I've read that you can add XML formatted text to an Nshape Diagram vertex but cannot find out how to achieve this. When I set the Nshape.text = "<font shadowtype = 'solid'>Solid Shadow</font>" is displays in my diagram exactly as typed...

I understand that this is easier in Open Vision but it is my understanding that this is not suitable for a "Web Forms" solution. 

Hi,

Don't forget to also set the TextFormat property of the shape's text style to XML. The following documentation topic contains more information:
XML Formatted Texts

Best Regards,
Nevron Support Team