Chapter 15: PowerPoint Notes – Working with clipart

(back to Build a TpT Store)

This chapter covers almost all you need to know to manipulate clipart in PowerPoint!

1. How to insert clipart

Drag and drop

This is simplest way! Just drag and drop the clipart file into PowerPoint.

Insert Picture from File

Insert > Pictures > Picture from File
Select the clipart file and click Insert

2. Resize clipart with the corner arrow

My personal appeal as a clip artist is: as far as possible, do try to keep the clipart in proportion. I feel sad whenever I see clipart that sized out of proportion.

3. Scale height/width

Resizing can be a chore, especially if you want to make sure all the parts are in proportion e.g. in a Build-A-Leprechaun craft.

But there’s a very simple way.

Select all the parts
Go to Picture Format > Format Pane > Scale Height
Type a percentage, and the size of all the parts will scale accordingly.

4. Resizing doodle borders

Most doodle borders are created for 8.5″ x 11″ paper, but a little resizing can make them useful for digital activities as well.

Select the doodle border.
Go to Picture Format > un-Lock Aspect Ratio
Height = 7″
Width = 5″ (i.e. Boom Card size)

BUT, please don’t change the aspect ratio of other clipart though. Changing proportions generally affect the entire look. This is the one exception.

5. Rotate clipart

Move the mouse point to the rotation symbol on the selection box, then click and drag.

6. Flip horizontal to change direction of clipart

Select the clipart
Go to Picture Format > Arrange > Rotate > Flip Horizontal

7. Replace clipart

This is especially useful when you are creating the black and white version of your resource.

Right click on the clipart > Change Picture > From a File
Select the clipart you’d like to change to and click Insert

8. Transparency

Using transparency on clipart is great for creating ‘drop zones’ in digital games.

Picture Format > Format Pane > Picture > Picture Transparency
Set Transparency to 90%

9. Drop shadow

Using drop shadow on moveable pieces can make the clipart stand out more.

Picture Format > Format Pane > Effects > Shadow
Choose a drop shadow preset
Adjust the drop shadow settings if you want to

10. Shadow version

Create a shadow version of any clipart by adjusting brightness.

Select the clipart
Picture Format > Format Pane > Picture > Picture Corrections
Adjust Brightness to -100%

11. Crop the clipart

Right Click > Crop
The areas in the shade will be cropped out.

It’s great for symmetry activities.

Cropped kid images can be a great addition in many places.

12. Save as picture

This is useful for creating moveable pieces for digital activities.

Group items

Select all the elements.
Right click on one of the bounding lines > Group > Group

Save as picture

Right click on the group > Save as picture
Type in a name
Save as type: PNG

Insert the new image back into PowerPoint after you have created it.

If you just group the text box and clipart together without saving it as a new image, there’s a good chance that students will click within the group when trying to drag the pieces, and the pieces will fall apart.