PowerPoint added native capability for picture transparency (without having to create a shape) in late 2018. See that linked article to see what I mean.
I'm trying to figure out what/if an appropriate VBA object exists for it (there's not much online since it's a fairly new feature). I've tried the traditional FillFormat.Transparency object, as well as a few other analogous attempts. (Basically, have been searching the VBA documentation up and down for an hour or two).
Any thoughts?
Currently, there is no way to set the Picture Transparency directly (without using a Shape Fill). You would notice that the Shape properties are arranged somewhat as it appears on the Picture Tools Pane. For example, the Picture settings are on the last tab (where you have Picture Corrections, Color, Transparency and Crop). These are all accessible with the Shape.PictureFormat object. (The .FillFormat is only applicable when you are filling a shape).
You will notice the .PictureFormat has Properties relating to the aforementioned settings, except for Picture Transparency. The .PictureFormat.TransparencyColor cannot be used to set the degree of transparency.
The PowerPoint VBA object model often lags well behind new features that appear in the user interface, so there's nothing available yet to do what you want.
Just a note, when it appears, transparency will be a property, not an object. The current TransparencyColor and TransparentBackground properties are for the old routine that creates a single picture color that is 100% transparent.
