Graphite

Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine for procedural 2D content creation.

What is Graphite?

Graphite is a free, open source vector graphics editor and animation engine that combines layer-based compositing with a node-based generative design workflow, enabling fully nondestructive editing. It takes 2D shapes, paths, and images as input and outputs infinitely scalable vector graphics and animations. The software runs as a lightweight offline web app (with desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux in release candidate stage) and is built with WebAssembly and WebGPU for high performance. Graphite is developed by the Graphite community and is available at graphite.art.

Key Features

• Node-based procedural workflow — Create complex designs by connecting nodes that define shapes, colors, and effects, allowing rapid iteration by adjusting parameters instead of individual elements.
• Nondestructive editing — Every decision is tied to a parameter that can be adjusted later, enabling flexible exploration of color schemes, morphing shapes, and more.
• Vector and raster tools — Currently focused on vector editing, with upcoming full raster manipulation capabilities for digital painting and image editing.
• Scalable exports — Infinitely pan and zoom without pixelation; export at any resolution.
• Free and open source — No cost, transparent source code under the Graphite license, with over 26,000 stars on GitHub.
• Desktop-first and web-ready — Primarily a professional desktop application, also accessible in any browser with no server dependency; data runs locally on your hardware.

Who is it for?

• Graphic designers — Create logos, illustrations, and page layouts with nondestructive boolean operations and procedural patterns.
• Motion graphics artists — Animate procedurally generated content using the node system to blend shapes and colors over time.
• Digital painters — Use upcoming raster tools for painting and image editing with layer-based compositing.
• VFX compositors — Combine vector and raster elements with node-based VFX compositing workflows.

What can you do with Graphite?

• Design magazine spreads — Use the layer and node system to create complex layouts with procedural elements like polka dot patterns.
• Generate procedural animations — Create animations like the "Painted Dreams" demo by tweaking node parameters to morph shapes and colors.
• Create scalable art — Design fractals or noise-based patterns that remain crisp at any zoom level, as demonstrated by the Mandelbrot fractal filled with a noise pattern.

How does Graphite work?

Graphite represents artwork as a node graph: each graphical element (shape, color, effect) is a node, and connections define how they combine. Users adjust sliders and values to modify parameters nondestructively. The editor runs locally in the browser via WebAssembly, with no server-side processing, and supports GPU acceleration via WebGPU.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source; nondestructive, procedural workflow; high performance via WebAssembly and WebGPU; no server required; cross-platform (web + native).
• Cons: Still in alpha — many features are incomplete or upcoming; no stable native desktop app yet (release candidate stage); raster capabilities are limited; requires a modern browser with WebGPU support for best performance.

Pricing

Graphite is completely free and open source. Users can donate to support development via the website.

Alternatives

• Inkscape — Free, open-source vector editor but lacks node-based procedural workflow.
• Adobe Illustrator — Industry standard with extensive features but proprietary and paid.
• Figma — Collaborative vector design tool but web-based with limited procedural/generative features.

FAQ

Is Graphite free?

Yes, Graphite is completely free and open source. It is available as a web app and soon as a desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, all without any cost.

What platforms does Graphite support?

Graphite currently runs as a lightweight offline web app in any modern browser. Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux are in release candidate stage and available for testing via the Discord community.

Can I use Graphite offline?

Yes, the web app runs locally on your hardware with no server dependency. It uses WebAssembly and WebGPU compiled to binary, so it works offline after the initial load.

What is a node-based workflow?

Instead of drawing directly on a canvas, you build artwork by connecting nodes (representing shapes, colors, effects) in a graph. This allows nondestructive editing: you can tweak parameters at any time without losing previous work.

Does Graphite support raster images?

Currently, Graphite focuses on vector editing. Full raster manipulation — including digital painting and image editing — is planned for future releases.