In this article by Charlotte Olsson and Christina Hoyer, the authors of the book Prezi Cookbook, we will cover the following recipes:

• Zoom in
• Zoom out
• Zooming with frames
• Zooming out with frames
• Zooming in with frames
• Turns
• Turning an element
• Turning a frame
• Anatomy of a turn
• Combining turns for elements and frames

(For more resources related to this topic, see here.)

Many things about Prezi are distinctive, but two of the really special and characteristic features are the zoom and the turn.

A good way to understand zooming is to compare it with reading letters from your lawyer or your bank. When you switch from the general information to the small writing at the bottom of the page, you zoom in by moving the paper closer to your eyes. When you want to read the general information again, you zoom out by moving the paper further out.

The zoom feature allows us to zoom in on the canvas to show even the smallest detail, and to zoom out to show larger elements or beautiful and informative overviews.

Prezi’s turning feature makes it possible for us to change the direction of our travel on the canvas as we move forward in the presentation.

See also

Zooming is easier to work with if you understand how to create and edit your prezi’s path and steps.

Zoom in

Zooming occurs between two steps in a prezi. Your work with zooms will be easier (and better) if you understand how steps work.

We invite you to follow along with this first recipe. It will quickly recap how steps work, and by following along, you will be able to create your first zoom.

If you are unsure about steps but prefer skipping this recap, think of a step as either an element or a frame that you have decided to show when you are in the Present mode.

Getting ready

Because zooming happens between two steps, we begin by creating two steps. The content of these steps can be images, texts, frames, or any other element that has been added to the path. We will be working with images. Perform the following steps:

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Delete any existing frames.
3. Insert an image, sizing the image as you please. We inserted a red car.
4. Insert a second image. Make this image smaller than the first image. We inserted a green car.

Take a look at the following screenshot, where our prezi has two cars on the canvas; the green car is smaller than the red car:

How to do it…

Now you are just about ready to zoom:

1. Switch to the Edit Path mode.
2. First, click on the bigger image to add it as a step to the path lane.
3. Next, click on the smaller image to add it as a step to the path lane.
4. Click on Present to see how Prezi first shows step 1 and then zooms in to show step 2.

There! That was your first zoom. Pretty easy, eh?

We did it too! You can see it right here:

Both cars have been added as steps; steps are shown in the path lane as thumbnails.

There’s more…

To understand the zoom, let’s look at the preceding screenshot. Take a look at the two cars on the canvas and compare them to the thumbnails in the path lane. Remember that each thumbnail represents a step.

On the canvas there is a difference in the sizes of the two cars. But what is going on in the path lane? Here, in the path lane, the thumbnails for the red and the green cars show the cars at identical sizes. Hmmm! Does this mean that when we switch to the Present mode, Prezi will show the two cars at the same size?

Yes, that is exactly what it means! What a thumbnail shows is exactly how the step that it represents will be shown in the Present mode.

For this prezi, it means that when we click on Present, the red car will fill the screen entirely. When we move forward to step 2, the green car will also fill the screen entirely.

This is how steps function: a step always fills the screen.

And that is the anatomy of the zoom! Zooming happens because a step always fills the screen in Present mode. Consequently, if two steps have different sizes on the canvas, Prezi needs to zoom in or out to allow whatever step is next to fill the screen.

Remember the equation for steps: 1 step = 1 full screen

Zoom out

Zooming out means going from a smaller section of the canvas to a relatively bigger section of the canvas in the Present mode.

Zooming out is a great tool that is typically used for visual illustrations on the canvas, when the content of the presentation shifts from a detailed level to some degree of overview of the canvas.

The biggest zoom-outs in Prezi are path steps that are overviews of the entire canvas, which many presenters use to open or close their presentations.

Getting ready

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Delete any existing frames.
3. Insert an image, sizing it as you please. We inserted a green car.
4. Insert a second image. Make this image larger than the first image. We inserted a red car.

We will use the prezi shown in the following screenshot. We want our presentation to begin by showing the green car. Then we want it to zoom out so that the next step shows the red car.

How to do it…

1. Switch to the Edit Path mode.
2. First, click on the smaller image to add it as a step to the path lane.
3. Then, select the larger image to add it as a step to the path lane.
4. Click on Present to see how Prezi first shows step 1 and then zooms out to show the bigger step 2.

Take a look at the following screenshot, where both cars have been added as steps; steps are shown in the path lane as thumbnails:

Zooming with frames

When we work in Prezi, we often need to zoom in or out to show a section or specific area of the canvas, rather than a single element. Sometimes the section that we want to show is small; sometimes it is a larger section.

This is easily done with frames. Frames are a fantastic tool because they put you in the driver’s seat. By carefully using frames, it is possible to target the exact area of the canvas that we want to show.

In the following text and recipes, we will be using a red bracket frame for most purposes. That is because we want to ensure that the frame is clearly visible to you.

Normally in Prezi, the reality about zooms is that we typically use invisible frames. Invisible frames are our favorite for zooming purposes because they do not interfere with style, colors, or the general design of our prezi.

Take a look at the following screenshot, where the invisible frames on the car to the right do not disturb the design:

Zooming out with frames

It is easy to zoom out to any section on the canvas using frames. All you have to do is frame the section that you want to show. Then set that frame as a step, and you are ready to go to that frame in the Present mode, where Prezi will show the chosen (framed) section of the canvas.

Getting ready

Perform the following steps on a new prezi:

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Delete any existing frames.
3. Insert an image, sizing it as you please.

How to do it…

1. In the top-left corner, choose a frame type in the Frame drop-down menu (you may use any type).
2. Click on the frame icon to insert the frame into the canvas.
3. Insert and adjust the frame so that it encloses the image and leaves a nice amount of space around it.
4. Switch to the Edit Path mode.
5. First, select the image to add it as a step to the path lane.
6. Then select the frame around the image to add it as step 2 to the path lane.
7. Click on Present to see how Prezi shows step 1 (the image) and then zooms out to step 2 (the frame).

The frame around the car, as shown in the following screenshot, enables us to zoom out:

There’s more…

Overviews are used a lot in most Prezi presentations. The overview can be of a portion of the information on the canvas, such as a chapter overview, or it can include your entire Prezi. Overviews are great because they help your audience get just that—an overview!

It is easy to create an overview. Just frame the section of the canvas that you want to show, add it to the path, and that’s it!

The following is a screenshot showing an overview of all the images we have used so far in this article:

Zooming in with frames

It is easy to zoom in or out to any section on the canvas using frames. Just frame the section that you want to show and set that frame as a step.

This recipe demonstrates how to zoom in. We will be zooming into a detail of a car, but you can use these steps to perform any movement from a larger section to a smaller section on the canvas.

Getting ready

Perform the following steps on a new prezi:

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Insert an image.
3. Delete any existing frames.

How to do it…

1. In the top-left corner, choose a frame type in the Frame drop-down menu (you may use any type).
2. Click on the frame icon to insert the frame on the canvas.
3. Drag the frame onto a detail of the image.
4. Resize the frame to your liking by pulling any of the four corner markers of the frame.
5. Switch to the Edit Path mode.
6. Now select the image to add it as a step to the path lane.
7. Then select your new frame to add it as step 2 to the path lane.
8. Click on Present to see how Prezi shows step 1 (the full image) and then zooms in to show step 2 (the frame).

Take a look at the following screenshot, where the full image of the car is step 1 and the frame is step 2:

When you click on Present, the prezi will show the car (step 1) and then zoom in to show the frame (step 2), allowing you to see the wheel closely.

Turns

Prezi allows us to create turning effects.

The turn feature makes it possible to change directions as we move forward in the presentation.

Turns have the potential of adding great dynamics to your Prezi presentation. If used correctly, turns can be a powerful tool that actively support your message.

The following recipes will show you how to easily create turns for elements and frames. Towards the end of the article, we will also show you how combining frames and turns create interesting effects.

In Appendix B, Transitions, we will show you how to integrate zooms and turns with your overall design.

How it works…

When you place an element on the canvas, it is not turned. It is in its original or “right-way-up” position.

Now suppose you switch to Present mode, and begin moving forward through the steps in your presentation. When a step is shown, the element that is that is this step will always be shown at its original (right-way-up) position, no matter how much you turned it on the canvas.

So, if the elements actually do not turn, how does Prezi create this turning effect? Well, as we are about to see, it is actually the canvas that is being turned. Read on!

There’s more…

When we refer to elements that can be turned, it is important to keep in mind that this can be any element that you can put on the canvas. Images, videos, PDF files, text elements, and frames are all elements that can be turned.

Confused? Don’t be! Try it out on your canvas. It’s pretty easy, and you’ll quickly get the hang of it.

Turning an element

Turns create a feel of action that is great for grabbing the attention of your audience. Fortunately, you can easily turn any selected element on the canvas. For this recipe, we will be using an image.

Getting ready

Perform the following steps on a new prezi:

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Delete any existing frames.
3. Insert an image.
4. Notice how the image looks on the canvas in its right-way-up position.

How to do it…

• Click on the image to select it.
• Hover over any one of the square-shaped corner markers.
• This activates the turning tool (the circle handle).
• Grab the turning tool and drag it up or down to turn the image.
• Place the image in its final position by releasing your mouse key.

The turning handle is shown in the following screenshot. Use it to drag up or down to turn the selected element:

Turning a frame

Any element on the canvas can be turned. This applies to frames as well. Practice by experimenting, and you will gradually develop a good sense of how turned frames work on the canvas.

Getting ready

Perform the following steps on a new prezi:

1. Open a new blank prezi.
2. Insert any frame (except the circle frame, which makes it difficult to notice the turn).

How to do it…

1. Click on the frame to select it.
2. Hover over any one of the square-shaped corner markers.
3. This activates the turning tool (the circle handle).
4. Grab the turning tool and drag it up or down to turn the frame.
5. Place it in its chosen final position by releasing your mouse button.

In the following screenshot, use the turning handle to drag up or down to turn the frame:

Anatomy of a turn

The following image provides an overview of the zooms and turns we discussed in this article:

Overview of elements and frames showing right-way-up and turned positions

To study the anatomy of turns, let’s take a look at the preceding screenshot:

Step	Element	Canvas	Path lane (and present mode)
1	Image	Right-way-up image	Image is shown right way up Image fills the screen
2	Image	Turned image	Image is shown right way up Canvas must turn Image fills the screen
3	Frame	Right-way-up frame	Frame is shown right way up Frame fills the screen
4	Frame	Turned frame	Frame is shown right way up Canvas must turn Frame fills the screen

There’s more…

If you need to edit a frame without affecting the content, you can do so by selecting only the frame. This is done by holding down the Alt key while using you mouse to select the frame. Once the frame is selected, you can edit its size and position (including turning) as it pleases you.

For more keyboard shortcuts, please refer to Appendix C, Keyboard Shortcuts.

Did you notice that other elements sometimes get highlighted when you turn an element? This reflects that their angle is similar to the element you are editing.

Combining turns for elements and frames

Take a look at the following screenshot, where turned elements that are steps make the canvas turn when in Present mode:

Step	Element	Canvas	Path lane (and present mode)
1	Frame	Frame is turned	Frame is shown right way up Canvas must turn Frame fills the screen
2	Image	Image is turned	Image is shown right way up Canvas must turn Image fills the screen

Zooms and turns can be combined in numerous ways, and the best way to get the feel of them is by experimenting on the canvas. Go for it!

Summary

In this article, we took a hands-on approach to the “how-to” of zooms and turns. When zooms and turns are used correctly, they become powerful tools that greatly enhance your prezi. We also showed you how to create them, how to combine them with each other, and how they are applied to all the elements we can insert onto the canvas.

Resources for Article:

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Further resources on this subject:

• The Fastest Way to Go from an Idea to a Prezi [article]
• Using Prezi – The Online Presentation Software Tool [article]
• Getting Started with Impressive Presentations/a> [article]

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