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Basics Beginner 8 min read

Getting Started with Canvas Editor

Learn the basics of creating stunning designs with MarketDragon's visual editor

Getting Started with Canvas Editor

The Canvas Editor is your creative powerhouse for designing social media posts, ads, and marketing materials. This tutorial will walk you through the basics.

Opening the Canvas Editor

  1. Navigate to Creatives in the sidebar
  2. Click Create New or select an existing design to edit
  3. The Canvas Editor will open in full-screen mode

Understanding the Interface

The Canvas Editor consists of several key areas:

Left Toolbar

The left toolbar contains all your design elements:

  • Templates - Pre-designed layouts to get started quickly
  • Elements - Shapes, icons, and decorative items
  • Text - Add and style text elements
  • Images - Upload or search for stock photos
  • Brand Kit - Access your brand colors and fonts

Top Toolbar

The top toolbar provides:

  • Undo/Redo buttons
  • Zoom controls
  • Canvas size selector
  • Export options

Right Panel

When you select an element, the right panel shows:

  • Position and size controls
  • Color and opacity settings
  • Layer ordering options
  • Advanced effects

Creating Your First Design

Step 1: Choose a Canvas Size

Click the canvas size button in the top toolbar to select from:

  • Instagram Post (1080x1080)
  • Facebook Post (1200x630)
  • Story (1080x1920)
  • Custom dimensions

Step 2: Add a Background

  1. Click on the canvas
  2. Use the right panel to set a background color
  3. Or click Images to add a background image

Step 3: Add Text

  1. Click Text in the left toolbar
  2. Choose a text style or add plain text
  3. Click on the canvas to place it
  4. Double-click to edit the text content

Step 4: Add Elements

  1. Click Elements in the left toolbar
  2. Browse shapes, icons, or stickers
  3. Click to add to your canvas
  4. Drag to reposition

Step 5: Export Your Design

  1. Click Export in the top toolbar
  2. Choose your format (PNG, JPG, or PDF)
  3. Select quality settings
  4. Click Download

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action Shortcut
Undo Ctrl/Cmd + Z
Redo Ctrl/Cmd + Y
Copy Ctrl/Cmd + C
Paste Ctrl/Cmd + V
Delete Delete/Backspace
Select All Ctrl/Cmd + A
Save Ctrl/Cmd + S

Tips for Better Designs

  1. Use the grid - Enable grid snap for aligned layouts
  2. Layer wisely - Keep important elements on top
  3. Maintain contrast - Ensure text is readable
  4. Use brand colors - Set up your Brand Kit for consistency

Next Steps

Now that you know the basics, explore these tutorials:

  • Using Templates
  • Adding and Styling Text
  • Working with Images
  • AI Image Generation