Keynote users: Creating a Master Slide from an existing slide ?

[tuqqer]

Sometimes, I create a great-looking slide that has everything in the right place, and I know I'll want to use it as a Master Slide, so that I can apply it to other slides that I create.

Is there any way to turn a slide into a Master Slide? If not, is there a way to at least easily add the elements and positions in that slide to a new Master Slide?

Currently, if I try to copy and paste elements (Text boxes, images, etc) into a new Master slide, nothing occurs.

Any ideas?

(using Keynote 3.0.2)

[Ken Sp.]

Will it work if you use the "save as theme" ?

[mrbigstuff]

where's chas_m? he's proficient at Keynote.

[tuqqer]

[quote Ken Sp.]Will it work if you use the "save as theme" ?
I don't think so. Seems to save the whole slideshow, instead of just adding a new Master Slide based on one I've created.

[chas_m]

Creating a new master slide is easy, but doesn't work quite as intuitively as one might like.

Basically you go to the View Menu to show the existing Master slides, find one that is blank (or has the elements you want to include already), select it and then hit "New" in the toolbar (or go to the Slide menu and select "New Master Slide").

Give the newly-created master slide a distinct name, gussy it up till you're happy with it (using the Inspector as you would any other slide), and don't forget to click the checkbox called "allow objects to layer on slide with master."

That's basically it. For more detail, search the Help for "master slide."

[tuqqer]

thanks, chas_m. Two other questions:

1. is there any way to easily bring in elements to this new Master Slide from an existing slide. I'm not finding any method (drag n drop, copy/paste) working. So far, the only method is to write down the exact location of each element (X/Y axis numbers), font size, color, etc., and the recreate these elements from scratch.

2. I've seen that checkbox you refer to ("allow objects to layer on slide with master"), but I can't figure out what it does. Do you have a clearer explanation?

[tuqqer]

Found the answer from Brian Peat, one of the top Keynote gurus:

"The only thing that WILL NOT copy are title boxes and body boxes. My guess is those are the two things you're trying to copy. Also, if you select multiple objects and one of those is either a title or a body box, NONE of the items will copy (the system will beep at you).

It's a pain, but I've found I have to copy the style of the box and then write down the measurements of it and resize the one on the Master based on the measurements of the original, then paste on the style."