# GalleryPlanner: Complete User Guide GalleryPlanner is a free gallery wall planner for desktop and mobile browsers that lets you measure, arrange, and export real layouts with your own frames and photos. It keeps planning local, works on desktop and mobile, and covers everything from setup to install-day exports. ## What is GalleryPlanner? **GalleryPlanner** is a free application, right in your browser, that lets you visualize gallery wall layouts using your real frame inventory and personal photos. Unlike other design tools, GalleryPlanner prioritizes: - **Precision:** Exact measurements down to the inch - **Privacy:** Your photos are never uploaded to our servers (local-first storage) - **Flexibility:** Works on desktop and mobile with seamless project handoff - **Intelligence:** Auto-Layout generates balanced arrangements automatically --- ## Getting Started: Your First Project ### Step 1: Open the App Navigate to [gallery-planner.com](/) and click **"Launch App"** or **"Start Designing Free"**. ### Step 2: Set Your Wall Dimensions Starting a new project on desktop or mobile opens **Guided Setup** (unless you've turned it off in Settings) — a five-step walkthrough that builds your first wall with you (wall, frames, Auto-Layout, then optional photos and Smart Fill). You can follow it, or skip it and work manually; the steps below describe the manual flow. When you first open the app, you'll see the **Wall Properties** panel: 1. Enter your wall **width** and **height** in inches or centimeters 2. Choose between: - **Flat Wall:** Standard rectangular wall - **Staircase (Ascending / Descending):** Angled wall following stairs, with adjustable Rise (%) 3. Dimensions update live as you type **Pro tip:** Measure your wall carefully! Include the full area where you want to place frames, from floor to ceiling or edge to edge. --- ## Building Your Frame Library Your frame library is where you manage your frame inventory—the collection of frames you own or plan to buy. It lives in the **Frames** panel on desktop and the **Library** sheet on mobile. ### Adding Standard Frames GalleryPlanner includes presets for common frame sizes: 1. On desktop, click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel and open the **Common** tab. On mobile, tap **Library**, then **Common** 2. Browse the common sizes: 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×14, 12×12, 16×20, 18×24, 24×36 (metric projects list centimeter sizes) 3. Click a size to add it 4. Add another of the same size the same way (on desktop, click it again; on mobile, the picker closes after each add, so reopen **Common**). Three 8×10 frames means adding 8×10 three times ### Adding Retailer Frames from the Brands Tab If your frames come from IKEA, Pottery Barn, West Elm, or CB2, use the presets instead of measuring: 1. Click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel (on mobile, tap **Brands** in the Library sheet) 2. Open the **Brands** tab and pick a brand 3. Click a frame tile to add it to your library, or drag it straight onto the wall Each preset carries the retailer's real glass size and moulding width, plus the mat opening when the frame comes with a mat, and is labeled with the brand and family name (for example, "IKEA RÖDALM") so it shows up by name in your frame list and Shopping List. Frames that ship with two mats appear twice, once per mat. Presets that come with a mat add with it; turn it off in Properties for a full-bleed print. IKEA is free, and the other three brands are part of Pro. Sizes come from each retailer's published US specs and are for planning convenience only; GalleryPlanner isn't affiliated with these brands. ### Creating Custom Frames Got an unusual frame size or unique piece? 1. Click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel 2. Open the **Custom** tab 3. Enter exact **width** and **height** dimensions, and set **Border** to the moulding width (0 for a canvas, panel, or unframed print) 4. Choose frame color (black, white, natural wood, gold, or custom color) 5. Decide if the frame has matting, then click **"+ Add to Library"** ### Frame Customization Options | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | **Frame Color** | Black, white, natural wood, metallic gold, or any custom color | | **Matting** | Toggle on/off—adds visual breathing room around artwork | | **Mat Color** | White, black, or a custom mat color for matted frames | | **Orientation** | Automatically adjusts when you change width/height | | **Quantity** | Track how many of each frame size you have | **Set your defaults once:** If you always use the same frame style, open **Settings** (gear icon in the desktop header, or the mobile menu) and find the **Frame Defaults** section. You can preset the border width, frame color, matting, mat border, and mat color that every new frame starts with. **Grid size:** In **Settings → Canvas**, set your own snap grid spacing instead of the fixed default. The background grid overlay thins out automatically as you zoom out to stay readable, but Frame snapping and Auto-Layout always use your exact grid size. ### Library Inventory View Identical frames stack automatically in your frame list (the **Frames** panel on desktop, the **Library** sheet on mobile). Switch to **List view** (from the **View Options** menu in the list header) to see the inventory breakdown: matching frames get a separate row for each state—**Placed** on the wall, **Staged** below it, or still in inventory—with a count badge when a row holds more than one, so you can track what's on the wall versus waiting. List rows also spell out each frame's color and border width, plus the mat opening and mat color for matted frames. Prefer thumbnails? **Grid view** tiles come in **Small**, **Medium**, **Large**, and **Extra Large** from the same menu, and every preview sits on your wall color so you can see how it will read. On the canvas itself, staged frames are easy to spot: anything not fully on the wall shows an amber outline, plus a small **STAGED** badge on frames big enough to fit it. Wall Objects get the same treatment. **Shortcut:** In List view, click any row to instantly select all matching frames already on the canvas. Useful for batch-moving or deleting a frame type. ### Wall Objects (Pro) Use Wall Objects when the thing on the wall is not a picture frame at all - TVs, windows, doors, sofas, shelves, vents, headboards, and other real-world fixtures. **Where to find them:** On desktop, click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel and open the **Objects** tab — click a preset to add it, or drag it straight onto the wall. On mobile, tap **Object** in the Library sheet and pick a preset from the dialog. - **Dedicated presets** - Window, Door, Fireplace, TV, Light switch, Thermostat, Sconce, Shelf, Vent, Headboard, and Sofa, plus Custom for unusual shapes - **Real obstacle behavior** - Wall Objects stay movable, but Auto-Layout and Smart Fill treat them as obstacles - **Recognizable on the canvas** - Wall Objects appear as simple schematic drawings, so a window looks like a window instead of a gray box - **Clearer exports** - snapshots and hanging guides keep the object visible so install-day planning stays readable ### Bulk Import (Paste or CSV) Adding a long inventory one frame at a time gets old. The **Bulk** tab — click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel on desktop, or tap **Bulk** in the mobile Library sheet — handles bulk entry two ways: - **Paste text** — paste a list like `8×10, 11×14, 16×20` (or one frame per line) and GalleryPlanner parses the dimensions for you. Extra context (`Extra Large - 16 x 20 matted to 11 x 14`) is tolerated. - **CSV upload** — click **Download CSV template**, fill in dimensions, color, mat color, label, and quantity in your spreadsheet of choice, then upload it. The columns match the Pro **Shopping List** export, so you can round-trip an entire frame inventory between projects. --- ## Designing Your Layout ### Start from a Starter Layout Not sure where to begin? **Starter Layouts** are ready-made arrangements, over 100 of them, that put a full set of frames on your wall in one click. Pick one that's close to what you want, then make it yours. **Where to find them:** On desktop, click **Add Frame** in the **Frames** panel and open the **Layouts** tab. On mobile, tap **Layouts** in the Library sheet. **Narrow it down:** Layouts are grouped by category. Tap the filter button (funnel icon) to narrow them by: - **Category**: Essentials, Organic, Architectural, and Salon are free; Curated Finds, The Townhouse Collection, and Editorial Mix are Pro - **Frame Count**: 2-4, 5-8, 9-12, or 13+ - **Shape**: the overall arrangement is Tall, Square, or Wide - **Access**: Free or Pro **Apply one:** Click a tile and the layout lands centered on your current wall (on a staircase wall, centered above the stairs). With Pro, on a flat wall it lands with its middle at your **Eye level** setting instead, unless that would crowd the ceiling, leave it too tall to fit, or cover a Wall Object like a TV that the centered spot would clear. It lands in the frame color from **Settings → Frame Defaults**. Many layouts include matted frames. If the wall already has frames, GalleryPlanner asks before adding anything: - **Swap layout** appears when a Starter Layout is already on the wall. The new layout lands where the old one sits, even if you moved it, and your photos move into the new frames, keeping roughly the same spots. It works even after you've moved, resized, or filled the old layout's frames, and frames you added yourself stay where they are. - **Replace my frames** appears when the wall has frames you placed yourself. It clears that wall's frames, puts the new layout where they were, and moves their photos into it. Wall Objects and frames in your Library aren't touched. - **Add alongside** keeps everything and adds the new layout too. If the new layout has fewer frames than you had photos, the extras go back to your Photos library. Each apply is a single undo step, so it's easy to step back. Pro layouts show a Pro badge; tapping one on the free plan opens the upgrade dialog. **Make it yours:** A Starter Layout is a starting point, not a commitment. Change any frame's size in **Properties** to match what you own, drag frames around, delete the ones you don't need, then add photos and let **Smart Fill** place them. For worked examples with real frame sizes, a shopping list, and hanging tips, follow the **Example Layouts** link at the top of the panel, or browse [Example Layouts](/examples). **In Guided Setup:** If you haven't added frames yet on the Frames step, a one-time hint offers to take you straight to Starter Layouts. Apply one, and Guided Setup shows a preview of your wall and asks **Does this layout look right?** Choose **Yes** to continue to Photos, **Choose another** to pick a different Starter Layout, or **Try Auto-Layout** to rearrange the frames. Your chosen layout is never rearranged by accident. ### Manual Placement **Drag and drop** frames from your library onto the wall canvas: 1. Hover over a frame in your library 2. **Click and drag** it onto your wall 3. Release to place 4. Spacing guides show the gaps to nearby frames as you drag, and frames snap into equal spacing or into line with their neighbors ### Place All from Library Want a fast first draft without comparing multiple Auto-Layout options? 1. Open the **Frames** panel (desktop) or the **Library** sheet (mobile) 2. Click or tap **"Place all frames"** 3. GalleryPlanner fits as many frames as it can onto the wall 4. Extra frames are staged neatly below the wall so you can place or ignore them later (the amber outline makes them stand out) ### Moving and Adjusting Frames Once a frame is on your wall, selecting it reveals the **floating selection toolbar** directly above the selection on the canvas. That toolbar — not the sidebar — is the primary control surface for in-place edits: - **Move:** Click and drag to reposition - **Rotate:** Press `R` to rotate 90°, or use the rotate action in the floating toolbar - **Delete:** Press `Delete` / `Backspace` to remove and return it to your library - **Resize (Pro):** Toggle resize mode from the floating toolbar, then drag any corner or edge handle directly on the canvas. Free users can still edit width/height numerically in the Properties panel for custom frames. The floating toolbar also exposes Align, Distribute, Lock, Group, and Order actions for one- or multi-frame selections. It works on desktop and on mobile. ### Alignment Tools GalleryPlanner includes smart alignment features: - **Snap to Grid:** Frames align to an invisible grid for clean spacing (toggle with `S`) - **Alignment Lines:** Visual guides appear when frames align horizontally or vertically - **Align (floating toolbar):** Snap selected frames left, center, right, top, middle, or bottom relative to each other — or relative to the wall edges when a single frame is selected - **Distribute (floating toolbar):** Select **3 or more** frames, then tap **Distribute Horizontal** or **Distribute Vertical** to equalize the gaps between them in one click - **Center at Eye Level (Pro):** Drops the selection onto your eye-level baseline (60" / 150 cm by default; change it in **Settings → Canvas**) **Keyboard shortcuts:** - Arrow keys: Nudge selected frame 1 px - `Shift + Arrow`: Nudge 10 px - `R`: Rotate selected frame 90° - `Delete` / `Backspace`: Remove selected frame - `S`: Toggle snap-to-grid - `#`: Toggle background grid **Canvas control bar** (the small floating bar on the canvas): - **Zoom** — 1:1 and Fit presets, plus a slider. Click or tap the zoom percentage to type in an exact number. - **Background grid** - **Eye Level guide** — reference line at your eye-level height (60" by default); on staircase walls it runs parallel to the stairs - **Snap-to-grid** - **Spacing Guides (ruler icon, on phones)** — show or hide the gap labels while you drag **Spacing guides:** while you drag a frame, a group, or a selection, labels show the gap to the nearest frame on each side, or to the wall's edge. Gaps that match another gap turn blue, and blue dashed lines appear when an edge or center lines up with another frame. The frame snaps into equal spacing or into line when it gets close; on phones you feel a light tick when it does. With a mouse, hold `Shift` to switch guide snapping the other way for that drag (off if Snap to Guides is on). Turn **Spacing Guides** or **Snap to Guides** off in Settings. **Settings menu** (desktop): click **Settings** in the header for quick toggles: **Grid**, **Snap to Grid**, **Eye-level Guide**, **Frame Labels**, **Spacing Guides**, and **Snap to Guides**. The menu stays open so you can change several at once, and **All settings…** opens the full Settings window, where the **Canvas** section has **Grid size** and **Eye level**. On phones, open **Settings** from the menu: its **Canvas** section has the same toggles, with Grid size and Eye level next to them. **Frame Labels** (dimension labels on empty frames and the size label under a selected frame with a photo) lives in these menus, not on the canvas control bar. ### Crop Photos and Draw Layout Zones Photo placement and wall geometry both have precision tools: - **Pan and zoom inside a frame** to position the photo exactly where you want it. Zoom is relative to the **mat opening**, so 100% means the photo fits the visible aperture, not the outer frame. Tap **Reset Crop** to recenter at 100% any time. - **Advanced Photo Cropping (Pro)** gives you finer crop handles for stronger composition adjustments without swapping the source image. - **Draw Layout Zones (Pro)** when you want Auto-Layout to respect a specific usable region on the wall instead of the full canvas. On touch devices, these actions are optimized for drag and pinch gestures so they feel natural on mobile too. ### Frame Grouping Once you're happy with how a cluster of frames is arranged, you can lock it together as a group so it moves, aligns, and stays in formation as a single unit. 1. Select multiple frames (click the first, then `Shift+click` the rest, or drag a selection box) 2. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + G` to group them (or right-click → **Group**) 3. Move, duplicate, or align the group like any single frame 4. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + U` (or `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G`) to ungroup when you need to adjust individual frames again **On mobile:** Use the multi-select FAB to enter multi-select mode, tap frames to add or remove them, then use the **Group** option in the Edit sheet. **When to use it:** Group a symmetrical pair or a staircase cluster once you've dialed in the spacing. You can then use alignment tools to center the entire group on the wall without disturbing the internal arrangement. ### Customize Your Wall Backdrop GalleryPlanner lets you preview your layout against a real wall instead of a plain canvas: 1. Open **Wall Properties** in the sidebar (or the Wall section in the mobile Edit sheet) 2. Pick a **solid color** or a wall texture 3. Seven textures are free: Museum White Plaster, Soft Linen Cream, Warm Gray, Soft Blue, Shiplap, White Board & Batten, and Exposed Red Brick 4. Pro adds 21 more, including oak paneling, grasscloth, limewash, Venetian plaster, picture-frame molding, deep forest green, and six furnished room scenes 5. Or choose **Import custom photo** (Pro) to use a photo of your actual wall **Custom uploads stay private.** Like your frame photos, texture uploads are stored locally on your device and never sent to our servers. --- ## Auto-Layout: Automated Design Can't decide where to put your frames? Let Auto-Layout do the heavy lifting. ### How Auto-Layout Works Auto-Layout uses layout algorithms to arrange your included frames around wall constraints and rank the resulting options. Its look score favors a clear anchor frame, larger frames toward the center with smaller frames outward, a compact outline, and balance around the center. Spacing regularity guards against extreme gaps but does not earn an extra reward for mechanical evenness. The **Layout priority** setting chooses whether to favor fitting more frames, a balance of completeness and appearance, or the best-looking result. Frames already on the wall are always kept. ### Using Auto-Layout 1. Make sure you have frames in your library 2. Open the **Auto-Layout** section in the sidebar (on mobile, the **Smart** tab) 3. Choose an algorithm: - **Curated (Pro):** Lays out your frames like a real gallery wall, near eye level (above the stairs on a staircase wall) - **Masonry:** Brick-like staggered pattern - **Grid:** Organized rows and columns - **Skyline:** Frames align at top or bottom edges - **Organic:** A relaxed, asymmetrical cluster that feels collected over time - **Center Out:** Radiates outward from a central point - **Tidy Up:** Cleans and aligns an existing layout 4. Click **"Generate Layouts"** 5. Review the result—if you don't love it, click **"Regenerate Layouts"** for a new arrangement **Pro tip:** Use Auto-Layout as a starting point, then manually adjust frames to personalize the design. [Understand GalleryPlanner's Auto-Layout algorithms](/learn/understanding-auto-layout) --- ## Adding Photos to Your Frames Bring your gallery wall to life by adding actual photos. ### Uploading Photos 1. Open the **Photos** tab (on mobile, **Library → Photos**) and click **Add Photos** 2. Choose photos from your device 3. Drag a photo onto a frame (on mobile, tap an unframed photo, then tap a frame) 4. The photo automatically fills the frame **Privacy Note:** Your photos are stored locally on your device, in your browser's IndexedDB. They **never** get uploaded to GalleryPlanner. [Learn more about our privacy policy.](/privacy) ### Managing Photos Once uploaded: - **Swap photos:** Drag a different photo from the Photos tab onto the frame - **Remove photos:** Click "Remove Photo" in the Properties panel to clear the frame - **Photo library:** Access all uploaded photos in the Photos tab for easy reuse - **Find a photo on the wall:** On desktop, right-click a photo in the Photos tab and choose **Show on wall** to jump the canvas to the frame (or frames) using it. On mobile, tap a placed photo in the Library sheet with no frame selected and the canvas jumps to its frame **Supported formats:** JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, and HEIC/HEIF --- ## Customizing Frame Properties Select any frame on your canvas to access the **Properties Panel** (right sidebar on desktop, bottom sheet on mobile). ### Available Properties **Frame properties:** - **Position:** Left and Top distances from the wall edges - **Size:** Width and height (editable for custom frames) - **Rotation:** Angle in degrees - **Frame Color:** Change color after placement - **Matting:** Add or remove matting - **Mat Color:** Adjust mat color for matted frames - **Label:** Optional caption used in the Hanging Guide and Shopping List exports - **Hanging hardware:** Sawtooth, Wire, D-ring, Two D-rings, or Adhesive. Every type but Adhesive takes a **Drop** from the frame's top edge, plus **Spacing** for Two D-rings. For wire that reaches above the frame when pulled taut, tick **Above the frame** and enter the **Rise** instead: how far the wire peaks above the top edge. The hardware picker shows a picture of where to measure for each type. A note under **Drop** or **Spacing** warns when the hardware can't work for that frame, or when a low drop may let the frame tip forward. On mobile, tap **Edit**, then **Hardware**. Setting it is free; the Pro Hanging Guide uses it to list nail positions (Adhesive needs no nail) **Photo properties (Fit and Levels):** - **Fit:** Pan, zoom, and rotate the photo within the frame, or hit **Reset Crop** to recenter at 100% in the mat opening - **Advanced Photo Cropping (Pro):** Precise crop handles for stronger composition control - **Brightness, Contrast, Midtone:** Per-photo tonal sliders so each photo reads correctly on the wall - **Auto Level (Pro):** One-click tonal optimization — analyzes the visible cropped region of each photo and sets Brightness/Contrast/Midtone automatically - **B&W Photo Conversion (Pro):** One-tap black-and-white preview per photo — non-destructive, and carries through to 4K Snapshot and Print-Ready Photos exports On mobile, photo controls live in the **Edit** sheet: the **Fit** tab for crop and rotation, and the **Levels** tab for the brightness/contrast/midtone controls. **Use case:** Quickly change all your frames to black by selecting each one and updating the frame color. --- ## Exporting Your Design Once you're happy with your layout, it's time to export it for real-world installation. ### Hanging Guide (Pro Only) The updated **PDF Hanging Guide** gives you a clear plan for installation: 1. Use **"Export"** (desktop) or **"Share"** (mobile bottom toolbar) 2. Select **"Hanging Guide"** 3. Download and print your guide **What's included:** - A numbered overview of your wall, with each frame marked - A table listing every frame's size, its From Left and From Floor distances (From Stairs on a staircase wall), and where its center sits (plus each frame's label when any frame on the wall has one, and mat opening when a frame has a mat) - A Measurement Schematic showing spacing and alignment - Nail positions for every frame with **Hanging hardware** set, listed in the table and marked on the Measurement Schematic - Frame labels, so you can match each frame to its row in the table Preview example output: [Sample Hanging Guide PDF](/examples/pdf_hanging_guide.pdf) **Pro tip:** Print the PDF in color and bring it to the wall. Use painter's tape to mark each frame's position from the table, then mark each nail from the table's nail positions. For any frame without Hanging hardware set, offset your nail based on its hardware (D-ring, sawtooth, wire). --- ### Snapshot Export Export your design as a snapshot image for sharing, printing as a reference, or including in design portfolios. **Snapshot (Free):** JPEG export at standard resolution with a GalleryPlanner watermark. 1. Use **"Export"** → **"Snapshot"** (desktop), or **"Share"** → **"Snapshot"** (mobile, in the Share & Export sheet) 2. Download your image **4K Snapshot Export (Pro):** Ultra-HD PNG export at 3840px with no watermark—sharper for print, presentations, or client sharing. 1. Use **"Export"** → **"4K Snapshot"** (desktop), or **"Share"** → **"4K Snapshot"** (mobile, in the Share & Export sheet) 2. Download your lossless PNG ### Print-Ready Photos (Pro Only) Need print-ready files for a lab? 1. Use **"Export"** → **"Print-Ready Photos"** (desktop), or **"Share"** → **"Print-Ready Photos"** (mobile) 2. Download high-resolution crops matched to your frame dimensions --- ### Saving and Loading Projects **Auto-save:** GalleryPlanner saves your project in this browser on this device by default. You can usually close the app and come back later, but browser projects aren't backed up anywhere. If you prefer more control, open **Settings** and turn off **Auto-save changes** (under Editing)—project changes will stay unsaved until you explicitly save them. **Install option:** Supported browsers can install GalleryPlanner for quicker access and a standalone app feel (on iPhone and iPad, use **Add to Home Screen** in Safari). It is helpful for frequent use, but it is still not a replacement for saving `.gwall` backups. A GalleryPlanner app for iPhone is coming soon. **Export a portable copy:** On desktop, click **"Project"** → **"Export Project"**. On mobile, tap the project name at the top to open **Project Switcher**, then use **"Export Project"**. **Note:** The `.gwall` file includes your wall layout and project library. For important projects, keep a copy in Files, iCloud, Drive, or Dropbox. Very large exports can still fail on iPhone and iPad. **Import a saved project:** On desktop, click **"Project"** → **"Import Project"**. On mobile, open **Project Switcher** and use **"Import Project"**, then select your file. **Note:** Importing `.gwall` files is available on all tiers. **Back up everything at once (Pro):** **Export All Projects** saves every project as a `.gwall` file in one pass, and **Import Projects** restores a whole batch as new projects. On desktop, both live in the **Project** menu (**Export All Projects…** / **Import Projects…**). On mobile, tap the project name to open **Project Switcher** and use the matching buttons there. **Backup reminder:** Every so often, GalleryPlanner shows a "Back up your project" notice ("Back up your projects" on Pro) — a nudge that projects are saved on this device, not on our servers. On Pro, its **Back Up Projects** button opens Export All Projects; on the free tier, it offers **Export Project** instead. Check "Show less often" to reduce it to about once a week. **Share project file:** Send your `.gwall` file to a designer, contractor, or friend. --- ## Pro Features Overview Core planning is free, including Auto-Layout, Smart Fill, and Starter Layouts. For a full breakdown, see [What is GalleryPlanner Pro?](/learn/what-is-galleryplanner-pro). | Pro Feature | Description | |-------------|-------------| | ✅ **Hanging Guide** | Print-ready installation guides with exact measurements and a graph-paper Measurement Schematic | | ✅ **Print-Ready Photos** | High-resolution print-ready photo crops | | ✅ **4K Snapshot Export** | Ultra-HD 3840px export with no watermark (free tier gets standard JPEG with watermark) | | ✅ **Shopping List Export** | Grouped frame specs for planning or purchasing — round-trips with Bulk CSV Import | | ✅ **Multi-Project Editing** | Edit additional loaded projects instead of opening them view-only | | ✅ **Export Bundle** | Run Hanging Guide, Shopping List, Print-Ready Photos, 4K Snapshot, and Export Project together | | ✅ **Pro Starter Layouts** | Three extra collections: Curated Finds, The Townhouse Collection, and Editorial Mix | | ✅ **Premium Wall Textures** | 21 more wall textures (oak paneling, grasscloth, limewash, room scenes, and more) plus custom photo import. Seven stock textures, including Shiplap and White Board & Batten, are free | | ✅ **Wall Objects** | Add TVs, windows, doors, sofas, and other fixtures that Auto-Layout and Smart Fill work around | | ✅ **Multi-Wall Projects** | Plan more than one wall in the same project | | ✅ **Layout Zones** | Draw a usable region on the wall for Auto-Layout to respect | | ✅ **Pinned Auto-Layouts** | Save layouts you like from Auto-Layout to a Pinned Layouts list so you can come back to them | | ✅ **Auto Level** | One-click tonal optimization per photo — sets Brightness, Contrast, and Midtone based on the visible cropped region | | ✅ **Frame Drag-to-Resize** | Toggle resize mode in the floating toolbar, then drag corner or edge handles directly on the canvas | | ✅ **Advanced Photo Cropping** | Finer crop handles for stronger composition control | | ✅ **B&W Photo Conversion** | One-tap black-and-white toggle per photo, non-destructive and reflected in exports | | ✅ **Whole-Wall Balance** | Smart Fill adds a composition layer that scores the whole wall, not just individual frames | **Get Pro:** On the web, Pro is linked to your account and works wherever you sign in; [launch the app](/app) to upgrade. --- ## Tips for Power Users ### Tip 1: Start with Starter Layouts A proven arrangement beats a blank wall. Filter by frame count to find one close to the frames you have, apply it, then swap in your real sizes. See [Start from a Starter Layout](#start-from-a-starter-layout) for filters, Pro collections, and how applying works. Bought a pre-made gallery wall set, or shopping for one? See [Pre-Made Gallery Wall Layouts](/learn/pre-made-gallery-wall-layouts) for where to find them and how to check a set against your wall before you order. ### Tip 2: Measure Twice, Design Once Before opening GalleryPlanner: - Measure your wall accurately (width, height, and note any obstacles) - Measure every frame you own: the glass size (the size on the label, not the outside edges), the border width, and the mat opening if it has one - Take photos of your frames to remember colors and styles ### Tip 3: Start with the Largest Frame Professional designers typically: 1. Place the largest or most important frame first (the focal point) 2. Build the layout around that anchor piece 3. Use smaller frames to fill gaps and create balance ### Tip 4: Leave Breathing Room Don't fill every inch! Negative space (empty wall) is important: - Aim for 20-30% of your wall to remain empty - Maintain 2-3 inches between all frames - Leave extra space around the edges of your layout ### Tip 5: Use Dark Mode for Late-Night Sessions GalleryPlanner supports **Light**, **Dark**, and **System** themes. Open **Settings** (desktop header or mobile menu) and choose your preferred theme. Dark mode is especially useful when reviewing designs in a dim room or on a bright screen. ### Tip 6: Test on Mobile, Finalize on Desktop - Use mobile to brainstorm ideas on the couch or while shopping for frames - Install GalleryPlanner from a supported browser if you want faster return access - Switch to desktop for precise adjustments and exporting - Your projects persist per browser or app (or use `.gwall` handoff to move between devices) --- ## Troubleshooting Common Issues ### "My frames won't snap into place" **Solution:** Snap-to-grid is enabled by default. Press `S` on your keyboard or use the snap toggle in the canvas control bar to turn it back on if it was disabled. --- ### "I can't find my saved project" **Solution:** - Check that you're using the same browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) where you created the project - Project data isn't shared across browsers, devices, or the app unless you manually move a `.gwall` file - If you clear your browser data, local projects are lost. Save important projects as `.gwall` files. - Make backups a habit: **Export Project** covers one project, and **Export All Projects** (Pro) backs up everything in one pass. --- ### "Auto-Layout isn't working" **Solution:** - Make sure you have at least one frame in your library ("Add frames first to use Auto-Layout." means the library is empty, and "All frames locked" means you need to unlock one) - Check that your wall dimensions are large enough to fit your frames - If your project is view-only, switch to `Your Project` or upgrade to Pro for Multi-Project Editing --- ### "How do I group frames?" **Solution:** Select multiple frames on the canvas (click + `Shift+click`, or drag a selection box), then press `Cmd/Ctrl + G` or right-click → **Group**. Use `Cmd/Ctrl + U` or `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G` to ungroup. See the [Frame Grouping](#frame-grouping) section above for more detail. --- ### "Where is Dark Mode?" **Solution:** Open **Settings** from the desktop header (gear icon) or the mobile menu, then choose **Light**, **Dark**, or **System** theme. --- ### "My photos look blurry in the design" **Solution:** - Upload higher-resolution photos (at least 1000px on the longest side) - When zoomed in, low-res photos will pixelate—this is normal - Exported PDFs and images use the best quality available from your source photos --- ## Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet | Shortcut | Action | |----------|--------| | Arrow Keys | Nudge selected frame 1 px | | `Option/Alt + Arrow` | Nudge 5 px | | `Shift + Arrow` | Nudge 10 px | | `R` | Rotate 90° (swap width and height) | | `Shift + drag` | Temporarily invert Snap to Grid and Snap to Guides while dragging | | `Delete` / `Backspace` | Delete selected frame | | `Ctrl/Cmd + Z` | Undo | | `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z` / `Ctrl/Cmd + Y` | Redo | | `Ctrl/Cmd + D` | Duplicate selected frame | | `Ctrl/Cmd + C` / `X` / `V` | Copy / Cut / Paste | | `Ctrl/Cmd + G` | Group selected frames | | `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G` / `Ctrl/Cmd + U` | Ungroup | | `Ctrl/Cmd + A` | Select all (unlocked) | | `S` | Toggle snap-to-grid | | `#` | Toggle background grid | | `Escape` | Deselect all | --- ## Mobile Guide GalleryPlanner is fully optimized for phones and tablets, right in the browser. ### Touch Controls - **Tap:** Select a frame - **Hold (unselected frame):** Pick up a frame to move it - **Drag (selected frame):** Move it immediately - **Long press (selected frame):** Open the quick actions menu - **Long press a frame in Library:** Drag it directly onto the canvas to place exactly where you want - **Long press a photo in Library:** Drag it onto any frame on the canvas to place the photo - **Tap an unframed photo in Library, then tap a frame:** Place that photo into the tapped frame - **Drag (empty canvas):** Pan the wall - **Pinch:** Zoom and pan concurrently - **Double tap a frame:** Zoom into that frame - **Multi-select FAB:** Enter multi-select mode, then tap frames to add or remove them - **Floating toolbar:** The same selection toolbar from desktop is available on mobile — including resize mode (Pro) ### Mobile-Specific Features - **Bottom toolbar:** Quick access to Library, Smart, Edit, Share, and Menu - **Collapsible panels:** Tap headers to expand/collapse for more screen space - **Auto-rotate:** Lock your phone in landscape mode for larger canvas **Pro tip:** Use mobile to visualize layouts while shopping for frames at the store. Pull up your design to see if that new frame will fit! --- ## Next Steps: Build Your Gallery Wall Now that you're a GalleryPlanner pro, it's time to bring your design to life: 1. **Finalize your layout** using the tips in this guide 2. **Export your PDF hanging guide** for exact measurements 3. **Gather your frames** and prepare your wall 4. **Follow your guide** to install with confidence **Need more inspiration?** Check out these resources: - [The Complete Guide to Gallery Walls](/learn/complete-guide-to-gallery-walls) - [Understanding Auto-Layout Algorithms](/learn/understanding-auto-layout) - [Gallery Wall Spacing & Alignment Tips](/learn/spacing-and-alignment-tips) **Ready to get started?** [Launch GalleryPlanner now →](/) --- ## Still Have Questions? Visit our [Help Center](/help) for FAQs and troubleshooting guides, or email us at [hello@gallery-planner.com](mailto:hello@gallery-planner.com).