Apply Reflection Effects to Shapes in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows

This tutorial is a part of the series on Shape Effects in PowerPoint 2010. You have already explored the preset effects available, and also how you can apply a shadow effect to any selected shape. In this tutorial, we'll show you how you can quickly add reflection to a shape.

To see a sample presentation containing Reflection effects in PowerPoint 2010, scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Follow these steps to apply Reflection effects to a shape:

1. Select the shape you want to apply the Reflection effect to (if there's no shape on your slide, learn to insert a new shape). Double click the selected shape to activate the Drawing Tools Format tab in the Ribbon (see Figure 1). Within this tab locate the Shape Styles group and click the Shape Effects button that you can see in Figure 1 (highlighted in red).
2. 
   Figure 1: Drawing Tools Format tab of the Ribbon
Note: The Drawing Tools Format tab is a Contextual tab. These tabs are special tabs in the Ribbon that are not visible all the time. They only make an appearance when you are working with a particular slide object which can be edited using special options.
2. This brings up the Shape Effects drop-down gallery, as you can see in Figure 2. From the Shape Effects drop-down gallery, choose the Reflection option.
3. 
   Figure 2: Reflection drop-down gallery within Shape effects
3. This opens the Reflection sub-gallery (refer to Figure 2 above) that provides the following options:

A. No Reflection

4. Use this option to remove reflection from a selected shape.

B. Reflection Variations

5. You can choose any of nine default reflection styles available.

C. Reflection Options

6. If you want more control on reflection, then choose this option. Look at our Advanced Reflection Options in PowerPoint 2010 tutorial to know more about these options.
4. Move the cursor over any of the effects within the Reflection gallery to see a Live Preview of the effect. Click on an effect to apply it to the selected shape. In Figure 3 below you can see a Reflection effect applied to the previously selected shape.
5. 
   Figure 3: Reflection effect applied to a Rectangle shape
Tip: Place your shape in the area that is not covered by the Shape Styles drop-down gallery as shown in Figure 3, so that you can see the Live Preview.
5. Remember to save your presentation often.

Sample Presentation:

Click below to view on SlideShare

Click below to view on YouTube