When editing a slide you can make changes to the slide's background by clicking the "Background" option in the menu.
Theme Backgrounds
Each theme comes with four different background options. There are typically two dark backgrounds and two light backgrounds. One of these theme backgrounds will be assigned by default whenever you add a new slide. To select a different theme background, click the background's thumbnail and click "save".
Color
If you wish, you can select a custom solid color for your background. This custom color replaces the theme background that may be applied to slide.
Asset
You can place an image or video in the slide background. When you add an asset to the background, it it placed on top of the theme background or custom color. Video assets play automatically and loop in the published version.
After you have added a background asset, you have the option of making several adjustments to its appearance.
Background Size
By default, the asset fills the entire background. If the asset is too wide or too tall, the extra portions of the asset are hidden. If you want the entire asset to always be visible, select the "Contain" option.
Background Position
If a background asset is set to "Cover," there will almost always be portions of the asset that will be hidden. By default, the asset is anchored in the center of the background, and any hidden portions will be taken equally from either the left and right sides of the slide or the top and bottom (depending on the shape of the device on which you're viewing the slide). If you want to make sure a certain portion of the screen stays in view, you can change how the background is anchored. For example, if you selected "Left Bottom" the bottom left portion of the asset while the top and right-side portions of the asset are hidden.
Filter
Storycrafter offers a set of photographic filters that change the appearance of the asset.
Effect
You can apply visual effects to a background asset. These effects can be helpful, for example, if you wish to add contrast between a background and your foreground content. Here are some of the main types of effects:
- Darken. The brightness of the asset is reduced
- Screen. The asset is converted to grayscale and screened over the theme background (or custom color, if you have selected it). The light portions of the asset are visible over the background.
- Multiply. The asset is converted to grayscale and multiplied with the theme background (or custom color, if you have selected it). The dark portions of the asset are visible over the background.
Animation
You can add a subtle "Ken Burns" style animation to assets. This is especially helpful to give photographs more visual interest.