Early docs.
The basics, honestly.
Forms Sketch is an early build, so these are early docs — a quickstart, shortcuts, what files it uses, and what's not working yet. Full guides come as the tools mature. Anything not covered here: the FAQ or a real person by email.
GET DRAWING
- Download the free Windows build from the Forms Sketch page — or skip the install and run it in your browser.
- If Windows SmartScreen warns you ("unrecognized app"), that's because the build is unsigned, not because it's unsafe — click More info → Run anyway. (A signed build is on the list.)
- Start sketching. Pick a tool from the top toolbar (pen, line, shapes, text), draw on the canvas, and use the select tool to move things. Your work is kept locally.
- No account, ever. Nothing to sign up for, no email wall. Free, forever.
KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
The common ones. The in-app command palette lists the rest. (This is an early build — shortcuts may change; we'll keep this list current.)
| Select tool | V |
| Pen / freehand | P |
| Line | L |
| Rectangle | R |
| Text | T |
| Undo / Redo | Ctrl Z / Ctrl Shift Z |
| Delete selection | Del |
| Command palette | Ctrl K |
If a shortcut here doesn't match the app, trust the app and tell us — this page is catching up to an early build.
FILES & EXPORT
Sketches are stored locally on your machine. Forms Sketch is for fast ideation — the deeper, portable project format (and the open community pack system) lives in Forms 2D. Where Sketch supports image/vector export, you'll find it in the toolbar's export action; treat anything beyond that as not-yet at this build.
KNOWN LIMITATIONS
It's an early build (v0.1.5). Honestly, here's where it stands:
- Unsigned — expect the Windows SmartScreen prompt until a signing certificate is in place.
- Windows desktop + browser — those are the supported ways to run it today.
- Early feature set — it's a sketch tool, not full CAD. Layers, precision drafting, ISA symbols, packs, and DWG belong to Forms 2D (coming Aug 1, 2026).
- Expect rough edges — found a bug? Email support@formscad.com. A person reads every one.
MORE
Pack format
Building a community pack? The open format — manifest schema, asset rules, install — is documented in the pack spec.
Read the pack spec →What's coming
Forms 2D is next (targeting Aug 1, 2026); 3D, Review, Prime, and Print are on the roadmap.
See the roadmap →