[OS X Software review]

Presentations with Keynote

I am one of the very last people who switched from transparencies to computer presentations. I always preferred hand writing, because it was faster, and plots were clearer. I tried PowerPoint twice, but I did not like it at all. However, after trying Keynote, I finally found what I wanted, and decided to switch.

1. Keynote

Here are the reasons why I like Keynote.

• Imported PDF images are razor sharp, even after scaling. Compare plots on Keynote and PowerPoint. Clipping plots from EPS, PS, and PDF files is extremely easy with Tiger (OS X 10.4) or Panther (OS X 10.3)'s Preview, or TeXShop Previewer, as described below.
• It is simple, intuitive, and stress-free.
• With alignment guides, you do not have to spend time to align things.
• You can rotate graphics easily.
• You can move multiple slides together, and group slides by indenting them.
• You can easily write tables with merged cells or divided cells.
• After all, you can concentrate more on what to show and say, instead of trying to figure out how to make slides look better, and save time for preparation.
• If you have a PowerBook, you can view memo on your computer while the audience sees slides.
• Keynote 2 (that is a part of iWorks'05) has become even better! Its presenter's view shows the current slide, the next slide (or the action after a click), a timer, and notes. You can find the slide you want on your PowerBook either by typing a slide number, or pressing + or - keys, and then hit RETURN to show the slide. You do not have to whip through slides or dump all the slides in front of the audience. Let them see what they only need to see.

2. How to import equations, plots, and graphics into Keynote slides

PDF files can be pasted in Keynote slides. The advantage of using PDF files over JPEG and others is that the quality does not degrade even after scaling. Here, I will describe how to import PDF, EPS, a part of PS files, equations, and Feynman diagrams to Keynote slides.

How the graphics, equations, and Feynman diagrams are imported to Keynote

2.0 Preparations

In order to write equations, I suggest you install TeX, TeXShop, and Ghostscript.

• If you use Japanese
  1. Follow the instructions to install 2. pTeX and Ghostscript, and 4. TeXShop.
• If you do not use Japanese, simply follow the instructions in TeXShop home page to install TeXShop, i-Installer, and use i-Installer to install TeX Foundation, TeX Programs, Ghostscript8, Freetype2, wmf and iconv, and ImageMagick.

2.1 How to write equations

LaTeXiT generates beautiful professional looking equations. Just write an equation in LaTeX format, press a button, and drag and drop the typeset image onto Keynote slide. You can even change the color of the equation in LaTeXiT.

[One problem is that the equation is treated as a graphic image in Keynote, and it cannot be inserted in text. Therefore, if the text moves around, you have to move the equation by hand. With AppleWorks, graphics can be inserted as a character in text, so why not also with Keynote? If you agree, send a feedback to Apple.]

2.2 How to import an entire PDF, EPS, PS file

• If you have Keynote 2.0.2 (after upgrading from 2.0), and if a PDF/EPS/PS file conatins only the figure that you want to put on a slide, simply drag and drop the file onto a Keynote slide. A necessary conversion will be done automatically.
• If you have Keynote v1, you can drag and drop a PDF file onto a Keynote slide. However, to put EPS or PS file, follow the instructions in the next 2.3 (or get Keynote 2!).

2.3 How to import plots from a part of EPS, PS and PDF files

You can clip a portion of an EPS, PS and PDF file, such as plots, and put it on a Keynote slide. This can be done easily with Tiger (OS X 10.4) or Panther (OS X 10.3)'s Preview, or TeXShop's previewer (v1.29 or later) which can copy images in PDF format.

• If you have Tiger or Panther:
  1. Just open the PS or PDF file with Panther's Preview.
  2. Select a dotted square on the top right corner, and drag a mouse to select the area you want.
  3. Copy it to a clipboard. (command-C)
  4. Paste it on a Keynote slide (command-V)
• If you have Jaguar (OS X 10.2), then :
  1. Drag and drop the PS or PDF file to TeXShop icon. This will open TeXShop's previewer.
  2. Select a dotted square on the top right corner, and drag a mouse to select the area you want.
  3. Make sure that "Preview > Copy Format" is set to "PDF".
  4. Copy it to a clipboard. (command-C)
  5. Paste it on a Keynote slide (command-V)

What could be simpler than this??? (You can drag the selection, too, but you have to be a little patient to wait until the pointer changes to an arrow with a plus sign, and then click to drop.) If you prefer, you can type commands to extract eps files, and convert them to PDF.

2.4 How to put complicated graphics

Keynote's tools for drawing graphics is sometimes too simple. The message is, "Keep the presentation slides simple!" However, if you still want to put more complicated graphics, here is how.

• Use AppleWorks's drawing environment or OmniGraffle 3 to draw what you want.
• Simply drag and drop the selected graphics items onto a Keynote slide.

2.5 How to put Feynman diagrams

Feynman diagrams are used to show interactions between elementary particles. With usual applications, it is not easy to draw wavy lines (photons) or spiral lines (gluons).

1. Install feynMF.
2. Draw a Feynman diagram using TeXShop.
3. Clip the diagram in the TeXShop's previewer, and paste it in a Keynote slide.

2.6 How to make readable PAW plots for presentations

If you simply use default settings for PAW to create plots and import them to Keynote slides, the lines are too thin, and characters are too small. Here is how to solve the problem.

3. Laser pointer

When you are freed from an OHP, it is a pity to go back and forth between your laptop and the screen. I now use Pocket Prensenter Wireless Laser from Kensington. The reasons are:

• It uses radio wave rather than infrared, so you do not need to have a direct line-of-sight between you and the receiver on your laptop.
• You can advance / backspace slides, and blank / unblank the screen.
• The buttons have a solid click feeling, and pressing the arrow keys do NOT send multiple key strokes. This avoids advancing multiple slides when you only want to go to the next slide. (I had been using Tote-Remote from ATek before, but Kensington has a better button feeling.)
• It is less expensive ($69.95) than many others.

4. Some other tips

• If you need to copy your slides to a Windows machine, export your slides as a PDF file. If you export them as a PowerPoint file, some graphics (such as in TIFF format) may not show up properly on Windows PowerPoint, complaining that it requires QuickTime plugin.
• If you open somebodyelse's PowerPoint file with PowerPoint (on Mac or Windows) and if some images are rotated by 90degrees, try opening it with Keynote. Unlike PowerPoint, Keynote can read PowerPoint files properly. (Isn't there something wrong with this??)
• OmniOutliner is a nice tool to plan your talk and slides. Items can be typed in, moved around, and indented so naturally, that you can concentrate on ideas. You can import the generated outline into Keynote, but even simply displaying the outline next to Keynote slides works great, too.
• For some reason, when I use Keynote, I think that I should write less, and talk to the audience, instead of reading the slides. I still don't know why Keynote makes me feel that way.

Updated 2005-07-24, Taku Yamanaka (taku[at]hep.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp, replace [at] with @)