Picture Frame

A picture frame is a shape that contains an image—it is like a picture in a frame.

You can add an image to a slide through a picture frame. This way, you get to format the image by formatting the picture frame.

Tip

Aspose provides free converters—JPEG to PowerPoint and PNG to PowerPoint—that allow people to create presentations quickly from images.

Create Picture Frame

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a slide’s reference through its index.
3. Create an IPPImage object by adding an image to the IImagescollection associated with the presentation object that will be used to fill the shape.
4. Specify the image’s width and height.
5. Create a PictureFrame based on the image’s width and height through the AddPictureFrame method exposed by the shape object associated with the referenced slide.
6. Add a picture frame (containing the picture) to the slide.
7. Write the modified presentation as a PPTX file.

This C# code shows you how to create a picture frame:

// Instantiates the Presentation class that represents a PPTX file
using (Presentation pres = new Presentation())
{
    // Gets the first slide
    ISlide slide = pres.Slides[0];

    // Loads an image and adds it to the presentation image collection
    IImage image = Images.FromFile("aspose-logo.jpg");
    IPPImage ppImage = pres.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    // Adds a picture frame with the same height and width
    IPictureFrame pictureFrame = slide.Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle, 50, 150, ppImage.Width, ppImage.Height, ppImage);

    // Applies some formatting to the picture frame
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.FillFormat.FillType = FillType.Solid;
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.FillFormat.SolidFillColor.Color = Color.Blue;
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.Width = 20;
    pictureFrame.Rotation = 45;

    // Writes the presentation to a PPTX file
    pres.Save("RectPicFrameFormat_out.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

Picture frames allow you to quickly create presentation slides based on images. When you combine picture frame with the save options Aspose.Slides, you can manipulate input/output operations to convert images from one format to another. You may want to see these pages: convert image to JPG; convert JPG to image; convert JPG to PNG, convert PNG to JPG; convert PNG to SVG, convert SVG to PNG.

Create Picture Frame with Relative Scale

By altering an image’s relative scaling, you can create a more complicated picture frame.

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a slide’s reference through its index.
3. Add an image to the presentation image collection.
4. Create an IPPImage object by adding an image to the IImagescollection associated with the presentation object that will be used to fill the shape.
5. Specify the image’s relative width and height in the picture frame.
6. Write the modified presentation as a PPTX file.

This C# code shows you how to create a picture frame with relative scale:

// Instantiates the Presentation class that represents a PPTX file
using (Presentation presentation = new Presentation())
{
    // Loads an image and adds it to the presentation image collection
    IImage image = Images.FromFile("aspose-logo.jpg");
    IPPImage ppImage = presentation.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    // Adds a picture frame to the slide
    IPictureFrame pictureFrame = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle, 50, 50, 100, 100, ppImage);

    // Sets the relative scale width and height
    pictureFrame.RelativeScaleHeight = 0.8f;
    pictureFrame.RelativeScaleWidth = 1.35f;

    // Saves the presentation
    presentation.Save("Adding Picture Frame with Relative Scale_out.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

Extract Image from Picture Frame

You can extract images from PictureFrame objects and save them in PNG, JPG, and other formats. The code example below demonstrates how to extract an image from the document “sample.pptx” and save it in PNG format.

using (var presentation = new Presentation("sample.pptx"))
{
    var firstSlide = presentation.Slides[0];
    var firstShape = firstSlide.Shapes[0];

    if (firstShape is IPictureFrame pictureFrame)
    {
        var image = pictureFrame.PictureFormat.Picture.Image.SystemImage;
        image.Save("slide_1_shape_1.png", ImageFormat.Png);
    }
}

Get Transparency of Image

Aspose.Slides allows you to get the transparency effect applied to an image. This C# code demonstrates the operation:

using (var presentation = new Presentation("Test.pptx"))
{
    var pictureFrame = (IPictureFrame)presentation.Slides[0].Shapes[0];
    var imageTransform = pictureFrame.PictureFormat.Picture.ImageTransform;
    foreach (var effect in imageTransform)
    {
        if (effect is IAlphaModulateFixed alphaModulateFixed)
        {
            var transparencyValue = 100 - alphaModulateFixed.Amount;
            Console.WriteLine("Picture transparency: " + transparencyValue);
        }
    }
}

All effects applied to images can be found in Aspose.Slides.Effects.

Picture Frame Formatting

Aspose.Slides provides many formatting options that can be applied to a picture frame. Using those options, you can alter a picture frame to make it match specific requirements.

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a slide’s reference through its index.
3. Create an IPPImage object by adding an image to the IImagescollection associated with the presentation object that will be used to fill the shape.
4. Specify the image’s width and height.
5. Create a PictureFrame based on the image’s width and height through the AddPictureFrame method exposed by the IShapes object associated with the referenced slide.
6. Add the picture frame (containing the picture) to the slide.
7. Set the picture frame’s line color.
8. Set the picture frame’s line width.
9. Rotate the picture frame by giving it either a positive or negative value.
   • A positive value rotates the image clockwise.
   • A negative value rotates the image anti-clockwise.
10. Add the picture frame (containing the picture) to the slide.
11. Write the modified presentation as a PPTX file.

This C# code demonstrates the picture frame formatting process:

// Instantiates the Presentation class that represents a PPTX file
using (Presentation presentation = new Presentation())
{
    // Gets the first slide
    ISlide slide = presentation.Slides[0];

    // Loads an image and adds it to the presentation image collection
    IImage image = Images.FromFile("aspose-logo.jpg");
    IPPImage ppImage = presentation.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    // Adds a picture frame with the picture's equivalent height and width
    IPictureFrame pictureFrame = slide.Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle, 50, 150, ppImage.Width, ppImage.Height, ppImage);

    // Applies some formatting to the picture frame
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.FillFormat.FillType = FillType.Solid;
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.FillFormat.SolidFillColor.Color = Color.Blue;
    pictureFrame.LineFormat.Width = 20;
    pictureFrame.Rotation = 45;

    // Writes the presentation to a PPTX file
    presentation.Save("RectPicFrameFormat_out.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

Aspose recently developed a free Collage Maker. If you ever need to merge JPG/JPEG or PNG images, create grids from photos, you can use this service.

Add Image as Link

To avoid large presentation sizes, you can add images (or videos) through links instead of embedding the files directly into presentations. This C# code shows you how to add an image and video into a placeholder:

using (var presentation = new Presentation("input.pptx"))
{
    var shapesToRemove = new List<IShape>();
    int shapesCount = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.Count;

    for (var i = 0; i < shapesCount; i++)
    {
        var autoShape = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes[i];

        if (autoShape.Placeholder == null)
        {
            continue;
        }

        switch (autoShape.Placeholder.Type)
        {
            case PlaceholderType.Picture:
                var pictureFrame = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle,
                        autoShape.X, autoShape.Y, autoShape.Width, autoShape.Height, null);

                pictureFrame.PictureFormat.Picture.LinkPathLong =
                    "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/I.M_at_Old_School_Public_Broadcasting_in_October_2016_02.jpg";

                shapesToRemove.Add(autoShape);
                break;

            case PlaceholderType.Media:
                var videoFrame = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.AddVideoFrame(
                    autoShape.X, autoShape.Y, autoShape.Width, autoShape.Height, "");

                videoFrame.PictureFormat.Picture.LinkPathLong =
                    "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/I.M_at_Old_School_Public_Broadcasting_in_October_2016_02.jpg";

                videoFrame.LinkPathLong = "https://youtu.be/t_1LYZ102RA";

                shapesToRemove.Add(autoShape);
                break;
        }
    }

    foreach (var shape in shapesToRemove)
    {
        presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.Remove(shape);
    }

    presentation.Save("output.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

Crop Image

This C# code shows you how to crop an existing image on a slide:

using (Presentation presentation = new Presentation())
{
    // Creates a new image object
    IImage image = Images.FromFile(imagePath);
    IPPImage newImage = presentation.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    // Adds a PictureFrame to a Slide
    IPictureFrame picFrame = presentation.Slides[0].Shapes.AddPictureFrame(
        ShapeType.Rectangle, 100, 100, 420, 250, newImage);

    // Crops the image (percentage values)
    picFrame.PictureFormat.CropLeft = 23.6f;
    picFrame.PictureFormat.CropRight = 21.5f;
    picFrame.PictureFormat.CropTop = 3;
    picFrame.PictureFormat.CropBottom = 31;

    // Saves the result
    presentation.Save("PictureFrameCrop.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

Delete Cropped Areas of Picture

If you want to delete the cropped areas of an image contained in a frame, you can use the IPictureFillFormat.DeletePictureCroppedAreas method. This method returns the cropped image or the origin image if cropping is unnecessary.

This C# code demonstrates the operation:

using (Presentation presentation = new Presentation("PictureFrameCrop.pptx"))
{
    ISlide slide = presentation.Slides[0];

    // Gets the PictureFrame from the first slide
    IPictureFrame picFrame = slide.Shapes[0] as IPictureFrame;

    // Deletes cropped areas of the PictureFrame image and returns the cropped image
    IPPImage croppedImage = picFrame.PictureFormat.DeletePictureCroppedAreas();

    // Saves the result
    presentation.Save("PictureFrameDeleteCroppedAreas.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}

NOTE

The IPictureFillFormat.DeletePictureCroppedAreas method adds the cropped image to the presentation image collection. If the image is only used in the processed PictureFrame, this setup can reduce the presentation size. Otherwise, the number of images in the resulting presentation will increase.

This method converts WMF/EMF metafiles to raster PNG image in the cropping operation.

Lock Aspect Ratio

If you want a shape containing an image to retain its aspect ratio even after you change the image dimensions, you can use the IPictureFrameLock.AspectRatioLocked property to set the Lock Aspect Ratio setting.

This C# code shows you how to lock a shape’s aspect ratio:

using (Presentation pres = new Presentation("pres.pptx"))
{
    ILayoutSlide layout = pres.LayoutSlides.GetByType(SlideLayoutType.Custom);
    ISlide emptySlide = pres.Slides.AddEmptySlide(layout);

    IImage image = Images.FromFile("image.png");
    IPPImage presImage = pres.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    IPictureFrame pictureFrame = emptySlide.Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle, 50, 150, presImage.Width, presImage.Height, presImage);

    // Sets shape to preserve aspect ratio on resizing
    pictureFrame.PictureFrameLock.AspectRatioLocked = true;
}

NOTE

This Lock Aspect Ratio setting preserves only the aspect ratio of the shape and not the image it contains.

Use StretchOff Property

Using the StretchOffsetLeft, StretchOffsetTop, StretchOffsetRight, and StretchOffsetBottom properties from the IPictureFillFormat interface and PictureFillFormat class, you can specify a fill rectangle.

When stretching is specified for an image, a source rectangle is scaled to fit the specified fill rectangle. Each edge of the fill rectangle is defined by a percentage offset from the corresponding edge of the shape’s bounding box. A positive percentage specifies an inset while a negative percentage specifies an outset.

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a slide’s reference through its index.
3. Add a rectangle AutoShape.
4. Create an image.
5. Set the shape’s fill type.
6. Set the shape’s picture fill mode.
7. Add a set image to fill the shape.
8. Specify image offsets from the corresponding edge of the shape’s bounding box
9. Write the modified presentation as a PPTX file.

This C# code demonstrates a process in which a StretchOff property is used:

using (Presentation pres = new Presentation())
{
    IImage image = Images.FromFile("image.png");
    IPPImage ppImage = pres.Images.AddImage(image);
    image.Dispose();

    IPictureFrame pictureFrame = pres.Slides[0].Shapes.AddPictureFrame(ShapeType.Rectangle, 10, 10, 400, 400, ppImage);

    // Sets the image stretched from each side in the shape body
    pictureFrame.PictureFormat.PictureFillMode = PictureFillMode.Stretch;
    pictureFrame.PictureFormat.StretchOffsetLeft = 24;
    pictureFrame.PictureFormat.StretchOffsetRight = 24;
    pictureFrame.PictureFormat.StretchOffsetTop = 24;
    pictureFrame.PictureFormat.StretchOffsetBottom = 24;

    pres.Save("imageStretch.pptx", SaveFormat.Pptx);
}