Xournal++ is an open source hand drawing and note-taking app for Linux, Windows, MacOS, and Android. I have used it to do most of my college engineering assignments because of features missing from physical paper:
- Cut and paste
- Perfect lines and geometric shapes
- Practically unlimited colors
- Perfect erasing without smudges
- Incremental save before erasing something that I think is a mistake
- Zoom in to appear to write very small when necessary
- Saves trees
- Won’t rip, tear, or crumple
- Won’t get lost in my binders
- Perfect for submitting assignments online in remote/distance learning – no scanning!
Advantages over other hand note-taking apps:
- Free, no strings attached
- Cross-platform
- Customizable – I can completely change the layout and behavior of the app
- Locally stored notes; no reliance on external server if your internet is unreliable
- Annotate any PDF
- Exports to PDF, PNG, SVG
- Audio recording and playback with associated notes
- Pressure-sensitivity works perfectly
One neat trick is annotating PDF files. In your File Manager, right click on a PDF and select Open With -> Xournal++
Using this, I can open my Engineering Graph Paper which is available free here and do my homework on digital engineering paper.
Xournal++ notes can be exported as PDF under File -> Export as PDF
They can also be exported as PNG or SVG under File -> Export as... -> Select the file type you want in the menu.
