ParaDraw Beta Docs

Welcome to ParaDraw

ParaDraw is a web-based parametric 2D CAD application designed for technical sketching, precision drawing, and simple 2D animation. Unlike traditional drawing tools, ParaDraw relies on geometric constraints and dimensional relationships. This allows you to define the design intent of your sketch—ensuring lines stay parallel, circles remain concentric, or distances update automatically when parameters change.

Interface Basics

Drawing Tools

Select a tool from the toolbar to start drawing. Many tools have keyboard shortcuts for quick access.

Select Tool (S)

Click to select shapes. Drag to box select. Hold Shift to add/remove from selection.

Line & Polyline (L)

Click to start, click to add points. The tool chains segments automatically. To finish: Right-Click and select "End Drawing", press Enter, or press Esc.

Rectangle (R)

Click to set the first corner, move the mouse, and click again to set the opposite corner. This creates a constrained rectangle.

Circle (C)

Click to set the center point, move the mouse to define the radius, and click to confirm.

Arc (A)

Creates a 3-point arc. Click to set the start point, click again for the end point, and click a third time to define the curvature (mid-point).

Ellipse (Shift+E)

Click to set the center, move to define the X-radius and rotation, click, then move to define the Y-radius and click to confirm.

Spline (N)

Create smooth Bézier curves. Click to place control points. Right-click or press Enter/Esc to finish. Points can be adjusted later.

Note: This tool is currently very weak and experimental.

Point (Shift+P)

Click anywhere on the canvas to create a reference point. Useful for construction and anchoring other shapes.

Polygon (P)

First, define the number of sides in the popup. Then click to set the center and move to define the radius and rotation.

Slot (Shift+S)

Click to define the center of the first circle, click for the center of the second circle, then move mouse to define the radius (thickness) of the slot.

Freehand

Click and drag to draw freely. Opens a sub-menu to switch between Pencil and Eraser, and adjust stroke width, color, and stabilization.

Note: This tool is experimental and currently unstable.

Gear Generator

Opens a generator to create precise engineering profiles for Spur Gears, Racks, and Chain Sprockets. Adjustable parameters include teeth count, module, and pressure angle.

f(x) Parametric Curve

Opens a dialog to generate complex curves using mathematical equations (e.g., x = 50 * Math.sin(t)) or by inputting a table of coordinate points.

Image

Import an image file (JPG, PNG) from your device onto the canvas. The image can be moved, rotated, and scaled.

(x)

Global Parameters

Define named variables (e.g., width = 50) that can be used across your design to drive dimensions.

• Use the Parameters panel to add and manage variables.
• Reference parameter names in dimension value fields (e.g., enter width / 2).
• Updating a parameter value automatically updates all linked dimensions and geometry.

Constraints

Constraints define geometric relationships between shapes. Select a constraint tool, then select the geometry you want to constrain.

Dimensions

Use the Dimension Tool (D) to set precise sizes and distances. This tool features smart auto-dimensioning, automatically detecting the type of measurement based on your selection.

Usage

• Length: Click a line segment.
• Distance: Click two points, or a point and a line.
• Angle: Click two non-parallel lines. (Basic/Experimental)
• Offset: Click two parallel lines. (Basic/Experimental)

Editing & Advanced Features

Double-click any dimension to open the Edit Modal. Here you can adjust the value, precision, and apply tolerances (Symmetrical, Deviation, Limits).

Annotations

T Text

Adds text labels to your drawing. Click to place the text box. You can adjust font family, size, color, and alignment in the properties modal.

Table

Creates a customizable table. Define the number of rows and columns. Double-click to edit cell contents and table properties.

GD&T

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing feature control frames. Configure characteristic symbols (Flatness, Perpendicularity, etc.), tolerance values, and datum references.

Modifiers Very Weak / Experimental

Note: The tools in this section are currently experimental and may be unstable.

Trim (T)

Removes segments of lines, arcs, or curves up to the nearest intersection. Essential for cleaning up sketches after drawing construction geometry.

Offset (O)

Creates a parallel copy of a shape at a specified distance. Works on lines, arcs, circles, rectangles, and polygons.

Fillet (F)

Rounds the sharp corner between two lines with a specified radius. Select two adjacent lines to apply.

Chamfer (Shift+F)

Bevels the corner between two lines with a specified distance and angle.

Transform (Shift+T)

Opens a dialog to precise Move (Translate), Rotate, or Scale selected shapes.

Fill / Hatch

Applies a hatch pattern (solid, lines, dots, etc.) to a closed region. Click inside a closed boundary to fill.

Join (J)

Joins connected segments into a single polyline or groups selected shapes. Select shapes then click the tool or press J.

Boolean Operations (B)

Combine shapes using Union, Subtract, or Intersect operations. Requires closed shapes.

Patterns

Mirror (M)

Creates a mirrored copy of selected shapes across a line. First select the shapes to mirror, then select a line on the canvas to serve as the mirror axis.

Linear Pattern (Shift+L)

Creates a grid of copies along X, Y, or a custom direction. You can specify the number of instances and the distance between them.

Circular Pattern (Shift+C)

Creates copies rotated around a specific center point. You can specify the number of items and the total angle coverage (e.g., 360° for a full circle).

Additional Features

Layers

Organize your drawing by separating elements into different layers. You can create, lock, hide, rename, and change the opacity of layers via the Layers panel in the footer.

Sheets

Manage multiple drawing sheets within a single project using the tabs at the bottom of the screen. Right-click a sheet tab to rename, duplicate, or delete it.

Borders

Generates a standard technical drawing border and zoning grid. You can customize the number of horizontal/vertical zones and label styles.

Select Paper Size

Configures the canvas dimensions (A4, A3, etc.), orientation (Landscape/Portrait), and units.
Important: You must select the paper size at the beginning of your drawing to correctly initialize the template.

Snap Tools

Toggles magnetic snapping to the background grid and geometry points (endpoints, midpoints, intersections).

Animation Very Weak / Experimental

Create simple property-based animations for shapes or dimensions. Select an object, click the tool, and define start/end values, duration, and easing.

Note: This tool is experimental and currently unstable.

File Manager & Export

File Operations

Export

Export your drawing for printing or use in other applications via the Export button.

• PNG Image (*.png): High-quality raster image with transparent background support.
• JPEG Image (*.jpeg): Standard raster image with a solid background.
• SVG Vector (*.svg): Scalable Vector Graphics. Ideal for laser cutting, CNC, or further editing in vector software. Preserves vector paths.

Note: You can choose whether to include the paper background color in the export settings.

Keyboard Shortcuts

About ParaDraw

ParaDraw

Version 0.0.1 (Beta)

ParaDraw is a lightweight, web-based parametric CAD application built for modern browsers. It allows for constraint-based sketching, precise dimensioning, and simple 2D animation without the need for installation.

Created by Mikaia Val in collaboration with Meweto.

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