a:reflection (Reflection Effect)

Specifies a reflection effect that creates a mirror image of a shape below it, simulating reflection in a surface.

Parent elements

a:effectLst (effect list in shape properties)

Description

a:reflection is the DrawingML reflection effect element that creates a mirror-image reflection below a shape. It is defined in ECMA-376 Part 1 §20.1.8.9.

Reflection effects simulate the appearance of objects reflected in water or polished surfaces by:

Creating a mirrored copy below the shape
Gradually fading the reflection using alpha values
Controlling blur, scaling, and alignment of the reflected image
Adding professional, sophisticated visual effects

Reflection effects are commonly used for:

Title text and headings in presentations
Product images in marketing materials
Logo designs
Creating glossy, polished appearances

Attributes

Attribute	Type	Possible Values	Description
`blurRad`	integer	0-2147483647	Blur radius of reflection in EMUs.
`dist`	integer	0-2147483647	Distance from shape to reflection in EMUs.
`dir`	integer	0-21600000	Direction of reflection (typically 0 or 2700000).
`fade`	boolean	true, false	Fade reflection transparency gradually.
`rotWithShape`	boolean	true, false	Rotate reflection with shape.
`algn`	string	tl, t, tr, l, ctr, r, bl, b, br	Reflection alignment.
`sx`	integer	-100000-100000	Horizontal scaling percentage.
`sy`	integer	-100000-100000	Vertical scaling percentage.

Examples

Basic Reflection Below Shape

<a:effectLst>
  <a:reflection blurRad="50800" dist="38100" dir="0" fade="1" algn="b" sx="100000" sy="-50000">
  </a:reflection>
</a:effectLst>

using DocumentFormat.OpenXml.Drawing;

var effectLst = new EffectList();
var reflection = new Reflection
{
  BlurRadius = 50800,      // ~0.055 inch blur
  Distance = 38100,        // ~0.042 inch from shape
  Direction = 0,           // 0 degrees
  Fade = true,             // Fade transparency
  Alignment = RectangleAlignmentValues.Bottom,
  ScaleX = 100000,         // 100% width
  ScaleY = -50000          // -50% height (flip)
};
effectLst.Append(reflection);

Strong Polished Reflection

<a:reflection blurRad="76200" dist="76200" dir="2700000" fade="1" rotWithShape="1" sx="100000" sy="-40000">
</a:reflection>

var reflection = new Reflection
{
  BlurRadius = 76200,
  Distance = 76200,
  Direction = 2700000,     // 270 degrees
  Fade = true,
  RotateWithShape = true,
  ScaleX = 100000,
  ScaleY = -40000          // Smaller reflection height
};

Notes

Scale values: 100000 = 100%, negative values flip the image
Direction: 0°=right/bottom, 2700000=left/bottom
Fade=true creates gradient transparency effect
Reflections are positioned below shapes by default
Blur radius should be 50800-152400 for best results
ScaleY typically negative to flip reflection vertically
Multiple effects can be combined (reflection + glow, etc.)