%% date:: [[2023-07-21]] parent:: %% # [[Canvas]] Canvas is a new [[Core plugins|core plugin]] that was just introduced in the new version. It's already enabled by default. Canvas provides an infinitely scrolling space for you to put your notes. Think of it as a way to put your notes on a corkboard (albeit digitally) and visualize connections between them using red yarn. Canvas is the Obsidian equivalent of that. Canvas is great for any project where you want to see notes laid out visually.  ## Creating a new canvas To create a new canvas, open the [[Command palette]] and select `Canvas: Create new canvas`. While in the canvas, you can hold down the space bar on your keyboard and then drag and drop with your mouse to move it around. You can also scroll on your mouse or make the pinch gesture on your trackpad to zoom in or out. Open this demo canvas: [[Demo Canvas.canvas]] ## Adding things to your canvas At the bottom of the canvas, there are three icons: ![[canvas-add.png]] ### Add notes To add existing notes to the canvas, drag and drop the first icon from the bottom to an empty spot anywhere on the canvas. The [[Quick Switcher]] prompts you to choose a note. Select a note, and it is shown on the canvas. ### Add media The second icon represents media in your vault. Drag and drop it from the bottom to anywhere on the canvas and the [[Quick Switcher]] prompts you to select an asset. Select one (for example, you could choose [[notebook.png]]) and the asset is displayed on the canvas. ### Add card Double-click anywhere on the canvas and a rectangle appears. This is a card, and it's also what appears when you drag and drop the third icon from the bottom to the canvas. Anything you type in a card is saved within the canvas-- it isn't a note, per se; instead, it's part of the canvas. Think of it as a way to add *ad hoc* captions or explanations that are specific to the canvas and shouldn't be a note on their own. Since you can use text [[obsidian-playbook/Using Obsidian/02 Making Notes in Obsidian/Markdown|in Markdown]] to add links, embed parts of notes, and images, you can do that here as well. ## Changing color Click on a card or other element in Canvas to select it, and then click the palette icon. You can select a color to change the element's appearance. ## Making connections After you create a card or other element on canvas, hover over the center of its outside edges and you see a red dot. ![[canvas-red-dot.png]] You can drag and drop this dot to create a line going from that card to another element. Once two elements are connected, the line and arrow connecting them also automatically adjust when one of the elements is moved, so that they remain connected. You can also change the color of the line and arrow by clicking on them and then selecting the palette icon. ## Limitations of Canvas Canvas is so new that the Obsidian team is still working on releasing more features for it. However, some current limitations on canvas are: - They can't be published using [[Obsidian Publish]]. - You can't embed a canvas. - Canvas doesn't work on mobile.