Canvas Default Settings
Canvas defaults let you set your preferred starting configuration — bulb type, spacing, colors, brightness — so every new design starts with your preferred settings instead of the factory defaults.
What you'll learn
- What defaults you can customize
- How to access and change defaults
- How defaults interact with per-element settings
Available defaults
| Setting | Factory Default | What it controls | |---------|----------------|-----------------| | Bulb Type | C9 | Default bulb type for new strands | | Spacing | 15 inches | Default spacing between bulbs on new strands | | Shrub Density | 3 per ft² | Default light density for new shrubs | | Colors | Warm White (solid) | Default color pattern for new elements | | Brightness | 85% (slight dim) | Starting brightness of the house photo | | Curve Smoothness | 50% | Default smoothness for the Curve tool |
Access your defaults
From the sidebar:
- Click the gear icon at the bottom of the sidebar tab bar (next to the AI tab).
- A settings sheet slides in with all your canvas defaults.
From the dashboard:
- Navigate to your dashboard.
- Open Settings.
- The same Canvas Defaults form appears.
Change a default
- Adjust any setting in the form — changes save automatically with a 500ms delay.
- A brief "Saving..." indicator confirms the update.
- Reset — Click the reset button to restore all factory defaults.
Note: Changes apply to new designs only. Existing designs keep whatever settings they were created with. This prevents unexpected changes to designs you've already shared with clients.
How defaults work with per-element settings
Defaults set the starting point. Once you're in a design, you can change any setting per-element:
| Level | Scope | Example | |-------|-------|---------| | Canvas defaults | All future new designs | "I always start with C7 bulbs" | | Tool settings | Current design session | Switch to Mini while drawing shrubs | | Per-element | One specific strand or shrub | Change just this roofline to warm white + red |
The priority chain: per-element setting > current tool setting > your canvas defaults > factory defaults.
Tips
- Set your defaults early — If you primarily use C7 bulbs at 12-inch spacing, set that as your default so you don't have to change it on every new design.
- Brightness at 85% is a good starting point — it dims the photo slightly so lights stand out without making the house hard to see. Adjust per-design as needed.
- You can always override — Defaults are convenience, not constraints. Every setting can be changed per-element at any time.
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