---
title: "Graphic Block - CE.SDK Glossary"
description: "The unified block type for any visual content in CE.SDK. Built from a shape that defines the boundary and a fill that defines what renders inside."
url: "https://img.ly/glossary/graphic-block/"
type: "page"
---

> This is the markdown version of [Graphic Block - CE.SDK Glossary](https://img.ly/glossary/graphic-block/). For all pages in one file, see [llms-full.txt](https://img.ly/llms-full.txt). For an index of all available pages, see [llms.txt](https://img.ly/llms.txt).

---

# Graphic Block

A graphic block is the unified block type for any visual content in a CE.SDK scene. Every image, every shape, every video clip, every sticker, every background: all of them are graphic blocks. They share the same API surface, the same property set, and the same composition model.

This is what makes "drag an image" and "drag a shape" and "drag a video" all work the same way in the editor. Same selection model, same transform handles, same right-click menu, same export pipeline. The difference between an image and a shape is what is inside the block, not what kind of block it is.

## What makes a graphic block

A graphic block has three composable parts.

**Shape.** The geometric boundary. Defines the block's outline and the region that clips its fill. A graphic block created without a shape is invisible: the engine has nothing to render the fill into.

**Fill.** The content rendered inside the shape boundary. An image, a video, a solid color, or a gradient. The fill can be replaced at any time without replacing the block itself: this is the mechanism behind the Replace action in the editor.

**Effects.** Optional visual processing layers applied on top of the fill within the shape. Multiple effects can stack and reorder freely.

Because the three parts are independent objects, each can be changed without affecting the others. Swap a rectangle for an ellipse, the image inside reflows to the new boundary. Swap an image for a video, the shape stays put. Add a blur effect, neither the shape nor the fill underneath changes.

## Distinguishing graphic blocks in practice

Since every visual element shares the `graphic` type, products that need to treat images differently from stickers (or product images differently from logos) rely on [Block Kind](https://img.ly/glossary/block-kind.md) for the distinction. Kind is a free-form semantic label that does not affect which APIs apply but does tell the editor and product code what a block represents.

An Unsplash image arrives with Kind `image`. A sticker from the sticker library arrives with Kind `sticker`. A template's product placeholder might carry Kind `product-image`. Find-by-kind queries are how automation pipelines locate the right block to populate.

See [shape](https://img.ly/glossary/shape.md) for the geometry side, [fill](https://img.ly/glossary/fill.md) for the content side, [effects](https://img.ly/glossary/effects.md) for the visual processing layer, and [block](https://img.ly/glossary/block.md) for the broader block primitive.

## Links

- [Graphic Block Guide](https://img.ly/docs/cesdk/react/fills/overview-3895ee.md): How to create and configure graphic blocks with fills, shapes, and effects.

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## More Resources

- **[IMG.LY Website](https://img.ly/index.md)** - Creative editing SDKs for photo, video, and design
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