# Workspace Settings

Understanding canvas size and workspace configuration.

## Short Summary

This page explains workspace size settings, aspect ratio handling, and how they affect export resolution.

## Canvas Size Settings

The Settings panel includes Width and Height controls that determine:

- The resolution of the viewport preview.
- The dimensions of exported images.
- The rendering resolution for all effects.

## Accessing Canvas Size

1. Open the Settings panel on the right side.
2. Find the Width and Height fields in the Settings section.
3. Adjust values by typing or using the increment/decrement buttons.

## Aspect Ratio Linking

### Link Icon (Dot)

- For images and videos: Aspect ratio is automatically locked to match the source. The link icon is always active.
- For 3D scenes: Click the link icon to toggle aspect ratio locking on/off.

### When linked

- Changing Width automatically adjusts Height to maintain aspect ratio.
- Changing Height automatically adjusts Width to maintain aspect ratio.

### When unlinked (3D only)

- Width and Height can be set independently.
- Useful for creating non-standard aspect ratios.

## Reset to Original

The reset button (circular arrow) appears next to canvas size when dimensions differ from the original source:

- For images: Resets to original image dimensions.
- For videos: Resets to original video resolution.
- For 3D: Resets to default 1920x1080.

## Size Limits

- Minimum: 1 pixel (either dimension).
- Maximum: 4096 pixels (either dimension).
- Very large sizes may impact performance and export time.

## Practical Examples

### Exporting at Double Resolution

1. Load an image (e.g., 1000x1000).
2. Change Width to 2000 (Height auto-adjusts to 2000 if linked).
3. Effects render at 2000x2000.
4. Export produces a 2000x2000 image.

### Creating Custom Aspect Ratio (3D)

1. Work with a 3D scene.
2. Click the link icon to unlink aspect ratio.
3. Set Width to 1920 and Height to 800 (ultrawide).
4. Render and export at this custom size.

## Tips

- For best quality, set canvas size to your target export resolution before applying effects.
- Larger sizes produce better quality but slower performance and larger file sizes.
- For pixel art, use exact multiples of original size (e.g., 2x, 3x, 4x) to avoid scaling artifacts.
- Reset canvas size if you accidentally enter extreme values.

## Performance Considerations

- Large canvas sizes (above 2000x2000) may cause slower real-time updates.
- Complex algorithms (Floyd-Steinberg, Pixel Sort) are more affected by large sizes.
- For testing effects, use smaller canvas sizes, then increase for final export.

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See [export-settings](/content/docs/export-settings/index.html) for export workflow.