How to create 2D realistic Jigsaw pieces using PowerPoint shapes

PowerPoint 2016
Using PowerPoint union and subtract operations, you can create basic Jigsaw puzzle pieces in a few minutes (see How to create simple Jigsaw pieces using PowerPoint shapes). But if you want them to look close to the real ones, you will need to master re-shaping tricks.
2D realistic puzzle piece in PowerPoint 365    2D realistic puzzle piece in PowerPoint 365

To make Jigsaw puzzle pieces, do the following:

   1.   On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Shapes:

Shapes in PowerPoint 365

   2.   In the Shapes list, from the Rectangles group, select the Rectangle shape:

Rectangle shapes in PowerPoint 365

Add the rectangle shape to the slide:

Simple rectangle shape in PowerPoint 365

   3.   To make forms of holes and heads closer to real ones, do the following:

   3.1.   Add the oval shape to the slide (on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select the Shapes list, and then, from the Basic Shapes group, choose the oval shape), and make it more elliptic:

An oval shape in PowerPoint 365  or  An oval shape in PowerPoint 365

   3.2.   Add two moon shapes (from the same Basic Shapes group of the Shapes list) and position them at the bottom of the ellipsis:

An oval with two moon shapes in PowerPoint 365  or  An oval with two moon shapes in PowerPoint 365

   3.3.   Add a rectangle shape to fill the gap between moon shapes:

Several shapes in PowerPoint 365  or  Several shapes in PowerPoint 365

   3.4.   Union oval, two moon, and rectangle shapes (how to union shapes, see How to combine shapes to create a custom shape):

United shapes in PowerPoint 365  or  United shapes in PowerPoint 365

   3.5.   Reposition the new shape to make heads and holes:

  • Horizontal shape:
    Heads Holes
    The positioning of the new shape Union shapes in PowerPoint 365 Subtract shapes in PowerPoint 365
    After union or subtract  United shapes in PowerPoint 365  Subtracted shapes in PowerPoint 365

  • Vertical shape:
    Heads Holes
    The positioning of the new shape Union shapes in PowerPoint 365 Subtract shapes in PowerPoint 365
    After union or subtract  United shapes in PowerPoint 365  Subtracted shapes in PowerPoint 365

See also this tip in French: Comment créer des pièces de puzzle 2D réalistes à l'aide de formes PowerPoint.

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