OpenOffice Draw is the vector illustration and diagram module of the Apache OpenOffice family. As a vector graphics editor, it focuses on shapes and lines that scale without loss of quality. Draw is distributed as part of the broader Apache OpenOffice project and is included in many desktop office suite installations for people who need diagramming alongside word processing and spreadsheets.

Core features and capabilities

Draw provides a toolkit for creating diagrams, technical drawings, illustrations and lightweight page layouts. Its characteristic tools include shape libraries, connector lines that stick to objects for flowcharts and network diagrams, and a set of formatting options for line styles, fills and text. Users can group and align objects, work with layers, and create text frames that behave like those found in basic desktop publishing packages. These capabilities give Draw some of the convenience of desktop publishing software without the complexity of a dedicated DTP program.

History, formats and licensing

Draw originated as the drawing component of the OpenOffice.org suite and continued as part of Apache OpenOffice after the project's transition. Its native file format follows the OpenDocument Graphics conventions (commonly .odg), which aim to be open and interoperable. Draw can export to widely used exchange formats (for example PDF for fixed-layout distribution) and can import or handle common vector or bitmap assets to varying degrees. The application is released under the Apache License and is available as free software, allowing redistribution and modification under that license.

Uses and typical workflows

Draw is commonly used for:

  • Flowcharts and process diagrams that take advantage of the connector toolset.
  • Posters, flyers and simple brochures where a mix of text and vector graphics is needed.
  • Technical sketches and block diagrams that benefit from precision alignment and layering.
  • Creating or editing clip art and icons, especially when combined with external clip art collections.

Because it is bundled with the office suite, many users turn to Draw when a diagram must be produced quickly without launching separate graphics software. It is also a convenient choice for educational use and small organizations that prefer openly licensed tools.

OpenClipArt and similar libraries can be integrated into workflows to provide ready-made symbols, banners and icons. Users of Linux distributions often have easy access to such resources via package repositories, and common distributions like Debian and Ubuntu supply installable packages that add clip art and related assets for quick use in Draw.

Distinctions, tips and limitations

Unlike pixel-based painting programs, Draw edits objects as independent vector elements, so scaling or editing a shape preserves crisp edges. However, it is not positioned as a full-featured professional illustration or page-layout suite; advanced typographic or color-management needs may be better served by specialized software. Practical tips include designing diagrams with connectors rather than fixed lines so shapes can be moved without breaking links, using layers to manage complex artwork, and exporting to PDF for sharing with users who do not have Draw installed.

Because it is open-source and packaged with an office environment, Draw remains a useful, accessible tool for diagramming, basic vector art and quick desktop-publishing tasks. For downloads, documentation and community resources consult the main project pages and repositories associated with the suite.

Learn more about vector editing · OpenOffice project · Office suite components · Desktop publishing features · Linux distributions · Debian and Ubuntu · Apache License · Free software