Graphite is an open-source, node-based 2D content creation suite designed for graphic designers, digital artists, and creative coders who need a flexible, nondestructive workflow. Unlike traditional editors that rely on rigid layer stacks, Graphite uses a procedural node graph as its core engine—enabling users to build complex compositions through interconnected visual nodes that represent operations like boolean shapes, noise patterns, and image filters. Built in Rust, it’s engineered to scale from simple vector illustrations to dynamic motion graphics and VFX compositing. Currently in alpha, Graphite is focused on unshackling creativity by offering a unified platform that combines the precision of vector editing with the flexibility of procedural generation and real-time rendering.
The tool targets users frustrated by fragmented workflows in tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, where nondestructive editing is limited and automation requires scripting. Graphite unifies these capabilities under a single node-graph paradigm, allowing artists to procedurally generate patterns, animate properties over time, and apply effects without flattening layers. Its open-source nature invites contributions from graphics programmers and Rust developers, aiming to become an industry-standard creative tool accessible to all.
What You Get
- Node-based procedural editing - Create graphics using visual nodes that represent operations like boolean unions, noise generation, and color gradients; changes are nondestructive and fully editable at any stage.
- Vector and raster support - Edit both vector shapes (paths, Bézier curves) and raster images within the same canvas, with seamless blending between formats.
- Procedural pattern generation - Generate infinitely scalable patterns such as polka dots, fractals (e.g., Mandelbrot), and noise-based textures without rasterizing or losing quality.
- Nondestructive workflow - Every edit is reversible and modifiable; no layer flattening, no permanent rasterization—changes propagate through the node graph in real time.
- Built-in motion graphics capabilities - Animate properties over time using node-based keyframes and interpolation, enabling dynamic visual effects without external animation software.
Common Use Cases
- Building procedural art for digital exhibitions - Artists generate complex, scalable visualizations like fractal patterns or randomized geometric compositions using noise nodes and boolean operations, ensuring infinite resolution for large-format prints.
- Creating animated brand assets - Designers build logos with motion effects—such as morphing shapes or pulsating gradients—using node-based animation controls, avoiding the need to switch between design and animation tools.
- Problem: Inflexible layer-based editors → Solution: Graphite’s node graph - When users need to modify a background pattern across 50+ layers in Photoshop, they must manually edit each; in Graphite, one noise node feeds into all instances—change the pattern once and it updates everywhere.
- Team workflows for motion designers - Creative teams collaborate on VFX sequences by sharing node graphs; changes to a procedural texture or color grade propagate across all linked assets, streamlining revision cycles.
Under The Hood
Graphite is a cross-platform creative design tool that merges high-performance rendering with a flexible node-based editor, built using a hybrid architecture combining Rust for system-level efficiency and Svelte/TypeScript for modern UI development. The project leverages web technologies to deliver a desktop-like experience while maintaining modular structure and extensibility.
Architecture
Graphite adopts a monolithic yet modular architecture that separates frontend and backend concerns, enabling scalable development and performance optimization.
- The system uses layered architecture to manage complexity across rendering, messaging, and platform-specific logic
- Message-passing mechanisms facilitate communication between frontend and backend components
- Clear module organization supports cross-platform compatibility and shared core functionality
Tech Stack
Graphite is built with a modern tech stack that integrates Rust, Svelte, and web-based tools to support both desktop and web experiences.
- The backend is primarily written in Rust, with the frontend built using Svelte and TypeScript for type safety and responsiveness
- Key dependencies include CEF for browser integration, WGPU for GPU-accelerated rendering, and WebAssembly for performance-critical operations
- Development tools encompass Vite, wasm-pack, cargo, and ESLint/Prettier for build automation and code quality enforcement
Code Quality
The codebase reflects a mixed quality profile with strengths in Rust implementation and areas needing improvement in testing and consistency.
- Testing coverage is minimal, with no dedicated test files identified, indicating a gap in verification practices
- Error handling varies across modules, lacking standardized protocols for robust error propagation
- Code consistency is inconsistent due to the integration of multiple languages and evolving modular structure
- Technical debt is evident in UI component design and cross-platform rendering logic
What Makes It Unique
Graphite stands out through its innovative blend of technologies and architecture that enables high-fidelity creative workflows.
- The use of WebGPU and WGSL shaders delivers real-time 2D rendering within a browser-like environment
- A modular, cross-platform structure enables shared core logic with platform-specific modules for flexibility
- An extensive message-passing system supports real-time collaborative editing and seamless frontend-backend integration
- The hybrid Rust and Svelte architecture uniquely balances performance-critical operations with responsive UI design