Draw perfect lines, curves, and shapes

The Shape Tool simplifies drawing shapes and enhances diagramming capabilities.

Features include a shape library for creating diagrams and flowcharts, connectors that link shapes together, and the ability to add text within shapes to label and explain diagram elements.

Basic Shape Types for Diagramming:

• Elbow Connectors — Structured lines that make 90-degree turns, perfect for organized flowcharts and diagrams where clean, geometric connections are needed
• Curved Connectors — Flexible, organic lines that follow a smooth path between shapes, ideal for mind maps and less rigid diagrams
• Ovals/Circles — Create perfect circles or ovals for depicting cycles and processes
• Rectangles/Squares/Diamonds — Make basic geometric shapes for flowcharts and diagrams
• Triangles/Polygons — Add directional indicators and structural elements

💡 For simple shapes, you can also use the Classic Shape Tool from the Writing Tools:

Insert a shape

1. Choose the Shape Tool in the toolbar.

2. Choose a desired shape, e.g. rectangle.

   

3. (Optional) Customize the stroke and color of the shape you’ll insert.

   ℹ️ All pre-defined shapes are drawn with a subtle corner radius by default. Rounding applies to newly created shapes only; existing diagrams keep their original corner radius.

   • Customize the shape stroke

     

      

     • Set the style: Choose Solid, Dashed, or Dotted.
     • Set the thickness: Adjust the thickness slider.
     • Restore stroke: Tap the Settings icon in the top-left corner > Restore Stroke.
     • Set rounded corners: Toggle Rounded on or off to control corner rounding for newly created pre-defined shapes.
     • Set styles of arrow heads: this section applies to elbow/curve connectors only.

   • Customize the shape color:

     

      

     1. Adjust settings:
        • Fill Color: Enable to fill a new closed shape with the selected color.
        • Opacity: Adjust the opacity of the color fill.
     2. Choose a color for the slot:
        • Select a color from the Presets or History tab.
        • For a custom color, go to the Custom tab:
          1. Create a color by choosing one from the palette or the color wheel, entering a color code in the HEX field, or tapping the Eyedropper (Color Picker) in the top-right corner to select a precise color pixel on the screen.
          2. Tap Add to Presets.
4. Drag on the page to create a shape.
   • Line or curve connector: Draw as you would on paper to connect existing shapes.

   • Other shapes: Drag diagonally.

     

     Dragging to create a shape

5. Adjust, move, or edit your newly drawn shape.

Insert connectors

Connectors attach to a shape’s edge and stay connected as you move or resize shapes. When you move or resize a connected shape, the connector slides along the edge to remain attached. You can also edit connector paths using control points; add, move, or remove waypoints to route the connector.

Draw a shape with AutoShape

Alternatively, you can select the AutoShape icon and draw a shape by hand. Goodnotes will automatically correct and smooth the shape for you:

Draw a shape with Pen, Pencil, or Highlighter

1. Choose the Writing Tools icon from the toolbar, then select any of these tools from the Active Tool Menu: Pen, Pencil, Highlighter.

2. Draw a shape in one stroke, holding down at the end of your stroke.

   

3. Adjust the scale and angle while still holding.
4. Release to finalize the shape.

Work with a shape

1. Select it with a finger-tap or click.
2. Do any of the following:
   • Add text: Tap / Click inside the shape, type, then tap outside when finished.
   • Move: Simply drag it and tap outside it to apply the change.
   • Change appearance: Use the Object Menu to adjust color or stroke.
   • Lock the object in place: Open More (…) menu > Lock icon. This prevents the object from being moved accidentally. Unlock it using the same menu entry.
   • Scale/Rotate/Resize: Drag the relevant handle: White corner squares: Scale; Blue circles: Resize (grid snapping available to help you align objects); White protruding circle: Rotate.
   • Other actions: Choose a quick action, or from the More (…) menu.

💡 You can drag another object (e.g., a lasso selection, image, or element) to a shape to attach it. The shape will move along with its attached content.