> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://tutorials.spellslate.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to make a storyboard

# How to make a storyboard

A **storyboard** is a sequence of panels that show how a scene or film will look: one image (or frame) per beat, usually with notes for action, lens, or blocking. It helps you think before you shoot and gives your crew a shared picture of the plan.

In Spell Slate, the storyboard lives in the **same project** as your script, breakdown, schedule, and shot list. You are not maintaining a separate scene list by hand.

If you are comparing tools, products like [StudioBinder](https://www.studiobinder.com/storyboard-creator/) emphasize a canvas-style editor with arrows, image filters, and deep PDF branding. Spell Slate focuses on **scene-based panels**, **notes**, **exports that match your scene filters**, and **ties to lookbooks** and the rest of prep.

***

## What goes in a storyboard

Typical elements:

* **Frames** – Photos, stills, sketches, or pre-vis stills per beat.
* **Scene context** – Which script scene each panel belongs to.
* **Notes** – Shot size, movement, eyeline, VFX, or reminders for cast and camera.
* **Order** – Left-to-right, scene by scene, in story order.

Spell Slate numbers panels within each scene. You can reorder by dragging on the edit page.

***

## Before you start: script in the project

1. [Import your script](/import-script) or write in the [script editor](/script-editor).
2. Run a [breakdown](/how-to-start-a-script-breakdown) so scenes and sluglines match what you expect.

Your storyboard rows follow **script scenes** from the latest import. If you revise the script later, see [Storyboard](/storyboard) for how **Unlinked panels** work and how to reassign panels.

***

## Step 1: Open Storyboard and create it

1. Open your project.
2. Go to **Visual**, then **Storyboard**.
3. Click **Create storyboard**.

One project has one storyboard. [Plan limits](/plan-limits) apply (first project on Free; all projects on paid tiers).

***

## Step 2: Decide your workflow

You can combine both:

| Approach                        | Best when                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Upload a PDF**                | You already drew boards in Procreate, Photoshop, Storyboarder, etc.                                            |
| **Build panels in Spell Slate** | You want frames and notes next to live scenes, export a sheet PDF, or embed panels in a [Lookbook](/lookbook). |

### Upload an existing board PDF

1. Open **Edit storyboard**.
2. Under **Upload your storyboard PDF**, choose **Upload PDF** and save.

The file appears on the storyboard show page and for team members with storyboard access on the Day Bible. You can still add built panels alongside it.

### Build panels from scratch

1. Stay on **Edit storyboard**.
2. In **Build panels**, use **Add panel** for the focused scene in one-scene-at-a-time mode (or unassigned when **Show all scenes** is on with no jump selection), or **+ Add panel to Sc. N** under a scene heading.

***

## Step 3: Read the scene, then assign panels

Before you add images, know what the scene needs: beats, coverage, and what you want the crew to see.

* Add panels **to the scene** they belong to so exports and [lookbook scene pages](/lookbook) stay aligned.
* Panels without a scene sit under **Unassigned** until you move them (remove and re-add to the correct scene, or use the flows your project uses for assignment).

Use **Filter scenes** and **Show all scenes** vs one scene at a time so the strip matches how you think through the draft. Details: [Storyboard](/storyboard).

***

## Step 4: Add frame images and descriptions

On each panel card:

1. Click the frame area and upload an image from your device.
2. Click the description field and type notes (size, movement, intent).

Spell Slate does **not** include an in-canvas drawing tool or arrow overlays on the frame. If you need arrows or sketches on the image, draw in another app, export a PNG or JPEG, then upload that image to the panel.

***

## Step 5: Refine layout on the page

* **One scene at a time** – Focused strip; URL includes focus so links are shareable.
* **Show all scenes** – Long scroll of every filtered scene.
* **Filter scenes** – Narrow by location or pick specific scenes before export or share.

Reorder panels inside a scene by dragging. Panel numbers update automatically.

***

## Step 6: Export a storyboard PDF

1. Set filters and view so the on-screen strip matches what should print.
2. On the **show** page, open **More**, then **Sheet PDF layout**, and set toggles (headers, borders, images, notes, etc.). Changes save when you change options.
3. Click **PDF**, then **Export storyboard sheet PDF**.
4. When processing finishes, use **Download storyboard sheet PDF**.

If you only use an uploaded external PDF, use **Download uploaded PDF** instead.

Full detail: [Storyboard](/storyboard) (export section).

***

## Step 7: Share with collaborators

1. Click **Share** on the storyboard page.
2. **Create view-only link** and copy the URL.

Recipients do not need a Spell Slate account. Shared views respect URL filters when you narrowed the board.

***

## Step 8: Use panels in a lookbook

On a lookbook **scene** page, you can set content to **Project storyboard** so panels for that scene appear next to references. See [Lookbook](/lookbook) and [Storyboard](/storyboard).

***

## Next steps

* [Storyboard](/storyboard) – Filters, Day Bible, script revision behavior, and permissions.
* [Shot list](/shot-list) – Shots tied to script lines; works alongside the storyboard.
* [Lookbook](/lookbook) – Visual references and optional project storyboard panels.