How to make the Mach bands (Powerpoint)

This is an easy way to create the Mach bands (a gradient) with PowerPoint, which is well known for its mysterious light and dark lines. You can do it in a minute or two.

How to make the Mach bands (video)

In preparation.

How to make the Mach bands

1. Select “Shape” > “Basic Shape” > “Square/Rectangle” and draw a rectangle of your choice.
   • For the two-color version
     • Fill Shape: Fill (Gradient)
     • Type: Linear
     • Angle: 0°
     • Gradient juncture: Create four (press + or – to adjust the number)
       1. Color: “White”, Position: 0%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -5%
       2. Color: White, Position: 45%, Transparency: 0%, Bightness: -5%
       3. Color: White, Position: 55%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -50%
       4. Color: White, Position: 100%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -50%

• For the two-color version
  • Fill Shape: Fill (Gradient).
  • Type: Linear
  • Angle: 0°
  • Gradient juncture: Create four (press + or – to adjust the number)
    1. Color: White, Position: 0%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -5%
    2. Color: White, Position: 30%, Transparency: 0%, Bightness: -5%
    3. Color: White, Position: 35%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -25%
    4. Color: White, Position: 65%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -25%
    5. Color: White, Position: 70%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -50%
    6. Color: White, Position: 100%, Transparency: 0%, Brightness: -50%

• You can increase the number of branches of the gradient according to your preference.

File

The images and PowerPoint files I created are placed below. Please feel free to use them (within the terms of use).

Reference

Ratliff, F. (1965). Mach bands: quantitative studies on neural networks. Retina. San Francisco, CA: Holden-Day.
http://marcopiccolino.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ratliff-Mach-prefazione-LOW.pdf
(Foreword and cover only)

Mach, E. (1865). Über die Wirkung der räumlichen Vertheilung des Lichtreizes auf die Netzhaut. In: Sitzungsberichte der mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Classe der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. 52, S. 303-322.
https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=yg45AAAAcAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=ja&source=gbs_ViewAPI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false