pptx-posters

SKILL.md

PPTX Research Posters (HTML-Based)

Overview

⚠️ USE THIS SKILL ONLY WHEN USER EXPLICITLY REQUESTS PPTX/POWERPOINT POSTER FORMAT.

For standard research posters, use the latex-posters skill instead, which provides better typographic control and is the default for academic conferences.

This skill creates research posters using HTML/CSS, which can then be exported to PDF or converted to PowerPoint format. The web-based approach offers:

Modern, responsive layouts

Easy integration of AI-generated visuals

Quick iteration and preview in browser

Export to PDF via browser print function

Conversion to PPTX if specifically needed

When to Use This Skill
ONLY use this skill when:

User explicitly requests "PPTX poster", "PowerPoint poster", or "PPT poster"

User specifically asks for HTML-based poster

User needs to edit poster in PowerPoint after creation

LaTeX is not available or user requests non-LaTeX solution

DO NOT use this skill when:

User asks for a "poster" without specifying format → Use latex-posters

User asks for "research poster" or "conference poster" → Use latex-posters

User mentions LaTeX, tikzposter, beamerposter, or baposter → Use latex-posters

AI-Powered Visual Element Generation

STANDARD WORKFLOW: Generate ALL major visual elements using AI before creating the HTML poster.

This is the recommended approach for creating visually compelling posters:

Plan all visual elements needed (hero image, intro, methods, results, conclusions)

Generate each element using scientific-schematics or Nano Banana Pro

Assemble generated images in the HTML template

Add text content around the visuals

Target: 60-70% of poster area should be AI-generated visuals, 30-40% text.

CRITICAL: Poster-Size Font Requirements

⚠️ ALL text within AI-generated visualizations MUST be poster-readable.

When generating graphics for posters, you MUST include font size specifications in EVERY prompt. Poster graphics are viewed from 4-6 feet away, so text must be LARGE.

MANDATORY prompt requirements for EVERY poster graphic:

POSTER FORMAT REQUIREMENTS (STRICTLY ENFORCE):
- ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)
- ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 10 words total in the entire graphic
- NO complex workflows with 5+ steps (split into 2-3 simple graphics instead)
- NO multi-level nested diagrams (flatten to single level)
- NO case studies with multiple sub-sections (one key point per case)
- ALL text GIANT BOLD (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)
- High contrast ONLY (dark on white OR white on dark, NO gradients with text)
- MANDATORY 50% white space minimum (half the graphic should be empty)
- Thick lines only (5px+ minimum), large icons (200px+ minimum)
- ONE SINGLE MESSAGE per graphic (not 3 related messages)

⚠️ BEFORE GENERATING: Review your prompt and count elements

If your description has 5+ items → STOP. Split into multiple graphics

If your workflow has 5+ stages → STOP. Show only 3-4 high-level steps

If your comparison has 4+ methods → STOP. Show only top 3 or Our vs Best Baseline

Example - WRONG (7-stage workflow):

# ❌ Creates tiny unreadable text
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Drug discovery workflow: Stage 1 Target ID, Stage 2 Synthesis, Stage 3 Screening, Stage 4 Lead Opt, Stage 5 Validation, Stage 6 Clinical Trial, Stage 7 FDA Approval with metrics." -o figures/workflow.png

Example - CORRECT (3 mega-stages):

# ✅ Same content, simplified to readable poster format
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word in GIANT bold (120pt+). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. ONLY these 3 words. NO substeps. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/workflow_simple.png

CRITICAL: Preventing Content Overflow

⚠️ POSTERS MUST NOT HAVE TEXT OR CONTENT CUT OFF AT EDGES.

Prevention Rules:

1. Limit Content Sections (MAXIMUM 5-6 sections):

✅ GOOD - 5 sections with room to breathe:
   - Title/Header
   - Introduction/Problem
   - Methods
   - Results (1-2 key findings)
   - Conclusions

❌ BAD - 8+ sections crammed together

2. Word Count Limits:

Per section: 50-100 words maximum

Total poster: 300-800 words MAXIMUM

If you have more content: Cut it or make a handout

Core Capabilities

1. HTML/CSS Poster Design

The HTML template (assets/poster_html_template.html) provides:

Fixed poster dimensions (36×48 inches = 2592×3456 pt)

Professional header with gradient styling

Three-column content layout

Block-based sections with modern styling

Footer with references and contact info

2. Poster Structure

Standard Layout:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  HEADER: Title, Authors, Hero Image     │
├─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┤
│ Introduction│   Results   │  Discussion │
│             │             │             │
│   Methods   │   (charts)  │ Conclusions │
│             │             │             │
│  (diagram)  │   (data)    │   (summary) │
├─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┤
│  FOOTER: References & Contact Info      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

3. Visual Integration

Each section should prominently feature AI-generated visuals:

Hero Image (Header):

<img src="figures/hero.png" class="hero-image">

Section Graphics:

<div class="block">
  <h2 class="block-title">Methods</h2>
  <div class="block-content">
    <img src="figures/workflow.png" class="block-image">
    <ul>
      <li>Brief methodology point</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

4. Generating Visual Elements

Before creating the HTML, generate all visual elements:

# Create figures directory
mkdir -p figures

# Hero image - SIMPLE, impactful
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Hero banner: '[TOPIC]' in HUGE text (120pt+). Dark blue gradient background. ONE iconic visual. Minimal text. Readable from 15 feet." -o figures/hero.png

# Introduction visual - ONLY 3 elements
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE visual with ONLY 3 icons: [icon1] → [icon2] → [icon3]. ONE word labels (80pt+). 50% white space. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/intro.png

# Methods flowchart - ONLY 4 steps
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE flowchart with ONLY 4 boxes: STEP1 → STEP2 → STEP3 → STEP4. GIANT labels (100pt+). Thick arrows. 50% white space. NO sub-steps." -o figures/workflow.png

# Results visualization - ONLY 3 bars
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE bar chart with ONLY 3 bars: BASELINE (70%), EXISTING (85%), OURS (95%). GIANT percentages ON bars (120pt+). NO axis, NO legend. 50% white space." -o figures/results.png

# Conclusions - EXACTLY 3 key findings
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. EXACTLY 3 cards: '95%' (150pt) 'ACCURACY' (60pt), '2X' (150pt) 'FASTER' (60pt), checkmark 'READY' (60pt). 50% white space. NO other text." -o figures/conclusions.png

Workflow for PPTX Poster Creation

Stage 1: Planning

Confirm PPTX is explicitly requested

Determine poster requirements:

Size: 36×48 inches (most common) or A0

Orientation: Portrait (most common)

Develop content outline:

Identify 1-3 core messages

Plan 3-5 visual elements

Draft minimal text (300-800 words total)

Stage 2: Generate Visual Elements (AI-Powered)

CRITICAL: Generate SIMPLE figures with MINIMAL content.

mkdir -p figures

# Generate each element with POSTER FORMAT specifications
# (See examples in Section 4 above)

Stage 3: Create HTML Poster

Copy the template:

cp skills/pptx-posters/assets/poster_html_template.html poster.html

Update content:

Replace placeholder title and authors

Insert AI-generated images

Add minimal supporting text

Update references and contact info

Preview in browser:

open poster.html  # macOS
# or
xdg-open poster.html  # Linux

Stage 4: Export to PDF

Browser Print Method:

Open poster.html in Chrome or Firefox

Print (Cmd/Ctrl + P)

Select "Save as PDF"

Set paper size to match poster dimensions

Remove margins

Enable "Background graphics"

Command Line (if Chrome available):

# Chrome headless PDF export
google-chrome --headless --print-to-pdf=poster.pdf \
  --print-to-pdf-no-header \
  --no-margins \
  poster.html

Stage 5: Convert to PPTX (If Required)

Option 1: PDF to PPTX conversion

# Using LibreOffice
libreoffice --headless --convert-to pptx poster.pdf

# Or use online converters for simple cases

Option 2: Direct PPTX creation with python-pptx

from pptx import Presentation
from pptx.util import Inches, Pt

prs = Presentation()
prs.slide_width = Inches(48)
prs.slide_height = Inches(36)

slide = prs.slides.add_slide(prs.slide_layouts[6])  # Blank

# Add images from figures/
slide.shapes.add_picture("figures/hero.png", Inches(0), Inches(0), width=Inches(48))
# ... add other elements

prs.save("poster.pptx")

HTML Template Structure

The provided template (assets/poster_html_template.html) includes:

CSS Variables for Customization

/* Poster dimensions */
body {
  width: 2592pt;   /* 36 inches */
  height: 3456pt;  /* 48 inches */
}

/* Color scheme - customize these */
.header {
  background: linear-gradient(135deg, #1a365d 0%, #2b6cb0 50%, #3182ce 100%);
}

/* Typography */
.poster-title { font-size: 108pt; }
.authors { font-size: 48pt; }
.block-title { font-size: 52pt; }
.block-content { font-size: 34pt; }

Key Classes

Class
Purpose
Font Size

.poster-title
Main title
108pt

.authors
Author names
48pt

.affiliations
Institutions
38pt

.block-title
Section headers
52pt

.block-content
Body text
34pt

.key-finding
Highlight box
36pt

Quality Checklist

Step 0: Pre-Generation Review (MANDATORY)

For EACH planned graphic, verify:

 Can describe in 3-4 items or less? (NOT 5+)

 Is it a simple workflow (3-4 steps, NOT 7+)?

 Can describe all text in 10 words or less?

 Does it convey ONE message (not multiple)?

Reject these patterns:

❌ "7-stage workflow" → Simplify to "3 mega-stages"

❌ "Multiple case studies" → One case per graphic

❌ "Timeline 2015-2024 annual" → "ONLY 3 key years"

❌ "Compare 6 methods" → "ONLY 2: ours vs best"

Step 2b: Post-Generation Review (MANDATORY)

For EACH generated figure at 25% zoom:

✅ PASS criteria (ALL must be true):

 Can read ALL text clearly

 Count: 3-4 elements or fewer

 White space: 50%+ empty

 Understand in 2 seconds

 NOT a complex 5+ stage workflow

 NOT multiple nested sections

❌ FAIL criteria (regenerate if ANY true):

 Text small/hard to read → Regenerate with "150pt+"

 More than 4 elements → Regenerate "ONLY 3 elements"

 Less than 50% white space → Regenerate "60% white space"

 Complex multi-stage → SPLIT into 2-3 graphics

 Multiple cases cramped → SPLIT into separate graphics

After Export

 NO content cut off at ANY of the 4 edges (check carefully)

 All images display correctly

 Colors render as expected

 Text readable at 25% scale

 Graphics look SIMPLE (not like complex 7-stage workflows)

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

AI-Generated Graphics Mistakes:

❌ Too many elements (10+ items) → Keep to 3-5 max

❌ Text too small → Specify "GIANT (100pt+)" in prompts

❌ No white space → Add "50% white space" to every prompt

❌ Complex flowcharts (8+ steps) → Limit to 4-5 steps

HTML/Export Mistakes:

❌ Content exceeding poster dimensions → Check overflow in browser

❌ Missing background graphics in PDF → Enable in print settings

❌ Wrong paper size in PDF → Match poster dimensions exactly

❌ Low-resolution images → Use 300 DPI minimum

Content Mistakes:

❌ Too much text (over 1000 words) → Cut to 300-800 words

❌ Too many sections (7+) → Consolidate to 5-6

❌ No clear visual hierarchy → Make key findings prominent

Integration with Other Skills

This skill works with:

Scientific Schematics: Generate all poster diagrams and flowcharts

Generate Image / Nano Banana Pro: Create stylized graphics and hero images

LaTeX Posters: DEFAULT skill for poster creation (use this instead unless PPTX explicitly requested)

Template Assets

Available in assets/ directory:

poster_html_template.html: Main HTML poster template (36×48 inches)

poster_quality_checklist.md: Pre-submission validation checklist

References

Available in references/ directory:

poster_content_guide.md: Content organization and writing guidelines

poster_design_principles.md: Typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy

poster_layout_design.md: Layout principles and grid systems