Autosave, PNG Export, and Grid: Sketchpad Features Explained
The toolbar looks simple, but each control solves a specific problem. Here is what the main features do, when to use them, and how they work together.
A good drawing tool hides its complexity. You should be able to open the page and draw without reading a manual, but knowing what each feature is for makes the whole experience faster. This guide covers the parts of the sketchpad you are most likely to use.
Autosave keeps your work in the browser
The sketchpad saves your drawing locally as you work. The status indicator near the top of the canvas shows whether the latest change is saved. Autosave is tied to the browser and device you are using, so it is a safety net for unfinished work, not a cloud backup. Download a PNG when you want a permanent copy.
PNG export turns a drawing into a file
Use the download button or press Ctrl+D to export the drawing as a PNG. The file is cropped to the marks on the canvas with a small margin and rendered at twice the screen resolution, so it stays sharp. The grid, the current zoom level, and selection outlines are not included.
The grid is a measuring aid
Press G to toggle the grid. It is useful for alignment, equal spacing, and anything that needs to look technical. The grid is an overlay, not part of the artwork, so you can turn it off whenever you want a clean view.
Zoom and pan let you work at two scales
Ctrl+scroll zooms in and out, and holding space lets you pan. Start zoomed out to judge the whole composition, then zoom in for details. The zoom controls in the status bar offer quick presets when you do not want to use the scroll wheel.
Undo, redo, and the eraser
Undo steps back through recent changes, while redo brings them forward again. The eraser removes marks in a specific area. In practice, undo is faster for removing a whole stroke, and the eraser is better for cleaning up a small part of a larger shape.
Keyboard shortcuts worth remembering
These cover most of the daily workflow:
- V select, B brush, P pencil, R rectangle, O ellipse, L line, A arrow, T text, E eraser.
- Ctrl+Z undo, Ctrl+Shift+Z redo, Delete to remove a selection.
- G grid, F fullscreen, [ and ] to change stroke size.
- Ctrl+scroll to zoom, space to pan, Ctrl+D to download.
Putting it together
Sketch with the pencil, clean up with the brush, align with the grid, label with text, and export when the idea is ready. Autosave covers the gaps between sessions. If you want to see the whole flow in action, open the sketchpad and try a five-minute sketch.