How to use the new BioRender canvas How to use the new BioRender canvas

How to use the new BioRender canvas

We’re excited to share the new BioRender canvas-built to make scientific figure creation faster, simpler, and more intuitive. The new canvas features a refreshed layout, smarter search powered by AI, and streamlined editing tools that help you move from idea to finished figure.

To learn how to opt in and start using the new canvas, please refer to this article.

Whether you're starting from a blank canvas or customizing a ready-made template, everything’s been rethought to save you time and help you stay focused on your science.

Explore the key updates below, and check out the related articles at the end for guides on using specific features.

Video guide: Explore the new canvas

New features at a glance

1. AI Features

BioRender AI is built directly into the new canvas to help you create and edit figures more efficiently. 

Use AI to edit images with tools such as Apply BioRender Style, Remove Background, Apply 3D Style, Remove Text, Adjust Colors, Custom Edit and Add or Remove Elements.

You can also draft a figure from a prompt including protocols, timelines, and flowcharts.

AI tools are accessible from the AI panel in the left toolbar and use credits, which are displayed within the panel.

2. ELISA Smart Templates

Search for “ELISA” in the Gallery to find Smart Templates designed for common ELISA workflows. Before adding one to your canvas, select your ELISA type, detection method, and preferred view.

A formatted workflow is generated based on your selections. Once placed, the template remains interactive and automatically adjusts layout and step numbering as you edit. More information can be found in this article: How to use ELISA Smart Templates

3. Hyperlinks

Add hyperlinks directly to your illustrations in the new canvas. This allows you to connect your figures to external content, reference publications, or link to other BioRender files.

Simply select text and use the link icon in the floating context menu to add a URL, or paste a link directly onto the canvas to automatically create a linked text object. More information can be found here: How to add Hyperlinks to your illustration

4. Tables

Create and customize tables directly in the new BioRender canvas to clearly present complex data in your figures. Add a table from the left toolbar, choose your rows and columns, and customize styles, colors, fonts, and alignment from the top toolbar. Check out this article for more information on how to create a table: How to create and customize a table in BioRender

5. Personalized template recommendations

When you create a new illustration, the editor now suggests relevant templates based on your field of research. This allows you to start with a pre-made template that closely matches your research needs. For more information see How to use personalized icon & template recommendations.

6. Smart search

The new search bar supports natural language processing (NLP), allowing you to quickly search for multiple items at once. For example, typing "glycine, proline, serine" will return results for all three in a single search. See how you can use AI powered Smart Search by checking out this article: How to use AI powered Smart Search

7. Narrative View

Narrative View provides a visual way to review and refine the flow of your presentation. This view allows you to toggle between the standard slides panel and a narrative layout, where you can zoom in or out to see the bigger picture of your project.

Narrative View can be accessed from the bottom right corner of the editor, next to the View menu. For a more in depth look, see this article: How to use Narrative View

8. Context bar for quick actions

A Quick Edit menu provides easy access to relevant actions like:

  • Color adjustments via presets
  • Layer reordering
  • Flip and crop tools

If you need more advanced options, an Edit Panel is available at the click of a button.

9. Multi-selection and alignment

Selecting multiple items is now simpler than ever with 'Shift + Click'. Once multiple elements are selected, the context bar updates dynamically to display alignment and arrangement options, making it easier to organize your illustration neatly.

10. Unified sharing

The 'Share menu' now consolidates collaboration options in one place.

You can:

  • Invite collaborators via email
  • Generate and copy shareable links
  • Copy your figure directly to Microsoft PowerPoint

11. Clean canvas editing

Canvas features have been repositioned to the bottom of the screen to create a cleaner, more streamlined workspace. Slide controls are now located in the bottom toolbar, alongside options to adjust canvas size, change canvas color, and enable tools such as gridlines and the ruler. 

Need help?

  1. Email: support@biorender.com
  2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.

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