Show HN: Trangram – a free browser-based vector editor (illustrator + timeline)
trangram.com
I started working on Trangram 7 years ago with a simple idea: a free browser-based vector editor that combines illustration and animation in one place.
The goal is to make creating vector graphics and animations as simple as opening a browser. There's nothing to install, no account required, and projects are saved automatically in your browser, so nothing is uploaded to a server.
I use Trangram every day for my own illustrations (and occasionally animations). One of the most rewarding parts of building it has been discovering new workflows that I never planned, even as the developer implementing every feature.
For example, I recently needed to design a pearl necklace for one of my characters. Instead of positioning every pearl individually, I drew the necklace along a motion path. This let me reshape the entire necklace simply by adjusting the curve.
Another workflow I use a lot is storing different design ideas as keyframes. Rather than creating multiple copies of a project, I can keep different versions in the timeline, scrub between them to compare changes, and even mix different sets of edits by moving keyframes around.
I'll stop there before this post becomes too long.
You can export your work as project files (for later editing), images, GIFs, or videos.
Trangram is also designed to be lightweight. It runs smoothly on my 2017 MacBook (1.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5), and I've even used it on a Samsung Smart Monitor's built-in browser with just a mouse and keyboard.
P.S. If you need one more animation example, check out Trangram's 404 page.