> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.memorystring.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.memorystring.app/get-started/the-studio.md). # The Studio A tour of the MemoryString window: Library, Outtakes, Preview, Inspector, Timeline, Audioline, and the toolbar. You step into the Studio. This wasn’t built just to produce the best slideshows you’ve ever made. It was built so that working on them feels like something. The oak and the gold are the room you live in while you create. Most apps treat the workspace like a factory floor. We treated it like a place you’d want to spend an evening. Because you will. ## The panes The Studio is built around Library, Outtakes, Preview, Inspector, Timeline, and Audioline. ![The Studio: Library, Outtakes, Preview, Inspector, Timeline, Audioline](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ec45951be6d9d7788705d90c1081876a60ff74b0%2Fthe-window-panes.jpg?alt=media) | Pane | Where | What it is | | ------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Library** | Left | **Takes**, the show grid. Empty: **Nothing in library yet**. | | **Outtakes** | Left, under Takes | Parked photos, in the project, off the show. Empty: **Nothing discarded.** | | **Preview** | Center | The movie, plus Play / scrub. Empty: **Add photos & videos** plus *Drop photos and videos to start a memory*. | | **Inspector** | Right | Style, Titles, Motion, Audio, Format | | **Timeline** | Bottom | Photo lane. Slides and groups. Empty: **Nothing on the timeline yet**. | | **Audioline** | Under the Timeline | Soundtrack clips and their waveforms (the music lane). | ## Toolbar The project name sits on the left with the show's length next to it. The length updates as you edit. The useful stuff sits on the right. Mode, export, help, and the Inspector toggle. ![The toolbar: project, Add, Essential / Studio, Export, Help, Inspector](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9fd644d4a83ec77e5c7e9894dda44dcca571b0f6%2Ftoolbar-right.png?alt=media) * **Essential** / **Studio**: how many controls you see ([next page](/get-started/essential-studio.md)). First-run walkthrough marks sit on this control, **+**, and **Export**. * **Export**: Export Movie dialog * **?**: MemoryString Help (**⌘/**). Opens this site. * Inspector toggle. Show or hide the right column (**⌥⌘I**) Toolbar **+** (near the project name) is **Photos & Videos…**, **Import from Photos…**, **Music…**, and **Royalty-Free Library…**. ![Toolbar + menu: Photos & Videos, Import from Photos, Music, Royalty-Free Library](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5553f2ce087b694f7be2681b7194967c02e81a29%2Ftoolbar-plus-menu.png?alt=media) ## Library Photos and videos for this show. The column splits into **Takes** (the show grid) and **Outtakes** (in the project, off the show). Calendar sort, captions bubble, the stacked-slides **Show** menu (**Make Long story short**, **Keep Best Shots…**, **Auto Trim Videos…**, **Mute Noisy Videos**, **Fit Show to Music**, and more), and **+** sit on the header. **File → Import from Photos…** is on **+** too. ![Library: Takes on top, Outtakes below](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8f2e035120963a860e041af770819ffe10411bb0%2Fpreview-stage.png?alt=media) **View → Toggle Sidebar** (**⌃⌘S**) slides the column open and closed. Drag the **vertical divider** on its right edge to widen or narrow it, it snaps to whole columns of cards. The width is remembered. More: [Library](/build-your-movie/library.md). ## Outtakes Parked photos, in the project, not on the show. Keep Best extras land here, or anything you **Move to Outtakes** / drag down from Takes or the filmstrip (a move, not a copy). ![Library: Takes on top, Outtakes below](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8f2e035120963a860e041af770819ffe10411bb0%2Fpreview-stage.png?alt=media) Click an Outtake to select it; the playhead stays on the current movie slide. **Double-click** (or right-click → **Peek**) inspects it over the preview without putting it in the show. Drag up into Takes or the filmstrip to put it back on the show. Empty: **Nothing discarded.** More: [Library → Outtakes](/build-your-movie/library.md#outtakes). ## Preview The stage is the movie. Under it, the transport: Play, `current / total`, slide **N of M**, and the scrub bar. ![Preview stage and transport](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-da2fd0b0aa02f8ce7f3e357ffb6632e338277ee5%2Fpreview-stage-transport.jpg?alt=media) **Space** plays. Click or drag the bar to scrub. **←** / **→** nudge. More: [Preview](/build-your-movie/preview.md). ## Inspector Style, Titles, Audio, and Format in **Essential**. **Studio** adds **Motion** and the deeper Customize drawers. Whatever tab you’re on, the bottom strip stays: caption (or opening / closing text), **Generate**, **Aa**, and trim / mute / volume / remove when a video or soundtrack is selected. ![Inspector in Essential: Style, Titles, Audio, Format](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6a0b5e492ed221652c3a5895228102458a640be1%2Fwindow-inspector-essential.gif?alt=media) ![Inspector in Studio: Style, Titles, Motion, Audio, Format](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-601273aa40694bb6a4264e644c80c14278823df2%2Fwindow-inspector-studio.gif?alt=media) The Inspector toggle (**⌥⌘I**) slides the column open and closed, it does not remount the preview. More: [Essential and Studio](/get-started/essential-studio.md). ## Timeline Photo lane. Slides, opening card, and group cells. The **Audioline** sits underneath. Drag the **thin seam above the Timeline** up or down to grow or shrink the filmstrip (up to about **160** points extra). That height is remembered. The zoom slider (minus / plus magnifying glass) scales the strip **live**. ![Timeline: photo lane, music, zoom](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-01e5d945682e5b18e88e13c538141b43656184da%2Fwindow-timeline.gif?alt=media) ![Drag the seam to grow the filmstrip; zoom slider scales the strip live](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-bf294468aef4ce027688e496e6794880e73a2c17%2Ftimeline-expand-zoom.gif?alt=media) **⌘+** / **⌘-** still scale Timeline strip height (and Library cards) with UI text size; the drag adds extra height on top of that base. More: [Timeline](/build-your-movie/timeline.md). ## Audioline The **Audioline** is the music lane under the photo strip. Soundtrack clips and their waveforms. Soundtrack lives here and on Inspector → **Audio**, not in the Library. ![Timeline: photo lane above, Audioline (music) below](https://316881897-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6lG8Zi4VdmddHJ8jUOT5%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-01e5d945682e5b18e88e13c538141b43656184da%2Fwindow-timeline.gif?alt=media) Click a clip to select it, then **scrub** the playhead to hear that song. That is how you find the moment to **Set Start Here** / **Set End Here**. Drag clips to line them up. Trim with edge grips (those also preview the cut). Waveform **narrows at the fade edges**. When the needle crosses from one song to the next, highlight and sound follow the clip under the needle. More: [Music → Audition the Audioline](/build-your-movie/music.md#audition-the-audioline). ## Text size Chrome, not captions. **View → Increase / Decrease / Default Text Size** (**⌘+** / **⌘-** / **⌘0**) scales app UI, **Library cards**, and **Timeline** strip height together, not slide captions. ## Walkthrough Forgot the first-run tour? **Help → Show Walkthrough** plays it again. Marks sit on the live title-bar **+**, Essential/Studio, and **Export**. Seven stops: **Bring in moments** → **Your Library** → **Shape the story** → **Watch it come alive** → **Make it yours** → **Share your memory** → **Essential or Studio**. Full lines: [Help](/more/help.md). **MemoryString → Reset All Settings…** restores app preferences only (mode, text size, chrome layout, library badges, walkthrough flag). It does **not** change the open slideshow. Your photos stay put; only the chrome forgets your habits. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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