StoryLine’s image editor allows you to crop images, set a focal point, and fit a complete image within different aspect ratios. You can preview each version before saving your changes.

Open the image editor

You can access the image editor in two ways:

• From the Media page, select the image thumbnail.
• From the Media tab within a story, select the image thumbnail.

Preview image formats

The image editor displays previews for StoryLine’s supported aspect ratios.  The Help button in the editing tools section links to this help article that details where the various aspect ratios are used on our sites and apps. 

Select a preview to review or adjust that version of the image.

The aspect ratios are linked by default, so edits are applied across the linked previews. Select the link icon next to a preview to unlink it and adjust that aspect ratio independently. Select the icon again to relink it.

Review all four previews before saving your changes.

Use Crop to control which portion of the image appears within each aspect ratio.

1. Select Crop.
2. Select the preview you want to adjust.
3. Move or resize the image until the appropriate portion is visible.
4. Review the other previews and make any additional adjustments.

If the previews are linked, the crop will be applied across the linked aspect ratios. Unlink a preview when you need to adjust it independently.

Use Focal Point to identify the most important person or object in an image. StoryLine uses this point as a guide when creating the different image formats, helping keep the subject visible across placements.

1. Select Focal Point.
2. Select the most important person or object in the image.
3. Review each preview to confirm the subject remains visible.
4. Adjust individual previews if needed.

When you set a focal point and then select Crop, StoryLine initially frames the crop around the focal point. You can fine-tune the crop from there.

Use Fit when you want to display the complete image instead of cropping part of it. This is especially useful for vertical images displayed in wider formats.

When the image does not fill the selected aspect ratio, StoryLine can fill the unused space with one of two treatments:

• Blur Background - Uses a blurred version of the image as the background.
• Solid Background - Adds an automatically selected solid color behind the image.

To fit an image:

1. Select Fit.
2. Choose Blur Background or Solid Background.
3. Review the image in each preview.
4. Adjust individual previews if needed.

Use the panel on the right to update the image’s:

• Title
• Caption
• Alt Text

Alt text should briefly describe the meaningful content of the image for users who rely on screen readers. Replace the original filename with a useful description when needed.

Use the controls beneath the image to:

• Undo the most recent change
• Redo a change
• Zoom in or out while editing

Undo and Redo are available only during the current editing session. The complete original image remains available if you reopen the editor later and need to change the crop, focal point, or background treatment.

Before selecting Save Changes, review:

• All four image previews
• Linked and unlinked aspect ratios
• Focal-point placement
• Crop positioning
• Fit and background treatments
• Title, caption, and alt text

Select Save Changes when you are satisfied with each preview.

Note: If the image is already used in a published story, republish the story for the updated image edit to appear.