3D backgrounds

You can easily add instant atmosphere to any Prezi using a 3D background. The hardest part is selecting one or more images that will work well. Once you upload the images, Prezi takes care of the 3D effect and parallax movement for you. Let's take a look at how to do this.

Tip

You should use images that are at least 3000 pixels so that the background doesn't become pixelated as you zoom in on it.

A single 3D background

Creating a single 3D background is quick and easy:

1. Click on the Customize button on the Prezi menu. This will create a new menu on the right-hand side of the screen.
2. The first option on this new menu is for a background image. Click on the Choose file… button to bring up the file selection screen.
3. Select the file you would like to use as the background and either double-click on it or select Open.
4. Voilà! You now have your first background image.

As you scroll around the canvas, you'll be able to see that there is now a parallax effect. The items you've added to your Prezi move more quickly in relation to the background image.

The following is the Save the Ocean by Guilherme Criscuolo Prezi:

This Prezi Save the Ocean by Guilherme Criscuolo uses an ocean floor background to create atmosphere. In this screenshot, the text and turtle are elements that have been added to the presentation. Everything else is part of the background. When moving between path points, it almost looks like the turtle is moving through the ocean.

Note

To see this for yourself, visit https://prezi.com/pgh5a3xbuicm/save-the-ocean.

Multiple 3D backgrounds

If you want to use more than one background image, Prezi will automatically layer them for you. The process is similar to adding just one image, but requires a few extra steps:

1. Click on the Customize button on the Prezi menu. This will create a new menu on the right-hand side of the screen.
2. Scroll down to the very bottom of this new menu and click on the Advanced… button. This brings up a new Theme Wizard menu.
   
3. Ensure that you are in the Advanced menu section by clicking on the button at the bottom-left of this menu.
4. Next, go to the 3D Background text and click on Edit. You're now at a screen where you can upload up to 3 background images.
5. Click on Upload to browse for your first file to upload. You will see a thumbnail of the background once it's uploaded, and can now upload a second image.
6. Once you've uploaded at least two backgrounds, you can click on the Done button to finish. You'll need to click on Done in the Theme Wizard as well to return to the canvas and view your new background.

These new background images will be layered based on the level of zoom used. In other words, the first image is displayed when you are zoomed out. As you zoom further in, this background image will fade into the next one.

Tip

Using backgrounds

Changing backgrounds can be particularly effective when you're trying to highlight a point or change in the story, or affect the atmosphere of your presentation. This is achieved particularly well by background images that are significantly different in color. For example, moving from a dark background to a light background can create a strong impact at an important turn of events in your presentation.

3D backgrounds can quickly and easily add a professional polish to any presentation. Yet, there is also a lot of room to be creative in more advanced uses of these backgrounds, such as hiding surprise elements that can only be found if a user manually moves around your Pezi.