Why Engrapha?¶

Several tools can help you produce diagrams or notes. Engrapha's value is combining all of them into one Python toolkit with vector-native graphics, consistent theming, and multi-format exports.

Feature comparison¶

Tool	Notes	Diagrams	PDF	HTML	PPTX
ReportLab	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌
Mermaid	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
PlantUML	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌
Matplotlib	❌	Limited	✅	❌	❌
Pandoc	✅	Limited	✅	✅	❌
Typst	✅	Limited	✅	✅	❌
LaTeX	✅	Limited	✅	❌	❌
Engrapha	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

What makes Engrapha different¶

1. Vector-native diagrams inside your PDF¶

Every diagram is drawn as ReportLab vector primitives. No PNG rasters, no missing fonts, no JavaScript runtime. The same drawing renders at any zoom level and stays editable.

fc = ed.Flowchart(width=en.CW, height=180)
fc.terminal("start", "START")
fc.process("step", "Main")
fc.terminal("end", "END")
fc.edge("start", "step").edge("step", "end")
en.add(fc.as_flowable())

2. Unified themes across notes and diagrams¶

Apply the same theme to body text, callouts, tables, code blocks, and every diagram. Switch from DARK to OCEAN_DARK to SEPIA with one call:

en.set_theme(en.OCEAN_DARK)
diag_theme = ed.DiagramTheme.from_notes_theme(en.get_theme())
fc = ed.Flowchart(theme=diag_theme, ...)

3. Multi-format export from one source¶

Generate PDF, HTML, PPTX, and Anki flashcards from the same Python script (or Markdown file).

en.build_doc("notes.pdf")        # PDF
en.build_html("notes/")          # HTML (writes index.html into directory)
en.build_pptx("notes.pptx")      # Presentation
# Flashcards auto-exported to *_flashcards.csv/json/.apkg

4. Zero external tooling¶

No need to install chrome, puppeteer, lualatex, java, node, or an internet connection. Engrapha works on any machine that can run pip + Python.

5. Markdown-first CLI¶

Write notes in Markdown, get a themed PDF. Diagram fences, alert boxes, code blocks, and tables all compile natively.

Engrapha notes.md --theme catppuccin-mocha

When to use Engrapha¶

Pick Engrapha if you:

Need a single Python script that produces both notes and diagrams
Want no external binaries (no LaTeX, no PlantUML Java)
Care about visual consistency between text and graphics
Are building academic content (study notes, question banks, slides)
Need multiple output formats from one source

Pick something else if you:

Are building a static web-only documentation site (Pick: Material for MkDocs, Docusaurus)
Need collaborative real-time editing (Pick: Notion, HackMD)
Want full LaTeX control with macros (Pick: LuaLaTeX or Typst)