How to Use Morph and 3D Models in PowerPoint (Create an Earthrise Animation)

Most PowerPoint presentations are static.

Slide after slide of text, maybe a few images… but very little that actually moves or tells a visual story.

The reality is, PowerPoint is far more powerful than most people realise.

In this guide, I’ll walk through how I created a simple “Earthrise” animation inspired by the Artemis II mission, using Morph and 3D models in PowerPoint.

It’s a practical example, but more importantly, it shows how small creative decisions can make your slides feel more engaging, more professional, and easier to follow.

What You’re Creating

The final result is a short animation where:

• The Earth rises into view behind the moon
• The moon subtly rotates
• The background shifts to create depth
• Text animates smoothly into place

It’s simple, but effective… and everything is built using standard PowerPoint features.

Step 1: Set Your Background 

Start by adding a dark space-style background image.

Go to Insert → Pictures → Stock Images and search for a space image.

The key detail here is how you position it.

Rather than fitting it neatly to the slide, scale it so it overhangs the edges of the slide.

This is important because it allows the background to move later when you apply the Morph transition. If the image fits exactly within the slide, you won’t get that subtle sideways motion that creates depth.

You can also crop the top and bottom slightly and adjust brightness or sharpness to reduce any colour tint and make it feel more like space.

Step 2: Add a 3D Moon

Go to Insert → 3D Models → Stock 3D Models and search for a moon.

Once inserted, position it to the left-hand side of the slide and scale it to suit your layout.

This is where a lot of people miss a trick…

Use the 3D rotation handle (the circular control that appears on the object) to slightly rotate the moon in 3D space. You'll use this handle again when setting the starting position of the animation later.

Step 3: Add the Earth

Repeat the same process to insert an Earth model.

Go to Insert → 3D Models → Stock 3D Models and search for Earth.

Position it behind the moon and slightly offset so it looks like it will rise into view.

Again, use the 3D rotation handle to adjust the angle. Even a small rotation makes a big difference to how natural the final animation feels.

Step 4: Add Your Title

Add a simple title such as “Earthrise” using Insert → Text Box 

Keep this clean and positioned where you want it to land in the final animation.

At this stage, you’re building the final scene first… which is a key principle when working with Morph.

Step 5: Build the Final Slide First

Before thinking about animation, make sure everything looks exactly how you want it to appear at the end.

This includes:

• Final positions of the moon and Earth
• Final rotation angles
• Final text placement
• Background positioning

A useful tip here is to use the slide thumbnails pane on the left to check how everything sits within the actual slide boundaries.

It’s easy to accidentally place elements slightly off-slide without realising, so this view helps keep everything aligned properly.

Step 6: Duplicate and Create the Starting Point

Duplicate your slide, by selecting it in the thumbnails pane on the left then Right Click → Duplicate Slide  

Now go back to the first slide and adjust elements to create your starting state:

• Move the moon to the left so it animates into place
• Rotate the moon subtly so it animates as it moves
• Rotate the Earth slightly so it animates as it moves
• Move the Earth further left so it sits behind the moon
  • You may need to use Move to Back to hide it behind the moon on both slides
• Move the text off the slide so it can animate into place
• Shift the background slightly to set up sideways movement

This is where the overhanging background really pays off… it allows that subtle motion that creates depth.

Step 7: Apply the Morph Transition

Select the second slide and apply the Morph transition.

PowerPoint will automatically animate the differences between the two slides:

• Position changes
• Rotation changes
• Scaling
• Text movement

If something moves in the wrong direction (for example, the background), simply adjust its position on the two slides until the motion feels natural.

Why This Works (and Why It Matters at Work)

This kind of animation isn’t about making slides look “fancy”.

It’s about guiding attention and improving understanding.

When used well:

• Movement helps direct focus
• Visual storytelling makes ideas easier to follow
• Subtle animation adds professionalism
• Complex concepts become clearer

That’s the real value… especially in meetings, presentations and stakeholder conversations where clarity matters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overusing animation so it becomes distracting 
• Not designing the final slide first
• Forgetting to use 3D rotation for subtle realism
• Keeping backgrounds static (losing depth)
• Adding movement without purpose

The best results come from simple ideas executed well.

Taking This Further

This is just one example of what’s possible when you start to think of PowerPoint as more than a slide tool.

The biggest improvements we see is when people move from:

“How do I fit this content onto a slide?”

to:

“How do I want this idea to be understood?”

That’s where better presentations start.

Want to Improve Your PowerPoint and Presentation Skills?

If you’re looking to build these skills more consistently across your team, we run practical, instructor-led courses that focus on both slide design and delivery.

PowerPoint Professional Presentations
https://www.underscoregroup.com/powerpoint
Learn how to design clean, professional slides using strong layouts, visuals and slide masters, with purposeful use of animation.

Delivering Presentations with Impact
https://www.underscoregroup.com/delivering-presentations-with-impact
Build confidence and deliver engaging presentations that hold attention and communicate clearly.

Essential Presentation Skills
https://www.underscoregroup.com/essential-presentation-skills
Develop core presentation skills, from structuring your message to speaking with confidence in everyday workplace situations.

Whether you’re creating slides or presenting them, the goal is the same… clarity, confidence and impact.

About the Author

Tom Vanhinsbergh

Digital Learning Specialist at Underscore, with a background in graphic design and a focus on creating engaging, practical learning experiences. Tom combines visual design, storytelling and technical expertise to help professionals communicate ideas more clearly and effectively. He works across digital content, training materials and brand, with a particular interest in how visual storytelling can improve understanding, engagement and impact in the workplace.