Photo Studio lets you add an arrow, circle, triangle or another shape to a photo as its own layer. Use an arrow to point to a product detail, a circle to mark a location or a rounded rectangle to give a caption a clear background. The shape tools are free to use in your browser, and you can change the shape's size, fill and outline while you work.
Start with a purpose for each shape. If you are marking one detail on a screenshot, an arrow and a short caption may be enough. If you are designing a sale graphic, a background shape can help a price stand out. Choose the shape that helps someone read the image in the order you intend.
Step 1. Open the editor and upload your photo
Go to the Free Photo Editing Software homepage. Click Photo Editor in the navigation or Open Photo Editor in the header. In Photo Studio, choose Open a photo, then upload a JPEG, PNG or WebP. If you already have an image open, use Open photo in the top bar. Wait until the photo appears on the canvas before adding the first shape.
Check the crop first if you need a specific size or frame. A shape that sits comfortably beside a subject in the full image may cover the subject after a tighter crop. When making a graphic for a phone, leave room for any caption you will add and keep the important details away from the edges.
Step 2. Choose one of the ten shapes
Click Add shape in the left toolbar or press U on a keyboard. Open the shape list in the tool options. Choose from Rectangle, Rounded rectangle, Ellipse, Circle, Triangle, Diamond, Pentagon, Hexagon, Star and Arrow. Pick a circle for a round marker or an ellipse when you want a wider oval.
Click or tap the canvas to place the selected shape at a location you choose. You can also use Add to canvas to place it at the default position. After placement, the shape gets its own row in Layers. Open Add shape again whenever you want to add another object. For a label on a product photo, try placing a rounded rectangle near the product first, then add a small arrow beside it.
Step 3. Set the fill and outline
Select the shape in Layers. Use the Color swatch to change the fill, or enter a six-digit HEX code such as #2447CE in Color hex, including the hash. For a colour that already appears in the image, use Pick color before adding the shape or copy its sampled HEX value into the existing layer.
In Outline, choose Enable outline if the edges need to stand out. Use Stroke thickness (px) to set the width and Stroke color to change the edge colour. A pale outline can help a dark arrow remain visible across a dark part of a photo. Check that the outline does not make small corners or points difficult to recognise. Adjust Opacity in the layer controls if you want more of the image to show through the shape.
Step 4. Move, resize or rotate the shape
Choose Move layer and select the shape. Drag it to the intended position, then adjust it with the handles around the selection. You can also enter exact values under Position and size in Layers. Use Rotation (°) when you want to point an arrow toward a detail above or below it. Leave a small space between the arrow tip and the detail so they remain easy to distinguish.
Circles keep their round proportions when resized. If you need a marker that is wider than it is tall, choose an ellipse. To replace the outline of a shape already in your design, use the Shape list in its layer properties. For example, turn a diamond into a star while keeping it in the composition and retaining its styling. Adjust the size again if the new silhouette needs a different amount of space.
Step 5. Arrange shapes and text in the layer stack
Open Layers to check which objects overlap. Higher rows appear in front. Move a background rectangle below its caption and above the photo. If the caption is hidden, select its row and use Up or To front. If an arrow covers too much of the photo, move it to a quieter spot and rotate it back toward the subject.
For several matching labels, style the first shape, select it and click Duplicate. Move the copy and adjust its position or colour. Give the layers clear names so you can find the right one later. For a guide to choosing text size and contrast on top of a shape, see how to add text to a photo.
For an instructional photo with several callouts, give repeated shapes the same size and use one position field to line them up. On a diagram, for example, duplicate a small circle for each numbered marker, then position each copy near its own detail. Add the numbers as separate text layers so you can fix the order without rebuilding the markers. If the callouts get in the way, hide one layer at a time to see which ones the photo still needs.
Step 6. Inspect the design at the final size
Use Fit to check the whole image and zoom in on any sharp corners or fine outlines. Then view the result at a size close to the place you intend to share it. A point that looks clear while zoomed in can become hard to see on a phone. If the arrow is too faint, adjust the fill or stroke before increasing its size. If a badge is overpowering the subject, reduce its size or lower its opacity.
For a more natural overlap, you can hide part of the shape with a layer mask. For example, mask the edge of a rectangle where a foreground object should appear in front of it. Keep the shape layer selected while you paint the mask.
Step 7. Download the finished image
Choose Download image for a PNG. If you need JPEG, WebP or a different output size, choose Download options. Open the downloaded image and check the spacing, text and shape edges. For another round of editing, use File → Download project to save a copy with editable shape layers.