Lorien
An infinite canvas drawing and note-taking app focused on performance, small savefiles, and simplicity, built with Godot.
What is Lorien?
Lorien is an infinite canvas drawing and note-taking application that saves brush strokes as collections of points, similar to SVG, for extremely small file sizes and high performance. It is designed as a lightweight digital notebook and brainstorming tool, prioritizing simplicity and efficiency over bitmap-based editing. Unlike traditional art programs, it focuses on sketching, diagrams, and note-taking rather than detailed image manipulation.
Digital note-takers, students, and professionals who need a lightweight, infinite canvas for brainstorming, sketching diagrams, or organizing ideas without the overhead of large file sizes. It also appeals to users with drawing tablets seeking pressure-sensitive, vector-like drawing tools for quick visual notes.
Developers choose Lorien for its vector-based stroke rendering, which results in tiny savefiles and scalable graphics, making it ideal for long-term note storage and performance. Its infinite canvas, cross-platform support, and focus on simplicity offer a unique alternative to heavier bitmap editors like Photoshop or Gimp for non-art-intensive tasks.
Overview
Infinite canvas drawing/whiteboarding app for Windows, Linux and macOS. Made with Godot.
Use Cases
Best For
- Digital note-taking and brainstorming on an infinite canvas with minimal file size impact.
- Creating scalable sketches and diagrams using vector-like brush strokes for easy editing and export.
- Lightweight sketching and diagramming with drawing tablet support and pressure sensitivity.
- Multi-document workflows where users need to work on several notes or drawings simultaneously.
- Exporting drawings to SVG format for use in other vector graphics applications.
- Customizing keyboard shortcuts and color palettes for a personalized note-taking experience.
Not Ideal For
- Artists requiring detailed bitmap editing, layer support, and advanced brushes for professional artwork.
- Teams needing real-time collaboration features for shared digital whiteboarding or brainstorming sessions.
- Users who rely on extensive template libraries or pre-made assets for rapid diagram creation.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Provides unlimited workspace with infinite zoom and grid, ideal for expansive brainstorming and note-taking, as listed in the features.
Saves brush strokes as vector points, resulting in tiny file sizes that are easy to store and share, a core focus highlighted in the README.
Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS with dedicated drawing tablet and pressure sensitivity support, ensuring broad accessibility for digital note-takers.
Offers rebindable keyboard shortcuts, custom color palettes, and multi-document editing, enhancing productivity for personalized use as described in the features.
Cons
The README explicitly warns it's a WIP with rough edges, meaning users may encounter bugs, instability, and incomplete features during use.
Lacks advanced tools like layers, complex brushes, or image filters, making it unsuitable for detailed artwork beyond basic sketching and diagrams.
The savefile format might change in the future, as noted in the README, posing a risk of data incompatibility or loss with updates.
Open Source Alternative To
Lorien is an open-source alternative to the following products:
Frequently Asked Questions
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