FAQ
The questions people ask most, answered. If yours isn't here, the docs cover everything in more depth, or you can email us.
Getting started
Do I need to install anything?
No. FrameSketch runs in any modern browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. Open app.framesketch.xyz and start drawing. You can also install it as a progressive web app (PWA) for a native feel with offline access.
Can I use FrameSketch offline?
Yes. Once you've opened the app once, it caches locally and works without a connection. Install it as a PWA and it behaves like a desktop app.
Do I need an account?
Yes, an account is required to use the app. It's also required for cloud sync.
How do I get started?
- Open app.framesketch.xyz and sign in.
- Create a project, then add a scene inside it.
- Load a video file from your computer.
- Pick a tool from the toolbar and start drawing on the frames.
- Export the project as a .fsk file to share it.
See the getting started guide for step-by-step instructions.
Pricing and accounts
Is FrameSketch free?
Yes. The core studio: drawing, layers, onion skin, timeline, notes, and export. It's free, and local work always will be. We may add paid plans later for advanced cloud features.
What does a free account include?
- Cloud sync for up to 3 projects across devices
- Email or Google sign-in
- Your projects available from any browser
- Every drawing and annotation tool
How do I sign up?
Click Sign in in the top-right corner of the app, then create an account with your email and password, or continue with Google. We send a verification link to confirm your address.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
On the sign-in screen, click Forgot password and enter your email. If an account exists for that address, you'll get a reset link. The app never reveals whether an email is registered, so the response is the same either way.
Privacy and local-first
Is my footage uploaded to your servers?
Never. Your video files stay on your machine. FrameSketch reads them directly with the browser's file APIs. We never see, store, or transmit your footage.
What gets synced to the cloud?
Only your annotations: strokes, shapes, text labels, sticky notes, comments, and project metadata. Videos are never uploaded. When you open a synced project on another device, FrameSketch asks you to re-select the video locally; your drawings appear on top immediately.
Can I turn off cloud sync?
Yes. Cloud sync is a separate switch in the app settings. Turn it off any time, and everything you've drawn stays on your device. You can also choose not to sign in at all.
Video formats and performance
What video formats does FrameSketch support?
Whatever your browser can decode: MP4 (H.264), MOV, M4V, and WebM. If a file doesn't open, converting it to H.264 MP4 plays anywhere.
Why is my video not playing?
- Unsupported codec. FrameSketch relies on your browser's built-in decoder. Try converting to H.264 MP4.
- File too large. Very large files may stutter on older machines. Try a lower-resolution proxy.
- Browser issue. Try Chrome or Edge first; Safari has more limited codec support.
Does FrameSketch re-encode my video?
No. It reads the file as-is and never modifies it. All processing happens in your browser using the hardware video decoder.
Drawing and tools
Is the drawing frame-accurate?
Yes. FrameSketch uses the browser's frame callback so every stroke lands on the exact frame you're viewing. The canvas and video share the same frame clock, so nothing drifts no matter how much you scrub.
What drawing tools are available?
Brush, pencil, highlighter, eraser, rectangle, ellipse, line, text labels, sticky notes, and comment markers. The brush and pencil respond to pen pressure when your device supports it.
Are strokes vector or raster?
All strokes are vector paths. They stay sharp at any zoom, and you can export frames as PNGs at any resolution.
Can I organize my drawings with layers?
Yes. The layers panel lets you stack passes, reorder them, rename them, recolor them, adjust opacity, and hide or show them. Everything you draw lands on the active layer.
Projects, sync and storage
What is a .fsk file?
It's FrameSketch's project format: a single compact file with all your scenes, layers, strokes, shapes, notes, comments, and settings. A whole project is usually a few hundred kilobytes, easy to email, stash in Git, or store anywhere.
Can I protect an exported project with a password?
Yes. When exporting, you can set a password. The file is encrypted and only opens with it. Use this for client work you don't want opened casually.
How many projects can I sync?
Free accounts can store up to 3 projects in the cloud. Deleting a project removes it from the cloud and from your synced devices; your local copy stays until you delete it manually.
Desktop apps
Are there desktop apps for Windows and Linux?
Coming soon. In the meantime the PWA works as a desktop app: install it from your browser's install prompt for an app-like experience with offline access.
Will there be a macOS app?
Yes. The web version works on macOS today (including Safari), and a native desktop app for macOS is in development.
Troubleshooting
The app is running slowly. What can I do?
- Close other tabs and applications to free up memory.
- Try a lower-resolution video or create a proxy for annotation.
- Use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
- On Safari, try Chrome: its WebGL performance is stronger for canvas-heavy apps.
I can't see my projects after signing in on a new device.
Cloud sync only carries projects you explicitly saved to the cloud. Projects created offline or with sync off stay local to that device. Check that cloud sync is enabled and you're signed in with the same account.
I accidentally deleted a layer. Can I get it back?
Layer deletion is permanent, though you can undo it with Ctrl+Z if you act quickly. For important work, export your project regularly as a .fsk file.
Still have questions?
Email us at [email protected] and we'll get back to you. You can also read the documentation, which covers every feature in more detail.