# How to start a Canvas from a Drawing

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7pn0PYbDGc>" %}

{% hint style="info" %}
We recommend using DWG files that are no more than **15 mb** in Canvas for optimal performance.
{% endhint %}

A quick way to start a new Canvas is by importing a drawing file as the first step. This is an ideal workflow for when your design process calls to start designing with a file of a floor plan that you already have on your computer. Here's how:

* In the Canvas Dashboard, simply click **`+ New Canvas`**.
* Choose **Import Drawing**.

<figure><img src="https://2113117739-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoXL90G447T7Arsje35d9%2Fuploads%2Fwn1iUrJnOdMCUUdvkRcX%2FImport%20Drawing%20-%20updated.png?alt=media&#x26;token=442b2dd8-7d20-4882-ba00-2d9e3757dcd2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Start a new Canvas with your drawing file</p></figcaption></figure>

* You'll then be prompted to open your desired drawing file. The supported file types for drawings on Canoa are **DWG** and **DXF files**.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2113117739-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoXL90G447T7Arsje35d9%2Fuploads%2FUxRz6Z7r3G7aWTH0iW7d%2FScreenshot%202024-09-19%20at%201.27.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4f328dc1-fded-492d-ba84-c07b71d248d6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Choose DWG file</p></figcaption></figure>

* With your file selected, click Open. You'll automatically be taken to a blank Canvas where you will see your drawing file being **processed** in the bottom left hand corner of your screen.

<figure><img src="https://2113117739-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoXL90G447T7Arsje35d9%2Fuploads%2F6UvdSZDozOnkUnB6fVwo%2FStart%20from%20Drawing%20Process.png?alt=media&#x26;token=232f808f-80ca-489f-84da-040bd56a3072" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* When the file is done processing, click **Add to Canvas** in the bottom left hand corner and then choose where to place your drawing file.

Of course, there are other ways to get started with creating new Canvas. Check them out:

{% content-ref url="../getting-started/begin-with-a-template" %}
[begin-with-a-template](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/getting-started/begin-with-a-template)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="how-to-create-a-furniture-and-accessories-presentation" %}
[how-to-create-a-furniture-and-accessories-presentation](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/collect/how-to-create-a-furniture-and-accessories-presentation)
{% endcontent-ref %}

To learn more about drawings and best practices for working with drawings on Canoa, check out the following articles:

{% content-ref url="my-catalog/working-in-table-view/how-to-import-your-product-data/how-to-import-2d-vector-data-drawings" %}
[how-to-import-2d-vector-data-drawings](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/collect/my-catalog/working-in-table-view/how-to-import-your-product-data/how-to-import-2d-vector-data-drawings)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="my-catalog/working-in-table-view/how-to-import-your-product-data/how-to-import-2d-vector-data-drawings/best-practices-for-uploading-vector-data" %}
[best-practices-for-uploading-vector-data](https://help.canoa.supply/docs/collect/my-catalog/working-in-table-view/how-to-import-your-product-data/how-to-import-2d-vector-data-drawings/best-practices-for-uploading-vector-data)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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