Diagrams
Choose which type of diagram you need, then pick its editable source format. Preview the result in Obsidian and export it as SVG, PNG, or PDF.
Understand the three options
| Option | What it controls | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Diagram type | The meaning behind the diagram | 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 specifically designed for circuit diagrams. The same preview can be exported in several different visual formats, so selecting CircuitikZ does not restrict you to using only SVG.
Choose a source format
| Format | Best for | Source file |
|---|---|---|
| Mermaid | Diagrams that should remain directly within Markdown files | Mermaid code block |
| JSON Canvas | Workflow diagrams created using Obsidian’s native canvas feature | .canvas |
| Draw.io | Editing diagrams later in diagrams.net or similar compatible tools | .drawio |
| Drawnix | Hand‑drawn or whiteboard‑style diagram creation | .drawnix |
| CircuitikZ | Structured electrical and transistor circuits | .tex |
Leave Preferred source format set to Auto if you don’t require a specific editor. Notemd will automatically select a compatible format based on the chosen diagram type.
Generate and export a diagram
- Open the note or select the text you want to turn into a diagram.
- Choose Generate diagram from the Notemd sidebar or command palette.
- Select a diagram type, or leave it set to Auto‑detect.
- Pick a source format, or keep it on Auto.
- Review the preview to ensure it looks correct.
- Choose Save source file, Export SVG, Export PNG, or Export PDF.
PNG and PDF exports will use the PPI setting configured in Notemd’s settings for image quality. SVG remains a vector image, so it is not affected by this PPI value.
Circuit diagrams
For circuit‑related requests, select Circuit diagram along with a CircuitikZ source file. Notemd first creates a structured description of the circuit and then writes the corresponding CircuitikZ source code. This approach is more reliable than asking the model to generate unrestricted LaTeX code.
Current CircuitikZ support is intentionally limited. NMOS amplifiers with publicly available schematics and certain supported CMOS building blocks work best. Always examine both the preview and the generated source file before using a circuit diagram in technical documents or publications.
The SVG preview provided by Notemd is meant solely as a review aid. It does not guarantee that a local LaTeX or TikZJax installation successfully compiled the underlying .tex file.
Troubleshooting
The result is the wrong diagram type
Select the exact diagram type manually rather than relying on Auto‑detect. For circuit diagrams, choose Circuit diagram and use the Generate diagram command; avoid the older Summarise as Mermaid diagram option.
A source format is unsuitable
Reset the source format to Auto, or select a format that matches the desired diagram type. CircuitikZ is intended for circuit diagrams only, while Draw.io and Drawnix are designed for specific structured diagram types.
Export buttons are missing
SVG, PNG, and PDF exports require a visual preview. If only the source text is available, save the source file and open it in the appropriate external tool.
A CircuitikZ file does not compile externally
Make sure your LaTeX environment includes the circuitikz package. The plugin does not include a full LaTeX distribution with all required packages.