Skip to main content

Canvas And Editor

ASCII Diagram is not just an ASCII export button. The app is a real editor for working with a structured diagram file on a character grid.

Infinite canvas​

The main canvas is an infinite grid of character cells.

That means:

  • there is no fixed page size
  • diagrams can grow in any direction
  • layout stays aligned to real grid coordinates

Core tools​

The editor is built around five main tools:

  • Select for picking, moving, resizing, and managing objects
  • Pan for navigating the canvas
  • Box for rectangular nodes
  • Text for labels and freeform text blocks
  • Arrow for connections

These are available in the tools panel and through keyboard shortcuts.

Selection and manipulation​

With the select tool, you can:

  • select one or more objects
  • drag objects around the grid
  • resize boxes and text blocks
  • adjust arrow endpoints
  • marquee-select multiple objects

When a selected object exposes connector handles, you can start an arrow directly from that connection point.

Boxes, text, and arrows​

Boxes​

Boxes support:

  • width and height
  • optional title
  • body content
  • horizontal and vertical alignment
  • border style

Text blocks​

Text blocks support:

  • freeform content
  • width and height
  • alignment controls

Arrows​

Arrows support:

  • start and end heads
  • direct, orthogonal, or stepped routing
  • optional waypoints
  • snapping to other objects

Property panel​

The property panel lets you edit object-specific fields without leaving the canvas.

Depending on selection, this includes:

  • position
  • dimensions
  • titles and content
  • alignment
  • border style
  • routing options
  • group membership

Multi-select and grouping​

Select several objects at once to:

  • move them together
  • group them
  • ungroup them
  • delete them in one action

Grouping is especially useful when a diagram contains small clusters that should stay together during rework.

Object list​

The object list gives you a structured view of the diagram contents.

Use it to:

  • inspect boxes, text blocks, arrows, and groups
  • understand z-order
  • reorder objects
  • manage grouped items

Why this matters​

ASCII Diagram works best when the editor helps you move quickly while still keeping the file model honest.

The canvas is visual, but the underlying artifact remains structured and durable.