Diagrams
Choose what kind of diagram you need, then choose its editable source format. Preview the result in Obsidian and export it as SVG, PNG, or PDF.
Understand the three choices
| Choice | What it controls | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Diagram type | What the diagram means | Flowchart, sequence diagram, circuit diagram, data chart |
| Source format | The editable or reusable file that Notemd creates | Mermaid, JSON Canvas, Draw.io, Drawnix, CircuitikZ |
| Export format | The image or document used for sharing | SVG, PNG, PDF |
Draw.io and Drawnix are source formats, not diagram types. CircuitikZ is a source format designed for circuit diagrams. The same preview can be exported to several visual formats, so selecting CircuitikZ does not limit you to SVG.
Choose a source format
| Format | Best for | Source file |
|---|---|---|
| Mermaid | Diagrams kept directly in Markdown | Mermaid code block |
| JSON Canvas | Native Obsidian canvas workflows | .canvas |
| Draw.io | Editing later in diagrams.net or compatible tools | .drawio |
| Drawnix | Hand-drawn or whiteboard-style editing | .drawnix |
| CircuitikZ | Structured electrical and transistor circuits | .tex |
Leave Preferred source format on Auto if you do not need a particular editor. Notemd chooses a compatible format for the selected diagram type.
Generate and export a diagram
- Open the note or select the text you want to visualize.
- Choose Generate diagram from the Notemd sidebar or command palette.
- Select a diagram type, or leave it on Auto-detect.
- Select a source format, or leave it on Auto.
- Review the preview.
- Choose Export, then select SVG, PNG, or PDF. Use Save source file when you also need the editable artifact.
The Export menu provides Export SVG, Export PNG, and Export PDF actions for the current visual preview.
Choose History in the preview to open the Vault history drawer without hiding the diagram. You can search and filter completed diagrams, reopen a preview, or open saved artifacts. Diagram history is also available directly from the command palette and Notemd sidebar, even when no note is active.
PNG and PDF use the image export PPI configured in Notemd settings. SVG remains a vector image and is not affected by the PPI value.
Circuit diagrams
Choose Circuit diagram with CircuitikZ source file for supported circuit requests. Notemd generates a structured circuit description first and then writes the CircuitikZ source. This is more reliable than asking the model to write unrestricted LaTeX.
Current CircuitikZ support is intentionally constrained. Common-source NMOS amplifiers and supported CMOS building blocks work best. Always inspect the preview and source before using a generated circuit in technical or publication work.
The SVG preview is a review companion generated by Notemd. It is not proof that a local LaTeX or TikZJax installation compiled the .tex file successfully.
Optional native compilation. You do not need LaTeX for the in-plugin preview or SVG, PNG, and preview PDF export. On desktop, open CircuitikZ native compile environment from diagram settings or the command palette when you need compile diagnostics or a native LaTeX PDF. Notemd can reuse a system tectonic or pdflatex, use a custom executable, or install the pinned managed Tectonic runtime after you explicitly choose Install. The environment panel shows progress and errors inline and lets you remove the managed runtime later.
Troubleshooting
The result is the wrong diagram type
Select the diagram type explicitly instead of using Auto-detect. For a circuit, choose Circuit diagram and use the Generate diagram command, not the legacy Summarise as Mermaid diagram command.
A source format is unsuitable
Return the source format to Auto, or choose a format intended for that diagram type. CircuitikZ is for circuit diagrams; Draw.io and Drawnix are intended for supported structured diagrams.
The Export menu is missing
SVG, PNG, and PDF require a visual preview. If only source text is available, save the source file and open it in the matching external tool.
A CircuitikZ file does not compile externally
Open CircuitikZ native compile environment and run the environment check. Repair the managed runtime or verify that your custom/system compiler can obtain the circuitikz package. Notemd does not bundle a complete TeX distribution inside the plugin file.