> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.tella.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add shapes to your video

> Add a square, circle, triangle, diamond, star, hexagon, or arrow from Shapes in Overlay, then set its fill, corners, border, and shadow.

Add a square, circle, triangle, diamond, star, hexagon, or arrow from the **Shapes** section of **Overlay** in the editor sidebar. Use shapes to frame part of the screen, point at something, or build a simple graphic behind your text.

[https://www.tella.tv/video/vid\_cmvrzksfh001h02meep9x67r0/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0](https://www.tella.tv/video/vid_cmvrzksfh001h02meep9x67r0/embed?b=0\&title=0\&a=1\&loop=0\&t=0\&muted=0\&wt=0)

## Add a shape

1. Open your video in the editor.
2. Move the playhead to where you want the shape to appear.
3. Open **Overlay** in the sidebar, or press `V`.
4. Under **Shapes**, click a shape, or click the plus button to add a square.

The new shape starts at the playhead, filled with Tella purple, and appears on the timeline. Click it on the canvas or timeline to open its settings.

## Make a rectangle or an oval

Every shape stretches to fill its box. Drag a side or corner handle on the canvas to change the box, so a square becomes a rectangle and a circle becomes an oval. Drag the rotation handle to turn the shape.

## Switch to a different shape

Select the shape, then click another tile under **Shape** in its settings. The fill, border, shadow, timing, and position stay the same.

## Change the fill

1. Select the shape.
2. Under **Shape**, click the swatch next to **Fill**.
3. Pick a color, gradient, image, video, or animated gradient.

The fill is cut to the shape's outline. Ambient backgrounds aren't available for shapes.

## Round a square's corners

Select a square, then choose **Square**, **Round**, or **Squircle** under **Corners**. Corners only apply to squares.

## Add a border

1. Select the shape.
2. Under **Decoration**, turn on **Border**.
3. Use **Border color** and **Width** to style it.

The border is drawn just inside the shape's outline. Turn **Border** off to remove it.

## Add a shadow

Select the shape, then choose **None**, **Subtle**, or **Deep** from **Shadow** under **Decoration**.

## Animate the shape in and out

Select the shape and use **Animation** in its settings to choose how it enters and leaves, the same way as for [media overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/media-overlays.md). You can also set its **Depth** to **Behind presenter** so you appear in front of it. See [Put overlays behind the presenter](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/overlays-behind-the-presenter.md).

## Set when it appears

Drag the start or end of the shape's card on the timeline to change its duration, or drag the card to move it. Shapes stay attached to the footage underneath, like text: cutting out footage under a shape shortens how long it shows.

To copy a shape, open the menu in its detail header and choose **Duplicate**. To remove it, click **Delete shape** below its settings.

## Draw a custom outline

The editor has no pen tool. To draw your own outline, use the [MCP server or public API](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/integrations/mcp-server.md), which accept SVG path data for a shape. A custom shape shows a **Path** tile in its settings, so you can switch it back after trying another shape.


## Related topics

- [Add text to your video](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/text-overlays.md)
- [Add background music to your video](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/add-background-music-to-your-video.md)
- [Add your logo to videos](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/editing/add-your-logo-to-videos.md)
- [Add a team member to your video](https://www.tella.com/docs/help/teams/how-can-i-add-a-team-member-as-an-editor-of-your-video.md)
- [Shape overlays](https://www.tella.com/docs/mcp-tools/shape-overlays.md)


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