---
sourceDocument: Brazil Enterprise Architecture
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/application-portfolio-management

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Enterprise Architecture

ft:clusterId :

    - appportman

bundleId :

    - appportman

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Custom shapes example

# Custom shapes example {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
Use custom shapes to represent specific elements that are unique to your organization, such as custom business processes, systems, or roles.

## Before you begin

Role required: System Administrator (to upload images to the database), APM admin (to create diagram actions, custom shape library, add shape library element).

## About this task

In this example, you will learn how to upload an image or shape to the database and create a diagram action for it. You will also create a custom shape library, add the shape to the shape library, and create a shape library element. Finally, you will create a diagram using the shapes.

Create the shapes that represent the elements you want to include in your diagrams. Ensure the images are clear, simple, and visually distinct. The compatible format is .SVG. In this example, we use the 'Database.svg'
image.

## Procedure

1. Upload the image or shape to the database.
   1. Navigate to AllSystem UIImages.  
   2. Select New.  
   {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__substeps_efv_jg3_k2c}
2. In the New image record, enter the name of the image file (include file format extension) and fill in other details.
3. Select Click to add....  
4. Create a diagram action for the image in the Enterprise Architecture Workspace.
   1. Log in as an APM admin user (sn_apm.apm_admin), navigate to the Setup section.
   2. Under the Enterprise Modeling and Visualization section, select Diagram Actions.  
   3. Select New to create a diagram action for the image (Database.svg).
   4. In the Diagram Action form, enter the following details:  
      * Name- Name for the diagram action
      * Diagram builder configuration- Select APM diagram configuration from the list
      * Node type- Select node type as 'Image node container'
      * Category- Select Default
      * Sub category- Select Default sub category
      * Icon- Enter name of the image

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   {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__substeps_wph_jgj_k2c}
5. Create a custom shape library specific to your Org to add all the shapes to create diagrams for your organization.
   1. As an APM Admin user, navigate to SetupEnterprise Modeling and VisualizationShape Libraries.  
   2. Select New.
   3. Enter a name for the shape library, then select Save.  
   {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__substeps_b34_rnb_k2c}
6. Add a shape library element to associate the shape and its diagram action to the shape library.
   1. As an APM Admin user, open the shape library you have created in the previous step.
   2. Select the Shape Library Elements tab.
   3. Select New.  
   4. In the Shape library element form, enter the following details:  
      * Tool tip- Enter text that you want to see on hovering the image.
      * Diagram action- Select the diagram action that you have created in the previous step.
      * Now icon- Enter the name of the shape or image.
      * Name- Enter a name for the shape to be displayed in the Enterprise Modeling and Visualization application.
      * Shape library- This field is automatically selected.
      * Domain- Optional field.
      * Entity configuration- Optional field.

      {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__ul_qp2_mwk_k2c}
   5. Select Save.
   {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__substeps_xxk_hwk_k2c}
7. Create a diagram using the shape uploaded.
   1. Navigate to Enterprise Modeling and Visualization page.
   2. Select \> NewBlank diagram  
   3. Enter a name for the diagram and optionally, you can enter or select an existing architectural category for the diagram.  
      Observe that the shape library that you created appears in the Shapes pallet. It contains the shape that you uploaded.
   4. Click on the shape to add it to the canvas.  
      The selected shape gets added to the canvas.
   {#eaw-modeling-custom-shape-example__substeps_xy3_fxk_k2c}
**Related tasks**   

* [Storing shapes or images to the database](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2LDboARpcHL4Al7KY77luQ "Upload the images to the database to configure them to show up in the diagrams page of the Enterprise Modeling and Visualization.")
* [Create a diagram action for a custom shape](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Cc5dnPyT9ppSNCU7dOwzdA "Create diagram actions for newly added custom shapes that can be used in  Enterprise Modeling and Visualization to create diagrams.")
* [Add a custom shape library](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/8TPqiTP12LwpriT12GgVIQ "Create a shape library to add custom shapes that are unique to your organization.")
* [Add a shape library element for a custom shape](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Iu2Mor4NDOacgN8nv3D6KQ "Create a shape library element to associate a custom shape and its diagram action to the custom shape library.")

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