秩序ZHIXU
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From the first node to a complete story world.

Zhixu DocumentationZHIXU GUIDE

can search all operations and chapters on this page

01

GETTING STARTED

Quick start

Start with a small story: create a project, add events, connect them to show how the story progresses, and add its locations to a map.

  1. 1

    Enter the workspace

    Start Zhixu and enter the main workspace shared by story and map editing.

  2. 2

    Create or open a project

    For new projects use "File → New Data". When continuing an existing project, use "File → Open Project Folder..." or select a previously opened project from "Recent Projects".

  3. 3

    Create the first event

    Click "Story List" to switch to the story scene, and then click "+ New → Event". Change the name to "Clues Found", fill in what happened, and press Enter or click "Save" in the properties panel to confirm.

  4. 4

    Submit properties and save the project

    Press Ctrl S to choose a project folder. Once a save location is set, confirmed changes are saved automatically. You can also press Ctrl S to save manually. Until the first save, your work has not been written to disk.

Single click is different from double click

Click a component row to select it. By default, double-click its name to rename it, or its icon or empty row space to focus on it. You can also press F2 to rename, Enter to confirm and Esc to cancel.

02

WORKSPACE

Get to know the workspace

Zhixu's main workspace consists of four adjustable panels. Story scenes and map scenes are usually combined in tabs. Which scene is activated will also determine which group of objects is displayed in the "New" menu.

Actual workspace: component hierarchy on the left, story scene in the center and properties on the right
Screenshot of the Chinese interface: find components on the left, inspect their structure in the center and edit the selection on the right. Click the image to view it at full size.

Activate scene

Click the "Story Scene" or "Map Scene" label to switch the work object. The new menu will switch to the story component or map component with the currently active scene.

Switch lists and scenes

"Story List/Map List" on the lower left will switch the list and the corresponding scene at the same time, and "+ New" will switch the component type; you can also directly click on the central scene label.

Move and combine panels

Drag the panel title to change the docking position, side by side, form tabs or float. The window menu redisplays individual panels.

Restore default layout

If the panel position no longer suits the current work, restore the default arrangement from "Window → Reset Workspace Layout". The application records the workspace layout and visibility state.

03

PROJECT & HISTORY

Project, file and edit history

Each project uses a project folder. The File menu provides New Data, Save Project, Open Project Folder, Recent Projects, and Save Project As.

commandPurposeWill it change the current project location?
Save ProjectSave to the current project folder; choose a folder when saving for the first time.The first save will establish the current location.
Open the project folderOpen the standard project directory, project.json needs to exist in the directory.will switch to the selected item.
Save Project As…Save the current project to a new folder.will switch to the new directory.
New dataClear the current workspace and create a new project.Waiting for the first save to determine the location.
Recent projectsOpen a previously used project folder.will switch to the selected item.

Automatically restore recent projects

The same account can restore its last opened project; a new account starts with an empty workspace. Project content is stored in the project folder you choose.

Undo and redo range

Common components, wires, maps, and views are edited into the project history. Toolbar buttons, Ctrl Z, Ctrl Y, and in-scene Ctrl Shift Z share the same history.

Keep the complete project

Keep the entire project folder when backing up or moving a project.

Switching and closing protection

When prompted about unsaved changes, choose Save and Continue or Cancel. Choosing Do Not Save discards unsaved content. If saving fails, keep the window open, check the location and permissions, then retry.

04

HIERARCHY PANEL

Hierarchy Panel

The hierarchical panel on the left side of the main interface centrally manages project objects. It first divides the modes according to "story list/map list", and then presents the corresponding components in each mode; search, selection, parent-child organization, sorting, show hiding and batch operations are all completed here.

Panel operation

Select mode first, then manage levels

First enter the scene you want to edit

Click Story List or Map List to switch the list, active scene and available component types. Create a world before adding map regions.

OperationresultsSupplementary instructions
Search boxFilter components by type, name, details, and map-specific fields.Clearing the search will relocate the currently selected item.
Click componentSelect and display the content in the property panel on the right.will not change the scene camera.
Double-click the icon or empty space in the rowLocate the corresponding object.The default is to double-click the name to rename it; "Window → Workspace Preferences" can adjust this behavior.
Click the arrow at the beginning of the lineExpand or collapse sub-objects.only changes the level display.
Click the eye on the right side of the rowShow or hide components.When the parent component is hidden, the descendants will be temporarily invisible, but the status of the descendants will not be overwritten.
Drag to the middle of the target rowis set as a child object of the target component.Multiple subtrees can be moved in batches after multiple selections.
Drag to/below the target lineAdjust the order before and after in the same level.Target highlighting will prompt the placement location.
Drag to a blank space in the listMoves out of the current parent level and places it at the root level.You can also use the right button to "move out of the current parent object".

Right-click a single component

You can create new components of the same level, create new child objects, select parent objects, move out of the current parent object, and delete components; you can also create new ones directly by right-clicking on blank spaces in the list.

Right-click multiple selected components

Can be displayed, hidden, copied and deleted in batches. Copying preserves parent-child relationships and event wiring within the selected subtree.

Story List

Story Mode Component

Story mode's "+ New" provides events, empty components, inspirations and entries; the coordinate axis is the basic component for automatic project maintenance and will not appear repeatedly in the ordinary new menu.

Story Component5 COMPONENT TYPES
AXIS

Axis

built-in

defines the semantic names of the three axes X, Y, and Z of the story space. It is not created as an event ball, one instance per item is automatically maintained by the program.

  • Three-axis naming
  • The only project
  • Automatic maintenance
Display three axes · Edit from the Properties panel
EVENT

event

3D

is the only ordinary entity node in the three-dimensional scene of the story. It can record the name, details, coordinates, color and size, and establish relationships with other events.

  • Spatial coordinates
  • Color and size
  • Relationship connection
Enter the story scene · Can participate in the father-son level
GROUP

Group

Level

is used to create groups such as chapters, character lines or stages. It does not enter the three-dimensional scene of the story and is suitable for carrying events, inspirations, entries or other empty components.

  • Chapter grouping
  • Bearing subcomponent
  • Visibility inheritance
Three-dimensional solids are not generated · Managed in the hierarchy and attribute panels
NOTE

Inspiration

Information

records a title and multiple content cards; cards can be added, edited and deleted, and use their own automatic saving process.

  • Independent title
  • Content card
  • Automatically save
is not used as the main three-dimensional node
ENTRY

Entry

Information

Collects multiple names, introductions and settings around a theme. Entry rows can be expanded, edited, deleted and sorted by dragging.

  • Multiple records
  • ExpandEdit
  • Drag and sort
Suitable for people, places, organizations, terms and world rules
Map list

Map mode component

The "+ New" map mode provides the world and eight map areas. Map objects are usually placed below the current or first visible world, but the hierarchy itself allows free composition, and the system only prevents loops caused by moving components into itself or its descendants.

Map component9 COMPONENT TYPES
WORLD

world

Sphere

Creates a world sphere, which is the recommended root node of the map area; records the name, world settings, position, background color, size and display status.

  • World settings
  • Background color and size
  • Recommended root node
Enter the map scene · Can create new one through map mode
LAND

land

area

is used for continents, islands, plains or peninsulas, and can record landforms, climate, resources and major forces.

  • Landform
  • Climate
  • Resources and Power
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
WATER

waters

area

is used for inland seas, outer seas, lakes or estuaries, and can record routes, resources and disasters.

  • Route
  • Resources
  • Disaster
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
MOUNTAIN

high mountain

area

Used for mountains, peaks, and canyons to record hazards, resources, and controllers.

  • Danger
  • Resources
  • Controller
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
FOREST

forest

area

is used in ancient forests, rainforests and wilderness to record ecology, residents, resources and dangers.

  • Ecology
  • Resident
  • Resources and Dangers
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
FORBIDDEN

Forbidden Land

Special

is used in restricted areas, ruins and dangerous areas to record threats, taboos, seals and inducements.

  • Threat
  • seal
  • Taboos and incentives
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
CITY

city

settlement

is used for capitals, ports, strongholds or settlements, and can record population, affiliated forces, functions and status.

  • Population
  • Affiliated forces
  • Function and status
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
COUNTRY

Country

Politics

is used for territories and political entities, and can record the capital, political system, strength and core conflicts.

  • Capital
  • Government
  • Strength and Contradiction
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
FACTION

Power

Organization

is used for alliances, guilds, orders, chambers of commerce or tribes to record leaders, goals and scope of influence.

  • Leader
  • Goal
  • Scope of influence
Enter the map scene · Support outline editing
Recommended structure, not mandatory rules

The common organization method is "World → Natural Area/Country/Power → City", but the program does not force cities to belong to countries, nor does it limit that only empty components can be used as parent objects.

05

INSPECTOR PANEL

Inspector Panel

The property panel on the right switches content based on the currently selected component or relationship. After modifying ordinary fields, press Enter or click "Save" to submit; inspiration cards and entries use their own editing and automatic saving processes.

Story and General

Different components display different editing areas

Common component properties

Events, worlds and map regions have fields for their name, details and appearance. Empty components organize named groups. The available fields depend on the selected component type.

Events and Relationships

The event additionally displays related event management; after selecting the relationship line, the panel switches to editing the color and width of the relationship.

Axis

Rename the X, Y and Z axes and adjust tick visibility, spacing, number abbreviations and label distance. The story scene and 2D projections update together.

Group

mainly edits group names, descriptions and hierarchical visibility; it has no story three-dimensional entity and no event relationship area.

Inspiration component

Edit the title and use "+" to add content cards; each card can be edited or deleted, and will be automatically saved after the operation is completed.

Entry component

Edit topic titles and multiple entries; you can expand the text, edit or delete items one by one, and drag and sort in the non-editing state.

The reading and editing area in the entry focus view
Click Focus to expand an entry. Choose side-by-side reading and editing, full-page reading or note editing. Click the image to view it at full size.
Map attributes

World and map areas

The world uses basic fields such as name, settings, position, background color, and size; the eight map areas also share transparency, smoothing/cornering, number of control points, rotation, range, and regenerate outlines.

typeExclusive record fieldMain purpose
worldName, world settings, location, background color, sizeMap sphere and regional vector
high mountainLandform, danger, resources, controllerMountains, peaks, canyons
landLandform, climate, resources, powerContinent, island, plain
watersWater types, routes, resources, disastersocean, lake, estuary
forestEcology, residents, resources, dangerAncient forest, rain forest, wilderness
cityPopulation, power, functions, statusCapital, port, stronghold
CountryCapital, political system, strength, contradictionTerritories and political entities
Forbidden LandThreat, taboo, seal, inducementRestricted areas, ruins, dangerous areas
PowerType, leader, goal, influenceAlliance, Guild, Order
Common controls

Color picker

Click the color field to use HEX input, quick color, custom color, recently used color, random color and screen eyedropper. Press Enter or leave the input box to apply the HEX input; press Esc to cancel with the screen dropper. Number boxes, sliders, and drop-down boxes will not accidentally change their values ​​as the page scrolls.

06

SCENE WORKSPACE

Common scene operations

Story scenes and map scenes share basic observation methods and editing history; mode-specific nodes, relationships, map areas, and label settings are placed in the following two chapters respectively.

OperationApplicable arearesults
Left click dragStory/Map 3D SceneRotate the viewing angle.
Right click and dragStory/Map 3D ScenePan the perspective; the scene will not pop up the browser right-click menu.
Middle button drag/wheel3D or 2D sceneZoom view.
Single finger dragTouch screen3D state rotation, story 2D projection state translation.
Two-finger gestureTouch screenZoom and pan.

Undo and redo

Both the story and map toolbars provide undo and redo buttons, which have the same function as Ctrl Z and Ctrl Y.

Interface style

Switch between light, dark and other appearances in the "Interface Style" in the settings, and the scene and workspace will be updated simultaneously.

Toolbar visibility

Toggle scene toolbar from Window → Toolbars; state is saved and restored on next launch.

07

STORY SCENE

Story Scene

The story scene only renders events as ordinary three-dimensional nodes; the coordinate axis provides spatial semantics, and empty components, inspirations and entries are still managed by the hierarchy panel and attribute panel.

OperationresultsStatus description
Hover eventHighlight the node and display the name, type and detailed prompts.does not change the current selection.
Left click eventSelect the node and synchronize the hierarchy panel and attribute panel.will not move the camera.
Left-click double-click eventEnter or exit the moving state and display the colored axis handle; you can also select and click "Move" on the toolbar.Only works in Story 3D; only selected in 2D projection.
Drag the transformation axisMoves selected events along the axis; relative position is maintained when multiple selections are made, and child components move with the parent component.Write the history and save it after letting go.
Left-click the relationship lineSelect the relationship and open the independent style in the properties panel.Hovering a relationship line will also highlight events at both ends.
Double left click on the blank spaceClear the current selection, movement or connection status.The two click positions need to be close.
Movement handles for a selected event
After selecting the event, click "Move" and drag the axis handle to adjust the coordinates. Click on the image to view the original image.
Event capability

Relationship connection

The relationship only connects events. It can be quickly created from the scene or precisely managed in the property panel; the scene is quickly connected using "right-click and double-click".

  1. 1
    Select the starting point of the connection

    Select an event and click Connect on the toolbar, or double-click the node with the right mouse button.

  2. 2
    Add or cancel target

    Quickly right-click again on another event to add or cancel the relationship between the two.

  3. 3
    Continuous connection

    The starting point remains unchanged, and you can continue to right-click and double-click on other events to quickly establish multiple relationships.

  4. 4
    Exit the connection state

    To exit, click Connect again, double-click the starting event with the right mouse button, or click an event with the left mouse button. Double-clicking empty space also clears the selection.

Created from the properties panel

Select the target in the related event area and add a relationship; existing relationships can be expanded, modified or canceled independently, and double-clicking the list item can jump to focus.

Edit each relationship

After clicking the relationship line, the property panel will display the color and width of the relationship; the global line style is only used as the default value for the new relationship.

Organize the structure

Move and arrange multiple events

Use Ctrl / Command or Shift in the hierarchy panel to select multiple events, then use Move to reposition them together. Events under the same parent can be aligned or distributed along X, Y or Z with Arrange. Distribution requires at least three events and keeps the first and last positions in list order. Each operation changes only the chosen axis and can be undone in one step.

Check what each axis represents

If the Y axis represents time, distributing events along Y changes the intervals between them. Check what your coordinates mean before arranging events.

Story Tool

Display, highlighting and viewing angle

Coordinate auxiliary line

"⌖" displays the coordinate box, projection line and coordinate label of the current event; if the toolbar is hidden, it can be redisplayed from "Window → Toolbar".

Story Tags

You can choose to show all, filter by one or more colors, hide all, and adjust label scaling and base pixel size.

Association Highlighting

"First-level correlation" highlights directly connected events; "Full correlation" displays the complete network that can be connected from the current event.

View cube

Click a face to enter the corresponding 2D projection, click "3D" to return; dragging the small cube is only used to turn out other optional faces.

Story View

Two-dimensional and independent views

The "2D View" in the story scene toolbar provides two independent viewing options: a lightweight two-dimensional floating window and a three-dimensional floating window that retains the complete effect.

2D

Lightweight 2D floating window

supports six projections: XY, YX, XZ, ZX, YZ, and ZY. Left-click or right-click to drag and pan, and the scroll wheel to zoom; click the event to highlight, and double-click the blank space to clear the selection.

Suitable for low load viewing of structure and coordinate distribution
3D

Complete 3D floating window

retains the complete three-dimensional scene effect and main scene observation method, which is suitable for continuous viewing in an independent window, but will occupy more graphics resources.

Suitable for working with multiple windows or multiple monitors
Two-dimensional projection restrictions

Two-dimensional projection only supports selection, translation and scaling, and the three-dimensional transformation axis cannot be called up through a double-click event; please click "3D" to return to the three-dimensional state and then move the node.

08

MAP SCENE

Map Scene

First create the world and map area, then organize, move and edit the outline on the world sphere; when you need to show the world changing over time, use the animation timeline and component keyframes at the bottom of the scene.

Map scene, area attributes and animation timeline
Map regions belong to a world. Edit a region in the panel on the right and record its changes in the timeline below. Click the image to view it at full size.
Regional Editor

Move and modify contours

  1. 1
    Create and select

    Activate the map scene and select a world or map area from "+ New"; click the area to select.

  2. 2
    Enter mobile mode

    Double-click the area, or click "Move" on the toolbar after selecting it to display the colored axis handles.

  3. 3
    Move along the sphere

    Drag a colored axis handle to move the region. Child map objects move with it. Release the mouse button to confirm the change.

  4. 4
    Exit mobile mode

    Double-click the area again, or press Esc.

  5. 5
    Enter contour editing

    After selecting the area, click "Control Points" to display the editable outline; you can also hold down Ctrl/Command for temporary operation.

  6. 6
    Adjust outline

    Drag control points to modify the shape, release the mouse to commit the outline; keep Ctrl/Command pressed while using modifier keys.

  7. 7
    Add and delete control points

    Choose Add Control Point and double-click the outline to add a point, or Delete Control Point and double-click a point to remove it. Ctrl / Command plus double-click also works. A region can have 4 to 64 points.

  8. 8
    Precise adjustment

    Set smoothing/beveling, number of control points, rotation, range, transparency or regenerate the outline in the properties panel.

Do not mix the two states.

Drag axis handles to move a region, or control points to reshape it. Turn off the tool when finished. Temporary editing ends when you release Ctrl / Command.

Outline control points for map areas
After turning on "Control Points", drag points on the outline to adjust the shape. Click on the image to view the original image.
Map Tools

Tags and information density

Map label range

You can choose to show all, filter by one or more colors, or hide all; this setting only affects map labels.

Label size

supports fixed screen size, scaling with sphere and fixed base scaling, and can set the base pixel size.

World evolution

Animation timeline and key frames

The map animation editor saves the state of the world and regions at different times in the same project. The playhead determines the current observation and editing time, and key frames only record the changed component fields.

View time

Drag the playhead or click the scale to switch times; use Play, Pause, Previous Frame, and Next Frame to see the evolution. Left-click and drag the blank space of the track to pan, and use Ctrl and the scroll wheel to zoom in and out.

Record changes

First select the map component on the left, and then move the playhead to the target time. Clicking "Add Selected Component Keyframe" or modifying the component at that time will record the changes to the current frame; you can continue to rename or delete the selected keyframe.

Appear and disappear

Creating or deleting a map component at a non-start time will determine its appearance or disappearance time on the timeline; when switching outside the range, the component will not be displayed.

View intra-frame changes

After selecting an animation frame, the change list on the left will display the components involved in the frame and support positioning; when selecting a hierarchical component, the timeline will highlight the frame containing its changes.

Map exclusive

The animation timeline currently only works on the map component and does not change events, relationships, or narrative coordinates in the story scene.

09

CREATIVE TOOLS

Creation Tools

Open Name Workshop, Inspiration Workshop, Contextual Vocabulary, Fun Typing, Free Canvas or Performance Monitor from Tools. Choose the tool that suits your work; see its Rules and Help for participation details.

name

Name Workshop

Open “Tools → Name Workshop”, choose a name type, style, quantity, and word set, then generate candidate names. Click a name to copy it, or copy all results at once.

is suitable for names of people, places, forces, weapons and techniques.
✦

Inspiration system

Open Tools → Inspiration Workshop to browse the inspiration pool, save unlocked content, publish your own inspiration, and rate it Great / Average / Poor.

View, publish, rate, and review in one window

Contextual Vocabulary

Find and copy words by context. You can also contribute words or categories and suggest revisions.

Fun Typing

Choose exercises, competitions or classic studies to accumulate expression materials in reading and input.

Free Canvas

Draw sketches, relationships or ideas freely; the canvas is saved locally with the current project.

Performance Monitor

Inspect runtime status and scene load to help identify what to adjust when performance slows down.

Inspiration pool and unlocked

The inspiration pool first displays the public summary; after unlocking, you can view the core content and extension direction. Post-release user reviews and pre-release community reviews are recorded separately and will not replace each other.

Publish and modify

"My Releases" displays community review, manual review, published, returned, withdrawn and removed status. Rejected content can be modified and resubmitted according to the reason tag and description.

Evaluation and reasons

Pre-publication reviews use Approve / Return; ratings after unlocking use Great / Average / Poor. If you choose Return or Poor, explain the reason as requested on the page.

Review center

Reviewers can switch between profile, review tasks, and review history, and see completed counts and a reference agreement rate. Community reviews and post-publication ratings remain separate.

10

CONTROLS REFERENCE

Shortcut keys and gestures

This reference lists common keyboard and mouse actions, where they work, what to select first and how to finish. Focus the relevant hierarchy panel, scene or input field before using an action.

01
KEYBOARD

Keyboard and input

These keys only take effect when the area listed in the table has focus. The input box may give priority to text; when you need to operate an item, please click the main window, scene or hierarchy panel first.

buttonAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Ctrl SMain windowSave the current project, including edits in property fields; choose a project folder when saving for the first time.
Ctrl ZMain window, story or map main sceneUndo the latest project edit; the undo record is required to be available.
Ctrl YMain window, story or map main sceneRedo the latest undo; redo records are required to be available.
Ctrl Shift ZThe story or map main scene gets focusAnother way to redo within a scene; use Ctrl Y after leaving the scene.
Ctrl VThe left hierarchy panel gets focusClone the currently selected component; when selecting multiple components, copy all selected subtrees and their internal relationships. It is not a system clipboard paste and does not require pressing Ctrl C first.
F2 / Enter / EscCurrent component in hierarchy panelF2 starts renaming, Enter confirms, Esc cancels.
DeleteThe left hierarchy panel gets focusDelete selected components; delete in batches when multiple selections are made. Sub-objects and associated wires are included in the validation scope.
EnterCommon attribute fields on the rightConfirms the current input and saves the entire current component; names, details, coordinates, dimensions, map fields, terms, and line widths are all applicable.
Shift EnterMulti-line text field on the rightinserts a newline and does not submit the component; single-line fields will still confirm input.
EscMap area movement modeExit the movement state of the current area; you can also exit by selecting other areas or double-clicking the current area again.
EscFull-screen straw color layerCancel this screen color selection and return to the color selector.
02
HIERARCHY PANEL

Hierarchy panel: selection, scrolling and drag-and-drop

When switching the story list or map list, the corresponding scene will be activated simultaneously, and the new menu will also switch accordingly.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Left clickAny component rowSelect the component, refresh the properties and synchronize the scene highlighting; the scene camera will not be moved.
Double left clickComponent icon or empty row spaceSelect and focus the object; double-click the name to enter the rename by default, which can be adjusted in the workspace preferences.
Ctrl + left clickComponent row bodyAdds or cancels a single component selection; retains at least one current item.
Shift + left clickAny visible component rowA continuous range selection from the selection anchor to the target row; only the currently visible rows are included.
Ctrl + left dragComponent row or list is blankFrame selection and append to the original selection, without replacing the already selected components.
Shift + left dragstarts from the component lineThe pressed row and the current row form a continuous selection range, release to complete.
Drag horizontally leftWithin the list; lateral movement exceeds the thresholdYou can enter frame selection without modifier keys; normal frame selection will replace the original selection.
Drag left verticallyThe list is blank or not the current lineScroll up and down like a touch list, with inertia when released; automatically stop when reaching the boundary.
RollerLevel listContinuously scroll the list by pixels.
Click the collapse arrowThe left side of the component row with child objectsExpand or collapse sub-levels; click again to perform the opposite operation.
Click the show/hide iconRight side of component rowShow or hide components; hiding the parent object will affect the actual visibility of the child object.
Left drag componentSingle component rowDrag to the middle of the target and set it as a sub-object; drag to the upper and lower areas of the target to adjust the order of the same layer; drag to the blank space and move it to the root level. Illegal parent-child loops are rejected.
Drag left to select multiple optionsMultiple selections have been made, starting from any selected lineThe entire group moves in visual order, with parent and child consistent with sorting rules and single dragging.
Drag to top/bottom edgeDragging components or box selectionAutomatically scrolls the list; stops when leaving the edge or releasing the mouse.
Right clickSingle componentOpens the new sibling, create child object, set as parent object, remove parent object and delete menus.
Right clickAny component of multiple selectionsOpens the batch show, hide, copy and delete menus.
Click the list label"Story List/Map List"Switch the list and activate its scene. The New menu shows the component types available in that scene.
03
STORY SCENE

Story scene: observation, selection, movement and connection

The main story scene uses different left-click dragging logic in 3D and 2D projections; right-click dragging is always used for panning, and quick and consecutive right-clicking on nodes is used for relationship connections.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Left click dragStory 3D Empty SceneRotate the viewing angle.
Left click dragTwo-dimensional projection of the main scene of the storyTranslates the two-dimensional image without rotating the perspective.
Right click and dragStory 3D or 2D projectionPan the perspective; the scene will not pop up the browser right-click menu.
Middle button drag/wheelStory 3D or 2D projectionZoom screen.
MouseoverEvent node or relationship connectionHighlight the target; the node will display a floating layer.
Left click on the nodeThe main scene of the storySelect the node and synchronize the hierarchy panel and attribute panel.
Left click to connectThe main scene of the storySelect the relationship and open the corresponding connection editing item in the properties panel.
Quickly double-click on the blank spaceNear the same blank spaceClear node, connection, movement or connection status.
Double-click the node with the left buttonStory 3DEnters or exits the node movement state and displays the three-dimensional transformation axis; in two-dimensional projection, only the selection will be made and the transformation axis will not be displayed.
Drag the transformation axis lefthas entered the story 3D node movement stateMove the selected events together along an axis, preserving their relative positions. Children move with their parents. Release the mouse button to confirm.
Right-click the same node in quick successionStory ModeSet the node as the starting point of the relationship; you can exit by operating the same starting point again.
Quickly right-click the target nodeThe starting point of the relationship has been setAdd the relationship between the starting point and the target; cancel if there is already a relationship. The starting point will be retained, allowing you to connect to multiple targets in succession.
Click on the view cube faceUpper right corner of the sceneSwitch between XY, YX, XZ, ZX, YZ or ZY 2D projection.
Click 3DUpper right corner of the sceneReturns the three-dimensional perspective view.
Drag the view cubeUpper right corner of the sceneOnly rotates the small cube preview to facilitate selection of the projection surface; the main scene will not be rotated directly.
04
MAP SCENE

Map scene: sphere navigation, area movement and contour refinement

Map regions lie on the surface of a world. Select a region and use Move to reposition it or Control Points to edit its outline. Hold Ctrl / Command for temporary outline editing.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Left-click and drag the empty sceneMap view normal stateRotates the world sphere.
Right click and dragMap viewPan the camera; map mode does not establish story relationships.
Middle button drag/wheelMap viewZoom the world.
MouseoverMap spherical areaDisplays names, settings, and summary of map fields.
Left click areaMap spherical areaSelect an area; changing to another area will exit the movement mode of the original area.
Double-click the area with the left buttonSelected or unselected areaSelect and enter move mode; double-click the same area again or press Esc to exit.
Drag the colored axis handle with the left mouse buttonhas entered regional movement modeDrag an axis handle to reposition the region. Children move with their parents. Release the mouse button to confirm.
Hold down CtrlThe spherical area has been selectedDisplay the contour control points and enter the refinement state; release Ctrl to exit. World components are not applicable.
Ctrl + left drag control pointContour finishing statusChange the outline in real time; release the mouse and redraw and save.
Ctrl + double-click the control pointContour finishing statusDelete control points; keep at least 4 points for a contour.
Ctrl + double-click the outline edgeContour refinement status, close to the edgeInsert control points in this segment; a maximum of 64 points for a contour.
Ctrl + click/drag blankContour finishing statusDo not select, move, or rotate the scene to avoid misoperation during refinement; release Ctrl to resume normal operations.
Double-click the world sphere with the left buttonhits the "world" instead of an areaDisplays the three-dimensional transformation axis, which can move the entire world and its sub-map objects; release the transformation axis and save.
Click/drag tickMap animation timelineMove the playhead and preview the map state at that time; release to save the current time to the project.
Left-click and drag the track blankMap animation timelinePan the timeline horizontally; dragging the middle key can also pan, and the operation will not change the playhead.
Ctrl + scroll wheelMap animation timelineZooms in and out of the time scale centered on the mouse position; the normal scroll wheel continues to scroll the page.
Click the keyframeMap animation timelineSelect the frame and display the component that changes within the frame; you can rename or delete the keyframe of the current component by selecting it.
Click Play/PauseMap animation timelinePreviews the animation continuously from the current playhead; stops when the end of the range is reached.
05
AUXILIARY VIEWS

Two-dimensional projection and independent view window

Auxiliary windows are used to view the structure from different directions. The selection of the lightweight 2D window only takes effect within this window; the full 3D floating window is currently only used for viewing and navigation, and will not write position or connection edits back to the project.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Left click on the nodeLightweight two-dimensional floating windowSelect nodes within this window; will not sync back to the main hierarchy panel.
Left click/right click to drag the canvasLightweight two-dimensional floating windowPans the two-dimensional screen; when the node is pressed with the left button, it will be selected in the window first.
RollerLightweight two-dimensional floating windowZooms in and out based on the mouse position.
Double-click the blankLightweight two-dimensional floating windowClear the selections in this window.
Click the projection directionLightweight two-dimensional floating windowSwitch between XY, YX, XZ, ZX, YZ, or ZY projection and try to keep the current view center.
Click 3DLightweight two-dimensional floating windowOpen another complete three-dimensional floating window.
Left/right drag canvasThe two-dimensional small window in the main scenePan the screen; middle-click drag or wheel for zooming.
Click/drag the small cubeThe two-dimensional small window in the main sceneClick a face to switch projections; dragging only rotates the cube preview.
Click ×The two-dimensional small window in the main sceneClose this small window.
Left-click and drag the title areaLightweight 2D, embedded 2D or complete 3D windowMove the window or small window position.
Drag the size handle in the lower right cornerLightweight 2D, embedded 2D or complete 3D windowAdjust the window size; the minimum embedded two-dimensional window is 220 × 160.
Scene navigation gesturesComplete three-dimensional floating windowCan rotate, translate, zoom, select, and switch projections; it is for viewing only, and no movement or relationship changes are written back to the main project.
06
INSPECTOR & COLOR

Attribute cards, connections and colors

Dragging in the property panel will usually be previewed in real time, and will be written to history and saved when released; placing the scroll wheel on the slider or number box will not accidentally change the value.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Click the entry cardThe entry card is in non-editing statusExpand or collapse the entry content.
Drag the entry card to the leftThe entry card is in non-editing statusReorder; automatically scroll when close to the edge of the attribute scroll area, and save after releasing.
Click Edit/DeleteEntry card or inspiration cardEdit or delete the corresponding content; the inspiration card itself does not support drag sorting.
Click the entry title cardEntry title read-only statusOpen or close the floating details panel on the right.
Double-click related eventsAssociation list in event attributesJumps to and focuses on the corresponding component.
Click the connection color blockEstablished relationship cardOpens the color picker for this relationship.
Click the connection to expand the iconEstablished relationship cardExpand or collapse the connection style editing area.
Drag the attribute sliderSize, transparency, number of outline points, rotation angle or line widthPreview in real time while dragging, unify the submission history and save it after releasing.
Scroll wheel hover controlAttribute slider, number box or drop-down boxContinue to scroll the property page, and the current control value will not be accidentally changed due to the scroll wheel.
Click color previewComponent or wire color fieldOpens the official color picker.
Click the shortcut color blockProperty panel color areaAdopts this color immediately.
Click/left drag the 2D color paletteColor pickerSelect hue horizontally and light and dark vertically, and preview continuously while dragging.
Drag the HSV sliderColor pickerAdjust hue, saturation or lightness.
Click the preset color blockDefault, recent or custom colorsSelect the corresponding color.
Left-click the screen after drinking strawFull screen color picking stateRead the corresponding pixels of the current monitor and automatically return to the color window; press Esc to cancel.
Drag the color window left to blankColor picker title or blank areaMove borderless color window.
07
WORKSPACE

Workspace panel and tool window

The hierarchy, story, map and attribute panels in the main workspace all support docking and floating; layout changes will be saved after dragging.

Keyboard and mouse operationAction position/preconditionResults and Limitations
Drag the panel title barLevel, story, map or attribute panelRe-dock, change the label position or drag it out as a floating window; release the mouse and save the workspace layout.
Click the scene label"Story Scene/Map Scene" dock tagSwitches the current scene mode; this also determines what type of components are provided in the new menu.
Click the window menu itemMain menu "Window"Show or hide each panel, and reset the workspace layout.
Click on the name resultsName WorkshopCopies the name to the system clipboard.
Click on the inspiration entryInspiration systemSelect an item to view its summary or full content. Items that require unlocking show a confirmation first and never change the current project automatically.
Drag the top of the tool window leftName Workshop or Inspiration WorkshopMove the tool window; the name workshop can also drag the size handle in the lower right corner to adjust the size.
Drag left to make the dialog box blankBorderless confirmation, prompt or color windowMove the current dialog box.
Operation scope

Shortcut keys require the corresponding panel to have focus. The text input box will give priority to text operations; macOS’s common Ctrl combination uses Command.

11

SUPPORT

FAQ

Why doesn't Ctrl V copy components?

Ctrl V Clone the component only when the left hierarchy panel has focus. Click the list and select one or more components, then press Ctrl V. It is not a system clipboard paste and does not require pressing Ctrl C first.

Why does Delete not delete the current component?

Delete also only takes effect when the left hierarchy panel gets focus. Deletion will first display confirmation and include the selected component's sub-objects and related connections.

Why doesn’t the scene automatically fly after clicking the component?

A single click selects a component and shows its properties. To focus on it, double-click its icon or empty space in its row. By default, double-clicking its name starts renaming.

How to switch to the new menu of the map component?

Click "Map List" or "Map Scene" and then open "+ New". Create the world first and then add areas such as land, water, etc. to it.

How to move the map area along the world sphere?

Select the area, click "Move" or double-click the area, and then drag the colored axis handle. Release the mouse when finished; double-click the area again or press Esc to exit.

How to modify the map area outline?

Select a region, click Control Points and drag a point to reshape its outline. Choose Add Control Point or Delete Control Point, then double-click to add or remove a point. You can also hold Ctrl / Command for temporary editing.

How to quickly establish a relationship from the scene?

Quickly right-click and double-click on the story node to set it as the starting point, and then quickly right-click and double-click on the target node. A normal left-click will return to the selection state, so the target node must also be quickly double-clicked with the right button.

Why can't a node be moved by double-clicking it in a two-dimensional projection?

Two-dimensional projection only supports selection, translation and zoom. Please click "3D" next to the view cube to return to the three-dimensional scene, and then double-click the node to bring up the transformation axis.

What is the difference between inspirational review and community review?

Community review takes place before publication to decide whether content enters the inspiration pool. Great / Average / Poor ratings after unlocking reflect users' experience. These records are stored separately and do not overwrite each other.

Will the inspiration system automatically rewrite my story?

Viewing, unlocking, rating, and copying inspirations never changes a project automatically. Content enters the story only when you create or edit a component.