Use universal canvas to streamline your workflow

Written by:  Morgan T
Last updated:  

Lucid’s universal canvas is a visual collaboration experience that connects all stages of your workflow across Lucid’s purpose-built products, allowing you to seamlessly leverage the full power of the Lucid Suite. Create a diagram in Lucidchart, then get feedback about your diagram in Lucidspark all from the same canvas. Read on to learn more.

Plan availability: Free, Individual, Team, and Enterprise.
  • Available on FedRAMP accounts.
  • Read the Lucid Plans article for more information about what is available on your account.

Access the universal canvas

To access the universal canvas and switch to a different Lucid product, follow these steps:

  1. Click the product icon in the top-left corner of the workspace.
    • In Lucidchart: universal_canvas_lucidchart_dropdown.png
    • In Lucidspark:universal_canvas_lucidspark_dropdown.png
    • In Lucidscale: universal-canvas-lucidscale-icon
  2. From the dropdown, select from the following options:
    • Home to return to the Lucid Home Page.
    • Edit in Lucidchart to edit your document in Lucidchart.
    • Edit in Lucidspark to edit your document in Lucidspark.

example_of_universal_canvas_in_lucidchart_and_lucidspark.gif

Note: If the document was originally created in Lucidchart or Lucidspark, universal canvas can't be used to switch into Lucidscale.

Use Lucid products with purpose

Universal canvas allows you to use Lucid products with purpose. Using this feature, you can brainstorm in Lucidspark and diagram in Lucidchart all from the same workspace.

Because Lucid’s products are purpose-built, some document features may work differently across products when using universal canvas.

While you can interact with each of the following features in both Lucidchart and Lucidspark, the chart below explains where you can access the full functionality for each feature.

Feature

Product

data_tool_tip_icon.png
Breakout Boards lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Conditional Formatting lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Data Linking lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Diagram keys lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Dynamic Table lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Emoji reactions lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Frames lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Freehand drawing lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Gather sticky notes lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Layers lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Lucid Cards lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Org charts lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Pages lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Shape libraries lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Smart Containers lucidchart_icon.png  Available in Lucidchart
Sort sticky notes lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Swim lanes lucidchart_icon.png Available in  Lucidchart
Tags lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Timelines lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Timer lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark
Voting sessions lucidspark_icon.png Available in Lucidspark

Note: You can only access features available to your Lucid plan. For example, if you have a premium account for Lucidchart only, you can't access premium Lucidspark features when you switch products with universal canvas.

FAQ

If I switch products using universal canvas, does it switch for everyone else using the workspace?
No. Users can individually use the product that best fits their needs while working on the canvas together. If you switch products, it only switches for you.

Can I use integrations with universal canvas?
Yes. Integrations that are used within Lucid products will work normally. For example, if you sync Lucid Cards with Jira in Lucidspark, you can use universal canvas to switch to Lucidchart, and your Lucid Cards will remain accessible.

Universal canvas will not be available in Lucid documents that are embedded externally. For example, if you embed a Lucidchart document in Asana, you cannot switch to Lucidspark while in Asana. You can, however, open the document in Lucidchart, and switch from there.

How can I tell which product I was using when I originally created the document?
Locate the document in your Lucid Documents page. The icon next to the document indicates which product the document started in.

Can I add a Guest Collaborator to a Lucidchart document using universal canvas?
No. You can only add a Guest Collaborator to a document that originated as a Lucidspark board. If you create a new Lucidchart document and use universal canvas to switch to Lucidspark or vice versa, you will not have access to Guest Collaborator permissions.

Can Guest Collaborators switch products using universal canvas?
No. While Guest Collaborators can access a document that uses universal canvas, they cannot switch products.

Why are the layers of my diagram appearing differently in Lucidchart and Lucidspark?
If your layers are not appearing as expected after switching to Lucidspark, make sure you have selected Sync visibility in the layers panel in Lucidchart. For more information, check out our Add layers to a Lucidchart document article.

What happens to the pages in my Lucidchart document when I switch to edit in Lucidspark?
If you switch a Lucidchart document with pages into a Lucidspark board, a dropdown menu appears in the bottom-left corner of the board providing access to your Lucidchart pages.

Why am I being asked to upgrade my account after using universal canvas to switch from Lucidchart to Lucidspark, even though I have a paid Lucidspark account?
Documents created in Lucidchart with a free account have a 60-object limit, even if the document is switched to Lucidspark using universal canvas. To resolve this issue, create a new Lucidspark board or switch back to Lucidchart.

Give feedback on this article

Have feedback about this article? Tell us about your experience here

Did you find what you were looking for?

Still have a question or want to share what you have learned? Visit our Community   to get help and collaborate with others.