Why Obsidian Canvas is THE BEST Mind Mapping Tool - Chris Eller's Knowledge Garden

## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=0s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas brings the flexibility of mind mapping tools to your Obsidian Vault, offering more than just a simple mind mapping tool [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=0s). - Obsidian Canvas is a part of the Obsidian Vault, providing various features and functionalities [(00:00:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=2s). - This video will cover the out-of-the-box features of Obsidian Canvas and explore fun ways to use the tool for mind mapping and beyond [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=8s). - Obsidian Canvas offers amazing features that will be discussed in the video [(00:00:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=10s). - Canvas is a special type of tool that can be used for various purposes, including mind mapping [(00:00:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=20s). ## How to Use [(00:00:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=22s) - To create a new canvas in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], go to the ribbon on the side and click the "create new canvas" button, which is represented by a bunch of boxes [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=33s). - Clicking the "create new canvas" button generates a brand new canvas inside the vault [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=38s). - The canvas is infinite, allowing users to add as many ideas, thoughts, and notes as desired in any configuration [(00:00:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=41s). ## Cards [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=52s) - There are different types of cards that can be added to a canvas in Obsidian Canvas, with the first being a normal card that can be dragged up from the bottom to start with a central idea [(00:00:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=53s). - Cards are local to the canvas they are created in and are not notes within the Vault, allowing users to resize and drag them around as desired [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=68s). - Cards can utilize various markdown options, similar to normal notes, enabling users to format text, such as making a central idea larger by adding a hashtag and space to create an H1 header [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=90s). - Cards can be zoomed in and out of by holding down the command button and scrolling on Mac, or control on Windows, to adjust the view [(00:01:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=116s). - Users can include notes from their Vault in a canvas by accessing them while zoomed out [(00:02:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=123s). ## Notes [(00:02:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=124s) - A note can be added to [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas by dragging the middle icon up, which provides the option to add any note from the Vault [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=126s). - The added note becomes a link to the actual note that exists in the Vault [(00:02:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=136s). - Double-clicking on the title of the linked note navigates to the actual note [(00:02:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=140s). - The canvas can be returned to by going back after viewing the linked note [(00:02:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=145s). - There is a third type of note option available, which is a media note [(00:02:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=148s). ## Media [(00:02:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=149s) - A card is being dragged into the canvas, and at that moment, there is only one image inside the Vault [(00:02:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=150s). - The image is added to the canvas by clicking on it, allowing it to be used [(00:02:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=154s). - The image is now available in the canvas for use [(00:02:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=156s). - There are three different types of cards that can be used inside a canvas [(00:02:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=161s). - Brennan mentions a fourth kind of card that can be used inside the canvas, which is an embeddable card [(00:02:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=165s). - The fourth type of card was mentioned by Brennan as an afterthought, indicating it was initially forgotten [(00:02:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=165s). ## Web Pages [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=175s) - Web pages can be directly inserted inside the canvas, allowing users to reference articles within their mind maps [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=175s). - To insert a web page, users can copy the URL, right-click anywhere in the canvas, and select "insert web page" [(00:03:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=183s). - Alternatively, users can select a URL and drag-and-drop it into the canvas to insert the web page [(00:03:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=187s). - Once inserted, web pages appear as cards on the canvas, which can be manipulated by grabbing the dot on the side of the card [(00:03:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=199s). ## Connections [(00:03:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=200s) - Connections between cards can be created by dragging one card over to another, and the connection will be maintained even when the cards are moved around [(00:03:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=203s). - Connections can be deleted by clicking on them and selecting the delete option [(00:03:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=221s). - The central idea can be placed in the center of the canvas by moving the cards and connections around [(00:03:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=228s). - Connections can be customized by changing their color, with options including presets and a color spectrum [(00:04:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=248s). - The color selection can be zoomed in on for more precise color choices [(00:04:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=259s). - Connections can also be customized by changing the direction of the line, with options including non-directional, unidirectional, and bidirectional [(00:04:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=277s). - A label can be added to a connection by clicking on the label button and entering the desired text [(00:04:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=298s). - The label will stay with the connection even when the cards are moved around [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=309s). ## Groups [(00:05:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=313s) - Cards can be grouped together by clicking outside of a card, clicking and dragging them, and then selecting the group option [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=336s). - Grouped cards can be moved together by clicking on the group title and dragging it, and connections can be created between cards and groups or between individual cards within a group [(00:06:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=360s). - Groups can be resized, and cards can be removed from or added to a group by resizing it [(00:06:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=376s). - Cards within a group can be aligned by clicking on the group and selecting the align option [(00:06:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=401s). - Group labels can be changed, and groups can be zoomed in on [(00:06:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=412s). - A background image can be set for a group by selecting the set background option [(00:06:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=414s). - The background image feature can be used in various ways, with an example to be shown later in the video [(00:07:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=427s). ## Examples & Use Cases [(00:07:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=432s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas stands out from other mind mapping tools due to its ability to connect notes from an existing Vault, allowing users to utilize their existing knowledge and notes in various ways within the canvas [(00:07:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=432s). - The connections made in Obsidian Canvas are local to the canvas and can be arranged differently than the backlinks, providing more flexibility in organizing notes [(00:07:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=460s). - Unlike other mind mapping tools, Obsidian Canvas does not require connecting different nodes, allowing users to have free-floating cards that do not necessarily connect to other ideas [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=498s). - This freedom and flexibility enable users to have cards that may not be directly connected to other ideas, but still be relevant to the overall mind map [(00:08:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=512s). - Obsidian Canvas can incorporate Atomic notes, which are single-idea notes, into the mind map, making it easier to organize and connect related ideas [(00:07:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=450s). ## Dashboards [(00:08:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=517s) - A dashboard has been created in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas for a [[YouTube]] channel to track ideas and their progress through the production pipeline, featuring a pipeline group at the top to display the status of different videos [(00:08:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=519s). - The dashboard includes an "ideas" column, which contains notes with ideas for the YouTube channel, and these notes can be accessed and edited directly from the dashboard [(00:09:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=545s). - A community plug-in called Data view is used in combination with Canvas to create the dashboard setup, allowing for the creation of custom dashboard views based on specific criteria [(00:09:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=558s). - The dashboard features different stages that ideas for YouTube videos go through, including "coming up," "working on this month," and "published," allowing for easy tracking of progress [(00:09:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=576s). - The dashboard also includes a note for community posts, which can be accessed and edited directly from the dashboard, as well as a template for YouTube videos that is linked to the actual template file [(00:09:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=594s). - Any changes made to the template note in the dashboard are reflected in the actual template file, allowing for easy updates and management [(00:10:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=615s). - The dashboard also includes a note for tracking the number of videos done, demonstrating the flexibility and customization options available in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas [(00:10:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=654s). ## Projects [(00:11:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=662s) - The project for the gamify task manager app is tracked using a collection of notes, thoughts, ideas, and documentation within Obsidian Canvas, which is more of a free-for-all approach to note-taking [(00:11:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=663s). - The project includes various cards with images, links to resources, research notes, and cards with backlinks, all living within the canvas [(00:11:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=676s). - A group was created for the game design document, which was sketched out by hand and used as a background, allowing for the creation of additional cards to add more information [(00:11:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=703s). - Cards can be linked to other notes, such as the note on pixel art character style ideas, to expand on the information [(00:12:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=731s). - A separate canvas serves as a mood board for pixel art character design, featuring various character examples and notes that expand on the ideas [(00:12:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=740s). - The handwritten note on character customization was added to the canvas as a card, allowing for further development of the idea [(00:12:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=760s). - The use of groups in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas enables the movement of cards around the canvas while keeping all related cards in place [(00:12:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=765s). ## Nitpicks [(00:12:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=774s) - Obsidian Canvas has some drawbacks compared to other mind mapping tools, despite its many amazing features [(00:12:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=778s). - One of the limitations of Obsidian Canvas is that it can be very finicky when used on mobile devices [(00:13:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=790s). - The finicky nature of Obsidian Canvas on mobile is something to consider when evaluating its overall performance [(00:13:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=792s). ## Mobile [(00:13:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=793s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas has some issues on [[IPad | iPad]], particularly when it has been open for a while, such as difficulties with dragging cards around [(00:13:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=795s). - After prolonged use, dragging cards on iPad requires holding down on the screen for a long time, which sometimes puts the card into editing mode and sometimes does not [(00:13:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=810s). - This inconsistent behavior can be frustrating and affect the user experience [(00:13:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=818s). ## Handwriting [(00:13:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=820s) - One limitation of Obsidian Canvas as a mind mapping tool is the inability to add handwritten notes natively [(00:13:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=820s). - A workaround for this limitation is to create handwritten notes in a different program, save them as a background, and then add them to [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas [(00:13:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=830s). - This workaround can be inconvenient, especially for those who prefer to create handwritten notes on the fly, such as when drawing or handwriting ideas initially [(00:14:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=840s). - The lack of native support for handwritten notes may not be a problem for everyone, but it can make Obsidian Canvas less ideal for users who rely heavily on handwriting, such as for idea generation [(00:14:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=847s). - Despite this limitation, Obsidian Canvas remains a useful tool overall [(00:14:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=865s). ## Conclusion [(00:14:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=866s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] Canvas is considered an amazing tool for mind mapping and note organization [(00:14:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=868s). - It allows users to create custom dashboards and projects, combining various notes, thoughts, and ideas [(00:14:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=874s). - The tool provides flexibility in rearranging notes and ideas, making it a powerful tool for organization and creativity [(00:14:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=878s). - Obsidian Canvas is highly recommended for those looking for a versatile and effective mind mapping solution [(00:14:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs&t=884s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqfABACJ8fs)