Overview
raydeo | schematic is a desktop application for drawing network, system and technical diagrams. It is designed around a large visual canvas, reusable technical components, editable connections and local .ray project files.
Fast diagramming
Drag components onto the canvas, position them freely and connect them using visible anchor points.
Local files
Save and reopen diagrams using the Raydeo .ray format without requiring an online account.
Technical components
Build diagrams using network nodes, devices, infrastructure components, notes and general-purpose shapes.
Desktop export
Create images, PDFs and printed copies for documentation, presentations and design reviews.
Installation
macOS
- Download the Raydeo
.dmgfile from the Raydeo website. - Open the downloaded disk image.
- Drag raydeo | schematic into the Applications folder when prompted.
- Open the application from Applications or Launchpad.
Windows
- Download
raydeo-schematic-1.0.0-x64-setup.exe. - Open the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Choose the installation location if required.
- Launch the app from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
Quick start
- Open the left Components panel.
- Drag a component from the panel onto the canvas.
- Move the node by dragging its body.
- Connect two nodes by dragging from an anchor point on the first node to an anchor point on the second.
- Select a node or link to edit its settings in the right Properties panel.
- Choose Save to create a reusable
.rayfile.
The workspace
Header
Provides access to Open, Save, Export and Print actions.
Components panel
Contains nodes, network equipment, devices, notes and general-purpose shapes.
Canvas
The main drawing surface. Pan, zoom, arrange and connect items here.
Properties panel
Displays editable settings for the currently selected node or connection.
Both side panels can be collapsed to provide more canvas space. The application remembers the visual structure saved inside each .ray project.
Mouse and trackpad controls
macOS trackpad
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Pan around the canvas | Move two fingers across the trackpad. |
| Zoom in or out | Pinch with two fingers, or use the application zoom behaviour supported by the current build. |
| Select a node or link | Click once. |
| Move a node | Click and drag the node body. |
| Create a selection box | Drag across empty canvas space using the normal selection gesture. |
| Open or edit an item | Double-click where the feature supports direct editing, such as a connection label. |
Mouse controls on macOS and Windows
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Pan around the canvas | Hold the right mouse button and drag. |
| Zoom in or out | Use the mouse wheel over the canvas. |
| Select | Left-click a node or link. |
| Move a node | Left-click and drag its body. |
| Deselect | Click empty canvas space. |
| Connect nodes | Drag from a visible anchor point to an anchor point on another node. |
| Edit a connection name | Double-click the connection label. |
Keyboard shortcuts
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Undo | ⌘ + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo, when available | ⌘ + Shift + Z | Ctrl + Y |
| Save | ⌘ + S | Ctrl + S |
| Open | ⌘ + O | Ctrl + O |
| Select all | ⌘ + A | Ctrl + A |
| Delete selected item | Backspace or Delete | Delete or Backspace |
| Cancel current action | Esc | Esc |
Nodes and shapes
Drag components from the left panel onto the canvas. The available library can include technical equipment such as servers, switches, gateways and antennas, together with blank nodes, notes, clouds, databases, circles, squares, rectangles, rounded rectangles and stars.
Working with nodes
| Select | Click the node once. |
| Move | Drag the node body to a new position. |
| Multi-select | Drag a selection rectangle around multiple items when supported by the current canvas state. |
| Edit | Use the Properties panel to change the label, identifier, status, information or available style settings. |
| Delete | Select the node and press Backspace or Delete. |
Deleting a node also removes connections attached to that node. Use Undo immediately if an item is removed accidentally.
Links and connections
Connections are created between anchor points around each node. Raydeo Schematic uses clean routed lines designed for technical diagrams.
- Select or hover over the first node to reveal its connection anchors.
- Drag from an anchor point.
- Drop the line onto an anchor point on the destination node.
- Select the finished link to access its settings.
Editing links
Double-click a link label to rename it. Use the link rename dialog to save or cancel the change. Depending on the build, connection colour, label and routing points may also be editable from the Properties panel or directly on the canvas.
Properties panel
The right-side Properties panel changes according to the selected item. Typical node settings include:
Label
The primary name displayed on the node.
ID
A technical identifier useful in larger diagrams.
Status
A short state or role shown with the component.
Information
Additional descriptive or technical text.
Blank nodes and general-purpose shapes are intended for custom content. They can represent systems or ideas not covered by the built-in technical library.
Saving and opening diagrams
Save
Choose Save in the header and select a location. Raydeo stores the diagram as a .ray file containing the nodes, links, labels, properties and layout.
Open
Choose Open, select a valid Raydeo .ray file, and the saved canvas will be restored.
Export and print
Use the header actions to create a shareable output from the current diagram.
PNG export
Creates an image suitable for documents, web pages and presentations.
PDF export
Creates a document suitable for distribution and archiving where available in the current build.
Opens the operating system print interface.
Presentation preparation
Collapse side panels and frame the canvas before exporting for a cleaner result.
Before exporting, check that labels do not overlap, all required nodes are visible and the canvas is positioned at the intended scale.
Themes and grid
Raydeo Schematic includes visual themes designed for different working environments:
Light
A bright workspace suited to documents and conventional technical diagrams.
Dark
A low-light interface with clear contrast for long design sessions.
Army
A distinctive tactical-inspired dark theme using Raydeo's technical visual language.
Grid
Toggle the canvas grid according to whether you need visual alignment guidance or a clean presentation surface.
The selected theme changes the workspace appearance but does not change the logical content of the saved diagram.
Troubleshooting
The canvas zooms when I intended to scroll a panel.
Move the pointer over the panel or input area before scrolling. When the pointer is over empty canvas space, the wheel is interpreted as canvas zoom.
I cannot move around the canvas.
On a Mac trackpad, use a two-finger movement. With a mouse, hold the right button and drag over empty canvas space.
A node moves when I try to connect it.
Begin the drag directly from one of the node's anchor points rather than from the node body.
The app will not open after installation.
Confirm that the correct build was installed for the operating system. On macOS, check Privacy & Security for a blocked first launch. On Windows, check whether SmartScreen or security software quarantined the installer.
A saved file will not open.
Confirm that it is an unmodified Raydeo .ray project file. Avoid manually changing the file contents unless you understand the format.
The exported image does not contain the whole diagram.
Zoom and pan until the required area is visible, collapse unnecessary panels, then export again.
I deleted something accidentally.
Use Undo immediately: ⌘ + Z on macOS or Ctrl + Z on Windows.
Files and privacy
Raydeo Schematic is designed around local desktop files. Diagram content is saved to the location chosen by the user. Keep sensitive diagrams in appropriately protected folders and follow your organisation's information-handling requirements.