Infinite Canvas
Canvas provides an infinite 2D spatial workspace for thinking visually, mapping ideas, outlining projects, and laying out research materials side-by-side.
Basalt uses the open .canvas JSON specification, guaranteeing 100% bi-directional compatibility with Obsidian Canvas files.
Creating and Opening Canvases
- Create New Canvas: Run
Canvas: Create new canvasfrom the command palette or right-click any folder in the File Explorer. - Canvases are saved with a
.canvasfile extension and appear directly in your file tree.
Card Types
You can add five types of items to a canvas:
1. Markdown Note Cards
Embed existing vault notes directly on the board. Note cards render full markdown formatting, links, and code blocks, and can be edited inline.
2. Standalone Text Cards
Lightweight sticky notes for quick thoughts, headers, or temporary notes that don't need a dedicated markdown file.
3. Media & Attachments
Drag-and-drop images, diagrams, audio files, and PDFs directly onto the canvas.
4. Web Links
Paste any URL to generate an interactive link bookmark card.
5. Group Containers
Surround related cards with a labeled boundary box. Groups can have custom colors and labels, and moving a group moves all enclosed cards together.
Connecting Cards with Edges
- Draw Connections: Hover over any card edge to reveal connection anchors. Drag an anchor to any other card to create a directed arrow.
- Labels: Double-click any connection line to attach an explanatory label.
- Directionality: Customize arrowheads (none, forward, bidirectional).
- Colors: Assign custom colors to connection lines to distinguish relationship types.
Freehand Drawing & Ink (ADR-047)
Basalt integrates vector drawing capabilities directly onto the infinite canvas:
- Switch to the Pen tool in the canvas toolbar to sketch diagrams, circle concepts, or write freehand annotations.
- Vector strokes are saved natively without degrading zoom fidelity or bloating file sizes.
Navigation & Canvas Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Pan Canvas | Space + Drag, or Middle-Click Drag |
| Zoom In / Out | Mouse Wheel / Pinch Trackpad |
| Zoom to Fit | Shift+1 |
| Zoom to Selection | Shift+2 |
| Duplicate Card | Alt+Drag / Option+Drag |
| Lasso Select | Drag selection rectangle across cards |
| Snap to Grid | Toggle in toolbar (default: enabled) |