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Design a card in the Designer

The Designer turns layers into a reusable game-piece layout. Build the visual structure once, then connect it to a dataset to render a card, token, tile, or other piece for every row.

A game piece open in the Game Piece Studio Designer

1. Choose the piece size​

Create a design from Designs, then set its physical size. Size controls the canvas proportions and print calculations, so choose the intended finished size before carefully positioning content.

Most designs have a Face and Back. Switch sides with Face and Back in the toolbar, or press 1 and 2, and build each side independently.

2. Add the visual structure​

Use the toolbar to add text, images, rectangles, ellipses, polygons, lines, freehand drawing, or another design as a reference. Select a layer to edit its content, position, size, rotation, opacity, appearance, effects, and compatible data bindings in the inspector.

Open Assets in the Designer sidebar to browse the current game's images, choose artwork from another game you own, search ready-made icons, or add an item from the shared Library. See Add images, icons, and library assets for each workflow.

Name layers by purpose, such as title, main artwork, and cost badge. Useful names make selection and later changes much quicker.

3. Arrange precisely​

  • Drag on the canvas for quick placement.
  • Enter values in the inspector for exact dimensions and positions.
  • Use snapping and guides to align objects.
  • Turn on print margins to see bleed, trim, and safe areas.
  • Group items that should move and reorder together.
  • Lock settled layers so they cannot be dragged accidentally.

Zoom and fit controls only change your view. They do not change the piece or its exported dimensions.

4. Preview real rows​

Assign a dataset, then bind layer fields to columns. Use the row picker to check several pieces without duplicating the layout.

Always preview:

  1. The shortest and longest text.
  2. Portrait and landscape artwork.
  3. Empty optional values.
  4. Every selected enum value that creates a generated variant.
  5. Both the face and back.

The 3D view helps check orientation and presentation. Use the flat canvas, the Designer's QA tab, and Export QA for print decisions.

The Designer also works on tablets and phones, and without a mouse. See touch screens and the keyboard.

When another person is reviewing the layout, place Designer comments on the relevant layer, canvas position, row, or whole design instead of moving feedback into a separate chat.

Next: Add images, icons, and library assets, organise layers and groups, or review designs with comments.