# create_shape()

The `create_shape()` function is used to define a new shape.

## Examples

<div class="example-table">

<div class="example-row"><div class="example-cell-image">

![example picture for create_shape()](/images/reference/Sketch_create_shape_0.png)

</div><div class="example-cell-code">

```python
def setup():
    global s  # the Py5Shape object
    # creating the Py5Shape as a square. the
    # numeric arguments are similar to rect().
    s = py5.create_shape(py5.RECT, 0, 0, 50, 50)
    s.set_fill("#0000FF")
    s.set_stroke(False)


def draw():
    py5.shape(s, 25, 25)
```

</div></div>

<div class="example-row"><div class="example-cell-image">

![example picture for create_shape()](/images/reference/Sketch_create_shape_1.png)

</div><div class="example-cell-code">

```python
def setup():
    global s  # the Py5Shape object
    # creating a custom Py5Shape as a square, by
    # specifying a series of vertices.
    s = py5.create_shape()
    s.begin_shape()
    s.fill(0, 0, 255)
    s.no_stroke()
    s.vertex(0, 0)
    s.vertex(0, 50)
    s.vertex(50, 50)
    s.vertex(50, 0)
    s.end_shape(py5.CLOSE)


def draw():
    py5.shape(s, 25, 25)
```

</div></div>

<div class="example-row"><div class="example-cell-image">

![example picture for create_shape()](/images/reference/Sketch_create_shape_2.png)

</div><div class="example-cell-code">

```python
def setup():
    global s
    py5.size(100, 100, py5.P2D)
    s = py5.create_shape()
    s.begin_shape(py5.TRIANGLE_STRIP)
    s.vertex(30, 75)
    s.vertex(40, 20)
    s.vertex(50, 75)
    s.vertex(60, 20)
    s.vertex(70, 75)
    s.vertex(80, 20)
    s.vertex(90, 75)
    s.end_shape()


def draw():
    py5.shape(s, 0, 0)
```

</div></div>

<div class="example-row"><div class="example-cell-image">

![example picture for create_shape()](/images/reference/Sketch_create_shape_3.png)

</div><div class="example-cell-code">

```python
def setup():
    # create the shape group
    global alien
    alien = py5.create_shape(py5.GROUP)

    # make two shapes
    py5.ellipse_mode(py5.CORNER)
    head = py5.create_shape(py5.ELLIPSE, -25, 0, 50, 50)
    head.set_fill("#FFFFFF")
    body = py5.create_shape(py5.RECT, -25, 45, 50, 40)
    body.set_fill("#000000")

    # add the two "child" shapes to the parent group
    alien.add_child(body)
    alien.add_child(head)


def draw():
    py5.background(204)
    py5.translate(50, 15)
    py5.shape(alien)  # draw the group
```

</div></div>

</div>

## Description

The `create_shape()` function is used to define a new shape. Once created, this shape can be drawn with the [](sketch_shape) function. The basic way to use the function defines new primitive shapes. One of the following parameters are used as the first parameter: `ELLIPSE`, `RECT`, `ARC`, `TRIANGLE`, `SPHERE`, `BOX`, `QUAD`, or `LINE`. The parameters for each of these different shapes are the same as their corresponding functions: [](sketch_ellipse), [](sketch_rect), [](sketch_arc), [](sketch_triangle), [](sketch_sphere), [](sketch_box), [](sketch_quad), and [](sketch_line). The first example clarifies how this works.

Custom, unique shapes can be made by using `create_shape()` without a parameter. After the shape is started, the drawing attributes and geometry can be set directly to the shape within the [](sketch_begin_shape) and [](sketch_end_shape) methods. See the second example for specifics, and the reference for [](sketch_begin_shape) for all of its options.

The  `create_shape()` function can also be used to make a complex shape made of other shapes. This is called a "group" and it's created by using the parameter `GROUP` as the first parameter. See the fourth example to see how it works.

After using `create_shape()`, stroke and fill color can be set by calling methods like [](py5shape_set_fill) and [](py5shape_set_stroke), as seen in the examples. The complete list of methods and fields for the [](py5shape) class are in the py5 documentation.

Underlying Processing method: [createShape](https://processing.org/reference/createShape_.html)

## Signatures

```python
create_shape() -> Py5Shape

create_shape(
    kind: int,  # either POINT, LINE, TRIANGLE, QUAD, RECT, ELLIPSE, ARC, BOX, SPHERE
    /,
    *p: float,
) -> Py5Shape

create_shape(
    type: int,  # either GROUP, PATH, or GEOMETRY
    /,
) -> Py5Shape
```

Updated on March 06, 2023 02:49:26am UTC