How do I copy and paste content, including between files?
Choose the copy command for what you want to reuse: canvas Copy/Paste for pixels, or the timeline menus for cels, frames, and whole layers. Both workflows can be used between projects.
Copy pixels on the canvas
- Select the source drawing layer and frame. Make a canvas selection if you only need part of the cel.
- Choose Copy in the selection tool options or Menu ▸ Edit.
- Select the destination layer and frame, then choose Paste. For a single destination, select only that timeline cell.
- Position the pasted pixels and confirm the transform.
Paste places pixels in the target drawing layer. Create a layer first if you want a separate one. With no canvas selection, Copy takes the current cel's content; it does not combine all visible layers or copy the animation.
To paste the same pixels into several editable cells, explicitly select those cells first. See batch editing in the timeline.
Copy between files
Copy in the source project, switch to the destination project, and select its target layer and frame before pasting. For canvas pixels, the target must be an unlocked, editable drawing layer; cross-file paste still uses that layer.
If pasting is unavailable or gives an unexpected result, check which kind of content you copied: pixels, cels, frames, or layers. Use the corresponding paste command. To insert an external image as a new layer on iPhone or iPad, use Insert image from the clipboard.
Copy cels, frames, or layers
Double-tap a cell or the corresponding header on mobile, or right-click it on desktop, to open its timeline menu.
| What to reuse | Commands and destination |
|---|---|
| One or more cels | Use Copy Cell / Paste Cell in the source and destination cell menus. Multi-selection uses the plural commands. |
| One or more frames | Use Copy Frame / Paste Frame from frame headers. Pasted frames are inserted after the target frame. |
| Whole layers | Use the layer menu's copy and paste commands to copy layer content and structure. |
Frame paste carries frame properties; animation clip boundaries are kept only for complete copied clips. Cel paste does not copy all frame properties, and frame paste does not clone the source layer structure. After pasting between projects, check the destination FPS and the result.
Inherited cells share artwork with their source. For an independent copy, use the copy/paste workflow rather than inheritance. Details are in the cell, frame, and layer guides.