Introduction
Flik has three specialized view modes designed for different creative tasks: Default for general work, Canvas for visual planning, and Editor for video assembly. Each mode optimizes the interface for specific workflows.
The Mode Switcher
In the top-left corner of your project (next to the Flik logo), you'll see three icon buttons:
- Home icon — Default mode
- Cursor/Pointer icon — Canvas mode
- Scissors icon — Editor mode
Click any icon to switch instantly. Your work is preserved when switching modes.
Default Mode
The standard layout for most tasks.
When to use:
- General project management
- File organization and browsing
- Working with documents and spreadsheets
- Chatting with AI for any task
- Creating business content, marketing materials
Layout:
- All three panels visible (files, workspace, AI chat)
- Tab-based center workspace
- Full access to AI agent
Canvas Mode
Visual workspace for arranging and organizing visual content.
When to use:
- Creating mood boards
- Visual planning and layout
- Organizing reference images
- Storyboarding (for any project type)
- Spatial arrangement of ideas
What you can do:
- Drag images/videos onto infinite canvas
- Resize, rotate, and position objects freely
- Add text labels and shapes
- Multi-select and group elements
- Lock elements to prevent accidental moves
Layout:
- File browser on left (same as Default)
- Canvas workspace in center (instead of tabs)
- AI chat on right (same as Default)
- Toolbar at top with canvas tools
Editor Mode
Professional multi-track video editing.
When to use:
- Editing video projects
- Multi-track audio mixing
- Timeline-based assembly
- Adding effects and transitions
- Exporting final videos
What you can do:
- Multi-track video and audio editing
- Trim, arrange, and layer clips
- Add text overlays and effects
- Audio waveform visualization
- Precise timeline control
- Export in multiple formats
Layout:
- Media library on left (auto-hides for more space)
- Preview window at top
- Timeline at bottom
- AI chat hidden (focus on editing)
💡 Quick Switch: Press Cmd+J to toggle between Default and Editor mode instantly.
When to Use Each Mode
Default Mode for:
- Business work (finance, presentations, spreadsheets)
- Product marketing (photos, social content)
- Interior design projects
- Document creation
- File organization
- AI conversations
Canvas Mode for:
- Visual mood boards
- Organizing reference images
- Layout planning
- Design exploration
- Spatial thinking
Editor Mode for:
- Video editing exclusively
- Timeline assembly
- Audio mixing
- Final exports
Mode Persistence
Your mode selection and state persist per project:
- Return to Canvas mode exactly as you left it (objects preserved)
- Return to Editor mode with timeline intact
- Each project remembers its last active mode
- Work is never lost when switching
Next Steps
- Setting Up Your First Project — Get started basics
- The File Browser and Project Organization — Master file management
- Canvas Mood Boards — Use Canvas mode
- Video Editor Introduction — Use Editor mode