Obsidian Canvas Creator

Transform text content into structured Obsidian Canvas files with support for MindMap and freeform layouts.

When to Use This Skill

• User requests to create a canvas, mind map, or visual diagram from text
• User wants to organize information spatially
• User mentions "Obsidian Canvas" or similar visualization tools
• Converting structured content (articles, notes, outlines) into visual format

Core Workflow

1. Analyze Content

Read and understand the input content:

• Identify main topics and hierarchical relationships
• Extract key points, facts, and supporting details
• Note any existing structure (headings, lists, sections)

2. Determine Layout Type

Ask user to choose or infer from context:

MindMap Layout:

• Radial structure from center
• Parent-child relationships
• Clear hierarchy
• Good for: brainstorming, topic exploration, hierarchical content

Freeform Layout:

• Custom positioning
• Flexible relationships
• Multiple connection types
• Good for: complex networks, non-hierarchical content, custom arrangements

3. Plan Structure

For MindMap:

• Identify central concept (root node)
• Map primary branches (main topics)
• Organize secondary branches (subtopics)
• Position leaf nodes (details)

For Freeform:

• Group related concepts
• Identify connection patterns
• Plan spatial zones
• Consider visual flow

4. Generate Canvas

Create JSON following the Canvas specification:

Node Creation:

• Assign unique 8-12 character hex IDs
• Set appropriate dimensions based on content length
• Apply consistent color schemes
• Ensure no coordinate overlaps

Edge Creation:

• Connect parent-child relationships
• Use appropriate arrow styles
• Add labels for complex relationships
• Choose line styles (straight for hierarchy, curved for cross-references)

Grouping (Optional):

• Create visual containers for related nodes
• Use subtle background colors
• Add descriptive labels

5. Apply Layout Algorithm

MindMap Layout Calculations:

Refer to references/layout-algorithms.md for detailed algorithms. Key principles:

• Center root at (0, 0)
• Distribute primary nodes radially
• Space secondary nodes based on sibling count
• Maintain minimum spacing: 320px horizontal, 200px vertical

Freeform Layout Principles:

• Start with logical groupings
• Position groups with clear separation
• Connect across groups with curved edges
• Balance visual weight across canvas

6. Validate and Output

Before outputting:

Validation Checklist:

• All nodes have unique IDs
• No coordinate overlaps (check distance > node dimensions + spacing)
• All edges reference valid node IDs
• Groups (if any) have labels
• Colors use consistent format (hex or preset numbers)
• JSON is properly escaped (Chinese quotes: 『』 for double, 「」 for single)

Output Format:

• Complete, valid JSON Canvas file
• No additional explanation text
• Directly importable into Obsidian

Node Sizing Guidelines