Free Online Vector Design Tool (Website)
Graphite is an open-source vector graphics editor that uses a node-based procedural workflow, letting you edit everything non-destructively through adjustable parameters instead of manually tweaking individual elements.
Deep dive
- Graphite uses a node graph system as its core, where artwork is represented as interconnected nodes that can be adjusted parametrically rather than editing individual elements directly
- The non-destructive workflow means all design decisions remain editable—you can change circle density, size, placement patterns, color schemes, and shape morphing after the fact by adjusting node parameters
- Built with Rust and leveraging WebAssembly and WebGPU for high performance both in browsers and on native platforms with minimal overhead
- Runs entirely locally on user hardware with no server component, ensuring privacy and offline capability
- Currently focused on vector graphics editing but evolving toward a general-purpose 2D content creation suite covering motion graphics, raster editing, digital painting, page layout, and VFX compositing
- The web version is live now and installable as a PWA, while native desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux are in release candidate stage
- Future roadmap includes fully-featured raster manipulation, live collaborative editing, and the ability to compile standalone programs from node systems for studio production pipelines
- Vector artwork can be infinitely zoomed and exported at any resolution without pixelation
- The project is seeking donations to maintain sustainability and independence as a free, open-source alternative to commercial tools
- Active community with Discord, newsletter, and upcoming in-person meetup in Karlsruhe, Germany (October 2025), plus Google Summer of Code internships for Rust developers
Decoder
- Non-destructive editing: A workflow where original data is never permanently altered, allowing any decision to be changed later without loss of quality or having to start over
- Node-based design: A visual programming approach where operations are represented as connected boxes (nodes) in a graph, with data flowing between them to generate the final output
- Procedural workflow: Creating content through algorithms and parameters rather than manual drawing, allowing easy iteration by adjusting values instead of redoing work
- WebAssembly: A binary instruction format that lets languages like Rust run in browsers at near-native performance, far faster than JavaScript
- WebGPU: A modern browser API for high-performance graphics and computation, giving web apps access to GPU acceleration
- PWA (Progressive Web App): A web application that can be installed and behave like a native desktop app, working offline and appearing in app launchers
- Parametric editing: Designing by defining relationships and constraints through adjustable parameters, so changes propagate automatically through the system
Original article
Your procedural toolbox for 2D content creation
Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine, available now in alpha. Get creative with a fully nondestructive editing workflow that combines layer-based compositing with node-based generative design.
What's new?
The latest major update is out now! See what the team has been cooking up recently:
Software overview
Starting life as a vector editor, Graphite is evolving into a general-purpose, all-in-one graphics toolbox that is built more like a game engine than a conventional creative app. The editor's tools wrap its node graph core, exposing user-friendly workflows for vector, raster, animation, and beyond.
One app to rule them all
Stop jumping between programs. Upcoming tools will make Graphite a first-class content creation suite for many workflows, including:
- Graphic Design
- Motion Graphics
- Image Editing
- Digital Painting
- Page Layout & Print
- VFX Compositing
Current features
- Vector editing tools
- Procedural workflow for graphic design
- Node-based layers
- Forever free and open source
Presently, Graphite is a lightweight offline web app with features primarily oriented around procedural vector graphics editing.
Upcoming features
- All-in-one creative tool for all things 2D
- Fully-featured raster manipulation
- Windows/Mac/Linux native apps + web
- Live collaborative editing
Desktop-first and web-ready
Where's the download? The web app is currently live and desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux are now in a release candidate stage. Check the announcements channel of the Discord for download links if you would like to partake in testing prior to the impending launch.
Graphite is designed principally as a professional desktop application that is also accessible in a browser for quick access from anywhere. It's built for speed with (nearly) no JavaScript. And regardless of platform, it runs locally and privately on your own hardware—there is no server.
Engineering the tech for a native app distributed across three new platforms takes extra time. That's why supporting the web platform, which keeps up-to-date and reaches all devices, has been the initial target. For now, you can install the app as a PWA for a desktop-like experience.
Graphite's code architecture is structured to deliver true native performance for your graphically intensive workloads on desktop platforms and very low overhead on the web thanks to WebAssembly and WebGPU, new high-performance browser technologies.
The power of proceduralism
Graphite is the first and only comprehensive graphic design suite built for procedural editing—where everything you make is nondestructive.
Explore parametric possibilities
Save hours on tedious alterations and make better creative choices. Graphite lets you iterate rapidly by adjusting node parameters instead of individual elements.
Scatter circles with just a couple nodes. Want them denser? Bigger? Those are sliders. Want a different placement area? Just tweak the path.
Mix and morph anything
Nondestructive editing means every decision is tied to a parameter you can adjust later on. Use Graphite to interpolate between any states just by dragging value sliders.
Blend across color schemes. Morph shapes before they're scattered around the canvas. The options are endless.
Geared for generative pipelines
Graphite's representation of artwork as a node graph lets you customize, compose, automate, reuse, and share your content workflows.
- Infinitely pan and zoom without pixelation, export any resolution
- Compile standalone programs from node systems (future)
- Deploy asset pipelines in studio production environments (future)