Reader Request: Autoshapes

Nick has requested some more information and screenshots about the Autoshapes feature available in Office 2007:

I’d like to see screenshots of the autoshapes – especially the flowcharting shapes. Have the graphics improved? Are the built-in 2-color gradient schemes better than the ugly ones that have been around since Excel 97?

I can say that there seems to be significantly more options available. Hopefully the screen shots available through the post will give you a better idea of what’s available. I think the graphics have greatly improved on previous versions, including the gradient fills as Nick asked.

First, let’s look at the collection of auto-shapes available

The drawing ribbon is shown below. I’ve divided it up into 3 sections so I didn’t lose any of the detail in the screen capture size for you:

And here’s the Shadow Effects options panel

More 3-D Effects are available:

And finally a quick screen shot showing a variety of shapes and modifications and colors