Common questions about StoryBoard Express — how it works, what it costs, and what happens to your files.
Is StoryBoard Express really free?
Yes. There is no subscription tier and no credit system. The app is supported by advertising and an optional "buy me a coffee" contribution — not by paywalling features.
Do I need to create an account?
No. Open the app and start working immediately — no sign-up, no login, no email required.
Is my video or images uploaded to a server?
No. Video analysis, cut detection, panel extraction, and rendering all happen locally in your browser. Your files never leave your device.
What video and image formats are supported?
If your browser can play the video, StoryBoard Express can analyse it and extract frames from it. Common image formats (JPG, PNG, and similar) are supported for import.
Can I use StoryBoard Express offline?
Yes. The app works as a Progressive Web App (PWA) — once it has loaded once, it continues to work without an internet connection.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, the app is responsive and adapts its layout for phones and tablets, with touch-friendly controls for scrubbing and adjusting values.
What is Storyboard Slice®?
A built-in tool that automatically detects and extracts individual panels from a storyboard image — a scanned sheet, a screenshot, or a digital export.
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What is an animatic, and can I make one here?
An animatic is a timed video sequence of storyboard panels, used to test pacing before production. StoryBoard Express generates one directly from your board — set shot durations, add fades, and export as MP4.
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How does automatic cut detection work?
A frame-differencing engine analyses pixel-level changes between consecutive frames to find scene boundaries, entirely in your browser. A sensitivity slider and a minimum-frames filter let you tune it for different types of footage.
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Can I import a storyboard I already drew or scanned?
Yes, with Storyboard Slice® — drop the image and select which detected panels to bring into your project.
Can I generate storyboard panels with AI if I don't have footage yet?
Yes. Describe a shot in text and generate a panel with an AI image model, then mix it freely with real captured frames or drawings in the same project.
What can I export?
Individual stills as PNG, a full storyboard as a multi-panel PDF layout, or a timed animatic as an MP4 video.
Why do I see ads on the site?
Advertising, alongside an optional "buy me a coffee" contribution, is what funds keeping StoryBoard Express free with no subscription or paywalled features.