How to use obsidian canva
Getting Started
Obsidian Canvas is a core plugin that provides an infinite space for visual organization, brainstorming, and diagramming. To begin using Canvas:
- Enable the Canvas plugin in Settings > Core Plugins
- Create a new canvas by:
- Clicking the “create new canvas” button in the left sidebar
- Using Ctrl+P and typing “canvas: create new canvas”
Basic Navigation
Moving Around
- Scroll: Use mouse wheel for vertical scrolling, hold Shift for horizontal scrolling
- Pan: Hold space + left mouse button, or use middle mouse button
- Zoom: Hold Ctrl/Space + mouse wheel
Working with Cards
Adding Content
- Drag and drop files (notes, images, PDFs, audio)
- Create text cards directly on canvas
- Paste website URLs to create embedded cards
Card Management
- Select: Click individual cards or drag to select multiple
- Move: Click-hold and drag cards to new locations
- Resize: Drag from corners or edges
- Delete: Select and press Backspace/Delete
Connecting Elements
You can create connections between cards by:
- Drawing arrows between different nodes
- Converting arrows to different styles by clicking the arrow icon
- Adding labels to connections by double-clicking the line
Advanced Features
Groups and Organization
- Create groups by selecting multiple cards and right-clicking
- Rename groups by double-clicking the group name
- Color-code cards and connections for better organization
Navigation Tools
- Use Shift+1 to zoom to fit all items
- Press Shift+2 to zoom to selected items
- Reset zoom using the controls in the upper-right corner
Canvas files are saved in the open JSON Canvas format, making them future-proof and interoperable with other tools.
How do I create a presentation using Obsidian canvas
Creating Presentations with Advanced Canvas
Initial Setup
Enable the Advanced Canvas plugin through Settings > Community Plugins and search for “Advanced Canvas”.
Creating Slides
Basic Steps
- Create slides using the canvas card menu button
- The first slide you drop automatically becomes the “Start Slide”
- Connect slides using arrows to establish presentation sequence
Organizing Content
- Create nodes with consistent dimensions using the card menu
- Use different shapes for variety, including:
- Terminal
- Process
- Decision
- Input/Output
- Document
Navigation and Control
Presentation Flow
- Connect slides using arrows to determine presentation sequence
- Number multiple arrows from the same node to control navigation order
- Use arrow keys to move between slides during presentation
Commands
- Start presentation: Open command palette and search for “start presentation”
- Exit presentation: Press
ESCkey - Continue presentation: Use “Advanced Canvas: Continue presentation” command
Advanced Features
Customization Options
- Apply different node styles and shapes
- Use various border styles (dotted, dashed, invisible)
- Customize edge styles with different arrow types
- Implement path styles (straight, square, A*)
Presentation Mode
- Canvas enters readonly mode during presentation
- Navigate using arrow keys or PageUp/PageDown
- Compatible with most presentation remotes
- Exit using ESC key or corresponding command
What are the best practices for organizing nodes in an Obsidian canvas
Visual Organization
Groups and Spacing
- Create logical groups for related content
- Maintain consistent spacing between groups to prevent overlapping
- Use color coding for visual organization and quick identification
- Name groups by double-clicking the title area for clear identification
Node Management
Card Placement
- Arrange cards within groups based on logical relationships
- Use alignment tools to keep cards organized within groups
- Connect related cards using arrows or lines to show relationships
- Place frequently accessed nodes in easily visible locations
Connection Types
- Use different arrow styles to indicate different types of relationships
- Add labels to connections for clarity
- Create directional flows by using appropriate arrow directions
Structural Best Practices
Content Organization
- Keep assets separate from regular notes for better management
- Convert important canvas cards to permanent notes when needed
- Use consistent card sizes for better visual harmony
- Create modular, reusable nodes that can serve as building blocks
Navigation Efficiency
- Place related content in proximity
- Create clear visual hierarchies using group arrangements
- Use color coding consistently to indicate different types of content or categories
- Maintain enough white space between elements to prevent visual clutter
Remember that canvas organization should be flexible and adaptable to your specific needs while maintaining visual clarity and logical structure.
Can I use Obsidian canvas for project management
Obsidian Canvas is an excellent tool for project management, offering several powerful features to organize and visualize your projects effectively.
Project Organization
Visual Mapping
- Create infinite spaces to lay out project components
- Organize tasks, resources, and team members visually
- Connect related elements with arrows and labeled connections
- Embed various file types including notes, PDFs, and media
Key Project Management Features
Documentation Management
- Embed project requirements documents
- Create groups for different project phases
- Link related documents and resources
- Edit notes directly within the canvas view
Task Visualization
- Create Kanban-style layouts for task management
- Group related tasks together
- Track project progress visually
- Connect dependencies between different project elements
Advanced Capabilities
Team Collaboration
- Visualize team member connections and responsibilities
- Create visual project timelines
- Track meetings and decisions through embedded notes
- Maintain project documentation in an organized structure
Integration Features
- Embed interactive web pages
- Include media files and documentation
- Create nested canvases for sub-projects
- Store files locally in JSON format for easy sharing and backup
Using Canvas for project management allows you to maintain a clear visual overview of your project while keeping all relevant information interconnected and easily accessible.
List the popular plugins for Obsidian Canvas in table format by plugin name with link, features, user reviews
Based on the search results, here are the notable plugins for Obsidian Canvas:
| Plugin Name | Key Features | User Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Canvas | - Presentation creation capabilities - Flowchart tools - Collapsible groups - Auto node resizing - Focus mode - Better readonly mode |
Highly rated for supercharging canvas experience |
| Icon Folder | - Adds custom icons to canvas elements - Visual organization enhancement |
Positively mentioned by community for visual organization |
| Dataview | - Can generate canvas layouts automatically - Integrates with canvas for dynamic content - Helps build powerful to-do systems |
Well-received for enhancing MOC (Map of Content) capabilities |
| Canvas Constraints | - Node positioning controls - Group spacing management - Layout automation - Responsive design capabilities |
Proposed plugin with strong community interest |
Note that Obsidian Canvas itself is a core plugin included free with Obsidian, offering basic features like infinite canvas, media embedding, and connection tools.
What unique features does the Advanced Canvas plugin offer
The Advanced Canvas plugin adds several powerful features to enhance Obsidian Canvas functionality:
Node Management
- Various node shapes for creating flowcharts
- Auto node resizing when text content changes
- Focus mode to highlight single nodes while blurring others
- Convert image notes to stickers with transparent backgrounds
Groups and Organization
- Create collapsible and expandable groups
- Groups can be managed independently of nodes
- Ability to encapsulate selections into new canvases
- Embed other canvases within your canvas for better organization
Navigation Features
- Better readonly mode with locked canvas position and zoom
- Zoom to fit selected nodes
- Lock canvas position and zoom levels
- Create links between embedded canvases
Presentation Capabilities
- Create presentations by connecting nodes with arrows
- Navigate between slides using arrow keys
- Start/stop presentation through command palette
- Compatible with presentation remotes
Advanced Controls
- Custom canvas events for plugin integration
- Exposed node data for CSS styling
- Better default settings for enhanced usability
- Ability to create edges (arrows) to embedded canvas elements
popular plugins for Obsidian Canvas in table format
| Plugin Name | Key Features | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Link to File | - Links to any supported file type - PDF and video embedding support |
File Integration |
| Canvas Mindmap | - Quick topic/subtopic creation - Mind map shortcut keys |
Mind Mapping |
| Canvas Mini-map | - Translucent canvas overview - Navigation assistance - Current view indicator |
Navigation |
| Canvas2Document | - Converts canvas to documents - Preserves media content - Maintains structure |
Content Export |
| Canvas Random Note | - Random note insertion - Search-based insertion - Serendipitous discovery |
Creativity Tool |
| Augmented Canvas | - OpenAI integration - Follow-up question capability - Visual prompt building |
AI Integration |
| Canvas Style Menu | - Custom card styles - Size variations (xxs to xxl) - CSS snippet support |
Visual Customization |
| Simple Canvas Search | - Enhanced search capabilities - Better search performance |
Content Search |
| Canvas Block Reference | - Card and group referencing - Quick navigation jumps |
Reference Management |