Scene Elements (Shapes & Text)

This guide shows you how to add shape and text elements to your scenes. Elements are decorative overlays placed on top of a scene’s background: for example a badge behind a number, an arrow pointing at a product, or a headline that does not affect your narration.

The elements array also supports video and image overlays: picture-in-picture clips, product shots, and AI-generated visuals. Those are covered in the separate Media Elements guide; all element types can be mixed in the same scene.

What You’ll Learn

Shape Elements

Add basic shapes (rectangle, circle, line) and 130+ library shapes

Text Elements

Add decorative text overlays (heading, subheading, body)

Positioning

Anchor elements with presets and size them as a fraction of the canvas

Styling

Control fill, stroke, font, color, alignment, and more

Before You Begin

Make sure you have:

A Pictory API key
Node.js or Python installed on your machine
Basic understanding of scene configuration in the Pictory API

Scene elements are processed by the v3 storyboard engine. Any scene that includes an elements array is automatically routed to v3; you do not need to set storyboardVersion yourself.

How Scene Elements Work

Each scene accepts an optional elements array. Each entry is either a shape or a text element:

"scenes": [
  {
    "story": "Your scene narration here.",
    "elements": [
      {
        "type": "shape",
        "name": "badge-3",
        "fill": "rgba(255,255,255,1)",
        "position": "top-left",
        "width": "20%"
      },
      {
        "type": "text",
        "text": "50% OFF",
        "textVariant": "heading",
        "position": "center"
      }
    ]
  }
]

A maximum of 20 elements per scene is allowed.
Elements render on top of the scene background and any subtitles, in the order provided.

Shape Elements

Set type: "shape" and a name. The shape’s geometry is resolved automatically; you only provide color and position.

Field	Type	Required	Description
`type`	string	Yes	Must be `"shape"`
`name`	string	Yes	Shape name. See Shape gallery
`fill`	string	No	Fill color (`rgba(...)` or hex). Defaults to a neutral gray
`stroke`	string	No	Outline color (`rgba(...)` or hex)
`strokeWidth`	number	No	Outline thickness in pixels
`borderRadius`	number	No	Corner radius, `rectangle` only
`position`	string	No	Anchor preset; defaults to `top-right`. Use `top`/`left` instead for explicit offsets. See Positioning

Only type and name are required. Everything else has a sensible default: no position → top-right, no width → 20% of the canvas, no fill → neutral gray. So { "type": "shape", "name": "rectangle" } is a complete, valid element.

Shape examples

"elements": [
  // 1. Minimal: relies on every default (top-right, 20% wide, neutral gray)
  { "type": "shape", "name": "rectangle" },

  // 2. A fully styled rounded rectangle, centered
  {
    "type": "shape",
    "name": "rectangle",
    "fill": "rgba(255,0,0,1)",
    "stroke": "rgba(0,0,0,1)",
    "strokeWidth": 4,
    "borderRadius": 12,
    "position": "center",
    "width": "30%"
  },

  // 3. A featured library shape, recolored green
  { "type": "shape", "name": "badge-3", "fill": "rgba(20,180,90,1)", "position": "top-left", "width": "18%" },

  // 4. A featured shape with NO fill keeps its original colors
  { "type": "shape", "name": "badge-3", "position": "bottom-left", "width": "18%" }
]

Colors can be rgb(r,g,b), rgba(r,g,b,a), or hex (#rrggbb).

Pick a Shape by Use Case

Not sure where to start? These are the most common pairings.

You want to…	Try shape	Pair with
Add a call-to-action button background	`rectangle` (with `borderRadius`)	`text` element on top (`textVariant: "body"`)
Highlight a discount or price	`badge-3` or `badge-5`	`text` element with `textVariant: "heading"`
Point at a product or feature	`arrow-4` or `arrow-12`	Place near the subject with `top`/`left` offsets
Frame a testimonial or quote	`quote-1` or `speech-bubble-2`	`text` element with `textVariant: "body"`
Mark “complete” or “approved”	`checkmark-1`	Place top-right with default position
Mark “wrong” or “do not do this”	`cross-1`	Place top-right with default position
Add a rating or emphasis	`star-1` to `star-6`	Repeat the same shape with different `left` offsets
Soft, modern background accent	`blob-1` to `blob-9`	Set low-opacity `fill` like `rgba(255,200,100,0.3)`
Underline a key word in a heading	`line-1` to `line-17`	Position below a `text` element
Add a divider between sections	`line` (basic)	Center it, set `width: "60%"`

Shape Gallery

All 140 shape names available to the API. Type below to filter by name, then click any tile to copy.

Text Elements

Set type: "text" and a text string. Use textVariant for a quick decorative preset, or style for full control.

Field	Type	Required	Description
`type`	string	Yes	Must be `"text"`
`text`	string	Yes	The text to display (max 2000 chars)
`textVariant`	string	No	Decorative preset: `"heading"`, `"subheading"`, or `"body"`. Defaults to `"body"` if omitted
`style`	object	No	Font/color/alignment overrides (same as `subtitleStyle`)
`styleId` / `styleName`	string	No	Apply a saved text style
`position`	string	No	Anchor preset; use `top`/`left` instead for explicit offsets. See Positioning

Decorative text presets

textVariant seeds sensible defaults (font size, position, width). You can override any of them with style or position.

Preset	Default size	Default position	Default width
`heading`	66	center	0.9
`subheading`	42	top-center	0.9
`body`	20	center	0.37

Default text positions are kept away from the bottom of the scene so decorative text does not overlap burned-in subtitles. If you want text at the bottom, set position explicitly (e.g. "bottom-center").

Text examples

"elements": [
  // 1. Bare text: defaults to the "body" preset
  { "type": "text", "text": "Limited time only" },

  // 2. A big centered headline
  { "type": "text", "text": "50% OFF", "textVariant": "heading" },

  // 3. A subheading, pinned to the top
  { "type": "text", "text": "Summer sale ends Sunday", "textVariant": "subheading" },

  // 4. Body text placed explicitly via offsets
  { "type": "text", "text": "Terms apply", "textVariant": "body", "top": "70%", "left": "10%" }
]

Text style overrides

The style object accepts the same fields as subtitleStyle, including:

Field	Example	Description
`fontFamily`	`"Plus Jakarta Sans"`	Font name
`fontSize`	`48`	Font size in points
`color`	`"rgba(255,255,255,1)"`	Text color
`backgroundColor`	`"rgba(0,0,0,0.35)"`	Text background color
`alignment`	`"center"`	`left`, `center`, or `right`
`case`	`"uppercase"`	`uppercase`, `lowercase`, `capitalize`, `smallcapitalize`
`decorations`	`["bold"]`	`bold`, `underline`, `italics`, `linethrough`

For example, a fully custom-styled headline:

{
  "type": "text",
  "text": "Big news",
  "textVariant": "heading",
  "position": "center",
  "style": {
    "fontFamily": "Plus Jakarta Sans",
    "fontSize": 72,
    "color": "rgba(255,255,255,1)",
    "backgroundColor": "rgba(0,0,0,0.35)",
    "alignment": "center",
    "case": "uppercase",
    "decorations": ["bold"]
  }
}

Positioning

Position an element in one of two ways: a position anchor or explicit top/left offsets. Use one or the other, not both. width is a size and can be combined with either. All fields are optional and live directly on the element.

Field	Type	Description
`position`	string	Anchor region (see below). Cannot be combined with `top`/`left`
`width`	string	Element width as a percentage of the canvas, e.g. `"20%"`
`top`	string	Vertical offset as a percentage, e.g. `"10%"`. Cannot be combined with `position`
`left`	string	Horizontal offset as a percentage, e.g. `"10%"`. Cannot be combined with `position`

Valid position values: top-left, top-center, top-right, center-left, center, center-right, bottom-left, bottom-center, bottom-right

center means the middle of the scene. center-center is also accepted and means the same thing.

Use either position or top/left, not both; sending both is rejected. For a quick anchor, use position (a shape with no position defaults to top-right). For fine placement, use top/left instead of a preset.

Positioning examples

"elements": [
  // Preset anchors: placed at three corners/center of the scene
  { "type": "shape", "name": "circle", "fill": "rgba(255,0,0,1)", "position": "top-center", "width": "12%" },
  { "type": "shape", "name": "circle", "fill": "rgba(0,255,0,1)", "position": "center", "width": "12%" },
  { "type": "shape", "name": "circle", "fill": "rgba(0,0,255,1)", "position": "bottom-right", "width": "12%" },

  // Explicit offsets: use top/left instead of a position preset for fine placement
  { "type": "shape", "name": "rectangle", "fill": "rgba(255,87,51,1)", "top": "15%", "left": "10%", "width": "25%" }
]

Multiple elements per scene

A single scene can mix shapes and text (up to 20 elements). They render in the order provided, on top of the background and subtitles.

{
  "story": "Introducing our biggest sale of the year.",
  "elements": [
    { "type": "shape", "name": "pill", "fill": "rgba(0,128,255,1)", "position": "center", "width": "40%" },
    { "type": "text", "text": "MEGA SALE", "textVariant": "heading", "position": "center" },
    { "type": "shape", "name": "star-1", "fill": "rgba(245,200,60,1)", "position": "top-right", "width": "12%" }
  ]
}

Complete Example

import axios from "axios";

const API_BASE_URL = "https://api.pictory.ai/pictoryapis";
const API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY";

async function createVideoWithElements() {
  const response = await axios.post(
    `${API_BASE_URL}/v2/video/storyboard`,
    {
      videoName: "video_with_scene_elements",
      scenes: [
        {
          story: "Introducing our biggest sale of the year.",
          elements: [
            // A library badge in the top-left corner
            {
              type: "shape",
              name: "badge-3",
              fill: "rgba(255,87,51,1)",
              position: "top-left",
              width: "18%",
            },
            // A bold decorative heading
            {
              type: "text",
              text: "50% OFF",
              textVariant: "heading",
              style: { color: "rgba(255,255,255,1)", case: "uppercase", decorations: ["bold"] },
              position: "center",
            },
          ],
        },
        {
          story: "Tap the link below to claim your discount today.",
          elements: [
            // A basic rounded rectangle as a call-to-action background
            {
              type: "shape",
              name: "rectangle",
              fill: "rgba(0,128,255,1)",
              borderRadius: 12,
              position: "bottom-center",
              width: "50%",
            },
            // Body text on top of it
            {
              type: "text",
              text: "Claim your discount",
              textVariant: "body",
              position: "bottom-center",
              width: "45%",
            },
          ],
        },
      ],
    },
    {
      headers: {
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        Authorization: API_KEY,
      },
    }
  );

  console.log("✓ Storyboard creation started!");
  console.log("Job ID:", response.data.data.jobId);
}

createVideoWithElements();

import requests

API_BASE_URL = "https://api.pictory.ai/pictoryapis"
API_KEY = "YOUR_API_KEY"

def create_video_with_elements():
    response = requests.post(
        f"{API_BASE_URL}/v2/video/storyboard",
        headers={"Content-Type": "application/json", "Authorization": API_KEY},
        json={
            "videoName": "video_with_scene_elements",
            "scenes": [
                {
                    "story": "Introducing our biggest sale of the year.",
                    "elements": [
                        {
                            "type": "shape",
                            "name": "badge-3",
                            "fill": "rgba(255,87,51,1)",
                            "position": "top-left",
                            "width": "18%",
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "text",
                            "text": "50% OFF",
                            "textVariant": "heading",
                            "style": {"color": "rgba(255,255,255,1)", "case": "uppercase", "decorations": ["bold"]},
                            "position": "center",
                        },
                    ],
                },
                {
                    "story": "Tap the link below to claim your discount today.",
                    "elements": [
                        {
                            "type": "shape",
                            "name": "rectangle",
                            "fill": "rgba(0,128,255,1)",
                            "borderRadius": 12,
                            "position": "bottom-center",
                            "width": "50%",
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "text",
                            "text": "Claim your discount",
                            "textVariant": "body",
                            "position": "bottom-center",
                            "width": "45%",
                        },
                    ],
                },
            ],
        },
    )

    print("✓ Storyboard creation started!")
    print("Job ID:", response.json()["data"]["jobId"])

create_video_with_elements()

Next Steps

Media Elements

Overlay videos and images, from a URL, stock search, or an AI prompt

Scene Transitions

Add smooth transitions between scenes

Smart Layouts

Use pre-designed scene layouts

Background Color Overlay

Tint scene backgrounds for readability and branding

​What You’ll Learn

Shape Elements

Text Elements

Positioning

Styling

​Before You Begin

​How Scene Elements Work

​Shape Elements

​Shape examples

​Pick a Shape by Use Case

​Shape Gallery

​Text Elements

​Decorative text presets

​Text examples

​Text style overrides

​Positioning

​Positioning examples

​Multiple elements per scene

​Complete Example

​Next Steps

Media Elements

Scene Transitions

Smart Layouts

Background Color Overlay

What You’ll Learn

Before You Begin

How Scene Elements Work

Shape Elements

Shape examples

Pick a Shape by Use Case

Shape Gallery

Text Elements

Decorative text presets

Text examples

Text style overrides

Positioning

Positioning examples

Multiple elements per scene

Complete Example

Next Steps