Types of geometric shapes

Geometric shapes are non-UML model elements that you use in freeform diagrams. Geometric shapes are basic shapes (such as a rectangle) in a diagram that are not associated with a UML model element and do not have any UML semantics. Geometric shapes have no meaning in UML.

You can use geometric shapes to add visual interest to a UML diagram by annotating the diagrams in your model with various shapes and symbols. For example, in a freeform diagram, you can use geometric shapes to create an organization chart for your software development team. In a use case diagram, you can use a rectangle to separate the internal use cases from the external actors.

Geometric shapes have default names, but you can specify a name that identifies the meaning or purpose you give to the shape.

You can add the following shapes to your diagrams:

Label Shape
3D Rectangle A three dimensional rectangle
Cylinder A cylinder
Diamond A diamond
Hexagon A hexagon
Line A line drawn from the lower left to the upper right
Octagon An octagon
Oval An oval
Pentagon A pentagon
Polygon A polygon
Rectangle A rectangle
Rounded Rectangle A rectangle with rounded edges
Shadow Rectangle A rectangle with a shadow
Triangle A triangle

Related concepts
Diagram elements

Related tasks
Graphically representing model elements in modeling diagrams
Adding diagram elements to modeling diagrams
Saving modeling diagram elements
Deleting modeling diagram elements
Connecting modeling diagram elements

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