Canvas & references

Navigation, zoom and pan

Hold Space and drag to pan, or select the Hand tool with H. Use + and − to zoom and F to fit. The zoom control gives a direct way to set the view size.

Changing the view does not resize the actual artwork. Use Change Canvas Size for a canvas-size edit.

Backdrop and pixel grid

Use the canvas and appearance settings to change the viewing environment. A checkerboard represents transparency, not painted pixels. Toggle the pixel grid with G; it is an editing aid, not part of the exported artwork.

Canvas size and anchor

Open Change Canvas Size and set the new dimensions. The 3 × 3 anchor selector determines which part of the existing canvas stays anchored when dimensions change. Use the named position, such as Top Left or Center, to make the placement intentional. Reducing canvas size can crop artwork; use Undo to recover a mistaken change.

Add and edit reference images

Choose File → Add Reference Image. References remain separate from your artwork. Select Edit Reference Image with R to move or resize a reference and adjust its opacity.

Use the reference controls or context menu to lock, hide, duplicate or delete it. The Delete key acts on the focused reference. Reference Image Save Behavior controls how references are retained with a file; check that setting before sharing or moving the project.

Tiled preview

Enable Tiled Preview Mode to inspect repeating textures while continuing to edit the underlying canvas. Repeated tiles are views of the same artwork, not extra painted copies. This is useful for checking seams in patterns and textures.

Real-size Preview Window

The Preview Window provides a second view of artwork at 100% or integer zoom, including animation playback. It is distinct from Preview Mode, which arranges source assets as objects in a scene.