## ShapeBase class

Base class for objects in the drawing layer, such as an AutoShape, freeform, OLE object, ActiveX control, or picture.
To learn more, visit the [Working with Shapes](https://docs.aspose.com/words/python-net/working-with-shapes/) documentation article.




### Remarks

This is an abstract class. The two derived classes that you can instantiate
are [Shape](../shape/) and [GroupShape](../groupshape/).

A shape is a node in the document tree.

If the shape is a child of a [Paragraph](../../aspose.words/paragraph/) object, then the shape is said to be "top-level".
Top-level shapes are measured and positioned in points.

A shape can also occur as a child of a [GroupShape](../groupshape/) object when several shapes
are grouped. Child shapes of a group shape are positioned in the coordinate space and units
defined by the [ShapeBase.coord_size](./coord_size/) and [ShapeBase.coord_origin](./coord_origin/) properties of the parent
group shape.

A shape can be positioned inline with text or floating. The positioning method is controlled
using the [ShapeBase.wrap_type](./wrap_type/) property.

When a shape is floating, it is positioned relative to something (e.g the current paragraph,
the margin or the page). The relative positioning of the shape is specified using the
[ShapeBase.relative_horizontal_position](./relative_horizontal_position/) and [ShapeBase.relative_vertical_position](./relative_vertical_position/) properties.

A floating shape be positioned explicitly using the [ShapeBase.left](./left/) and [ShapeBase.top](./top/)
properties or aligned relative to some other object using the [ShapeBase.horizontal_alignment](./horizontal_alignment/)
and [ShapeBase.vertical_alignment](./vertical_alignment/) properties.




**Inheritance:** [ShapeBase](./) → [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/) → [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)

### Properties

| Name | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [allow_overlap](./allow_overlap/) | Gets or sets a value that specifies whether this shape can overlap other shapes. |
| [alternative_text](./alternative_text/) | Defines alternative text to be displayed instead of a graphic. |
| [anchor_locked](./anchor_locked/) | Specifies whether the shape's anchor is locked. |
| [aspect_ratio_locked](./aspect_ratio_locked/) | Specifies whether the shape's aspect ratio is locked. |
| [behind_text](./behind_text/) | Specifies whether the shape is below or above text. |
| [bottom](./bottom/) | Gets the position of the bottom edge of the containing block of the shape. |
| [bounds](./bounds/) | Gets or sets the location and size of the containing block of the shape. |
| [bounds_in_points](./bounds_in_points/) | Gets the location and size of the containing block of the shape in points, relative to the anchor of the topmost shape. |
| [bounds_with_effects](./bounds_with_effects/) | Gets final extent that this shape object has after applying drawing effects. Value is measured in points. |
| [can_have_image](./can_have_image/) | Returns ``True`` if the shape type allows the shape to have an image. |
| [coord_origin](./coord_origin/) | The coordinates at the top-left corner of the containing block of this shape. |
| [coord_size](./coord_size/) | The width and height of the coordinate space inside the containing block of this shape. |
| [count](../../aspose.words/compositenode/count/) | Gets the number of immediate children of this node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
| [custom_node_id](../../aspose.words/node/custom_node_id/) | Specifies custom node identifier.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [distance_bottom](./distance_bottom/) | Returns or sets the distance (in points) between the document text and the bottom edge of the shape. |
| [distance_left](./distance_left/) | Returns or sets the distance (in points) between the document text and the left edge of the shape. |
| [distance_right](./distance_right/) | Returns or sets the distance (in points) between the document text and the right edge of the shape. |
| [distance_top](./distance_top/) | Returns or sets the distance (in points) between the document text and the top edge of the shape. |
| [document](../../aspose.words/node/document/) | Gets the document to which this node belongs.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [fill](./fill/) | Gets fill formatting for the shape. |
| [first_child](../../aspose.words/compositenode/first_child/) | Gets the first child of the node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
| [flip_orientation](./flip_orientation/) | Switches the orientation of a shape. |
| [font](./font/) | Provides access to the font formatting of this object. |
| [glow](./glow/) | Gets glow formatting for the shape. |
| [has_child_nodes](../../aspose.words/compositenode/has_child_nodes/) | Returns ``True`` if this node has any child nodes.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
| [height](./height/) | Gets or sets the height of the containing block of the shape. |
| [height_relative](./height_relative/) | Gets or sets the value that represents the percentage of shape's relative height. |
| [hidden](./hidden/) | Gets or sets a boolean value indicating whether the shape is visible. |
| [horizontal_alignment](./horizontal_alignment/) | Specifies how the shape is positioned horizontally. |
| [href](./href/) | Gets or sets the full hyperlink address for a shape. |
| [is_composite](../../aspose.words/node/is_composite/) | Returns ``True`` if this node can contain other nodes.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [is_decorative](./is_decorative/) | Gets or sets the flag that specifies whether the shape is decorative in the document. |
| [is_delete_revision](./is_delete_revision/) | Returns true if this object was deleted in Microsoft Word while change tracking was enabled. |
| [is_group](./is_group/) | Returns ``True`` if this is a group shape. |
| [is_horizontal_rule](./is_horizontal_rule/) | Returns ``True`` if this shape is a horizontal rule. |
| [is_image](./is_image/) | Returns ``True`` if this shape is an image shape. |
| [is_inline](./is_inline/) | A quick way to determine if this shape is positioned inline with text. |
| [is_insert_revision](./is_insert_revision/) | Returns true if this object was inserted in Microsoft Word while change tracking was enabled. |
| [is_layout_in_cell](./is_layout_in_cell/) | Gets or sets a flag indicating whether the shape is displayed inside a table or outside of it. |
| [is_move_from_revision](./is_move_from_revision/) | Returns ``True`` if this object was moved (deleted) in Microsoft Word while change tracking was enabled. |
| [is_move_to_revision](./is_move_to_revision/) | Returns ``True`` if this object was moved (inserted) in Microsoft Word while change tracking was enabled. |
| [is_signature_line](./is_signature_line/) | Indicates that shape is a [SignatureLine](../signatureline/). |
| [is_top_level](./is_top_level/) | Returns ``True`` if this shape is not a child of a group shape. |
| [is_word_art](./is_word_art/) | Returns ``True`` if this shape is a WordArt object. |
| [last_child](../../aspose.words/compositenode/last_child/) | Gets the last child of the node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
| [left](./left/) | Gets or sets the position of the left edge of the containing block of the shape. |
| [left_relative](./left_relative/) | Gets or sets the value that represents shape's relative left position in percent. |
| [markup_language](./markup_language/) | Gets MarkupLanguage used for this graphic object. |
| [name](./name/) | Gets or sets the optional shape name. |
| [next_sibling](../../aspose.words/node/next_sibling/) | Gets the node immediately following this node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [node_type](../../aspose.words/node/node_type/) | Gets the type of this node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [parent_node](../../aspose.words/node/parent_node/) | Gets the immediate parent of this node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [parent_paragraph](./parent_paragraph/) | Returns the immediate parent paragraph. |
| [previous_sibling](../../aspose.words/node/previous_sibling/) | Gets the node immediately preceding this node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [range](../../aspose.words/node/range/) | Returns a [Range](../../aspose.words/range/) object that represents the portion of a document that is contained in this node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
| [reflection](./reflection/) | Gets reflection formatting for the shape. |
| [relative_horizontal_position](./relative_horizontal_position/) | Specifies relative to what the shape is positioned horizontally. |
| [relative_horizontal_size](./relative_horizontal_size/) | Gets or sets the value of shape's relative size in horizontal direction. |
| [relative_vertical_position](./relative_vertical_position/) | Specifies relative to what the shape is positioned vertically. |
| [relative_vertical_size](./relative_vertical_size/) | Gets or sets the value of shape's relative size in vertical direction. |
| [right](./right/) | Gets the position of the right edge of the containing block of the shape. |
| [rotation](./rotation/) | Defines the angle (in degrees) that a shape is rotated. Positive value corresponds to clockwise rotation angle. |
| [screen_tip](./screen_tip/) | Defines the text displayed when the mouse pointer moves over the shape. |
| [shadow_format](./shadow_format/) | Gets shadow formatting for the shape. |
| [shape_type](./shape_type/) | Gets the shape type. |
| [size_in_points](./size_in_points/) | Gets the size of the shape in points. |
| [soft_edge](./soft_edge/) | Gets soft edge formatting for the shape. |
| [target](./target/) | Gets or sets the target frame for the shape hyperlink. |
| [title](./title/) | Gets or sets the title (caption) of the current shape object. |
| [top](./top/) | Gets or sets the position of the top edge of the containing block of the shape. |
| [top_relative](./top_relative/) | Gets or sets the value that represents shape's relative top position in percent. |
| [vertical_alignment](./vertical_alignment/) | Specifies how the shape is positioned vertically. |
| [width](./width/) | Gets or sets the width of the containing block of the shape. |
| [width_relative](./width_relative/) | Gets or sets the value that represents the percentage of shape's relative width. |
| [wrap_side](./wrap_side/) | Specifies how the text is wrapped around the shape. |
| [wrap_type](./wrap_type/) | Defines whether the shape is inline or floating. For floating shapes defines the wrapping mode for text around the shape. |
| [z_order](./z_order/) | Determines the display order of overlapping shapes. |

### Methods

| Name | Description |
| --- | --- |
|[ accept(visitor)](../../aspose.words/node/accept/#documentvisitor) | Accepts a visitor.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ accept_end(visitor)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/accept_end/#documentvisitor) | When implemented in a derived class, calls the VisitXXXEnd method of the specified document visitor.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ accept_start(visitor)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/accept_start/#documentvisitor) | When implemented in a derived class, calls the VisitXXXStart method of the specified document visitor.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ adjust_with_effects(source)](./adjust_with_effects/#rectanglef) | Adds to the source rectangle values of the effect extent and returns the final rectangle. |
|[ append_child(new_child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/append_child/#node) | Adds the specified node to the end of the list of child nodes for this node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ clone(is_clone_children)](../../aspose.words/node/clone/#bool) | Creates a duplicate of the node.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ get_ancestor(ancestor_type)](../../aspose.words/node/get_ancestor/#object) | Gets the first ancestor of the specified object type.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ get_ancestor(ancestor_type)](../../aspose.words/node/get_ancestor/#nodetype) | Gets the first ancestor of the specified [NodeType](../../aspose.words/nodetype/).<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ get_child(node_type, index, is_deep)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/get_child/#nodetype_int_bool) | Returns an Nth child node that matches the specified type.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ get_child_nodes(node_type, is_deep)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/get_child_nodes/#nodetype_bool) | Returns a live collection of child nodes that match the specified type.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ get_shape_renderer()](./get_shape_renderer/#default) | Creates and returns an object that can be used to render this shape into an image. |
|[ get_text()](../../aspose.words/node/get_text/#default) | Gets the text of this node and of all its children.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ index_of(child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/index_of/#node) | Returns the index of the specified child node in the child node array.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ insert_after(new_child, ref_child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/insert_after/#node_node) | Inserts the specified node immediately after the specified reference node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ insert_before(new_child, ref_child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/insert_before/#node_node) | Inserts the specified node immediately before the specified reference node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ local_to_parent(value)](./local_to_parent/#pointf) | Converts a value from the local coordinate space into the coordinate space of the parent shape. |
|[ next_pre_order(root_node)](../../aspose.words/node/next_pre_order/#node) | Gets next node according to the pre-order tree traversal algorithm.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ node_type_to_string(node_type)](../../aspose.words/node/node_type_to_string/#nodetype) | A utility method that converts a node type enum value into a user friendly string.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ prepend_child(new_child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/prepend_child/#node) | Adds the specified node to the beginning of the list of child nodes for this node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ previous_pre_order(root_node)](../../aspose.words/node/previous_pre_order/#node) | Gets the previous node according to the pre-order tree traversal algorithm.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ remove()](../../aspose.words/node/remove/#default) | Removes itself from the parent.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ remove_all_children()](../../aspose.words/compositenode/remove_all_children/#default) | Removes all the child nodes of the current node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ remove_child(old_child)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/remove_child/#node) | Removes the specified child node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ remove_smart_tags()](../../aspose.words/compositenode/remove_smart_tags/#default) | Removes all [SmartTag](../../aspose.words.markup/smarttag/) descendant nodes of the current node.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ select_nodes(xpath)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/select_nodes/#str) | Selects a list of nodes matching the XPath expression.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ select_single_node(xpath)](../../aspose.words/compositenode/select_single_node/#str) | Selects the first [Node](../../aspose.words/node/) that matches the XPath expression.<br>(Inherited from [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)) |
|[ to_string(save_format)](../../aspose.words/node/to_string/#saveformat) | Exports the content of the node into a string in the specified format.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |
|[ to_string(save_options)](../../aspose.words/node/to_string/#saveoptions) | Exports the content of the node into a string using the specified save options.<br>(Inherited from [Node](../../aspose.words/node/)) |

### Examples

Shows how to insert a floating image to the center of a page.

```python
doc = aw.Document()
builder = aw.DocumentBuilder(doc=doc)
# Insert a floating image that will appear behind the overlapping text and align it to the page's center.
shape = builder.insert_image(file_name=IMAGE_DIR + 'Logo.jpg')
shape.wrap_type = aw.drawing.WrapType.NONE
shape.behind_text = True
shape.relative_horizontal_position = aw.drawing.RelativeHorizontalPosition.PAGE
shape.relative_vertical_position = aw.drawing.RelativeVerticalPosition.PAGE
shape.horizontal_alignment = aw.drawing.HorizontalAlignment.CENTER
shape.vertical_alignment = aw.drawing.VerticalAlignment.CENTER
doc.save(file_name=ARTIFACTS_DIR + 'Image.CreateFloatingPageCenter.docx')
```

### See Also

* module [aspose.words.drawing](../)
* class [CompositeNode](../../aspose.words/compositenode/)
* class [Shape](../shape/)
* class [GroupShape](../groupshape/)