Browsers, devices and what the AI tools need
Voidcanvas runs in a modern browser on computers, tablets and phones. Here is what it relies on, and how the on-device AI tools use WebGPU and WebAssembly.
Intermediate3 min readUpdated 25 September 2026Help
On this page
Voidcanvas needs no installation and no plug-ins: a current browser is enough. This page explains which browser features it uses, which parts need something extra, and what happens when a feature is missing. Read it if something works on one machine and not another.
The short version
- Use a current version of your browser and keep it updated.
- Everything except some AI tools works on any current desktop or mobile browser.
- The AI tools run everywhere, but the any-subject model needs WebGPU, and Remove object is faster with it.
- When a feature is missing, Voidcanvas falls back to a simpler route and tells you, rather than failing.
What the app relies on
| Browser feature | Used for | If it is missing or blocked |
|---|---|---|
| IndexedDB (site storage) | Saving designs, jobs, brands and passing work between modules. | Saves fail with Could not save to browser storage. Allow site data, or use a private session and export your work. |
| Canvas | All drawing, effects and export. | The Editor cannot run. |
| Service worker | Working offline and installing as an app. | Everything works online; offline use and install are not available. |
| Clipboard images | Copy image in export, and pasting images with Ctrl+V. | Use Download, and add images by dropping or opening files. |
| Web Share with files | The Share button on phones. | The button becomes Save PNG and downloads instead. |
| File handling | Opening files with the installed app from your file browser. | Open files from inside the Editor instead. |
| Pointer events with pressure | Pen pressure for brush size and opacity. | Strokes use full size and opacity. |
Computers, tablets and phones
On a computer you get the full Editor with menus, panels and keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts use Ctrl on Windows, Linux and ChromeOS, and Cmd on a Mac. Tablets also get the full Editor, with pinch zoom, two-finger pan and Touch mode for bigger controls. Screens narrower than 768 pixels get the phone Editor. See Designing on a phone.
Phones and small tablets have less memory. Very large designs are more likely to hit memory limits there. See Troubleshooting.
The AI tools: WebGPU and WebAssembly
The AI tools run the model inside your browser. Two browser technologies make that possible. WebAssembly (WASM) runs the model on the processor and works in every current browser. WebGPU runs it on the graphics chip, which is much faster, but not every browser or device offers it yet.
| Model | Size | Used by | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| MODNet | 26 MB | Remove background, Select subject (strongest on people) | Runs anywhere. |
| BiRefNet lite | 115 MB | Remove background and Object select for any subject | WebGPU. Without it, the standard MODNet model is used instead. |
| LaMa | 208 MB | Remove object, Expand with AI fill | Uses WebGPU where available, otherwise WebAssembly. |
What you will see without WebGPU:
- Asking for the any-subject model shows This browser cannot run the any-subject model. Using the standard one. and continues with MODNet.
- Object select uses MODNet, which does best on people.
- Remove object runs on the processor, which is slower. If the model cannot start at all, you see The AI remover could not start in this browser, so a simpler fill was used.
Help, AI on this device lists every model with its size and licence, marks the one that works best with WebGPU, and can remove downloaded models. See AI on this device.
Good to know
- Each model downloads once, the first time you use it, after you confirm. After that it is cached and works offline.
- Browser extensions that block scripts or storage can stop saves or the AI downloads. Allow this site if something fails only in one browser.
- Your work is stored per browser. Designs made in one browser do not appear in another. Move them with a .void file. See Saving and your files.