This GitHub project, titled "obsidian-textgrams," introduces a novel approach to managing and displaying ASCII diagrams within Obsidian, a popular note-taking and knowledge management application. The plugin specifically addresses the challenge of storing and rendering these text-based diagrams, which are often used for visualizations, technical illustrations, and quick sketches. Instead of relying on image embedding, which can be cumbersome and inflexible, obsidian-textgrams allows users to store these diagrams directly within their Markdown files as code blocks. This maintains the inherent portability and editability of plain text.
The plugin leverages a custom code block language identifier, likely textgram or similar, to delineate these diagrams within the Markdown document. This allows Obsidian, with the plugin installed, to distinguish them from standard code blocks. Upon encountering a textgram code block, the plugin intercepts the rendering process. Instead of displaying the raw ASCII text, it parses the content and dynamically generates a visual representation of the diagram. This rendering is likely achieved using a JavaScript library capable of interpreting and visualizing ASCII characters as graphical elements, connecting lines, and forming shapes based on the provided input.
This approach offers several advantages. Firstly, it keeps the diagrams within the text file itself, promoting version control friendliness and avoiding the need to manage separate image files. Secondly, it facilitates easier editing. Users can directly modify the ASCII text within the code block, and the rendered diagram will update accordingly, streamlining the iterative design process. Finally, this method likely preserves the semantic meaning of the diagram, as the underlying ASCII text remains accessible and searchable within Obsidian. This stands in contrast to raster image-based diagrams where the underlying information is lost in the pixel data. In essence, obsidian-textgrams transforms Obsidian into a more powerful tool for working with ASCII diagrams, offering a more integrated and streamlined workflow compared to traditional image-based approaches.
Summary of Comments ( 7 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42112168
HN users generally expressed interest in the Obsidian Textgrams plugin, praising its lightweight approach compared to alternatives like Excalidraw or Mermaid. Some suggested improvements, including the ability to embed rendered diagrams as images for compatibility with other Markdown editors, and better text alignment within shapes. One commenter highlighted the usefulness for quickly mocking up system designs or diagrams, while another appreciated its simplicity for note-taking. The discussion also touched upon alternative tools like PlantUML and Graphviz, but the consensus leaned towards appreciating Textgrams' minimalist and fast rendering capabilities within Obsidian. A few users expressed interest in seeing support for more complex shapes and connections.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Store and render ASCII diagrams in Obsidian" at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42112168 generated several comments discussing various aspects of the project.
Several commenters appreciated the utility of the tool, particularly for quickly sketching out diagrams within Obsidian. One user pointed out the advantage of having diagrams rendered directly within the note-taking application, rather than relying on external tools or image uploads. They specifically mentioned the convenience this offers for quick brainstorming and idea capture. This sentiment was echoed by another user who highlighted the speed and ease of use compared to traditional diagramming software.
The discussion also delved into the technical aspects of the project. One commenter inquired about the rendering process, specifically whether it was client-side or server-side. The project creator clarified that rendering is handled client-side using JavaScript within Obsidian. This prompted further discussion about potential performance implications for complex diagrams.
The choice of using Mermaid.js for rendering was also a topic of conversation. One commenter suggested PlantUML as an alternative, praising its flexibility and extensive feature set. They also pointed out PlantUML's wider adoption and the availability of server-side rendering options. This led to a discussion about the trade-offs between different rendering engines, considering factors like ease of use, feature richness, and performance.
Some commenters expressed interest in extending the plugin's functionality. One suggestion involved integrating with other Obsidian plugins, specifically those focused on graph visualization. Another user proposed adding support for other diagram formats beyond Mermaid.js, such as Graphviz.
Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception of the project, with users acknowledging its practicality and potential for enhancing the Obsidian note-taking experience. The discussion also highlighted areas for potential improvement and expansion, including exploring alternative rendering engines and integrating with other Obsidian plugins. There was a definite interest in the technical aspects of implementation and a healthy discussion regarding the chosen technical stack as well as some alternatives.