Choosing the Best Tool
MS PowerPoint, Adobe CC Express, & Alternatives
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Introduction
Introduction
Choosing the right software to create your video is a very important step in the creation process. We are going to cover the strengths and weaknesses of Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Creative Cloud Express (formerly Adobe Spark) for creating videos; two commonly used programs at Seneca College.
Often we may find that one software can not do all the things we need it do, but can do most of it. When this is the case, it is good to balance the changes you might need to make to the project with the software's capabilities.
What Is On This Page?
What Is On This Page?
MS PowerPoint and Adobe CC Express
MS PowerPoint and Adobe CC Express
At Seneca College and the Seneca Sandbox we primarily support Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe CC Express Video. These are freely available to all Seneca students, and both make creating videos easy and quick.
MS PowerPoint
MS PowerPoint
You may already be familiar with PowerPoint as a presentation tool, but did you know you can also create presentation videos and even animations? Microsoft PowerPoint can create amazing videos from scratch with a lot of room for customization.
You can check out the Sandbox webinar on Creating Videos with PowerPoint, or explore more possibilities with a quick YouTube search.
Access PowerPoint
Access PowerPoint
Enter your Seneca email address.
Enter your Seneca email address and password when prompted again.
You can start browsing previous presentations or a start a new one.
Why Choose PowerPoint?
Why Choose PowerPoint?
Strengths
Strengths
Industry standard software
Lots of opportunities for customization
Significantly more options
Collaborate with others
Easily reuse the content as traditional PowerPoint or export as MP4 video
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
Can require more effort to make it look good
Only able to export in video form as .mp4 and .wmv
Setting up isn’t as intuitive
Watch
Watch
This LinkedIn Learning video takes you through the reasons you might choose PowerPoint as a video making tool.
Access requires your Seneca username and password.
Adobe CC Express
Adobe CC Express
Adobe CC Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is an online platform that can help you quickly put together a professional looking video (as well as other content) by adding in images, text, narration, and music. It also allows for collaboration if you need to work as a group.
Access CC Express Video
Access CC Express Video
Select "Log in with your school account".
Enter your Seneca email address.
Select Company or School Account.
Enter your Seneca email address and password when prompted again.
To create a new video, Click the Add New symbol (the blue plus sign) and choose Video.
Why Choose Adobe CC Express?
Why Choose Adobe CC Express?
Strengths
Strengths
Free for Seneca students
Create a professional looking videos in minutes
Step by step directions throughout
Collaborate with others
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
Requires an internet connection
Not many opportunities for customization
Cannot record video directly in it
Only able to export as .mp4
Each “slide” can only be a maximum of 30 seconds long
Watch
Watch
This LinkedIn Learning video explains a bit about Adobe Creative Cloud Express and the benefits and limitations.
Access requires your Seneca username and password.
What if One Platform Can Not Do All the Things?
What if One Platform Can Not Do All the Things?
Sometimes one tool can not do everything we need it to do. When this happens you will want to balance the pros and cons of the software's capabilities.
Know Your Limits
Know Your Limits
Some limits are hard limits which are often set by your instructor. This might include length, type, and content. Some are soft limits, like our own desires for how we envision the final project. Some limits may just be convenience, because it is easier to do it one way versus another.
It is best to weigh your limits against the limitations of the software.
Example
Example
You are creating a video for a class assignment. According to your instructor, the video must be at least 3 minutes long (a hard limit), but the tool you have chosen only creates one minute videos. What do you do?
Knowing that the software does not immediately meet the needs of your limits, you decide you have two choices. You can either:
Creatively find a way around the limitation, or;
Choose a different tool.
With some creative problem solving and a little flexibility you can often find ways of making software work for you. But if the software you chose is not meeting your needs, do not be afraid to switch.
Watch
Watch
Videos are a fun creative project, and using creative problem solving we can not only get around the limitations of a tool but also find fun new ways to present our idea.
Exercise: Identifying Your Limits
Exercise: Identifying Your Limits
What Are Some Alternative Platforms To Use?
What Are Some Alternative Platforms To Use?
PowerPoint and Adobe Express are not the only video animation platforms available to you. There are countless other free, freemium, and premium video editing tools. Here are a few, in no particular order.
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