Choose the file operation around your next step: open artwork as a local project, place content into the Canvas you are editing, download an editable project, or export a finished image. These actions produce different results.
Open a File or Place It Into This Canvas
Open and Import can load supported PNG, JPEG, WebP, PSD, SVG, and Canvas project files as a local document. They do not create a new shared Canvas in your space. Finish saving the current shared document before switching to a local file.
To add content to the current composition, use More > Place > Image as Layer... for an image available through the space's picker. Use SVG as Editable Layers... for supported SVG artwork. Pasting or dropping an external image into the editor can add a Smart Object that preserves its original-resolution source.
Placement requires an eligible target. Select an unlocked editable layer if the action is unavailable; a protected background or group may not accept it.
Document dimensions must remain within 5,000 Γ 5,000 pixels. Imported PNG, JPEG, and WebP sources are limited to 30 MiB. A valid extension does not guarantee that a damaged file or an unsupported variant can be opened.
Keep an Editable Canvas Project
Use Save as Layered Project... or Export As > Layered Project... to download .vscanvas. This is the best exchange format when the next editor will continue in Canvas.
The project retains supported layers, masks, adjustment recipes, selection state, colors, view state, and local editing history. It is not an ordinary image for a website or image viewer. Confirm the save dialog or browser download, and keep the file where you can find it again.
Opening that project later gives you a local session. It does not silently overwrite a shared Canvas with a similar name.
Export a Finished Picture
Choose More > Export As and select the format around the destination:
You do not need to flatten your editable layer stack first. Export combines the visible artwork while the project can remain layered.
Check the downloaded picture at its intended display size. Large documents need enough memory to prepare the output; wait for the artwork to finish loading and resolve missing-pixel errors before exporting.
Understand SVG and PSD Differences
An SVG-only composition can retain the supported editable SVG representation. A mixed composition containing paint or other content exports as an SVG containing a combined image. An .svg extension does not mean every part remains an editable vector.
PSD import supports raster layers, groups, ordering, offsets, visibility, opacity, and supported blend modes. When separate layer pixels are absent, Canvas can use the merged picture. Do not expect every feature from another editor to remain independently editable.
PSD export includes supported raster layer records and a combined preview. Group and adjustment rows become named transparent records rather than equivalent editable effects. Keep .vscanvas as the working master if preserving Canvas editing choices matters.
Common Questions
Can I export each layer in one operation?
Bulk layer export remains unavailable. Use the enabled export choices for the current composition.
Why does JPEG have a white background?
JPEG does not preserve the artwork's transparency here. Choose PNG or WebP when transparency is required.
Did downloading an image save the shared project?
A finished-image download and the online Canvas save are different results. Check the save status described in Saving and sharing.
For a complete composition-to-download workflow, follow Build a layered poster.