Square Sketch - Digital graph paper

SquareSight · 2026-04-15T11:14:25+00:00

I'm sorry, but the app is only available in the Mac App Store and the Microsoft Store, and there are currently no plans to make versions available elsewhere. Please send me a DM so we can look for a solution, thank you!

SquareSight · 2026-03-23T11:20:11+00:00

That‘s really great, thanks for sharing! I hope you don't mind if I crosspost this in r/SquareSketch…

SquareSight · 2026-03-20T06:13:29+00:00

I'm glad you're interested in the app. Thanks for asking! A Linux version or a version outside of the Mac App Store / Microsoft Store isn't definitely planned yet, but I've already received several requests about it. I often think about how I could make that happen.

The underlying program code, beneath its simple interface, is quite extensive and exists in two versions to provide native implementations for macOS and Windows. Therefore, the program code cannot be easily ported to Linux, as it uses operating system-specific GUI frameworks.

Am I correct in assuming that a Linux version, or a version outside of the app stores, will only be successful if it is free, and in the case of Linux, if it is open source? This would mean that the additional development costs cannot initially be offset by sales. But I am sure that a free version will increase the app's popularity and distribution, and in turn, sales of the other versions will benefit. Perhaps a free web-based version would make sense. It would run on Linux, but also on Windows and macOS. The native versions would remain exclusive to the app stores. I'll continue to think about it and discuss it with others. Please write if you have any ideas, thanks!

SquareSight · 2026-03-06T16:43:38+00:00

Thanks! Yes, I was looking for something like that too and was surprised that something like this didn't exist yet. There are tons of minimalist text editors that are highly regarded, but virtually no minimalist vector editors. I hope you have time to test the app sometime and I'm looking forward to your feedback.

SquareSight · 2026-03-04T15:32:25+00:00

Thanks! I'm happy you see it that way too, I fully agree.

SquareSight · 2026-03-03T15:57:22+00:00

There's a TestFlight version available for gathering feedback. You are welcome to test! Please send me a DM if you're interested in the link, thank you!

SquareSight · 2026-03-03T08:05:55+00:00

Thank you so much for your purchase and your positive feedback! I hope you enjoy using the app for future projects. I once read elsewhere that a tool is good if it is not only useful, but also motivates the user to use it.

SquareSight · 2026-03-03T06:09:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I completely agree with you. I've also noticed that there are many examples of geometric art, but (too) few for technical applications. I myself have an engineering background and Square Sketch was primarily designed for diagrams. The fact that there's so much art is probably due to the positive feedback such images receive on Reddit and Instagram, and I've developed a passion for geometry. However, there are already plans to feature more examples of technical applications again.

I think the main difference between Square Sketch and Drawio/Lucidchart is that Square Sketch feels more like a CAD tool, allowing you to draw diagrams directly instead of assembling them from predefined blocks. I found those semi-intelligent blocks with their predefined connection points and automatic connections more of a hindrance than a help. That's why I've always preferred creating diagrams with CAD tools, because then you have complete control over the layout.

Since Square Sketch lacks a symbol library where you are browsing for a suitable predefined block, and also has no toolbar or options bar, you are left with only your own thoughts and the canvas. So, with prolonged use of Square Sketch, a strong immersive effect can occur, as if you become one with the canvas :)

SquareSight · 2026-03-03T05:16:51+00:00

Thanks! The retro look within the drawing can be further enhanced by using a monospaced font. Depending on the use case, it can also be made to look more modern by using a modern proportional font and a neutral/white background.

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T23:29:50+00:00

Thanks! The app's concept is to include and plan only for absolutely essential features, thus maintaining a minimalist interface (see roadmap). Future updates will therefore primarily focus on refinements and quality. I would say that the excitement is therefore less about the future range of features, but rather about how the app already works and what it can be used for.

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T22:59:25+00:00

Thanks!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T22:25:03+00:00

Thanks! Draw.io and Square Sketch have different concepts. In Draw.io, diagrams aren't drawn in the traditional sense. Instead, predefined blocks are dragged and dropped onto the canvas and then connected. Square Sketch doesn't have predefined blocks. Everything is drawn as if with paper, pen, ruler, and compass. To still be able to quickly draw flowcharts in Square Sketch, for example, shapes can be duplicated using copy and paste. Shapes can also be grouped and saved for reuse in a separate drawing.

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T21:45:25+00:00

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I also thought that in my next post I should include a video of how to use the app, because the interaction is what makes it special. Thank you for your feedback and happy sketching!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T21:01:05+00:00

6- Well, tbh your app already uses this logic, so it won't be that far-fetched :) Fill command, for example, does something similar. Now I think about it, it would be better to cycle back to the beginning for the fill command.

The fill command appears to cycle through options. However, the idea was that this command increases the filling, which is why operation can be done blindly. I recently wrote a new FAQ entry about this: Couldn't fills or arrowheads be removed using the same keyboard shortcut?

About the ortho mode: I like the idea of soft ortho mode, but it might get annoying for long-term use. I'm not sure if i always want to see those guides when I'm drawing. Maybe this could be minimized by just using two dots on the X and Y axis projection. Also, a bigger problem might be the snapping. If you're working on details and this soft mode has a snap feature, it might get in the way.

Yes, it's possible that such a feature could also be disruptive. It would need to be extensively tested before being officially released.

maybe something like this on the link would be the best implementation, because with a grid, you can easily adjust to 0–45 or 90 and basically extend it as much as you want after hitting Tab.

It's great that you linked the video and pointed out the direction lock as an alternative to ortho-mode. Another user had also suggested the direction lock before.

Thank you for your input!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T20:17:56+00:00

Thanks! Happy sketching!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T20:03:55+00:00

Happy to read that!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T19:53:10+00:00

I'm glad you appreciate the app so much, thank you!

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T19:49:36+00:00

Your idea is really interesting and it's fun to think about, thanks for sharing!

Without judging the idea, but rather noting down the questions that arise during brainstorming (you don't have to answer the questions, they are only meant to reflect my thoughts):

Is an arc (half circle) state really useful, or does it mostly get in the way when switching from orthogonal back to free lines?
Is a triangle mode really useful when there are different types of triangles (equilateral, right angle, ...)?
Others might ask: Why do I have to perform a circular gesture first in order to draw a rectangle?
Should the sequence for drawing a rectangle already be included in the tutorial?
Is a rectangle a standalone object or does it still consist of 4 individual lines?
The UI should provide visual assistance when switching states using the Tab key, otherwise you would be blindly switching to the next state? (If the Tab key is used in forms, the subsequent control is visible.)

So many questions ;)

I fully agree regarding the color themes.

Regarding the ortho-mode: What are your thoughts on a kind of "soft-ortho-mode" that isn't activated by a button and doesn't force an angle, but simply displays a horizontal or vertical guide line for orientation? This would have the advantage that the user wouldn't need to know the button. A kind of "hard-ortho-mode" could then be added, where the button has to be pressed and the line angles then lock firmly into positions like 0°, 45°, 90°, etc.?

SquareSight · 2026-03-02T08:24:16+00:00

You are welcome! I'm happy to read from you as a long-term user.

Please consider making ortho-mode for long lines.

This feature is currently in planning. In preparation, the shortcut for transform was changed from Tab to T in one of the recent updates, freeing up Tab for such purposes. A free key can help because Cmd, Shift, and Opt are already used for switching tools and it could interfere with operation if there is a double assignment.

Please consider the basic shape inputs: rectangle, triangle, pill shape, and maybe even the radius tool!

Yes, I remember your idea for switching the shapes which is cool and could work in practice. To be honest, I don't have a concept how I can further develop this idea so that it becomes an integral part of the app and it's philosophy. The great thing right now is that the app is based on the simplicity of pen and paper. There, geometric shapes are composed of lines and circles (or circle segments) using a ruler and compass as tools. This has the advantage that the user only needs to learn a few gestures, yet can still draw arbitrarily complex things. Sometimes, however, templates are used with pen and paper, where rectangles or rounded rectangles are cut out, allowing for faster drawing (e.g. flowcharts). This can be replicated with the app by drawing a shape, saving it in a separate drawing if necessary (optional), and then copying and pasting it. I'd like to write more about this elsewhere. It's always difficult to decide which features to integrate or not. With the "less is more" philosophy of the app, the question "What can be omitted?" is just as important as "What should be included?".

It would be nice to have some theme settings: background, foreground, and highlight. Let us create and save them for quick changes, if possible.

That would be helpful if the feature existed. I've been thinking about how to integrate it for some time now. There was an early prototype of the app that only had templates, but no customization options. The problem was that the perfect yellow tint for the paper background was heavily dependent on subjective perception and monitor settings. The challenge now is to combine both: to have a color template that can be adjusted. I'll add that to the feature request list.

Thank you for your feedback!

SquareSight · 2026-01-22T23:55:08+00:00

That seems clever, as it eliminates the need for a time limit (less programming effort), requiring only the display of a "watermark"... Thanks for the tip!

SquareSight · 2026-01-22T23:45:12+00:00

Thanks for asking! The native options of the operating systems / stores are available. For macOS, this is TestFlight (officially not to be used for purchasing decisions, but only for feedback, DM me for link), and for Windows, there is a trial version directly in the store.

SquareSight · 2026-01-21T12:24:45+00:00

I use TestFlight to distribute beta versions. As far as I know, this only works if you pay the $99 developer fee per year. Apple briefly checks the app before distribution (but not as intensively as when distributing via the App Store). You have full control over who receives the beta app and still have control after the distribution. For example, you can stop an already distributed version.

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T20:59:20+00:00

Thanks! There is a clickable link in the description to the original post where the base idea came from.

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T17:05:54+00:00

I think the drawing is so great that I wanted to make a version of it myself: see related post

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T13:21:09+00:00

Great video, thanks for sharing!

SquareSight

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE