approx. $50
   
5. Shyam's Toolbox @ http://www.mvps.org/skp/toolbox/
   - There are over 40 helpful tools and we use at least a dozen every day.
   - Approx. $50.
   
6. MPTools @ http://www.mvps.org/skp/mptools.htm
   - PowerPoint 2002/2003 added Motion Paths and this great tool aids in using Motion Paths.
   - FREE!
   
7. LiveWeb @ http://www.mvps.org/skp/liveweb.htm
   - Need to show a website during your presentation.... this is the tool needed.
   - FREE!
   
8. Slide-into-Word @ http://www.billdilworth.mvps.org/SlideIntoWord.htm
   - PowerPoints feature to automatically create a summary Word document is great - but also creates HUGE files. This add-in does the same with very small file sizes.
   - Approx. $20.
   
9. NXPowerLite @ http://www.nxpowerlite.com
   - Compress PowerPoint files without any loss in quality. Version 2 handles transparent .png images!
   - Approx. $40
   
10. OfficeFX @ http://www.instanteffects.com
    - You need a powerful computer, big graphics card and some patience - but this add-in moves presentations into an incredible realm of full motion graphics! Best of all the PowerPoint file remains useable by all.
    - Approx. $650 (Pro edition)

Much of the work of creating a presentation is actually done outside of PowerPoint (we can spend up to 60% of our time in Photoshop prepping images for use in presentations!). Here are a few goodies we use practically every day:

1. Pixie @ www.nattyware.com
   - Run Pixie and wherever your mouse is, it shows you the hex, RGB, HTML, CMYK and HSV values of that color. Use these values to reproduce the selected color in your favorite programs. It is the smallest app around - 8k.
   - FREE!
   
2. SnagIt @ www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/default.asp
   - Don't use the "printscreen" command, use this application to really get things done! (In addition to creating images for presentations, all of the screen grabs in the tutorials and used throughout the TLC training manuals were done with SnagIt!)
   
3. Sync-It @ www.tolvanen.com/syncit/
   - Keep ALL computers on the same exact time. There is nothing worse than deleting the wrong file because the newest time stamp was not the latest file.
   - Approx. $10
   
4. Camtasia Studio @ http://techsmith.com/products/studio/default.asp
   - Create incredible computer based tutorials and with 3.0 develop speaker video integrated PowerPoint presentations.
   - Approx. $299
   
5. MultiMon @ http://www.mediachance.com/free/multimon.htm
   - Do you use a multiple monitor system - you'll never know how you functioned without it.
   - FREE!