Getting started

Shotwell is a screenshot styling app. You import one image, style it with a few core tools, and export a clean final asset.

Why people use Shotwell

• Turn raw screenshots into polished visuals in minutes.
• Keep output consistent across social posts, docs, and product launches.
• Reuse repeatable styles with presets instead of rebuilding from scratch.

Core tools

Canvas

The canvas controls the overall composition: ratio, crop, placement, transforms, backgrounds, and frame choices.

• Start here: Canvas
• Drill-down settings: Layout and crop settings, Background settings, Frame settings

Toolbar

The toolbar is the main navigation layer in the editor. It switches between adjust, tune, presets, and history.

• Start here: Toolbar

Tune menu

The tune menu controls quick polish values: padding, shadow, roundness, inset, and stroke.

• Start here: Tune menu

Action menu

The action menu handles export and utility actions like share, copy, clear styling, and settings.

• Start here: Action menu

Presets and history

Presets save reusable styles. History lets you restore recent versions while editing.

• Start here: Presets and history

Typical flow

1. Set composition on the canvas.
2. Tune polish values.
3. Reuse or save a preset.
4. Export and share.

Use guides and reference together

• Use Guides when you want a task done quickly.
• Use Reference when you need exact behavior, limits, or defaults.

Quick path if you are new

1. Skim Canvas and Tune menu.
2. Run one guide: Add a gradient background.
3. Finish with Export for sharing.