Single panels, side-by-side splits, and three-panel grids — when to use each and how to make them look great.
One page, many shapes
Every page in a FableHatch story has a layout — the arrangement of image/video panels on the canvas. There are seven layouts to choose from, and picking the right one is one of the most impactful creative decisions you'll make per page.
The seven layouts
| Layout | Panels | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 full-bleed | Hero shots, emotional beats, establishing scenes |
| Equal 2 | 2 side-by-side | Before/after, dialogue between two characters, parallel action |
| Left Heavy 2 | 1 large + 1 small (right) | Main subject + detail/reaction shot |
| Right Heavy 2 | 1 small (left) + 1 large | Detail/context + payoff reveal |
| Equal 3 | 3 equal columns | Montage, time passing, multiple angles |
| Left Heavy 3 | 1 large + 2 stacked (right) | Main scene + two supporting details |
| Right Heavy 3 | 2 stacked (left) + 1 large | Build-up details → reveal |
How to pick a layout
Open the layout picker in the left sidebar of the story editor. Click any layout thumbnail to apply it to the current page. You can change layouts after images are placed — the images reflow into the new arrangement.
Rule of thumb: fewer panels = more emotional weight. A single full-bleed image with one line of text can hit harder than three busy panels. Save multi-panel layouts for sequences, montages, and moments where you need to show multiple perspectives at once.
Repositioning images in panels
When a landscape image lands in a portrait panel (or vice versa), it gets cropped to fit. By default the crop is centered, which often misses the subject.
Fix: hover over any image panel in the editor and you'll see a "Drag to reposition" hint. Click and drag the image to slide the visible frame until your subject is where you want it. The focal point saves automatically and follows the image everywhere it renders — reader, cards, share previews.
Text overlays on panels
Each panel can have its own text overlay — a title and body. Click the text icon on the panel's floating toolbar to open the text editor. The text shows as a toggle pill in the upper-left of the panel; readers tap to open, tap again to close.
On multi-panel pages: each panel gets its own independent text. This lets you narrate across panels — caption the left panel with one thought, the right with another.
Mobile behavior
On mobile, multi-panel layouts flatten into a swipeable sequence. A 3-panel page becomes 3 full-screen swipes. This means every panel needs to work as a standalone visual — don't rely on the side-by-side context that only desktop readers see.
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