Create Line Shapes in Presentations with Python

Overview

Aspose.Slides for Python via .NET supports adding different kinds of shapes to the slides. In this topic, we will start working with shapes by adding lines to the slides. Using Aspose.Slides, developers can not only create simple lines , but some fancy lines can also be drawn on the slides.

Create Plain Lines

Use Aspose.Slides to add a plain line to a slide as a simple separator or connector. To add a plain line to a selected slide in a presentation, follow these steps:

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a reference to the slide by index.
3. Add an AutoShape of type LINE using the add_auto_shape method on the ShapeCollection object.
4. Save the presentation as a PPTX file.

In the example below, a line is added to the first slide of the presentation.

import aspose.slides as slides

# Instantiate the Presentation class.
with slides.Presentation() as presentation:

    # Get the first slide.
    slide = presentation.slides[0]

    # Add an auto shape of type LINE.
    slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(slides.ShapeType.LINE, 50, 150, 300, 0)

    # Save the presentation as a PPTX file.
    presentation.save("line_shape.pptx", slides.export.SaveFormat.PPTX)

Create Arrow-Shaped Lines

Aspose.Slides lets you configure line properties to make them more visually appealing. Below, we configure a few properties of a line to make it look like an arrow. Follow these steps:

1. Create an instance of the Presentation class.
2. Get a reference to a slide by index.
3. Add an AutoShape of type LINE using the add_auto_shape method on the ShapeCollection object.
4. Set the line style.
5. Set the line width.
6. Set the line’s dash style.
7. Set the arrowhead style and length for the line’s start point.
8. Set the arrowhead style and length for the line’s end point.
9. Save the presentation as a PPTX file.

import aspose.slides as slides
import aspose.pydrawing as draw

# Instantiate the Presentation class that represents the PPTX file.
with slides.Presentation() as presentation:
    # Get the first slide.
    slide = presentation.slides[0]

    # Add an auto shape of type LINE.
    shape = slide.shapes.add_auto_shape(slides.ShapeType.LINE, 50, 150, 300, 0)

    # Apply formatting to the line.
    shape.line_format.style = slides.LineStyle.THICK_BETWEEN_THIN
    shape.line_format.width = 10

    shape.line_format.dash_style = slides.LineDashStyle.DASH_DOT

    shape.line_format.begin_arrowhead_length = slides.LineArrowheadLength.SHORT
    shape.line_format.begin_arrowhead_style = slides.LineArrowheadStyle.OVAL

    shape.line_format.end_arrowhead_length = slides.LineArrowheadLength.LONG
    shape.line_format.end_arrowhead_style = slides.LineArrowheadStyle.TRIANGLE

    shape.line_format.fill_format.fill_type = slides.FillType.SOLID
    shape.line_format.fill_format.solid_fill_color.color = draw.Color.maroon

    # Save the presentation as a PPTX file.
    presentation.save("line_shape_2.pptx", slides.export.SaveFormat.PPTX)

FAQ

Can I convert a regular line into a connector so it “snaps” to shapes?

No. A regular line (an AutoShape of type LINE) does not automatically become a connector. To make it snap to shapes, use the dedicated Connector type and the corresponding APIs for connections.

What should I do if a line’s properties are inherited from the theme and it’s hard to determine the final values?

Read the effective properties through the ILineFormatEffectiveData/ILineFillFormatEffectiveData classes—these already account for inheritance and theme styles.

Can I lock a line against editing (moving, resizing)?

Yes. Shapes provide lock objects that let you disallow editing operations.