When you’re stuck
These are the spots where first-time users actually got stuck most often. Each answer is a sentence or two, and the link at the end of each row has the details.
Two keys to try first
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Back out of what you’re doing
Press esc. Each press backs out one step: it finishes text editing, closes an open panel, clears the selection, or switches back to the Select tool. If the cursor is in a field in the right panel, the first esc leaves the field. Any value you didn’t confirm with ↩ goes back to what it was.
One press of esc ends text editing, and a second press clears the selection. Video: While text is being edited, pressing Esc ends editing and leaves the text selected. Pressing it again clears the selection. -
Undo what you just did
Press ⌘Z. Each press goes back one step. If you went back too far, press ⌘⇧Z to redo.
Typing and shortcuts
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Why does typing change the tool?
When you aren’t editing text, the letters you press run as tool shortcuts. New text you make with the Text tool takes your typing right away, but text that’s already there is only selected. Double-click it, or press ↩ while it’s selected, and then type. -
Why does pressing Tab change the screen?
Tab switches the edit mode in order: Design, Animation, then Interaction. To get back to the screen you started with, click the mode button at the top left and choose Design mode. -
Why does pressing a number key move my object?
With an object selected, number keys press the sub-toolbar buttons in order from the left. For example, 3 is Align Right, so the object jumps to the right edge of the scene. Press ⌘Z to undo it. -
Why does a number I type in a field turn into the wrong value?
A single click in a field only places the cursor, so the digits you type are appended to the existing value. Double-click the value to select it, type again, and press ↩. Before you press ↩, esc takes back the digits you typed. To undo a value that’s already set, press ⌘Z.
Objects and the screen
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What if panels cover the edges of the scene?
The editor opens the scene fitted into the open space between the panels. If panels cover the scene after you move or zoom the view, press ⌘0 or click the Zoom to fit button on the Viewport bar at the bottom right. -
Can I put text inside a shape?
Shapes such as rectangles and ellipses can’t hold text. Make a separate text object and place it on top of the shape. Click the shape, hold ⇧ and click the text to select both, then press ⌘G to group them. -
Where do I change the text color?
Text color is under Text Style › Fills, near the bottom of the Text panel on the right. Select the text, and if you don’t see that row, scroll the panel. -
Why does a right-click delete more than what I clicked?
If several objects are selected and you right-click one of them, the selection stays, so the menu acts on all of them. To delete just one, click that object first so it’s the only one selected, then right-click it. Press ⌘Z to bring back anything you deleted by mistake.
Playing, saving, and sharing
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Why does playback skip to the next scene without any motion?
A new scene has no transition, so until you turn one on, playback cuts straight to the next scene. Open the scene you’re leaving and, with nothing selected, click the curve-shaped button at the top right. Then click Easing and Apply. -
I deleted a scene when I meant to duplicate it. Can I get it back?
When there are two or more scenes, a delete button takes the place of the duplicate button in the header row of the Scenes list. Press ⌘Z to bring the deleted scene back. -
How do I know my work is saved?
Projects you open in Studio save automatically as you work, and ‘Saved’ shows next to the Studio button in the top bar. To save right away, press ⌘S. -
Why can’t other people open my play link?
If play access is restricted, only the people it allows can open the link. Click Share in the editor’s top bar, or ⋯ › Share on the project card in Studio. Under Play Access, choose Anyone with link, then click Save Changes.
Studio, account, and devices
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Where are my notifications?
Notifications live in the menu under your profile picture at the top right. There’s no bell button. When you see a small dot on the picture, click it and look at the cards under Notifications. -
Can I get a deleted project back?
No. There’s no trash, so a deleted project is gone right away. Before you delete something you might need, use Duplicate or Download .sshow in the card’s ⋯ menu. -
Why does a project card show an old picture?
The card shows the project’s first scene, so editing other scenes doesn’t change it. Edit the first scene in the editor and pause for a moment, and the card gets the new picture. -
Where do I free up storage?
To see how much you’ve used, open the ⋯ More options menu in the top bar and look at the end of the Storage usage row. To free up space, download the projects you want to keep with Download .sshow, then delete the ones you don’t need. Your usage drops by their size right away. -
How do I end playback on a tablet?
In the tablet app, tap the screen with two fingers. On Android, the back button works too. If you played from the editor in a tablet browser, tap once more on the “End of show” card after the last scene, or press esc on a hardware keyboard. If you opened it with Play in Studio, use the browser’s back button. -
Why does a project open to play on my phone?
In a browser 768 px wide or less, the screen is too narrow for the editor, so the play screen opens instead. To edit the project, open it on a tablet or computer.
Send feedback
In the editor, open the ⋯ More options menu at the right of the top bar and click Send feedback. A screenshot of the current screen is attached. On the web, the browser first asks whether to allow screen sharing, but you can still send your message if you decline. In a tablet or phone browser, only your message is sent. Describe which screen you were on and what you were doing when you got stuck, then click Send. If needed, you get a reply by email.
The project list in Studio has no feedback window. If you get stuck there, write to us on the Contact page.
Find tool names in Toolbar tools, places and buttons on the screen in Tour the editor, and keys in All shortcuts.
Updated 10/14/2026 · The videos on this page were recorded in the current editor.