The Excalidraw-Obsidian Showcase: 57 key features in just 17 minutes

Core Functionality and OCR

• Excalidraw functions as a visual thinking tool within Obsidian.md, offering 57 features for creating diagrams and illustrations. 0s
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is supported through integration with Taskbone, allowing for the conversion of freehand scribbles and images into text. 42s
• OCR must be enabled in the plugin settings under Miscellaneous Features, and results are copied to the clipboard via the Command Palette. 42s

Drawing Tools and Library Management

• The tool includes standard shapes accessible via keyboard shortcuts and an element properties panel for adjusting colors and attributes. 1m15s
• Alignment and sizing tools include a grid system, which can be customized using the "Set Grid" script from the script store, and a "Snap to objects" feature for positioning elements relative to one another. 1m25s
• The stencil library allows users to store and modify illustrations, with new items added via the context menu. 1m45s
• External libraries can be browsed online, but they must be downloaded and added to the local library using the "Open Library" function, as the "Add to Excalidraw" button is incompatible with Obsidian. 1m55s

Linking and Transclusion

• Users can link to files within their Obsidian Vault using the "Insert link to file" function, which creates wiki links that support previews when hovered with the Control or Command key. 2m15s
• Text from notes can be transcluded into drawings, and the Text Transporter plugin can assist in copying block references. 2m35s
• Links attached to individual elements appear in the outgoing links and backlinks sections, similar to standard markdown notes. 2m45s

Advanced Content Integration and Styling

• Process flows can be created by converting Mermaid markup into drawings, or by using an OpenAI API key to generate diagrams from text. 2m55s
• The visual style can be adjusted from the default hand-drawn look to a professional appearance by changing edges to sharp, sloppiness to architect, and text to normal. 3m15s
• Interactive elements, such as YouTube videos, can be embedded into scenes using various drop actions controlled by modifier keys. 3m25s
• Links can be established between elements within a scene or across different scenes by using the "Copy markdown link for selected element" function. 3m35s
• Images and other Excalidraw files can be inserted into a scene via the "Insert ANY file" context menu option. 3m55s
• Images can be linked from the web via drag-and-drop, which opens the original source in a browser, or from a local drive, which opens the file in the associated system application. 4m5s

Exporting and Embedding Drawings

• Scenes can be exported in various formats, including SVG, for use outside of Obsidian. 4m25s
• Exporting drawings outside of an Obsidian Vault is not supported on mobile devices 0s.
• YouTube videos embedded in drawings are clickable when opened in a browser, though this feature is not supported by Apple Safari 3s.
• Drawings can be embedded into Obsidian notes using standard markdown markup, and the Recent Files plugin can be used to drag and drop links to these notes 12s.
• Users can reference specific parts of an image by grouping elements and copying a markdown link to that group, which ensures only the grouped elements appear when embedded 22s.
• The size of an embedded image can be adjusted by adding width and height parameters after a pipe character in the markdown link 33s.

Advanced Editing and Markdown Integration

• The "Deconstruct Selected Elements" script allows users to carve out parts of a drawing into a separate file, replacing the original elements with an embedded image of the deconstructed parts 40s.
• Back-of-the-note cards are created as level one markdown sections within the same file as the Excalidraw drawing, allowing for formatted text, tables, and Templater scripts, though these are not included in image exports 52s.
• Drawings can be switched to Markdown View mode to edit the sections within the note, with changes reflecting when switching back to the drawing view 1m10s.
• The appearance of cards can be customized through the cards settings window and the element properties panel 1m18s.
• Complete markdown documents can be embedded into drawings using the "Insert ANY file" feature 1m23s.

Configuration and Templates

• URLs dropped from the web can be inserted as interactive frames by using a modifier key 1m27s.
• Embedded objects are scalable, and users can hold the SHIFT key while resizing or use the embeddable's settings window to adjust the scale 1m32s.
• Plugin settings allow for the configuration of link click behavior and drag-and-drop modifier keys 1m40s.
• A folder can be designated as a template directory in the "Basic" settings, causing Excalidraw to treat every file within that folder as a template 1m47s.
• Template configurations, such as architect lines, fonts, and grid settings, must be saved using CTRL+S to ensure they are applied to new drawings 1m54s.

Script Store and Automation Tools

• The script store provides various tools, such as the slideshow script, which can be installed via search 2m6s.
• Slideshows can be defined using arrows, where the point pairs on the arrow indicate the top and bottom of slides, and the arrow's direction determines the presentation sequence 2m13s.
• The "Split Ellipse" script divides an ellipse using a drawn line 2m22s.
• "Boolean Operations" allow for adding or subtracting shapes 2m27s.
• The "Repeat Elements" script repeats transformations like color, size, and rotation based on two sample elements 2m31s.
• The "Select Elements of Type" script filters selections to specific element types, such as selecting only arrows for recoloring 2m37s.
• The "Set Dimensions" script allows for precise sizing of elements, such as matching HD resolution for YouTube thumbnails 2m44s.
• The "Crop and Mask Image" script uses a black overlay to make parts of an image transparent and a white overlay to make them opaque 2m49s.
• The "Palette Loader" script enables the use of custom color palettes stored in markdown files to maintain consistent styling across a Vault 2m57s.
• The "Invert Colors" script provides a better color experience by inverting colors while keeping the drawing in light mode, addressing color accuracy issues found in standard dark and light mode toggles 3m7s.

Interface and Media Annotation

• Obsidian-Excalidraw offers a tray mode that keeps element properties out of the way, though users can switch back to the standard Excalidraw.com user interface if preferred. 0s
• PDF files can be imported as images, allowing users to organize, highlight, and annotate pages on the canvas, or as embeddable objects. 15s
• The "Crop and Mask Image" action allows users to extract charts or illustrations from PDFs while maintaining a link to the source file, a feature that also functions within markdown notes and Obsidian Canvas. 32s

Customization and External Features

• Users can store custom font files within their Obsidian Vault and select one as a fourth font option in the plugin settings, though these fonts revert to the default when viewed on Excalidraw.com. 1m5s
• Custom pens are available for use within Obsidian, and they can be configured by double-clicking the icon in the toolbar. 1m25s
• LaTeX formulas are supported and can be inserted via the command palette or edited using specific keyboard shortcuts (ALT+CONTROL or COMMAND+OPTION). 1m35s
• ExcaliAI requires an OpenAI API key and the ExcaliAI script to function; users should manually save generated images to their Vault, as OpenAI deletes them after thirty minutes. 1m45s
• Images in markdown notes and on Obsidian Canvas can be annotated using the "Annotate image in Excalidraw" command, which creates an overlay without modifying the original file. 2m10s

Advanced Scripting and Collaboration

• The "Text Aura" script provides a text shadow effect, with customization options available in the script description. 2m25s
• SVG icons imported from external sources like Flaticon can be converted into strokes by right-clicking the image, provided the drawing is saved first. 2m32s
• While direct collaboration on Obsidian Excalidraw files is not supported, users can embed collaboration frames that store drawings on Excalidraw servers, which can then be copied back to the local scene. 2m55s
• Excalidraw Publish enables the export of drawings to the web. 3m15s
• Pre-defined document properties allow users to override plugin settings at the file level, such as forcing a drawing to open in view mode by default. 3m22s
• Excalidraw Automate (EA) provides tools for automation, accessible via the developer console, and includes built-in help functions. 3m35s

Project Support and Community Resources

• The development of the features presented has involved over three years of work, with ongoing plans for further additions. 0s
• Support for the project can be provided through a Ko-fi site, which is linked in the video description. 3s
• A free Discord community is available for users to join, with access provided via a link on the Excalidraw plugin splash screen. 7s
• The Visual Thinking Workshop is a six-week cohort-based course that explores the MindSET Visual Thinking Framework. 10s
• Excalidraw in Obsidian is specifically designed to support the MindSET framework. 13s
• The next cohort for the workshop is scheduled to begin in June, with additional information available via a link in the video description. 15s
• The June cohort will include a reading of the book The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. 18s
• A mind map covering the discussed topics is accessible through a link provided in the video description. 20s
• Additional videos organized by topic are available for further exploration. 22s