The latest Keynote update has a bunch of exciting new features to try
IT WILL TAKE
20 minutes
YOU WILL LEARN
How to make use of the new range of Keynote features
YOU’LL NEED
macOS 13 or later
Keynote has long been a powerful tool for creating compelling presentations but now there are even more reasons to cast PowerPoint to one side. With version 13.2 of this easy-to-use app, Apple has rolled out some very useful new features that will make your Keynote slides virtually burst from the screen. These include the ability to add 3D objects, live video and new Dynamic themes – items that will make your work feel far less static.
Live videos enable you to place yourself in a slide – perfect if you’re presenting remotely. Dynamic themes use procedurally generated ambient animations to add motion, while 3D objects embedded with animation can effortlessly bring a slide to life. Even if a 3D object isn’t animated, you can use a Magic Move transition to give the appearance of movement or rotation. With so many customisation options, and many other features, audiences are sure to be amazed by the quality of your work.
HOW TO Use animated backgrounds
Keynote has added new Dynamic themes: Waves Light and Waves Dark. Together with Clouds Light, Clouds Dark and Rainbow, they bring presentations to life with animated backgrounds. Find them by selecting File > New.
Alter a Dynamic theme’s background via the sidebar. Select a preset colour combination under Background or click a colour stop under the Colour slider to choose a different colour. Slide a stop to alter how the colours blend.
You can also make changes to the Dynamic background appearance. These options will differ depending on the theme but, with the new themes, you can change the speed of movement, their amplitude, wavelength and focus.
HOW TO Stream live video
Click Add Slide and you can include a slide containing a large or small live video placeholder. Select the sidebar’s Live Video tab to alter the corner radius and the video’s aspect ratio. You can even choose a circle.
Click the Style tab and you can alter how the placeholder looks. As well as being able to choose a preset option, you can manually add a border, sh
