Skip to content

The Canvas

Canvas on macOS

Canvas documents are spatial workspaces for arranging content visually. Place document cards, text labels, images, and pin markers on the canvas, then draw connections between them to map relationships.

Creating a Canvas

Create a new canvas from the Organizer using the context menu or from the File menu on Mac and iPadOS. The canvas opens as a blank workspace with a default size of 4000 x 4000 points, and grows as your content expands. In previews and when placed in other documents as images, canvases show a low-fi thumbnail snapshot of their contents, giving you a visual summary without opening them.

Canvas Content

The canvas supports several content types to help you visually represent your project. All canvas items share common interactions:

  • Moving — Drag any card to reposition it on the canvas
  • Resizing — Drag the resize handles on a card's edges to change its size
  • Locking — Lock a card to prevent accidental movement or resizing

Right-click (Mac) or long-press (iPad/iPhone) on any card to access these options and more.

Document Cards

Document Reference Card with the editor active

Document Reference Card with the editor active

Drag a document from the Organizer onto the canvas, use Cmd+Shift+A, or tap the squared plus on the canvas () to add a document reference card. Cards can also be converted into pins and back while keeping their settings.

When unlocked, document cards can be edited directly on the canvas — tap or click into a card to start writing without leaving your spatial context.

Document reference cards can display either:

  • Document — Shows the full document content
  • Synopsis — Shows only the document's synopsis

You can also assign a color to any card from a palette of six quick colors or choose a custom color.

Text Labels

Add freeform text blocks with Cmd+Shift+B. Labels support full markdown formatting and are ideal for annotations, notes, and visual labels on your canvas.

Labels can toggle their background visibility through the context menu, letting you display text without a card behind it.

Pin Markers

Marker Pins

Marker Pins on a Canvas over a Map image

Add lightweight map-style markers with Cmd+Shift+P. Pins are teardrop-shaped by default, with eight shape options: teardrop, circle, diamond, arch, shield, flag, bookmark, and rectangle.

Each pin can have a custom icon, color, and title. Three display styles are available: icon and shape, shape only, and icon only.

Pins can optionally be linked to a document, in which case they automatically inherit the document's icon, color, and title. Double-tap a document-linked pin to open the linked content.

Media Cards

Drag images and media from the Organizer or from external apps (Finder, Files) onto the canvas. Media cards display thumbnails with proper aspect ratios.

Connecting Cards with Edges

Connection Edges connecting pins to a card

Connection Edges connecting pins to a card

Draw connections between any two cards to show relationships, dependencies, or flow. To create an edge, select a canvas item and drag from its connection point to another card. Connections can be moved from either end to new sides or cards by selecting and dragging either endpoint.

Edges support several customization options:

  • Arrow styles — Each endpoint can be set to arrow or none, letting you create directional, bidirectional, or undirected connections.
  • Labels — Add a text label to any edge with inline editing.
  • Colors — Customize each edge's color individually.

Info

Atlas prevents self-connections, duplicate edges, and bidirectional edges on the same card pair to keep your canvas clean.

Zoom and pan to navigate the canvas. Pinch to zoom on iPad and iPhone, or use the zoom controls to adjust between 50% and 200%. Use Fit to Content to automatically frame all items on the canvas, or reset to return to the default view.

The Canvas Inspector

A Inspector showing the Canvas Section on macOS

A Inspector showing the Canvas Section on macOS

When viewing a canvas, the Inspector includes an Items tab showing all items grouped by type (Pins and Cards). Select any item to navigate to it on the canvas. See The Inspector for details.

Canvas Settings

Customize the canvas appearance:

  • Grid style — Choose between dots (default) or lines
  • Grid color — Set a custom grid color
  • Show/hide grid — Toggle grid visibility

Exporting

As an Image

Export your canvas as a PNG image or PDF from the More menu () on the canvas. The export captures the full canvas contents.

JSON Canvas Format

Atlas canvases are compatible with the JSON Canvas open specification. Import .canvas files from other apps like Obsidian, or export your canvases for use elsewhere. Supported node types include text, file, link, and group nodes, along with full edge support.

See Canvas Workflows for practical tips on using canvases effectively.

See Also