In PowerPoint 97/2000, you can add a dimming effect to animated text or objects. To create this effect, you apply a color change that will make the text or object seem to dim after it appears. For example, for black text, you could apply a gray color change. For the effect to show, the animated text or object that you want to dim must be followed by another animated item, either text or an object.

To dim animated text or objects in PowerPoint 2000

1. Display the slide with the animated text or objects that you want to dim.
2. On the Slide Show menu, click Custom Animation, and then click the Effects tab.
3. Under Check to animate slide objects, click an animated item in the list that you want to apply the dimming effect to. Be careful not to clear the check box when you select the item.
4. On the Effects tab, under After animation, select the color you want from the list.
5. To apply the effect to other animated text or objects on this slide, repeat steps 3 and 4. Remember that the animated text or object must be followed by another animated item.
6. To see the dimming effects, click Preview and, when you are done, click OK.

Note  To take away the dimming effect: In the Custom Animation dialog box, select the animated item in the Check to animate slide objects list, and in the After animation list, click Don't Dim.

To dim animated text or objects in PowerPoint 97

1. Display the slide with the animated text or objects that you want to dim.
2. On the Slide Show menu, click Custom Animation, and then click the Effects tab.
3. Under Animation order, click an item in the list that you want to apply the dimming effect to.
4. On the Effects tab, under After animation, select the color you want from the list.
5. To apply the effect to other animated text or objects on this slide, repeat steps 3 and 4. Remember that the animated text or object must be followed by another animated item.
6. To see the dimming effects, click Preview and, when you are done, click OK.

Note  To take away the dimming effect: In the Custom Animation dialog box, select the animated item in the Animation order list, and in the After animation list, click Don't Dim.