What exactly is a custom canvas in Doodly?

A custom canvas lets you use a specific color or an uploaded picture as your background instead of the standard options like a whiteboard or chalkboard. This feature gives you more creative freedom for your projects.

How do swipe transitions affect an asset background compared to a custom canvas?

When you use an asset background, swipe transitions will not keep your background in its original place. However, if you use a true custom canvas, the background remains perfectly still during swipe transitions, which creates a very appealing visual effect.

Can I use animated GIFs as a background in my Doodly video?

Yes, you can use animated GIFs like moving clouds or stars if you set them up as an asset background. You cannot use animated GIFs if you choose the standard custom canvas method.

What happens when you use the erase exit animation on a custom canvas?

The erase exit animation will not remove the background image or color when using a custom canvas. This behavior is actually useful for advanced editing techniques such as partial erasing.

What is the main benefit of using the glass board canvas method?

The glass board method creates a highly attractive visual effect where text is revealed from behind a solid color or an uploaded picture. You should be careful not to use this too much because it can make your text difficult for viewers to read.

Learn the Pros and Cons of the Doodly Custom Canvas Tool

Custom Canvas

This article explains about the power of a custom canvas and how to optimally use the custom canvas to provide that wow factor to your viewers.

What is a custom canvas?

This allows for a color or an imported image upload to be the canvas instead of a whiteboard, glass board or chalkboard.

Methods of Use

There are 3 different methods for using a custom canvas:

1. Asset Background

This requires importing an image or solid color as a normal imported image asset instead of using the custom canvas.

Pros

Use with imported images.
Do not use with solid colors.
Erase Scene Transition works properly.
Allows use of GIF animations. We can have a moving background in our doodle. Airplanes, clouds, stars, whatever you can make happen in a GIF animation can happen in the background. Used correctly this is an extremely powerful option that can enhance a doodle and bring it to the next level.

Cons

Swipe transitions don’t keep the background in place.

2. Custom Canvas

We can choose a custom color or import an image.

Pros

The background stays in place with swipe transitions. This is a fantastic visual effect.

Cons

Scene Transitions

Cannot use animated GIF’s
The Erase exit animation does not erase the background. (This can be used for partial erasing and other advanced effects. Watch the SoloBoss Scene Transitions video tutorial and the partial erasing method can be completed with a custom background image as well)

Doodly Beginner Video Tutorial: Scene Transitions

3. Glass Board Canvas

We can upload a custom image and although this doesn’t have a color picker, that custom image can be a single solid color.

Pros

Extremely nice effect from behind an image or solid color when revealing text.

Cons

Do not overuse this effect! Becomes difficult to read if overused.
The Erase exit animation does not erase the background.

Custom Canvas

Custom Canvas

What is a custom canvas?

Methods of Use

1. Asset Background

2. Custom Canvas

3. Glass Board Canvas

Frequently Asked Questions

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Custom Canvas

Custom Canvas

What is a custom canvas?

Methods of Use

1. Asset Background

2. Custom Canvas

3. Glass Board Canvas

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is a custom canvas in Doodly?

2. How do swipe transitions affect an asset background compared to a custom canvas?

3. Can I use animated GIFs as a background in my Doodly video?

4. What happens when you use the erase exit animation on a custom canvas?

5. What is the main benefit of using the glass board canvas method?

About the author