The PowerPoint® Blog

There has been an increase in requests for help with distorted images. I believe a big reason is the shift from 4×3 to 16×9, and images becoming stretched when the page setup is changed.

Here is the TLC image that has been inserted onto a 4×3 slide.

When I change the page setup from 4×3 to 16×9, images distort and the TLC logo looks like this:

Note: With PowerPoint 2013, there are some really great aspect ratio conversion options built in, and for PPT 2007/2010 users, there are some very helpful 3rd party add-ins that make the aspect ratio conversion much easier. All are created to help you from starting on the left and getting the image on the right:

To restore any inserted image to its original aspect ratio:

1. Right-click the image and select FORMAT PICTURE

2. From the Format Picture Dialog, go to the SIZE AND PROPERTIES tab

3. Click the RESET button

The image will reset to the original inserted size (which also means all effects – shadow, bevel, brightness are removed). Resize the image to fit the slide content area for images that look proportionally correct!

– Troy @ TLC

Mockup Everything is a web-based application that lets us quickly create custom graphics with images embedded in iPads, t-shirts, iPhones, magazine covers and many other objects.

TLC staff designer, Michelle, spent some time working with Mockup Everything’s website and wrote up this great overview tutorial on using it.

1. To get started, click on SELECT A TEMPLATE on the homepage to choose one of the free templates to work with.

2. For this tutorial, I selected the IPAD – ANGLED template to place our design on.

3. Hover over the image of the iPad until you see a blue area highlighted, then click the blue highlighted area to open the import image dialog.

4. Select the image from your computer that you want to place on the template, and click Open.

5. Verify that you have selected the correct image by clicking SAVE (or select UPLOAD NEW ART to change the image), and the image will be placed on the template.
 

6. My image is not the exact size of the template’s area for the ipad screen, so I am changing the background color behind the image. Select the small square on the left, and choose a color, there are options to use a preset color or an eyedropper tool.
 

7. Now, I want to change the background image of the template itself by clicking on the other small box, and I will use white as our background.
  

8. To save the custom image, click SAVE IMAGE. If you are using the free version of Mockup Everything, there are options to upgrade for a higher quality resolution and size image. For now, I am just clicking No thanks, let me download the low res image to save the image at a resolution of 72 ppi and a size of 750 x 422 pixels, which is good for most presentation design needs.

9. Once saved, I have an image like the one below ready to insert into PowerPoint.

10. There are some great options in the free templates options on Mockup Everything.
  

11. The PRO version of Mockup Everything is $12 per month and has many more objects, angles and options such as: men’s, women’s, baby and youth apparel, books, magazines, posters, envelopes, business cards, bags, boxes, vinyl records, CD cases, and much more. There are even templates for skateboards, snowboards, different technological devices, outdoor scenes (such as billboards and buses), and beverage containers.

– Michelle @ TLC