Shape elements

Add geometric shape elements to designs.

Running this example

To run this example locally:

  1. If you haven't already, create a new app in the Developer Portal(opens in a new tab or window). For more information, refer to our Quickstart guide.

  2. In your app's configuration on the Developer Portal(opens in a new tab or window), ensure the "Development URL" is set to http://localhost:8080.

  3. Clone the starter kit:

    git clone https://github.com/canva-sdks/canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit.git
    cd canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit
    SHELL
  4. Install dependencies:

    npm install
    SHELL
  5. Run the example:

    npm run start shape_elements
    SHELL
  6. Click the Preview URL link shown in the terminal to open the example in the Canva editor.

Example app source code

// For usage information, see the README.md file.
import {
Alert,
Button,
ColorSelector,
Column,
Columns,
FormField,
MultilineInput,
NumberInput,
PlusIcon,
Rows,
Text,
Title,
} from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { addElementAtPoint } from "@canva/design";
import { useState } from "react";
import * as styles from "styles/components.css";
import { useFeatureSupport } from "utils/use_feature_support";
type UIState = {
paths: {
d: string;
fill: {
dropTarget: boolean;
color: string;
};
}[];
viewBox: {
width: number;
height: number;
top: number;
left: number;
};
};
const initialState: UIState = {
paths: [
{
d: "M 0 0 H 100 V 100 H 0 L 0 0",
fill: {
dropTarget: false,
color: "#ff0099",
},
},
],
viewBox: {
width: 100,
height: 100,
top: 0,
left: 0,
},
};
export const App = () => {
const [state, setState] = useState<UIState>(initialState);
const isSupported = useFeatureSupport();
const isRequiredFeatureSupported = isSupported(addElementAtPoint);
const { paths, viewBox } = state;
const disabled = paths.length < 1;
return (
<div className={styles.scrollContainer}>
<Rows spacing="3u">
<Rows spacing="3u">
<Text>
This example demonstrates how apps can add shape elements to a
design.
</Text>
<Rows spacing="1u">
<Columns spacing="0" alignY="center">
<Column>
<Title size="small">Paths</Title>
</Column>
<Column width="content">
{paths.length < 7 && (
<Button
variant="tertiary"
icon={PlusIcon}
ariaLabel="Add a new path"
onClick={() => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
paths: [
...prevState.paths,
{
d: "",
fill: {
dropTarget: false,
color: "#000000",
},
},
],
};
});
}}
/>
)}
</Column>
</Columns>
{paths.map((path, outerIndex) => {
return (
<Rows spacing="2u" key={outerIndex}>
<FormField
label="Line commands"
value={path.d}
control={(props) => (
<MultilineInput
{...props}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
paths: prevState.paths.map((path, innerIndex) => {
if (outerIndex === innerIndex) {
return {
...path,
d: value,
};
}
return path;
}),
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
<FormField
label="Color"
control={() => (
<ColorSelector
color={paths[outerIndex].fill.color}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
paths: prevState.paths.map((path, innerIndex) => {
if (outerIndex === innerIndex) {
return {
...path,
fill: {
...path.fill,
color: value,
},
};
}
return path;
}),
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
</Rows>
);
})}
</Rows>
</Rows>
<Rows spacing="2u">
<Title size="small">Viewbox</Title>
<FormField
label="Width"
value={viewBox.width}
control={(props) => (
<NumberInput
{...props}
min={1}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
viewBox: {
...prevState.viewBox,
width: Number(value || 0),
},
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
<FormField
label="Height"
value={viewBox.height}
control={(props) => (
<NumberInput
{...props}
min={1}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
viewBox: {
...prevState.viewBox,
height: Number(value || 0),
},
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
<FormField
label="Top"
value={viewBox.top}
control={(props) => (
<NumberInput
{...props}
min={0}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
viewBox: {
...prevState.viewBox,
top: Number(value || 0),
},
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
<FormField
label="Left"
value={viewBox.left}
control={(props) => (
<NumberInput
{...props}
min={0}
onChange={(value) => {
setState((prevState) => {
return {
...prevState,
viewBox: {
...prevState.viewBox,
left: Number(value || 0),
},
};
});
}}
/>
)}
/>
</Rows>
<Rows spacing="1u">
<Button
variant="secondary"
onClick={() => {
setState(initialState);
}}
stretch
>
Reset
</Button>
<Button
variant="primary"
onClick={() => {
addElementAtPoint({
type: "shape",
paths,
viewBox,
});
}}
// ShapeElement is not supported in certain design types such as docs.
disabled={disabled || !isRequiredFeatureSupported}
stretch
>
Add element
</Button>
</Rows>
{!isRequiredFeatureSupported && <UnsupportedAlert />}
</Rows>
</div>
);
};
const UnsupportedAlert = () => (
<Alert tone="warn">
Sorry, the required features are not supported in the current design.
</Alert>
);
TYPESCRIPT
import { AppUiProvider } from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { createRoot } from "react-dom/client";
import { App } from "./app";
import "@canva/app-ui-kit/styles.css";
const root = createRoot(document.getElementById("root") as Element);
function render() {
root.render(
<AppUiProvider>
<App />
</AppUiProvider>,
);
}
render();
if (module.hot) {
module.hot.accept("./app", render);
}
TYPESCRIPT
# Shape elements
Demonstrates how to create custom vector shape elements using SVG path data. Shows shape creation, color customization, multiple path support, and viewBox configuration for building custom graphics.
For API reference docs and instructions on running this example, see: https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/examples/shape-elements/.
Related examples: See design_elements/shape_elements_with_asset for image-filled shapes, or app_shape_elements for shapes within app elements.
NOTE: This example differs from what is expected for public apps to pass a Canva review:
- Path validation and error handling is simplified for demonstration. Production apps must validate SVG paths and handle malformed path data gracefully
- Internationalization is not implemented. Production apps must support multiple languages using the `@canva/app-i18n-kit` package to pass Canva review requirements
MARKDOWN

API Reference

Need Help?