Image Editing - PowerPoint and Pixlr

There are a variety of Photo Editing Programs out there, a few are free, but many cost an arm and a leg .  We all know that the funds are not always available to invest in those high priced photo editing programs, not to mention the high learning curve that comes with some of them.  The problem is that if you are creating training or educational materials, you may find yourself searching for images or taking screen shots that need to be edited for the materials being developed.  If you don't have the editing software, what do you do?

This is the exact situation I find myself in.  I often need to edit images, but I don't have any photo editing software other than Paint. Paint is useful, but it has a lot of limitations.  When creating a course in Articulate Storyline 2 (course authoring software), it does have some image editing capabilities, but I often end up using PowerPoint to get the effect that I want for an image first.  If you have access to Microsoft's PowerPoint (this one is not free either), then this may be a viable option for you as well, or if you need something with more capabilities, then Pixlr might be the way to go.  I am going to spend some time taking a look at the image options found within both programs. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I didn't need a special effects program to turn it on.

PowerPoint

In PowerPoint 2010 (Yes, I know I am a little behind in Office versions.  No laughing!), you can insert screenshots/screen clippings, clip art, shapes, and even SmartArt.  I am going to focus on SmartArt and Screenshots for the purpose of this post, and these options exist in Microsoft Word as well and function in the same manner. 

Screenshots and Screen Clippings can be useful when you need to capture an image of all or part of windows open on your computer.  Office 2010 has a screenshot tool that lets you do just this.  You can then edit these images and either use them in the Office program you are in or save the screenshot to use in another program.  Some programs, like Articulate Storyline, will let you copy an image in PowerPoint and paste on to the slide in Articulate, but that doesn't work with everything.  Luckily you can right click on the image in PowerPoint and save that image (Save As Picture) on your computer.  You now have the image file!

Figure 1

Screen clipping (found below) of the insert tab in PowerPoint 2010 displaying options, such as, picture, clip art, screenshot, shapes, and SmartArt. This clipping was created using the screenshot feature that can be found in Office programs such as Word and PowerPoint. Simply select screenshot from the insert tab and then screen clippings in these programs to explore this tool more. 

SmartArt is rather handy when needing a creative more visual way to display text. You can do this quickly and choose from a variety of layouts to end up with a very professional looking visual for your materials.  You can then use this image in the Office program where you created the image, copy and paste into some other software program, or right click and save as an image file as was noted in the screenshot information above.   Here is an example of a SmartArt graphic.

Figure 2
SmartArt Graphic created in PowerPoint and then saved as an image file and inserted here. This is an example of a situation where I needed the actual image file and could not simply copy from PowerPoint and paste here.  (Click on the image to view it at a larger size.)

Basic Picture Editing in PowerPointAfter you insert an image on a slide in PowerPoint and have that image selected, you will then have a Picture Tools Formatting tab.  On that tab you will have a variety of image editing capabilities, including "Remove Background", which allows you to make the background of an image transparent.  I love this tool and find that I use it rather often.

Some other tools you may be interested in are:

• Corrections:  This will allow you to modify a picture's contrast or brightness.
• Color:  Change the saturation and tone of the image color and even set a transparent color.
• Picture Styles:  Easily apply a style to the image to give it a different look.
• Picture Border:  Apply an outline to the image.  From within this area, you can select the color and weight (size) of the border.
• Picture Effects: This area provides a variety of options including "Shadow" that will allow you to add depth to the image.
• Picture Layouts:  You can convert your image into a SmartArt Graphic.
• Crop:  Crop the picture to remove unwanted parts or even crop to a particular shape.

Figure 3

Screen Clip of picture formatting tab with no editing applied. (Click on the image to view it at a larger size.)



Figure 4

Screen Clip of picture formatting tab with a 1/4 pt black border applied and a shadow effect. (Click on the image to view it at a larger size.)

If you don't have access to PowerPoint or need something with more capabilities, you may want to consider Pixlr.

Pixlr Editor

Pixlr is a free online photo editing tool I have recently been introduced to.  There are many out there, but this is one of the most robust free programs I have seen. If you have ever used Photoshop, then this will have a very similar look and feel. Pixlr does have a desktop version you can install, but I am going to focus on the online Pixlr Editor (Link to Program).

In the image below, you can start with a blank page and create a new image or paste from the clipboard, however, you can also open an image from your computer or from a url.  (Video Introduction to Pixlr by Tech Tutorial with Mr. Corwin)

Figure 5
Pixlr Editor only showing this initial selection window when you first go to the Editor online. (Click on the image to view it at a larger size.)

From within the editor, you have a variety of tools available and the capability to work in layers, which can be very useful with more extensive editing.  If you have never worked with layers for image editing, you will want to watch a tutorial first before getting started.  (Working with Layers Tutorial)

Figure 6
The full view of the Pixlr Editor displaying the editing tools and menus. (Click on the image to view it at a larger size.)

Here are some of the capabilities and tools available.  Remember that if you are familiar with these types of programs and tools, then this is a user friendly program and interface, and if not, then you will want to watch tutorials to learn more. PowerPoint might be a better way to go for you, as long as you have that program and don't need the additional options that you can find in this program. 

Pixlr Editing Tools/Options and Video Tutorials (Not all are noted below.)

• Resizing and Cropping
• Selection Tools
• Text Tool
• Drawing Tools
• Magic Wand
• Pencil, Brush, and Paint Tools
• Layers, Desaturation, Burn, Dodge, Sponge
• Spot Heal and Red Eye Reduction

Here is a link to the web page developed by Pixlr explaining their main toolbar.

Additional Free Tutorials
Michele Berners YouTube Playlist on Pixlr

ICT Pixlr Tutorials (Uses a previous version of Pixlr, but it is similar to the current version.)

Pixlr Support

Remember that there is a learning curve for Pixlr, so if you are not familiar with these types of programs and tools, you will need to work with it and view tutorials if you decide to go this route.

Comments are open here, so feel free to share resources that you have found useful.

There are several video tutorials linked throughout this posting, and I did not create these tutorials.  They have been developed by other individuals and/or organizations and I have credited them below.

Credits
Michele Berner
ICT
Pixlr Support
Jeremy Corwin