> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.scriptation.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How do I build custom icons for overheads?

You can build custom icons in Scriptation by combining Shapes, Text Boxes, Unicode characters, and emojis, then saving them as [Saved Annotations](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-saved-annotations-and-how-do-i-use-them-1rerp7z/) so you can reuse them across all your overheads, floor plans, shot designs, and blocking charts.

|| 📝 NOTE: This video shows a slightly older user interface but the instructions are still accurate.
${frame}[Custom Icons](https://www.loom.com/embed/46c42ce0b38f4b5881a0ff0fe8940b0a)

Using Scriptation's advanced Annotation Tools, it's easy to combine [Shapes](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-can-i-draw-lines-arrows-and-shapes-d6rbk8/) and [Text Boxes](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/typing-notes-with-text-boxes-and-callouts-1t835l5/) to create custom icons.

Once built, you can then use the [Saved Annotations](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-saved-annotations-and-how-do-i-use-them-1rerp7z/) clipboard to create a library of icons for use across all of your overheads, diagrams, floor plans, shot designs, and blocking charts.

Looking for icon ideas? All of these were built within Scriptation.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img5af358831771-1_aerbaw.jpeg =700x358)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img3d9445ae0909-1-copy_5b93fm.jpeg =700x365)

| ✅ TIP: You can also build icons in other graphics programs, and import them into Scriptation as a custom stamp. You can read more about that [here](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-insert-a-graphic-as-a-custom-stamp-b0g6jd/).

# Learning the Tools

As you explore the [Annotation Toolbar](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/an-overview-of-the-annotation-toolbar-6jmhwg/), here are a few tips for building icons toward creating your shot design.

1. **Order**

In the example below, we're combining a yellow circle with a text box. It's important to adjust the **order** to ensure the text box sits on top of the circle.

To adjust the order, **tap the annotation** that you want to be on top. Then tap the **Style Palette**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/imgfa58e26ffc88-1_15nfqxu.jpeg =500x301)

Within the Order heading, select the leftmost icon for **Top**, circled in ${color}[#ff2600](red).

Then select the other annotation that you want on the bottom. Tap the **Style Palette**, and select the icon on the far right, circled in ${color}[#0433ff](blue).

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img0173164c3dfd-1_lo4q30.jpeg =500x79)

2. **Group**

Using the **Group** feature allows you to combine multiple annotations into one.

After the Order is established, **tap + move** your annotations together. Then use the [Selection Tool](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/group-and-merge-notes-with-the-selection-tool-s7qo3u/) to select all of your annotations.

On the pop-up bar that appears, tap **Group**.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/imgd01a5ebcfeca-1_156l4ps.jpeg =700x390)

3. **Rotate**

Rotate is limited to **Text Boxes**, **Arrows**, and **Lines**.

**Rectangles** and **Ellipses** cannot be rotated. However, if you use the [Style Palette](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/using-the-style-palette-inspector-1r35re7/) to give a Text Box a background, it can be just like a rotated rectangle.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/imgfe31126fef44-1_14h83p9.jpeg =700x507)

4. **Unicode Keyboard Characters**

${frame}[Unicode Icons](https://www.loom.com/embed/70e5fd8e67b54ee0aac8a0de6fc849c5)

On iOS devices, you can download any Unicode keyboard (e.g., [Unichar](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/unichar-unicode-keyboard/id880811847)) for a huge range of symbols which can be copied / pasted into a [Text Box](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/typing-notes-with-text-boxes-and-callouts-1t835l5/).

Unicode characters work well as icons, as their size and color can be adjusted from the [Style Palette](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/using-the-style-palette-inspector-1r35re7/).

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/imgda283336f42e-1_1w1cmmi.jpeg =700x260)

5. **Emojis**

Many of the standard emoji icons, which come preloaded on your Apple device, can be used as custom icons.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img425e517aaa93-1_1h0xa3e.jpeg =700x308)

Check out Actor/Director Giacomo Gianniotti show off his hack for using Emojis.

${frame}[Emojis](https://www.loom.com/embed/625a0f5de7c54808909cbd39ae592d56)

6. **Line Styles**

Many useful icons can be created by adjusting the **Line Style**, **Line Start**, and **Line End** within the Line and Arrow tools.

By creating a small line, you can create icons that are essentially just the start and end selections, customized within the line style.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img609da31f8674-1_448eei.jpeg =700x689)

# Saving Icons

After making your icon, **tap it**. Then tap **Save** to create a [Saved Annotation](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/what-are-saved-annotations-and-how-do-i-use-them-1rerp7z/).

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/imgd3d7406a54a8-1_w7anfa.jpeg =500x181)

After being saved, your Saved Annotations can be found by tapping the **Clipboard** icon.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/60818aeea8717000/img8a5b1476b45a-1_1fcuyd7.jpeg =500x639)

| ✅ TIP: Can't find the Clipboard? **Tap and hold** the Stamp icon (when it's not selected) to display the Clipboard.

# What's Next

[How do I add custom facing pages (images, PDFs, or blank pages)?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-add-custom-facing-pages-images-pdfs-or-blank-pages-1827zzw/)
[How do I insert a graphic as a custom stamp?](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-do-i-insert-a-graphic-as-a-custom-stamp-b0g6jd/)
[How to Add and Move pages](https://help.scriptation.com/en/article/how-to-add-and-move-pages-mcsyk8/)