How to Download and Use Draw.io Libraries for Diagramming
Diagramming is a powerful way to communicate complex ideas, processes, and systems visually. Whether you need to create a flowchart, a mind map, a UML diagram, or any other type of diagram, you need a reliable and versatile tool that can help you turn your thoughts into reality.
One of the best tools for diagramming is draw.io, a free and open source diagramming app that you can use online or offline. Draw.io offers many features and benefits that make it stand out from other diagramming solutions, such as:
draw.io libraries download
Security and data privacy: Draw.io does not store your diagram data on its servers, so you can keep your data secure wherever you want.
Integration with popular tools: Draw.io works with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, GitLab, Confluence, Jira, Office 365, Google Workspace, Notion, and more.
Real-time collaboration: Draw.io allows you to work on diagrams with your team members simultaneously, with shared cursors and comments.
Easy-to-use diagram editor: Draw.io has a user-friendly interface that lets you drag and drop shapes, edit and style them, add labels and connectors, and more.
Advanced tools: Draw.io supports many diagram types and formats, such as UML, BPMN, ERD, Venn, network, flowchart, etc. You can also generate diagrams from text descriptions using smart templates.
But one of the most powerful features of draw.io is its custom shape libraries. These are collections of shapes, images, icons, and diagram fragments that you can use in your diagrams to make them more expressive and professional. In this article, we will show you how to download and use draw.io libraries for diagramming.
How to download draw.io libraries from the web
There are many sources of custom libraries that you can use in draw.io. Some of them are:
GitHub repository of draw.io-libs
This is a repository on GitHub that contains a selection of general libraries and vector shapes for draw.io. You can find libraries for templates, icons, technical diagrams, security architecture, wireframes, infographics, and more. You can browse the repository at [1]( or follow any link from the README.md file to open that custom library in the draw.io editor.
Other sources of custom libraries
You can also find custom libraries from other websites or online platforms that offer open source or free shapes for diagramming. For example:
Puzzle wireframe kit: This is a collection of wireframe components, avatars, form elements, icons, and more for creating mockups of apps and websites. You can download it from [2](
DevSecOps: These are two custom libraries created by GitHub users djschleen and aquasecurity for modeling security and operations in development pipelines. You can download them from [3]( and [4](
Example diagrams: This is a page on the draw.io website that showcases various examples of diagrams created with draw.io. You can browse them at [5](
To open a custom library from a URL or a file, you need to follow these steps:
Open the draw.io editor in your browser or desktop app.
Click on the File menu and select Open Library from > URL or File.
Enter the URL of the library or browse your device for the file. The file should have a .xml or .drawio extension.
Click on Open to load the library in the editor.
How to use draw.io libraries in your diagrams
Once you have opened a custom library in draw.io, you can use it in your diagrams by following these steps:
How to drag and drop shapes from the library
The custom library will appear as a panel on the left side of the editor. You can see the name of the library and the shapes it contains. To add a shape to your diagram, simply drag and drop it from the library to the drawing area. You can also double-click on a shape to insert it at the center of the diagram.
How to download and share draw.io libraries from GitHub
Draw.io templates and examples for technical diagrams
Draw.io desktop app for offline diagramming
Draw.io integrations with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox
Draw.io security and privacy features
Draw.io for VSCode extension
Draw.io for Notion Chrome extension
Draw.io for Confluence and Jira apps
Draw.io online tool with cloud storage options
Draw.io for Office 365 and Microsoft Teams
How to create and edit custom libraries in draw.io
How to use the scratchpad and the pen icon in draw.io
How to add images and SVG files to draw.io libraries
How to make the colors of SVG files configurable in draw.io
How to export and import draw.io library files
How to encode the URL of a draw.io library file
How to use the clibs parameter to share draw.io libraries
How to install draw.io libraries from a public URL
How to use multiple draw.io libraries in one diagram
How to access the built-in template library in draw.io
Draw.io general libraries for basic building blocks
Draw.io vector libraries for checkout and delivery icons
Draw.io OSA icons for security architecture drawings
Draw.io UN-OCHA icons for humanitarian affairs diagrams
Draw.io genogram library for family diagrams
Draw.io comic template with Humor Sans font
How to collaborate with shared cursors in real-time in draw.io
How to use add-ons for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in draw.io
How to embed and edit diagrams directly in Notion with draw.io
How to create visual documentation in GitHub, GitLab, and Dropbox with draw.io
How to use draw.io for agile project management with Jira
How to use draw.io for knowledge management with Confluence
How to use draw.io for business process modeling with BPMN 2.0 notation
How to use draw.io for software engineering with UML diagrams
How to use draw.io for network engineering with Cisco icons
How to use draw.io for database design with ER diagrams
How to use draw.io for web design with wireframes and mockups
How to use draw.io for data science with flowcharts and decision trees
How to use draw.io for education with mind maps and concept maps
How to use draw.io for marketing with infographics and SWOT analysis diagrams
How to edit and customize shapes
After you have added a shape to your diagram, you can edit and customize it as you wish. You can resize, rotate, move, align, group, and layer shapes using the handles and tools on the editor. You can also change the style, color, fill, stroke, shadow, and opacity of shapes using the format panel on the right side of the editor. To add text labels to shapes, double-click on them and type your text. You can also change the font, size, color, alignment, and formatting of text using the text panel on the right side of the editor.
How to create and save your own custom library
If you want to create your own custom library with your favorite shapes or images, you can do so by following these steps:
Select the shapes or images that you want to include in your custom library. You can use any shape or image from draw.io or import your own images from your device or URL.
Click on the Edit menu and select Create Library.
Enter a name for your custom library and click on Create.
Your custom library will appear as a panel on the left side of the editor. You can add more shapes or images to it by dragging and dropping them from other libraries or sources.
To save your custom library, click on the File menu and select Save Library As > File or URL. You can choose to save it as a .xml or .drawio file on your device or as a URL that you can share with others.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download and use draw.io libraries for diagramming. Draw.io libraries are collections of shapes, images, icons, and diagram fragments that you can use in your diagrams to make them more expressive and professional. You can find many custom libraries from various sources on the web or create your own custom libraries with your favorite shapes or images. Draw.io libraries are easy to use and customize in the draw.io editor. They are also compatible with many popular tools and platforms that you can integrate with draw.io.
If you want to learn more about draw.io and its features, visit their website at [6]( You can also check out their blog, documentation, tutorials, videos, and community for more tips and tricks on diagramming with draw.io.
FAQs
What are the best alternatives to draw.io?
Some of the best alternatives to draw.io are:
Lucidchart: This is a cloud-based diagramming tool that offers many templates, integrations, collaboration features, and advanced tools for diagramming.
Gliffy: This is another cloud-based diagramming tool that has a simple interface, many templates, integrations, collaboration features, and basic tools for diagramming.
Visio: This is a desktop-based diagramming tool that is part of Microsoft Office 365. It has many templates, integrations, advanced tools, and features for diagramming.
How to share your custom libraries with others?
You can share your custom libraries with others by saving them as a URL or a file and sending them to others. Alternatively, you can also publish your custom libraries on GitHub or other online platforms and share the link with others.
How to import and export diagrams in different formats?
You can import and export diagrams in different formats using the File menu in the draw.io editor. You can import diagrams from your device, URL, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, or GitLab. You can also import diagrams from other formats, such as Visio, Gliffy, Lucidchart, PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, etc. You can export diagrams to your device, URL, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, GitHub, or GitLab. You can also export diagrams to other formats, such as PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, HTML, XML, etc.
How to collaborate on diagrams in real-time with draw.io?
You can collaborate on diagrams in real-time with draw.io by using the Share menu in the draw.io editor. You can share your diagram with others by sending them a link or an email invitation. You can also choose to allow editing or viewing only for your collaborators. You can see the shared cursors and comments of your collaborators on the diagram. You can also chat with them using the chat panel on the right side of the editor.
How to embed diagrams in other applications with draw.io?
You can embed diagrams in other applications with draw.io by using the Embed menu in the draw.io editor. You can choose to embed your diagram as an image or an iframe. You can also choose to enable or disable editing and zooming for your embedded diagram. You can copy the embed code and paste it into your application. 44f88ac181