Building Mood Boards in Canvas

Introduction

Mood boards help you explore visual directions, organize references, and communicate aesthetic ideas. Canvas mode provides an infinite workspace for arranging images, text, and shapes.

Switching to Canvas Mode

Click the Cursor icon in the top-left corner to enter Canvas mode.

What changes:

• Center panel becomes an infinite canvas
• Top toolbar appears with canvas tools
• You can drag, resize, and rotate objects
• Tab system disappears (canvas is freeform)

Adding Content to Canvas

From File Browser

Drag any image or video from the file browser onto the canvas. It appears as an object you can manipulate.

Using Tools

Select tool (V): Click and drag objects Text tool (T): Click to add text labels Rectangle tool: Draw boxes and shapes Circle tool: Draw circles

Manipulating Objects

Moving

• Click and drag any object to move it
• Hold Shift while dragging to constrain to axis

Resizing

• Click object to select
• Drag corner handles to resize
• Hold Shift while resizing to maintain aspect ratio

Rotating

• Select object
• Drag rotation handle (circular arrow)

Deleting

• Select object
• Press Delete or Backspace

Multi-Select

• Click and drag: Rubber-band selection
• Shift+Click: Add to selection
• Cmd+A: Select all

With multiple selected:

• Move them together
• Align them (toolbar buttons)
• Group them
• Delete all at once

Layering (Z-index)

Bring Forward/Send Backward:

• Right-click → Bring to Front
• Right-click → Send to Back
• Keyboard: Cmd+] (forward), Cmd+[ (backward)

Locking Elements

Lock objects to prevent accidental moves:

• Select object
• Right-click → Lock
• Locked objects show lock icon
• Can't be moved or edited until unlocked

Tips for Great Mood Boards

• Start with key images: Add 3-5 core references first
• Add text labels: Describe mood, style, or notes
• Group similar items: Keep related images together
• Use spacing: Don't overcrowd - negative space matters
• Lock when done: Lock final layout to prevent changes

Next Steps

• Understanding the Three View Modes — Master all modes
• Canvas Keyboard Shortcuts — Work faster
• Interactive Storyboards — Sequential layouts