These preset paths move the star shape to the right; each of these path types has a version that moves left, too.
This line path moves the star on a fixed length, which you can alter by shortening or lengthening.
The green arrow marks the starting point; the red arrow and vertical line mark the end point.
This wave path moves the star shape in the pattern shown. Note the evenness of each dip.
An "S" curve moves the star in this curve pattern.
A preset path is a predrawn line, curve, or shape that you position and edit but do not originally draw.
Advantages to using
- The line or shape is created for you. You can then tweak it, enlarge it, shrink it, lengthen it, reshape it—but the initial line, curve, or whatever, is there, smooth; if you need a circle, you get a perfect one.
- The "snap" factor: A preset path always snaps the path's starting point to the center of what it's moving—shape, picture, or text paragraph. You want the start to be centered; otherwise, when you play the slide show, the moving item jumps from its physical position to where the motion path line starts. (You'll see an example of this in an upcoming practice.)
Note Lines are available as preset or custom paths; the end look is the same—a line. But a preset line has a given length and direction, which you can alter after applying it, and you don't have to initially draw it. For a custom line, you draw it to any length, in any direction you want.
