Creating Custom Masked Images in Google Slides: The Tedious Task of Achieving Shape Masks

So you have a shape, and you want to create a mask in Google Slides, how you do it?

This is a step by step guide to getting a custom vector shape, into google slides as a mask, that can be then used again and again!

WARNING: You will need Powerpoint (or Keynote) to achieve this!

By taking your vector shape, bringing it into powerpoint and then adding an image, you can create a mask that allows you to change the image in Google Slides.

Here are the step-by-step instructions for creating custom masked images in Google Slides:

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1. Create your vector shape.
This can be done in a program such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma or Sketch. The shape can be anything you desire. If you are creating a shape with holes in it, you need to make sure to 'union' the shape to make sure all parts are one shape.
2. Add your svg to a Powerpoint document, and convert to shape
Import the SVG into powerpoint. Select the shape and under the Graphics Format menu choose Convert to shape. This converts your SVG into an EMF or WMF, a friendly file type for Powerpoint and GoogleSlides.
2. Create a mask by using the shape format tools
In powerpoint select both image and shape and using the shape format tools, select intersect. This will create a mask in a way that allows the image to be changed in Google Slides.
3. Save the PowerPoint document and upload it back to Google Drive.
Open the document as a Google Slides document, and you will now have a mask where the image can be changed you can copy this into any other presentation, you can change the image fill to anything you want.

Additional steps for using Keynote instead of powerpoint

1. Create your vector shape.
2. Convert your vector shape to an EMF file using a tool such as Cloud Convert.
This will allow you to open the shape in Google Drawings. (Tip: Logging into Cloud Convert with a google account allows you to open the file directly, saving the step of downloading and re-uploading to Google Drive.)
3. Open the EMF file in Google Drawings
Update March 2024: You can't directly open EMF files in Google Drawings anymore. There's a workaround, though. You need to change the MIME type of the EMF files with a script to make them compatible. Check out the easy steps in this Google Doc to get your files ready for Google Drawings. Credit: Avi Megiddo
Opening the file from Google Drive will give you the option of opening the file in Google Drawings.
4. Copy the shape into google slides
Select the shape and copy & paste it into Google Slides. This will add the vector shape to your presentation.
5. Download the Google Slides document as a Powerpoint file and open it in Keynote.
Powerpoint files are directly compatible with Google Slides files. So when you create things in powerpoint they often work in Google Slides.
6. Mask the image in keynote.
Selecting both the shape and the image, choose Mask with selection.
7. Save the keynote as a PowerPoint document and upload it back to Google Drive.
Open the document as a Google Slides document, and you will now have a mask where the image can be changed you can copy this into any other presentation, you can change the image fill to anything you want.

Found this useful? I've created some pretty useful Google slides templates.

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Creating Custom Masked Images in Google Slides: The Tedious Task of Achieving Shape Masks

Here are the step-by-step instructions for creating custom masked images in Google Slides:

1. Create your vector shape.

2. Add your svg to a Powerpoint document, and convert to shape

2. Create a mask by using the shape format tools

3. Save the PowerPoint document and upload it back to Google Drive.

Additional steps for using Keynote instead of powerpoint

1. Create your vector shape.

2. Convert your vector shape to an EMF file using a tool such as Cloud Convert.

3. Open the EMF file in Google Drawings

4. Copy the shape into google slides

5. Download the Google Slides document as a Powerpoint file and open it in Keynote.

6. Mask the image in keynote.

7. Save the keynote as a PowerPoint document and upload it back to Google Drive.

Found this useful? I've created some pretty useful Google slides templates.

Try my Google Slides Templates!