Overview

TeXPower is a bundle of style and class files for creating dynamic online presentations with LaTeX written by Stephan Lehmke. It's very powerful (544 kb) and as far as we know quite unique. However, there are some other options:

• Ppower4 - A program written in Java that post processes (La)TeX files formatted with pdf(la)tex to be able to build pages step by step during a presentation. [Free]
• Beamer - An excellent LaTeX class that supports dynamic effects (for both ps- and pdf-documents). [Free]
• Prosper - A LaTeX class that supports dynamic effects (for both ps- and pdf-documents). [Free]
• Utopia PDF Presentations Bundle - provides accessories which facilitate the production of PowerPoint-like presentations from (La)TeX source. [Commercial]

The TeXPower package (texpower.sty) is the main part of the bundle - enabling dynamic effects in ps and pdf documents produced from LaTeX. In addition there is a "power" seminar class (powersem.cls), a support package for the seminar class (fixseminar.sty), a package for easy dynamic lists (tplists.sty) and a package for using L. Lamports "slifonts" as text and math fonts (tpslifonts.sty). No post-processing or additional tools are needed - your standard TeX distribution will do.

Details

Documentation

The documentation for each version of the TeXPower bundle is included in the download (texpower-X.Y.Z.tar.gz). However, the newest version of the files are always available here:

• The manual includes information for all parts of the TeXPower bundle.
• The full demo illustrates most features in TeXPower and includes the manual.
• The FAQ (for screen viewing) - it's also available for printout.
• The texpower package implementation details.
• The powersem class implementation details.
• The tplists package user documentation and implementation details.
• The tpslifonts package user documentation and implementation details.

In addition you might want to take a look at the lecture Stephan Lehmke gave at LUT in Finland, September 2003. The zip files contains the talk and some examples (including source code).

Project tools

On the TeXPower project page you'll find:

To improve the bundle it's important that we receive bug reports and any patches you may have written. Reporting bugs on the mailing list or in the forum is not recommended.

The old mailing list (texpower@ls6.cs.uni-dortmund.de) is archived at The Mail Archive.

Search Forum, Mailing List and Trackers

Background

TeX is a computer language designed for use in typesetting; in particular, for typesetting math and other technical material. The TeX program itself is a macro compiler, and it's input consists of a stream of mixed commands and text. The most popular macro set is LaTeX.

For more information about why you should use (La)TeX read the TeX Advocacy FAQ written by Dr. Idris S Hamid from Colorado State University, and Why TeX? written by Jim Hefferon from St Michael's College.

Examples

Together with the TeXPower bundle there are several examples showing different effects and how to use TeXPower with different classes/packages.

Take a look in the doc directory or select an example from the list below. The source (tex code) for the examples are included in the TeXPower bundle.

NB! Viewing the examples inside you browser is not recommended. Save to disc and launch your pdf viewer outside the browser. The reason is that some dynamic effects are only available in full-screen mode.

• bckwrdexample - Writing text backwards.
• bgndexample - Structured rules, box and page backgrounds.
• divexample - Divisibility demo. (Just for fun.)
• fancyexample - Fancy text demo. (Just for fun.) Formerly called fancystep.
• foilsdemo - Using TeXPower with foils.
• hilitexample - Highlighting text.
• ifmslidemo - Using TeXPower with ifmslide.
• mathexample - An aligned equation stepwise.
• panelexample - Using the panels in TeXPower.
• spanelexample - A simple panel in TeXPower. Formerly called simplepanel.
• parexample - Text inside a paragraph.
• pdfscrdemo - Using TeXPower with pdfscreen.
• pdfslidemo - Using TeXPower with pdflside.
• picexample - A stepwise picture.
• pp4sldemo - Using TeXPower with pp4slide.
• prosperdemo - Using TeXPower with prosper.
• seminardemo - Using TeXPower with seminar. (It's recommended to use powersem coming with the TeXPower bundle.)
• simpledemo - A basic demonstration of TeXPower.
• slidesdemo - Using TeXPower with slides.
• slifontsexample - Demonstrartion of the tpslifonts package (coming with the TeXPower bundle.)
• tabexample - A tabular example, filling out the table stepwise.
• verbexample - An example using the fragilesteps environment to display Java code stepwise (with listings).

Showcases

Several users have contributed real-life presentations created with TeXPower. Take a look in the gallery directory.