Canvas
The canvas is where you create, explore, and edit content such as videos, image sequences, or layouts. Efficiently navigating the canvas will help you work faster and stay organized.
Toolbar
- 'Select' (V) and 'Hand' (H): the pointer menu at the top left. Hand drags the view around
- 'Comment' (C): pin a comment to an asset
- '+': add an 'Artboard', 'Section' or 'Document'. It lands in the middle of your view, already selected
- Right-click an empty spot for 'New', 'Comment', 'Paste' and 'Upload asset'
Panning the Canvas (Moving Around)
Using mouse
- To move the canvas in any direction, hold:
Command + Left-Click + Drag - To move canvas up/down:
Vertical Scroll - To move canvas left/right:
Shift + Scroll
Using trackpad
- To pan the canvas using trackpad: use the two-finger scroll and scroll up/down or left/right.
Moving frames on Canvas
Basic frame movement
- To move frame(s),
Select (left-click) + Dragany frame or artboard to reposition it.
Multiple selection
- To select multiple frames or artboards:
Shift + ClickorDrag-Select - To move multiple frames or artboards: After selecting multiple frames, drag them to reposition.
Finer Adjustments
- To make finer repositioning adjustments: Use the arrow keys to nudge selected elements by small increments.
Zoom and grid controls
Using trackpad gestures
- To zoom in or zoom out: Pinch in or pinch out on your trackpad.
- To zoom in or zoom out centered around the mouse pointer:
Cmd/Ctrl + Scroll
Using keyboard shortcuts
- To zoom in:
Cmd/Ctrl + +
- To zoom out:
Cmd/Ctrl + -
- To zoom to fit selection:
Shift + 1
From the Canvas zoom menu located in the bottom-right corner, click the zoom percentage dropdown (e.g., "15%") for the following options:
- Zoom in:
Cmd/Ctrl + + - Zoom out:
Cmd/Ctrl + - - Zoom to fit:
Shift + 1 - Presets: 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%, 200%
- 'Hide grid' and 'Show minimap'
Keyboard shortcuts
Press Cmd + / to see them all. On Windows, use Ctrl for Cmd and Alt for Option.
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Select tool, Hand tool, Comment tool | V, H, C |
| Upload an asset | Cmd + O |
| Create or wrap a Section | Shift + S |
| Unwrap a Section | Option + Shift + S |
| Resize a Section to fit | Option + R |
| Duplicate, rename | Cmd + D, Shift + R |
| Undo, redo | Cmd + Z, Cmd + Shift + Z |
| Zoom to fit | Shift + 1 |
Tips for a smooth workflow
- To quickly locate and access off-screen items, use the Layers panel on the left side.
- To keep your otherwise complex canvas organized, rename Artboards and Layers.
- Group Movement: Select multiple elements and drag them together for quicker repositioning.
Common issues and fixes
If Canvas is stuck or not moving
- Fix: Press Esc to exit any active tool mode, then try panning again.
If Canvas zooms in/out too fast or slow
- Fix: Adjust your system's trackpad or mouse settings for scroll sensitivity.
Grid disappeared?
- Fix: Re-enable the grid through the Zoom Menu (bottom-right corner).
If you have any trouble or have any questions, feel free to reach out. We're happy to help. Write to us at support@morphic.com.