How to draw online using the Google Chrome Canvas application

If you're looking for a cross-platform drawing tool that's lightweight and lazy to install, look no further than the Google Chrome Canvas app. It links to your Google account, allowing you to save and edit your drawings online.

Google has quietly released a web app called Chrome Canvas that lets you create quick doodles that automatically save to your Google account, via Chrome Unboxed. You just need to go to the Chrome browser and open the drawing application without having to download any programs or applications. Chrome Canvas first appeared as an app in Chrome OS Dev builds. Now this application is supported on browsers and smartphones.

Currently the application's features are quite simple and easy to use. A basic toolbar includes pencils, pens, markers, chalk and erasers, and palettes. You can export your drawing as a PNG file when finished, or pull up the same drawing on your phone, and vice versa. To install the app on your Chromebook, simply tap the three-dot button and press 'install Canvas' and the app will show up as a palette icon on the Chrome OS launcher. It will also prompt you to add Chrome Canvas if you visit the website from your Android phone.

Open, create, or delete a Chrome Canvas drawing

First, you need to go to this link Google Chrome Canvas. Press “Get started” and log in to your Google account.

When you log in for the first time, Canvas will create a new drawing for you. You can also tap the button “New Drawing” to create a new drawing, or “New from Image” to upload images from your PC.

If you want to delete the created drawing, return to the main screen by pressing the home button (house icon) in the top left corner. Then tap the three-dot menu button in the bottom right corner of the drawing and press Delete.

Add a name to the Canvas drawing

When first created, your drawing will not have a name. To add a name to the drawing, click the three-dot icon and click Rename.

Enter the name you want and press OK.

The name you just set will be displayed below your drawing.

Change tools and paint colors

Google Chrome Canvas tools are displayed in the menu on the left side of the screen.

Available drawing tools include pencils, pens, markers, chalk, and erasers. Enough playing, right?

To edit the drawing tool's size and opacity, click the triangle pencil icon below the circle.

Use your mouse to move the sliders left or right to decrease or increase the size or opacity of the tool.

If you want to undo or redo any changes, you can use the left and right arrows in the top center of the screen..

Add or remove Layers

Google Chrome Canvas allows you to use multiple Layers. You will have more flexibility in creating complex drawings that are easy to edit.

The layers menu allows you to view existing layers. You can add, hide, or delete layers from this menu. To access it, click the diamond icon in the upper right corner, next to the three-dot menu icon.

To add a new layer, click the plus sign in the upper right corner of the menu. Click the trash icon next to each layer to delete or the eye icon to hide.

By default, the drawing will have a white background. You can change the color by clicking the paint bucket icon at the bottom of the menu.

The color you choose will be applied automatically. You can also hide the background layer by tapping the eye icon to reveal a transparent background.

Export a Google Chrome Canvas drawing

If you want to export the drawing for printing or further editing, there are 2 ways to do it.

In the editing screen, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner. From there, click “Export Drawing” to export the drawing.

Alternatively, in the drawing selection screen, tap the three-dot icon of the drawing you want to export. And click “Export”.

Both methods allow you to export the drawing as an image in PNG file format.