Move work from Effects, Studio and the quick tools into the Editor
Every module can hand work to the Editor as real, editable layers. Learn what each button sends and what arrives on the other side.
Beginner3 min readUpdated 25 September 2026Handoff
On this page
Effects, the quick tools and Studio are good at one job each. When you want to add type, combine images or lay out a page, you take the work into the Editor. This page shows every route across and what you get when it lands.
How the handoff works
When you click a send button, the module writes the images, palette, size and settings to a small inbox inside this browser's storage, then opens the Editor. The Editor takes the work out of the inbox, removes it from the inbox, and builds the design. Nothing is uploaded, and it works offline.
From Effects
In Effects, load a photo and pick an effect, then use Open in Editor in the top bar. On a phone the button in the bottom bar is labelled Editor.
- Click sends the original photo plus the effect as a live filter layer on top. The Editor says Added as a live filter layer. Adjust it any time in the layers panel. You can change the effect's settings, mask it, lower its opacity or hide it later.
- Shift-click sends one flattened image with the effect baked in. Use this when you want pixels to paint on rather than a filter to tweak.
- If no effect is picked, the plain photo is sent.
From the quick tools
The Halftone, Dither and Glitch pages have Send to Layer Stack. It sends the original image and adds the tool's effect as a live filter layer with the same settings you chose on the page, so you can keep adjusting it in the Editor.
From Studio
Studio sends more than images. Depending on where you start, the Editor receives the job's palette, fonts and the brief as well.
| Where in Studio | Button | What arrives in the Editor |
|---|---|---|
| A job, Key visual tab | Start key visual in the Editor | A design for the job, set up with its palette, type and brief. The brief shows as a checklist in the Brief panel. |
| A job, Key visual tab | Open in the Editor | The job’s saved key visual, reopened. |
| A job, Directions tab | Open as a board | The direction as an editable board of real text, shape and image layers, with the direction’s palette. |
| A job, References tab | Apply the look to a photo | Your photo with the reference’s colour look on its own layer (and a grain layer if the reference is grainy). |
| Brand guideline builder | Editor | The guideline as one board per page, with the brand colours in your swatches. |
When a palette comes across, its colours are added to your swatches and the first one becomes your main colour, so the next shape or text uses it.
From your computer
Files from outside Voidcanvas do not need the inbox. Drop images, PSDs, PDFs or .void files on the Editor, use File, Open… (Ctrl+O), or paste an image with Ctrl+V. If you installed Voidcanvas as an app, your system may also offer it for opening image, PSD and .void files. See Import PSD and PDF.
Common problems
- The Editor opened empty. The inbox item is removed once the Editor takes it, so reloading the Editor afterwards does not bring it back. Your design is saved though: look under Pick up where you left off.
- That design is no longer on this device. Studio tried to reopen a key visual that was deleted, or that was made in another browser. Start a new one from the job.
- The effect looks different in the Editor. Filter previews in the Editor are computed at 1200 pixels, the same as Effects. Exports run at full size with pixel settings scaled up, so they match, only sharper.