# Freeform Diagrams

A freeform diagram is made of shapes, icons, groups, text and connectors that you place and style yourself, so it can take whatever form the content needs – an architecture diagram, an org chart, a roadmap, a wireframe.

<Figure src="/assets/freeform-aws-architecture.png" alt="A freeform AWS architecture diagram: CloudFront, API Gateway, Lambda functions, S3, DynamoDB, SQS and SES arranged in five colored groups, with labeled connectors between them." width="720px" />

AI creates architecture diagrams and flowcharts as freeform unless your team has chosen otherwise – see [Diagram format](#diagram-format). For more, see the [examples](/freeform-diagram-examples).

## Creating a freeform diagram

- **Insert menu** – press `/` on the canvas and choose **Freeform** to start from a starter diagram.
- **AI chat** – describe the diagram. Architecture diagrams, flowcharts, timelines, org charts, wireframes and Gantt charts come out as freeform. To be sure, ask for freeform.
- **Paste** – paste freeform [JSON](/freeform-diagram-format) or XML onto the canvas.
- **Drop a file** – drop a `.drawio` or `.eraserdiagram` file onto the canvas.

## Editing

Select an element to style it from the property bar – for a connector, that includes its arrowheads and routing: elbow, straight or arc. To change the diagram with AI, select it and describe the change in AI chat.

## Styling

[Custom styles](/custom-styles) have the most effect on freeform diagrams: a style's defaults fill in whatever an element doesn't set itself.

## Copying, exporting and syncing

- **Copy as JSON** / **Copy as XML** – under **Copy/Paste As** in the property bar's **…** menu. Paste the result onto any canvas to make a copy.
- **Export** – PNG, SVG and PDF, plus Visio, draw\.io and PowerPoint. See [Export](/export).
- **Git sync** – a freeform diagram syncs as an `.eraserdiagram` file holding its JSON. See [Git sync](/git-sync).

## Freeform and diagram as code

|               | Freeform                         | [Diagram as code](/diagram-as-code)           |
| ------------- | -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Editing**   | On the canvas, or with AI        | In the code editor, or with AI                |
| **Layout**    | Wherever you place things        | Automatic, from the code                      |
| **Stored as** | [JSON](/freeform-diagram-format) | Eraser DSL                                    |
| **Types**     | Anything you can draw            | Architecture, flow chart, ERD, sequence, BPMN |

### Converting to freeform

Select an architecture diagram or flowchart written in code, open the **…** menu in the property bar, and choose **Convert to freeform**. Eraser adds a freeform copy and keeps the original.

### Diagram format

The **Diagram Format** team setting decides whether AI creates architecture diagrams and flowcharts as **Freeform** (the default) or **Code (DSL)**. Team admins change it on the [Team Settings page](https://app.eraser.io/dashboard/all?settings=team-settings).

## What freeform doesn't draw

Database tables, legends, pools and lanes don't render in a freeform diagram. Use an [entity relationship diagram](/entity-relationship-diagrams) for tables and a [BPMN diagram](/bpmn) for pools and lanes.