Aspose.Slides FOSS for C++ lets you apply professional-quality visual effects to PowerPoint shapes in native C++, with no Microsoft Office and no API keys. This post demonstrates the fill system, 2D effects, and 3D formatting available in the library.

The Fill System

Every shape has a fill_format() that controls how its interior is painted. The five fill types cover the full range of PowerPoint’s design palette.

Solid Fill

The simplest fill, a flat color with optional transparency:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::RoundCornerRectangle, 100, 100, 400, 150
);
shape.add_text_frame("Solid Fill");

shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::Solid);
shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 30, 80, 180));

prs.save("solid.pptx");

Linear Gradient Fill

Gradient stops let you blend from one color to another across the shape:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::Rectangle, 100, 100, 400, 150
);

auto& ff = shape.fill_format();
ff.set_fill_type(FillType::Gradient);
auto& gf = ff.gradient_format();
gf.set_gradient_shape(GradientShape::Linear);
gf.set_linear_gradient_angle(90);   // top-to-bottom

gf.gradient_stops().add(0.0f, Color::from_argb(255, 30, 80, 180));   // top: blue
gf.gradient_stops().add(1.0f, Color::from_argb(255, 0, 200, 160));   // bottom: teal

prs.save("gradient.pptx");

2D Visual Effects

Outer Drop Shadow

Attach a semi-transparent drop shadow to any shape:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::RoundCornerRectangle, 100, 100, 350, 150
);
shape.add_text_frame("Drop Shadow");

shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::Solid);
shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::white());

auto& ef = shape.effect_format();
ef.enable_outer_shadow_effect();
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_blur_radius(12);
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_direction(315);   // upper-left
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_distance(8);
ef.outer_shadow_effect().shadow_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(100, 0, 0, 0));

prs.save("shadow.pptx");

Glow Effect

A colored halo around the shape edge:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::Ellipse, 150, 100, 250, 250
);
shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::Solid);
shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 20, 60, 140));

auto& ef = shape.effect_format();
ef.enable_glow_effect();
ef.glow_effect().set_radius(20);
ef.glow_effect().color().set_color(Color::from_argb(200, 0, 180, 255));

prs.save("glow.pptx");

3D Formatting

Bevel and Material

The three_d_format() method gives any flat shape a three-dimensional appearance. Combine a bevel with a camera preset and a material for the richest result:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::Rectangle, 150, 150, 300, 130
);
shape.add_text_frame("Metal Button");

// Blue solid fill
shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::Solid);
shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 20, 70, 160));

// 3D bevel + camera + light + material
auto& tdf = shape.three_d_format();
tdf.bevel_top().set_bevel_type(BevelPresetType::Circle);
tdf.bevel_top().set_width(10);
tdf.bevel_top().set_height(5);
tdf.camera().set_camera_type(CameraPresetType::PerspectiveAbove);
tdf.light_rig().set_light_type(LightRigPresetType::Balanced);
tdf.light_rig().set_direction(LightingDirection::Top);
tdf.set_material(MaterialPresetType::Metal);
tdf.set_depth(20);

prs.save("metal-button.pptx");

Combining Effects on the Same Shape

Shadow and 3D formatting can coexist on a single shape, enabling polished “card” designs:

#include <Aspose/Slides/Foss/presentation.h>

using namespace Aspose::Slides::Foss;

Presentation prs;
auto& shape = prs.slides()[0].shapes().add_auto_shape(
    ShapeType::RoundCornerRectangle, 120, 120, 360, 150
);
shape.add_text_frame("Premium Card");

// Fill
shape.fill_format().set_fill_type(FillType::Solid);
shape.fill_format().solid_fill_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(255, 30, 80, 180));

// 3D bevel
auto& tdf = shape.three_d_format();
tdf.bevel_top().set_bevel_type(BevelPresetType::Circle);
tdf.bevel_top().set_width(8);
tdf.camera().set_camera_type(CameraPresetType::PerspectiveAbove);
tdf.set_material(MaterialPresetType::Plastic);

// Drop shadow
auto& ef = shape.effect_format();
ef.enable_outer_shadow_effect();
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_blur_radius(14);
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_direction(270);
ef.outer_shadow_effect().set_distance(8);
ef.outer_shadow_effect().shadow_color().set_color(Color::from_argb(70, 0, 0, 0));

prs.save("premium-card.pptx");

Installation

include(FetchContent)
FetchContent_Declare(
    aspose_slides_foss
    GIT_REPOSITORY https://github.com/aspose-slides/Aspose.Slides-FOSS-for-Cpp.git
    GIT_TAG main
)
FetchContent_MakeAvailable(aspose_slides_foss)
target_link_libraries(your_target PRIVATE aspose_slides_foss)

No Office installation, no license keys, no network calls; all processing happens locally.