Default canvas size and color

Settings → Studio specifies the starting canvas width, height, and background color for a new Studio document. A saved project retains its own canvas settings. Physical screen 1:1 also requires Display Calibration; these application defaults do not change print dimensions.

Purpose

Canvas is the document area in the Studio workspace where reference images are arranged and composition guides and grids are displayed. This section controls the canvas’s physical dimensions, measurement units, and background color.

Canvas dimensions are useful when arranging reference images to match the proportions of a planned drawing or painting. The canvas is separate from the reference images placed on it: its dimensions can be adjusted independently of each image’s size and position.

Canvas settings

Width sets the horizontal dimension of the canvas. The field is identified by a horizontal measurement icon.

Enter the desired size in the selected measurement units. The physical width is limited to 1-1000 cm; when inches are selected, the field displays the equivalent value in inches.

Height sets the vertical dimension of the canvas. The field is identified by a vertical measurement icon.

Height can be adjusted independently of width. The intended physical height range is 1-1000 cm. By changing these values, you can choose a portrait, landscape, or square canvas format.

Canvas dimensions represent physical measurements, not the pixel dimensions of an imported Reference image. When the canvas size changes, guides that depend on those dimensions are recalculated as appropriate-for example, a grid defined by a fixed number of columns and rows.

Units.

Choose the measurement units in Units:

cm – centimeters;
in – inches.

This is a shared ARS measurement display setting, also used in other length fields such as reference-image and grid settings.

Changing Units does not alter the canvas’s physical size. Only the displayed numeric values are converted. For example, 25.4 cm is equivalent to 10 in.

Color controls the canvas background. The button beside the label shows the currently selected color; click it to choose another.

The background color is visible in parts of the canvas not covered by opaque reference-image content. It can provide a more comfortable backdrop for judging light or dark references. Changing the canvas background does not modify the pixels of imported reference images.

Practical example

Suppose you are planning a portrait measuring 50 × 60 cm. In Canvas, enter 50 cm for Width and 60 cm for Height. Then import a reference image, adjust its size and position, and enable composition guides or the canvas grid if needed.

If you later prefer to view measurements in inches, switch Units to in. The canvas’s proportions and physical dimensions remain unchanged.