Ask HN: What do you use to illustrations and animations?

[xfax]

Like many of you, I am a visual thinker. When I’m thinking about or discussing a concept, I often create diagrams and animations in my head. These could range from technical to process to, honestly, whatever.

Often, it feels like if only I could get what’s in my brain onto a visual medium, it would lead to much more productive conversations and communications.

In the age of AI, are there any tools that you all are using for this purpose?

[solardev]

I don't use AI for that, but frequently illustrate things in Figma (even flowcharts and architectural diagrams, etc.).

It's just a nice UI, fast, and it's easier to keep everything in one place vs spreading it out over GDrive/third-party flowchart apps, etc., especially if the people you're sharing with are also Figma users.

When Figma is too much work, honestly, just having an dry-erase whiteboard near the desk works wonders for visual thinking and in-person meetings.

[codingdave]

For myself, to think things out? Paper and pencil. For explaining to others? A whiteboard. If people find value in it, I'll create it in digital format.

Don't over-think the tools. The first key to drawing diagrams is not the tools you'd use to make a diagram... it is being in the habit of drawing.