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Strategy: From the Drawing toolbar, select the 3-D dropdown. As shown in Fig. 1392, there are a variety of 3-D effects available.
I realize this is Excel and not PhotoShop, but you still have a fair amount of control. Choose the 3-D settings button from the dropdown to display the 3-D Settings toolbar, as shown in Fig. 1393.
The first icon turns the 3-D effect on or off. The next four icons control the tilt and rotation of the effect. Each click on the Tilt or Rotate icons rotates the shape five degrees.
The depth icon controls the depth of the 3-D effect. You can choose from presets or enter a custom value from 9600 to –600, as shown in Fig. 1394.
As shown in Fig. 1395, a depth setting of 9600 is like choosing Infinity on the dropdown.
A negative depth will cause the AutoShape to leap out of the page, as shown in Fig. 1396.
As shown in Fig. 1397, there are nine directional choices.
For Lighting, you can place one light in one of eight locations, as shown in Fig. 1398. Only the Bright light seems to have a noticeable effect. With the Normal or Dim light, you will barely be able to see the object.
As shown in Fig. 1399, the Surface icon offers Matte, Plastic, Metal, or Wire Frame options.
The 3-D color changes the color of the 3-D effect. If you have a yellow star and make the 3-D effect orange, then the face of the AutoShape is yellow while the 3-D surface is orange.
Gotcha: Once you select a 3-D effect, the shadow options are removed. You cannot have both a Shadow and 3-D.
Summary: To add a 3-D effect to an AutoShape, use the 3-D dropdown on the Drawing toolbar.
Commands Discussed: Toolbar – 3-D dropdown
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