Illustmaker v5.0 — Real-time Collaborative Editing. MCP expanded to 102 methods
ASI Inc. (HQ: Setagaya, Tokyo; CEO: Yusuke Saiki) has updated its AI-first vector graphics editor Illustmaker to v5.0. Issue a share link with mode='edit' and multiple users can simultaneously draw, move, and delete on the same canvas from /illustmaker/live/{token}. The Figma-style multi-user experience is now available — without specialized clients, entirely in the browser. The MCP HTTP API has been expanded from 97 to 102 methods.
What's new in v5.0
1. Real-time collaborative editing (mode='edit')
Following read-only live share (v4.0) and viewer comments (v4.1), Illustmaker now supports a fully shared canvas where everyone can edit.
- Simultaneous editing — multiple users draw, move, and delete on the same session.
- HTTP long-polling — up to 25-second hold + instant response. No WebSocket required; works through firewalls and corporate proxies.
- LWW (Last-Write-Wins) conflict resolution — simple and predictable.
- Per-object edit locks — moving/editing locks an object for 5 seconds (auto-released).
- Live cursors — broadcast at ~80ms intervals, colored per participant.
- Live selection — others' selection boxes appear with name labels.
- Participant list — header avatars + sidebar (color and name).
2. Five new MCP methods
| Method | Purpose |
|---|---|
illust.collab_join | Join. Returns actor_id + initial state. |
illust.collab_leave | Leave. |
illust.collab_op_submit | Submit one of 9 op types. |
illust.collab_poll | Long-poll (25s) for ops, participants, locks. |
illust.collab_status | Lightweight status snapshot. |
Architecture
Operation-based sync (not CRDT)
We use an operation log + LWW approach rather than CRDT.
- All persistent operations (add / update / delete / document / reorder) are logged in
illust_maker_collab_opswith a monotonically increasing seq. - Each participant remembers their last seq and long-polls for new ops.
- Ephemeral ops (cursor / selection / lock) UPDATE the participants table directly — lightweight and volatile.
- Conflicts are resolved by seq order; concurrent updates to the same object use LWW (the last write wins).
- 5-second object locks prevent overwriting someone else's move.
Why long-polling instead of WebSocket?
- Pure PHP — no Node.js or extra real-time infrastructure to operate.
- Works on default nginx (no WebSocket proxy configuration).
- Survives corporate networks and proxies.
- Latency: ops responses are near-instant; only the idle 25-second hold matters for resource usage.
Lightweight MVP UI
The collab editor UI is a separate lightweight build from the main editor.
- Tools: Select / Rectangle / Ellipse / Text / Line
- Property panel: position, size, fill, stroke, text editing
- Keyboard shortcuts: V / R / O / T / L / Delete / Esc
- Coming soon: pen (bezier), pathfinder, image placement, grouping
By the numbers
| Item | v4.1 | v5.0 | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCP HTTP API methods | 97 | 102 | +5 |
| npm wrapper tools | 81 | 86 | +5 |
| Share link modes | view / comment | view / comment / edit | +1 |
| New DB tables | — | collab_ops / collab_participants / collab_locks | +3 |
| Operation types | — | 9 | +9 |
Use cases
- Multi-designer brainstorms — each contributes shapes on one canvas while you arrange them.
- Internal workshops — facilitator + participants on one board.
- Education and group exercises — teacher and students share a canvas.
- Client review → immediate revise — extends v4.0's read-only sharing into edit while you talk.
- AI agent × human co-creation — AI drafts, human refines, in the same session. Cursors and edits visible to all.
How to use
- Create your work in the editor as usual.
- Call
illust.share_createwithmode='edit'(or use the upcoming File → Live Share UI). - Share the issued URL (
/illustmaker/live/{token}) with collaborators. - Each joiner picks a name + color and starts editing.
- 30-day auto-expiry. Owner can also revoke via
illust.share_delete.
Key URLs
| Service home | https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/en/ |
| Editor | https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/app/ |
| MCP docs (EN) | https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/mcp/en/ |
| MCP docs (JP) | https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/mcp/ |
| npm package | @illustmaker/mcp v1.7.0 |
| llms.txt | https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/llms.txt |
What's next
- Extended collab toolset: pen (bezier), pathfinder, images, grouping.
- Voice/video integration (WebRTC alongside collaborative editing).
- Per-participant edit history (who changed what, when).
- Unified Live Share / Comment / Collab Edit mode selector UI.
About ASI Inc.
| Company | ASI Inc. |
| CEO | Yusuke Saiki |
| Address | 3-18-17-310 Kamiuma, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0011, Japan |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Business | AI-first web services / MCP servers / contract development (AI integration, web development, internal systems) |
| URL | https://asi.co.jp/ |
Press contact
ASI Inc. — PR
Email: info@asi.co.jp
Service URL: https://asi.co.jp/illustmaker/en/