What's New in the Improved Shape Tool
The Shape Tool has evolved from simply auto-detecting hand-drawn shapes into a comprehensive diagramming solution—especially when working in a Whiteboard Document. It includes:
- Pre-defined shape library for professional diagrams and flowcharts
- Intuitive connectors that seamlessly link shapes together
- Text integration allowing you to add and format text within shapes
The original auto-detection of hand-drawn shapes remains fully supported, giving you the best of both worlds: freehand flexibility and professional structure.
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
Create Shapes
Draw Shapes by Hand
- Choose any of these tools in the toolbar: Pen, Pencil, Highlighter.
- Draw a shape in one stroke, holding down at the end of your stroke.
- Adjust the scale and angle while still holding.
- Release to finalize the shape.
Use Pre-defined Shapes
- Choose the Shape Tool in the toolbar.
- Choose a desired shape, e.g. rectangle.
- (Optional) Customize the stroke and color of the shape.
- Drag on the page to create a shape.
- Line or curve connector: Draw as you would on paper to connect existing shapes.
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Other shapes: Drag diagonally.
- Adjust, move, or edit your newly drawn shape.
Add Text to Shapes
- Select a shape, then tap inside it.
- Type your text.
- Tap outside to finish editing.
- Resize shape if needed to fit text.
Edit Shapes
- Select a shape by finger-tapping it.
- Take an action on it:
- Move the shape: Drag it.
- Adjust properties: Choose the relevant icon from the Object Menu for changing the shape’s color or stroke.
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Take another action on the shape: Choose a quick action or from the More menu.
Tips:
- Shapes are now structured objects. 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.
- Shapes with no attached objects can be erased by Standard Eraser and Stroke Eraser.
- For step-by-step guidance on drawing perfect lines, curves, and shapes, check out this article: Draw perfect lines, curves, and shapes.