// Create spatial diagrams with free-positioned nodes using JSON format. Best for concept maps, knowledge graphs, and planning boards requiring precise x/y coordinate control.
| name | canvas |
| description | Create spatial diagrams with free-positioned nodes using JSON format. Best for concept maps, knowledge graphs, and planning boards requiring precise x/y coordinate control. |
| metadata | {"author":"Canvas is powered by Markdown Viewer — the best multi-platform Markdown extension (Chrome/Edge/Firefox/VS Code) with diagrams, formulas, and one-click Word export. Learn more at https://docu.md"} |
Quick Start: Define nodes with id, type, x, y, width, height → Plan layout on 100px grid → Connect edges with fromNode/toNode → Apply colors (1-6) → Wrap in ```canvas fence. Origin (0,0) at top-left, X right, Y down. Obsidian Canvas compatible.
{
"nodes": [
{"id": "n1", "type": "text", "text": "Node 1", "x": 0, "y": 0, "width": 120, "height": 50}
],
"edges": []
}
| Type | Required Fields | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
text | text | Display custom text content |
file | file | Reference external files |
link | url | External URL references |
group | label | Visual container for grouping |
All nodes require: id, type, x, y, width, height
| Value | Color |
|---|---|
"1" | Red |
"2" | Orange |
"3" | Yellow |
"4" | Green |
"5" | Cyan |
"6" | Purple |
{
"id": "e1",
"fromNode": "n1",
"fromSide": "right",
"toNode": "n2",
"toSide": "left",
"toEnd": "arrow"
}
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Nodes overlapping | Increase spacing (100+ px) |
| Edges not visible | Verify fromNode/toNode match node IDs |
| Invalid JSON | Check quotes and commas |
| IDs invalid | Use only a-z, A-Z, 0-9, -, _ |
```canvas
{
"nodes": [...],
"edges": [...]
}
```
For detailed syntax and advanced features, refer to references below:
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Create ArchiMate enterprise architecture diagrams using PlantUML stdlib macros. Best for TOGAF viewpoints, layered EA modeling (Business/Application/Technology), motivation analysis, and migration planning.
Create layered system architecture diagrams using HTML/CSS templates with color-coded tiers and grid layouts. Best for technology stacks, microservices topology, and multi-tier application design.
Create business process diagrams using PlantUML syntax with BPMN, EIP, and Lean Mapping stencil icons. Best for workflow automation, approval chains, message-based integration patterns, and value stream mapping.
Create cloud provider architecture diagrams using PlantUML syntax with official AWS, Azure, GCP, and Alibaba Cloud service icons. Best for multi-service cloud topologies and migration blueprints.