Notes & Diagrams How-To Guide

Using the Diagram Builder

Last updated: July 21, 2026 2 min read Intermediate

The Diagram Builder in ISO Mate is a canvas editor for UML, ERD, UI mockups, network, cloud infrastructure, and general diagrams. You reach it from the Diagrams item in the sidebar General group, where the Create button opens a template picker and then the canvas. You add shapes by dragging them from the palette, connect them, style them, and export the result as PNG, PDF, or JSON.

Creating a diagram

  1. Open Diagrams from the sidebar General group.
  2. Click Create to open the template dialog. When AI creation is enabled, the caret next to the button reveals a Create with AI option.
  3. Enter a diagram name and choose a Type: General, ERD, UML, UI Mockup, Mobile UI, Network, or Cloud infrastructure.
  4. Pick a starting template, either a blank canvas or a starter layout for the type.
  5. Click Create Diagram to open the canvas editor.

Adding shapes

  • Drag from the palette: pick a shape in the palette and drag it onto the canvas to place it.
  • Basic shapes: rectangles, ellipses, diamonds, and text.
  • Category shapes: dedicated shapes for UML, ERD, UI mockups, mobile UI, network, and cloud infrastructure diagrams.
  • Edit text: double-click a shape to edit its label.

Connecting shapes

  1. Hover over a shape to reveal its connection points (top, bottom, left, right).
  2. Drag from a connection point to another shape’s connection point.
  3. Choose the connector type: Straight, Orthogonal (right-angle), or Curved.
  4. Drag a connector’s waypoints to adjust its routing.

Styling and arranging

  • Properties panel: change fill, border, and text styling for a selected shape or connector.
  • Group and layer: group shapes to move them as a unit, and bring shapes to front or send them to back.
  • Canvas controls: zoom with the wheel or controls, pan across the canvas, undo and redo, and toggle the grid with optional snap to grid.
  • Delete: select a shape or connector and press Delete, or use the toolbar.

Exporting and importing

From the diagram list or the editor, export a diagram as a PNG image, a PDF document, or a JSON file that captures the full layout. You can also import a diagram from a JSON file to bring it back into the builder.

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