Tool manual

How to use the Shape tool

The Shape tool draws vector shapes that stay sharp at any size: rectangles, ellipses, polygons, lines and custom shapes such as arrows and hearts.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Parametric Shape. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press U to pick it, and Shift+U to step through the other tools on that key.

How to use it

1. Choose the tool. Press U, or click the shapes icon in the toolbar.
2. Pick a shape. Choose Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Line or Custom. Shift+U steps through the first four.
3. Set fill and stroke. Tick Fill to fill with the foreground colour, and Stroke for an outline with its own colour and width.
4. Drag. Drag on the canvas. Shift keeps it square or round (or a line at 45 degrees); Alt draws from the centre.

Options bar settings

• Size: Free to drag any size, or Fixed size to place a shape of an exact width and height with a click.
• Fill and Stroke: Fill colour, and an outline with colour, position (inside, centre, outside) and width.
• Radius: For rectangles: how round the corners are.
• Sides: For polygons: how many sides, from 3 to 100.

Tips and common mistakes

• Each shape is its own layer. Change its colours later in the Properties panel.
• For corners that can each have their own radius, or a star, use the Parametric Shape tool.

Related

• How to use the Parametric Shape tool
• How to use the Pen tool
• How to use the Direct Selection tool

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Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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