Help & Resources
Everything you need to know about planning your gallery wall. Learn how to manage inventory, arrange layouts, and export for installation.
Wall Setup
Start every project by defining the wall you're working with. Accurate dimensions ensure your on-screen layout maps to the real world.
Open guide →Inventory & Frame Management
GalleryPlanner treats every frame as a physical item in your inventory, ensuring you never lose track of dimensions.
Open guide →Photo Management
Import, drag-and-drop, cropping, and library management.
Open guide →Workspace Interaction
Canvas controls, layout tools, and editing behavior.
Open guide →Auto-Layout Engine
Don't suffer from "blank wall syndrome." Let the algorithms do the heavy lifting.
Open guide →Saving & Projects
Your work is saved automatically in your browser. For portable backups and cross-device transfer, use .gwall files.
Open guide →Exporting & Sharing
When your layout is ready, export what you need for installation day. On desktop use the Export menu; on mobile use the Share tab.
Open guide →Mobile Experience
The mobile web app is optimized for planning on the go with touch-first interactions and a streamlined interface.
Open guide →Shortcuts Reference
Keyboard commands for faster editing.
Open guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about GalleryPlanner.
Is GalleryPlanner really free?
Yes. Core planning is free forever with all creative tools. Pro unlocks additional features for serious planners — see What is GalleryPlanner Pro? for the full list.
Where are my photos stored?
Locally in your browser. We never upload your images to a server, so your photos stay private on your device. Browser storage is not the same as cloud backup, so use Export Project (.gwall) for important projects.
Can I use GalleryPlanner on my phone, tablet, or desktop?
Yes. GalleryPlanner is a responsive web app that works across desktops, tablets, and phones. On supported browsers you can install it as an app for quicker access. On iPhone and iPad, use Add to Home Screen from Safari. Installed access is convenient, but Export Project (.gwall) is still the safest way to protect important projects.
How do I print my layout?
Use Export (desktop) or the Share tab (mobile) to generate a print-ready Hanging Guide (PDF) with precise measurements. This feature requires GalleryPlanner Pro.
What if I switch computers or browsers?
Use Export Project (.gwall) to create a portable copy, then Import Project (.gwall) on any device or browser. The file includes all your walls, plus your frame inventory, photos, and analysis data. On mobile, tap the project name to open Project Switcher for Export/Import. One heads-up: files exported by the current version may not open in older versions of the app — if an import fails on another device, refresh GalleryPlanner there and try again.
What is a .gwall file?
A .gwall file is a portable project copy created by Export Project. It packages your entire project — every wall, your frame inventory, photos, and Smart Fill analysis data — into a single file you can store in Files, iCloud, Drive, Dropbox, or anywhere else, or share with another device. Import Project opens it on any device or browser. Compatibility is one-way: the current version opens .gwall files from any older version, but files exported by the current version may not open in older versions of the app.
How do I back up all my projects?
Your projects live in this browser — nothing is uploaded to a server, so backups are up to you. Pro users can use Export All Projects to save every project as .gwall files in one go, and Import Projects to restore them later. On the free plan, Export Project (.gwall) backs up your current project. Find these in the Project menu (desktop) or by tapping the project name to open Project Switcher (mobile). GalleryPlanner also shows an occasional reminder so your backup never falls behind.
How do I undo a change?
Press Ctrl+Z (or ⌘Z on Mac) to undo, and Ctrl+Shift+Z (or ⌘Shift+Z) to redo. GalleryPlanner keeps up to 50 levels of undo per project for the duration of your browser session.
Can I change between inches and centimeters?
Yes. You can switch between imperial (inches) and metric (centimeters) at any time in Wall Properties. Your preferred unit system is saved per project and remembered for new projects.
What are Wall Objects?
Wall Objects (Pro) put the real features of your wall on the canvas so your frames plan around them. There are 12 presets: windows, doors, fireplaces, TVs, light switches, thermostats, sconces, shelves, vents, headboards, sofas, and a custom size for anything else. On desktop, open the Frames panel, click Add Frame, then pick the Objects tab. On mobile, tap Library, then + Object. Each object appears as a simple schematic drawing on the canvas and in exports.
How do I group frames together?
Select two or more frames, then right-click and choose Group, or press Ctrl+G (⌘G on Mac). Grouped frames move, lock, and delete together. To ungroup, right-click and choose Ungroup, or press Ctrl+Shift+G (⌘Shift+G).
What does the STAGED badge on a frame mean?
The amber outline means a frame is on the canvas but not fully on the wall — it's parked to the side, or hanging over the edge, while you decide where it goes. Frames big enough to fit it also show a small STAGED badge. Drag the frame fully onto the wall and the cue disappears. Wall Objects show the same cue. Auto-Layout includes staged frames by default, so nothing you've parked gets left out.
Do I need to create an account?
You can start planning without an account. Create an account when you want to unlock and sync Pro access.
Can I plan for multiple walls at once?
Yes. With Multi-Wall Projects (Pro), a single project can hold more than one wall — a hallway plus a staircase, or a whole room — all sharing one photo library. Free includes one editable wall per project; Pro unlocks Add Wall for as many walls as you need (projects with more than one wall are view-only without Pro). Exports cover every wall in the project — the Hanging Guide gives each wall its own section. Multi-Wall Projects is separate from Multi-Project Editing, which lets Pro users edit several projects.
Can I copy an existing project?
Yes. Duplicate Project (Pro) creates a complete copy of your current project — walls, frames, and photos — with "(copy)" added to the name, and opens it right away. On desktop, open the Project menu and choose Duplicate Project. On mobile, tap the project name to open Project Switcher, then tap Duplicate. It's a safe way to try a bold rearrangement without touching the original.
What exactly is Smart Fill?
Smart Fill is an AI-powered engine that analyzes your photo library for composition, color, and resolution to place the best matches into your frames automatically. It is available on both free and Pro plans. Pro includes the Whole-wall balance feature. Toggle "Wall photos only" to reshuffle just the photos already on your wall instead of pulling new candidates from your library.
How do I measure for a staircase wall?
In Wall Properties, select a Staircase wall type (Ascending or Descending), then set the Rise percentage to match your measured slope.
How do I adjust brightness and contrast on a photo?
Select a frame with a photo, then open the Photo panel (desktop) or the Level Edit sheet (mobile). Use the Brightness, Contrast, and Midtone sliders to balance how each photo reads on the wall. Pro users can tap Auto Level for one-click tonal optimization based on the visible cropped region of the photo.
How do I import a lot of frames at once?
On desktop, open the Frames panel, click Add Frame, then pick the Bulk tab to paste a comma- or line-separated list of dimensions (e.g. "8×10, 11×14, 16×20"), or download the CSV template, fill in dimensions, color, mat color, label, and quantity, and upload it. On mobile, tap Library, then + Bulk Import. The CSV columns match the Pro Shopping List Export, so you can round-trip a frame inventory between projects.
How do I hide the dimension labels on empty frames?
Use the Frame Labels toggle (the Tag icon) in the canvas HUD. It hides or shows the dimension labels that appear on empty frames so they don't distract from the layout.
How do I reset a photo back to its default crop?
Select the frame, open the Photo panel (or Fit Edit sheet on mobile), and tap Reset Crop. The photo recenters at 100% zoom relative to the mat opening.