Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add a Bevel and 3D Effect to a Picture in Microsoft Publisher

Rana GarciaRana Garcia Nov 2, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to apply 3D and bevel effects to images within a Publisher document to give them a raised or three-dimensional look.

How to Add a Bevel and 3D Effect to a Picture in Publisher
Product
Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Enhancing pictures with 3D and bevel effects for a publication design layout.
Observed behavior
Seeking instructions on where to find and how to apply bevel and 3D effects to inserted pictures in Publisher.
Before you start

Ensure your picture is already inserted into the Publisher document and clicked on, as the necessary formatting tabs only appear when an image is actively selected.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Built-in Picture Effects in Publisher

Use Publisher's native Picture Tools to quickly apply preset bevels, shadows, and 3D rotations to your images.

Microsoft Publisher shares the same core image formatting engine as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, allowing you to easily apply professional-looking 3D formats directly within the application.

1
Select the Image

Click directly on the picture you want to edit in your Publisher workspace.

2
Open Picture Tools

Navigate to the 'Picture Tools Format' tab that appears on the top ribbon.

3
Choose Picture Effects

Click on 'Picture Effects' to open the drop-down menu containing various visual enhancements.

4
Apply Bevel or 3D Rotation

Select 'Bevel' or '3-D Rotation' from the list and click on your desired preset to instantly apply the effect to your image.

Use Built-in Picture Effects in Publisher
Experiment Safely: Work on a copy of your picture or simply use the Undo shortcut (Ctrl+Z) if you wish to remove an applied effect and try a different one.
Design Graphics and Layouts with WPS Office

Apply 3D and Bevel Effects to Pictures in WPS Office

WPS Office Writer and Presentation offer advanced page layout capabilities and extensive picture formatting tools, including stunning 3D rotations, bevels, and shadows, allowing you to design compelling documents completely for free.

  1. 1. Insert your picture: Open WPS Writer or Presentation, go to the Insert tab, and click Picture to add your image to the document.
  2. 2. Access picture tools: Click on the inserted picture to reveal the specialized Picture Tools tab on the top ribbon.
  3. 3. Apply visual effects: Click Picture Effects, hover over Bevel or 3-D Rotation, and choose your preferred preset to instantly transform your image.
High compatibility with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel file formats.Built-in comprehensive picture formatting tools including Bevel, 3D Rotation, Shadow, and Reflection.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.Free to use with a familiar, user-friendly ribbon interface.
microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Picture Effects option grayed out in Publisher?

The Picture Effects option remains inactive if you haven't selected an image. Ensure you click directly on the inserted picture so the boundary box appears; this will activate the Picture Tools Format tab on the ribbon.

Can I apply the same 3D effect to multiple pictures at once?

Yes, you can hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on each picture to select multiple images simultaneously. Once selected, choosing a bevel or 3D effect from the Picture Tools Format tab will apply it to all highlighted pictures at once.

Are Publisher's 3D effects the same as those in Word and PowerPoint?

Yes, the core formatting engine for picture effects is shared across most Microsoft Office applications. The steps to apply Bevel, Glow, and 3-D Rotation are nearly identical whether you are using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Publisher.