Extract Images from Presentation Shapes in Python

Overview

Images in a presentation can appear in several shape types: as ordinary picture frames, as picture fills applied to shapes, as OLE object preview images, as video or audio frame thumbnails, as zoom images, or as images nested inside table, chart, and SmartArt shapes. Aspose.Slides stores those images in the presentation image collection, exposed through ImageCollection and PPImage objects.

If you only need to export every image resource embedded in a presentation, iterate through presentation.images. This article focuses on a different task: traversing shapes to find where images are used on slides, so the saved files can keep useful context such as the slide number, shape position, and source type (picture frame, fill image, media preview, OLE preview, or zoom image).

Shared Helper Methods

The helper methods below keep the examples short. save_original_image writes the original embedded bytes, chooses a safe extension from the MIME type, and skips duplicate image binaries by SHA-256 hash.

import hashlib
import re
from pathlib import Path

import aspose.slides as slides
import aspose.slides.charts as charts
import aspose.slides.smartart as smartart


def save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes):
    image_data = bytes(image.binary_data)
    image_hash = hashlib.sha256(image_data).hexdigest()
    if image_hash in saved_image_hashes:
        return False

    saved_image_hashes.add(image_hash)
    extension = get_extension_from_content_type(image.content_type)
    file_name = f"{file_name_base}.{extension}"
    output_path = Path(output_directory) / file_name
    output_path.write_bytes(image_data)
    return True


def save_image_as_png(image, output_directory, file_name_base):
    file_name = f"{file_name_base}.png"
    output_path = Path(output_directory) / file_name
    image.image.save(str(output_path), slides.ImageFormat.PNG)


def get_picture_fill_image(fill_format):
    if fill_format is None or fill_format.fill_type != slides.FillType.PICTURE:
        return None

    return fill_format.picture_fill_format.picture.image


def enumerate_shapes(shapes, prefix, include_grouped_shapes):
    for shape_index, shape in enumerate(shapes, start=1):
        shape_name_part = f"{prefix}_shape_{shape_index}"
        yield shape, shape_name_part

        if include_grouped_shapes and isinstance(shape, slides.GroupShape):
            yield from enumerate_shapes(
                shape.shapes,
                shape_name_part,
                include_grouped_shapes)


def get_extension_from_content_type(content_type):
    if not content_type:
        return "bin"

    media_type = content_type.split(";")[0].strip().lower()
    extensions = {
        "image/jpeg": "jpg",
        "image/png": "png",
        "image/gif": "gif",
        "image/bmp": "bmp",
        "image/tiff": "tiff",
        "image/x-emf": "emf",
        "image/emf": "emf",
        "image/x-wmf": "wmf",
        "image/wmf": "wmf",
        "image/svg+xml": "svg",
    }

    if media_type in extensions:
        return extensions[media_type]

    if media_type.startswith("image/"):
        extension = media_type[len("image/"):]
        return make_safe_file_name_part(extension)

    return "bin"


def make_safe_file_name_part(value):
    return re.sub(r'[<>:"/\\|?*]', "_", value)

Extract Images from Picture Frames

Use this approach for pictures inserted as standalone objects. A PictureFrame stores its picture in picture_format.picture.image, which returns a PPImage object.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "extracted-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if type(shape) is slides.PictureFrame:
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                save_original_image(image, output_directory, name_part, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Images from Picture-Filled Shapes

Shapes can use a picture as their fill. Check the shape’s fill type first: if it is not FillType.PICTURE, there is no picture to extract from that fill. The example below handles AutoShape objects and saves each image as PNG through the image property of PPImage.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "shape-fill-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.AutoShape):
                image = get_picture_fill_image(shape.fill_format)
                if image is not None:
                    save_image_as_png(image, output_directory, name_part)

Extract Preview Images from OLE Object Frames

An OleObjectFrame can have a substitute picture that PowerPoint uses as the object’s preview on a slide. This image is available through substitute_picture_format.picture.image. Extracting this picture gives you the preview image, not the embedded OLE package contents.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "ole-preview-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.OleObjectFrame):
                image = shape.substitute_picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_ole_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Preview Images from Video Frames

A VideoFrame can also store a preview image in picture_format.picture.image. This is the poster or thumbnail shown on the slide, not a frame decoded from the video stream.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "video-preview-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.VideoFrame):
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_video_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Preview Images from Audio Frames

An AudioFrame can store a thumbnail in picture_format.picture.image. This is the image shown for the audio object on the slide.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "audio-preview-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.AudioFrame):
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_audio_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Images from Zoom Objects

ZoomFrame and SectionZoomFrame shapes can use custom images. Read zoom_image from the zoom frame.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "zoom-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.ZoomFrame) and shape.zoom_image is not None:
                file_name_base = f"{name_part}_zoom"
                save_original_image(shape.zoom_image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)
                continue

            if isinstance(shape, slides.SectionZoomFrame) and shape.zoom_image is not None:
                file_name_base = f"{name_part}_section_zoom"
                save_original_image(shape.zoom_image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)
                continue

Extract Images from Summary Zoom Frames

A SummaryZoomFrame is also a shape. Its section items can use custom images, exposed through each summary zoom section’s zoom_image property.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "summary-zoom-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=False):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.SummaryZoomFrame):
                section_count = len(shape.summary_zoom_collection)
                for section_index in range(section_count):
                    section = shape.summary_zoom_collection[section_index]
                    if section.zoom_image is not None:
                        display_index = section_index + 1
                        file_name_base = f"{name_part}_summary_zoom_{display_index}"
                        save_original_image(section.zoom_image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Images from Table Shapes

A Table is a shape. Images in a table are usually stored as picture fills in table cells.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "table-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=True):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.Table):
                row_count = len(shape.rows)
                column_count = len(shape.columns)
                for row_index in range(row_count):
                    for column_index in range(column_count):
                        cell = shape.rows[row_index][column_index]
                        image = get_picture_fill_image(cell.cell_format.fill_format)
                        if image is not None:
                            file_name_base = f"{name_part}_cell_{row_index + 1}_{column_index + 1}"
                            save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Images from Chart Shapes

A Chart is a shape. The example below extracts an image from the chart area’s picture fill.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "chart-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=True):
            if isinstance(shape, charts.Chart):
                fill_format = shape.fill_format
                image = get_picture_fill_image(fill_format)
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_chart_area"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Extract Images from SmartArt Shapes

A SmartArt object is a shape. Depending on the SmartArt layout, images may be stored in node bullet fills or in the fill formats of node shapes.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "smartart-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=True):
            if isinstance(shape, smartart.SmartArt):
                node_count = len(shape.all_nodes)
                for node_index in range(node_count):
                    node = shape.all_nodes[node_index]
                    bullet_image = get_picture_fill_image(node.bullet_fill_format)
                    if bullet_image is not None:
                        file_name_base = f"{name_part}_smartart_node_{node_index + 1}_bullet"
                        save_original_image(bullet_image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

                    node_shape_count = len(node.shapes)
                    for node_shape_index in range(node_shape_count):
                        node_shape = node.shapes[node_shape_index]
                        image = get_picture_fill_image(node_shape.fill_format)
                        if image is not None:
                            file_name_base = f"{name_part}_smartart_node_{node_index + 1}_shape_{node_shape_index + 1}"
                            save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

Include Images Inside Grouped Shapes

Grouped shapes contain their own shape collections. The shared enumerate_shapes helper has an include_grouped_shapes option. Set it to True when you want to inspect shapes inside GroupShape objects. The example below extracts images from picture frames, picture-filled shapes, OLE object previews, video frame thumbnails, and audio frame thumbnails. To include table, chart, SmartArt, and summary zoom images as well, reuse the specialized extraction logic from the previous sections while keeping the same recursive shape traversal.

input_path = "sample.pptx"
output_directory = Path.cwd() / "all-shape-images"
output_directory.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

saved_image_hashes = set()

with slides.Presentation(input_path) as presentation:
    for slide in presentation.slides:
        slide_prefix = f"slide_{slide.slide_number}"
        for shape, name_part in enumerate_shapes(
                slide.shapes,
                slide_prefix,
                include_grouped_shapes=True):
            if isinstance(shape, slides.OleObjectFrame):
                image = shape.substitute_picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_ole_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

                continue

            if isinstance(shape, slides.VideoFrame):
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_video_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

                continue

            if isinstance(shape, slides.AudioFrame):
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                if image is not None:
                    file_name_base = f"{name_part}_audio_preview"
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, file_name_base, saved_image_hashes)

                continue

            if type(shape) is slides.PictureFrame:
                image = shape.picture_format.picture.image
                save_original_image(image, output_directory, name_part, saved_image_hashes)
                continue

            if isinstance(shape, slides.AutoShape):
                image = get_picture_fill_image(shape.fill_format)
                if image is not None:
                    save_original_image(image, output_directory, name_part, saved_image_hashes)

Edge Cases and Practical Notes

  • Duplicate images: Multiple shapes may reference the same image or separate images with identical bytes. Hash the binary_data property of PPImage before writing files if you want one output file per unique image.
  • Original data vs. converted output: Saving the binary_data property of PPImage preserves the embedded JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, EMF, or WMF data. Saving the image property through save is useful when you want a consistent output format.
  • Unsupported fill types: Solid, gradient, pattern, and no-fill shapes do not contain a picture fill. Check FillType before reading picture_fill_format.
  • Grouped shapes: The top-level slide shape collection does not flatten groups. Recursively inspect GroupShape.shapes when grouped content matters.
  • OLE object previews: An OleObjectFrame may expose a preview image through substitute_picture_format, but that image is only the slide preview. It is not the embedded file inside the OLE object.
  • Video frame thumbnails: A VideoFrame may expose a preview image through picture_format, but that image is only the poster shown on the slide. It is not extracted from the video stream.
  • Audio frame thumbnails: An AudioFrame may expose an icon or thumbnail through picture_format; it is not the embedded audio data.
  • Zoom images: Slide zoom, section zoom, and summary zoom shapes may use custom PPImage objects through image.
  • Nested shape models: Table, chart, and SmartArt objects implement Shape, but their images are often stored in nested table cell, chart element, or SmartArt node formatting objects.
  • Cropped or transformed pictures: Accessing PPImage gives you the stored image resource. It does not render cropping, transparency, recoloring, rotation, or other visual effects applied by the shape.

FAQ

Can I extract the original image without cropping, effects, or shape transformations?

Yes. Access the PPImage object and write its binary_data property to disk. This preserves the original encoded image stored in the presentation, not the way the image is rendered on the slide.

Can I export every extracted image as PNG?

Yes. Use the image property of PPImage to get an image object, and then call save with ImageFormat.PNG. This converts the output and may not preserve the original file type or vector data.

How do I avoid saving the same image more than once?

Use a hash of the binary_data property of PPImage and keep the hashes in a set. If a new image has a hash that already exists, skip it or record another reference to the existing output file.

Why do some shapes not produce an image?

Picture frames, picture-filled shapes, OLE object frames, media frames, zoom frames, tables, charts, and SmartArt objects can reference images. Some shape types expose images through nested formatting objects, so a simple picture_format or shape fill_format check is not always enough.

Can I extract the thumbnail shown for a video frame?

Yes. Use VideoFrame and read picture_format.picture.image. This extracts the poster image stored with the video frame, not a frame generated from the video file.

How can I determine which shapes use a specific image from the presentation image collection?

Aspose.Slides does not store reverse links from PPImage to shapes. Build a mapping during traversal: whenever you find an image reference, record the slide number, shape path, and image hash or collection item.

Can I extract images embedded inside OLE objects, such as attached documents?

You can extract the OLE object’s slide preview from the substitute_picture_format property of OleObjectFrame. However, that preview is not the embedded document itself. To extract images from inside the embedded file, extract the OLE data and inspect it with tools for that file type.

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