Carpet map software from Iran
Toranj and Naqsh Saz
Naqsh Saz has been around for 28 years, by its own account, and of the tools here it is the one closest to what Toranj sets out to do. It covers hand-knotted, machine, tableau, kilim and gabbeh, and says size or weave type can change while the design's shape does not.
Where it is the better choice
- Half knots, and Turkish and Isfahan raj as well as Persian. Toranj has one raj measure and no half knot.
- Coded maps, plotter output and a colour box print.
- A ready collection of flowers, corners and medallions to start from. Toranj's library holds the motifs you make.
- Scanned designs converted to maps, and almost three decades of use.
Where Toranj is the better choice
- It opens in a browser on Mac or Windows, with no installation and no USB lock.
- Buyers and weavers follow the work by their own link, comment on the drawing and see what changed between versions.
- Change a motif in the library once and every design using it is offered the new version.
- You can try it without a phone call, on a free plan with no time limit.
Side by side
| Feature | Toranj | Naqsh Saz |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs, and what it needs | YesBrowser on Mac or Windows. Nothing to install, no lock. Needs internet | NoWindows, with a USB hardware lock |
| Design stays a vector drawing, knots worked out from it | YesYes | Not statedNot stated |
| Another raj or size without redrawing | In partWoven again from a vector drawing, any raj or reed. Not imported maps | YesBy its own account, size or weave type changes and the shape holds. Method not stated |
| Raj systems, knot shape and half knots | In part10 to 150 raj per 7 cm, knot shape 0.5 to 2. No half knots, no Turkish or Isfahan raj | YesTurkish, Persian and Isfahan raj, reed and density for machine, half knots |
| Carpet drawing tools: symmetry, medallion, border, islimi | In partPen, spiral for islimi, symmetry on the carpet or in a motif. Border fill on imported maps only | YesSymmetry, medallion drawing, border lines, quarter or half into a full design |
| Motif library | In partYour own motifs, reused and updated in every design. No ready collection | YesFlower, lechek, medallion, geometric and border collections |
| Photo or scan into a map | In partJPEG comes in as an approximate map, one pixel to a knot, or as a layer to trace. Scanned grids are not detected | YesConverts scanned designs, raises and lowers colour count |
| Point paper to print | YesPDF, A4 or A3, half or quarter for a symmetric design, yarn numbers if you want | YesPlain and numbered chequered, one-page design, on printers and plotters |
| Coded, numeric or audio map | NoNo | In partThree types of coded map. Audio is not mentioned |
| Output for machines | In part8-bit BMP for Jacquard software. No JC5, EP or tufting output | In partMachine maps by reed and density. Output formats not named |
| Weave simulation | In partFlat view and knot view. No pile or room simulation | Not statedNot stated |
| Yarn and colour reports | YesKnots and weight per colour, weaving check, CSV table | YesYarn needed, knots and half knots per colour |
| Buyer sees it by private link and comments on the design | YesEach person their own link, comments pinned, versions and approvals | Not statedNot stated |
| Language | YesEditor in Persian. Site, dashboard and sharing in Persian and English | YesPersian and English |
| Free start and price | YesBy invitation for now. Free plan: 2 editors, 5 designs, no time limit, all exports. Paid prices not set yet | Not statedNo price published. Bought by phone or message |
Stay with it if
you weave half knots or Isfahan khaft, your weavers read coded maps, or you already have a large archive in it.
If you do move
Save your maps as 8-bit indexed BMP or PNG and they come into Toranj knot for knot. We have not tried Naqsh Saz's own files. Before leaving, try one real order from start to finish on the free plan, because half knots and coded maps will not come with you.
Try it on your own work
Toranj is by invitation for now. Ask for access, then draw a design, import a map you already have and judge for yourself.
What we read
Checked on 2 November 2026. Prices are what the vendor's page showed that day.
We have not installed or run these programs ourselves. What is written here comes from the vendors' sites and the sources we list. We found no reliable figures for how widely each is used, so we do not rank them.
If something here is wrong, tell us and we will correct it.
Product names belong to their owners. Toranj has no connection with these companies.