What file formats does FenSight support?

FenSight supports PNG, JPG/JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, TGA, WEBP, JPEG-XL, AVIF, HEIF/HEIC, DICOM, and most RAW formats (DNG, CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, and more). It also supports video files and image sequences.

Does FenSight require an internet connection?

FenSight is built for offline use after activation. License keys validate locally, and the app may periodically check license status for refund or revocation handling. Optional AI features can run locally where supported or use providers you configure.

Is FenSight a subscription or one-time purchase?

FenSight is a one-time purchase with no recurring subscriptions. You buy it once and own it forever. Free updates are included, and you can use it offline indefinitely.

Can I use FenSight with Photoshop or other creative tools?

Yes. FenSight supports external drag-out, meaning you can drag selections directly from the canvas into Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, or any application that accepts file drops. You can also export to clipboard, file, or FTP/FTPS.

What are the system requirements for FenSight?

FenSight requires Windows 10 64-bit (build 19044+) or Windows 11. The .NET 9.x runtime is bundled. Minimum: 8 GB RAM and DirectX 11 GPU. Recommended: 16 GB RAM with a dedicated GPU for large boards and AI features.

Getting started/01

Quick start

Free

Build your first board in a few minutes.

A first FenSight session is a board-state loop: start with an empty canvas, import files or folders, choose a layout mode, inspect or select items, then save the board as a .fns workspace. The core canvas, File menu, import flow, Free layout modes, save/load, and tutorial are available on Free.

Screenshot coming soon

FenSight first board workflow with imported files arranged on the canvas

Screenshot placeholder. Expected production asset: /docs/screenshots/first-board-import.png.

Quick-start access paths

File -> New

Starts a blank board. If the current board has items, FenSight asks whether to save before clearing it.

File -> Import Folder...

Imports a selected folder and its subfolders, then arranges and fits the imported items.

Keyboard

Ctrl + N

Keyboard shortcut for New.

Keyboard

Ctrl + Shift + I

Keyboard shortcut for Import Folder.

File -> Load

Opens a saved FenSight board from .fns or legacy .json.

Keyboard

Ctrl + O / Ctrl + L

Keyboard shortcuts for Load.

File -> Recent

Shows up to five recent boards, or No recent boards yet before the first saved/opened board.

File -> Save

Saves back to the current board path; an untitled board prompts for a path.

Keyboard

Ctrl + S

Keyboard shortcut for Save board.

File -> Save As...

Prompts for a new .fns path. The dialog also allows JSON for legacy/debug workflows.

Keyboard

Ctrl + Shift + S

Keyboard shortcut for Save As.

Toolbar

Layout dropdown -> pick a mode, then Layout

The dropdown stores the active layout mode. The Layout button applies it to the board.

Keyboard

Ctrl + R

Re-runs the active layout.

Toolbar

Center -> click the canvas

Chooses the center point used by the next layout operation.

Help -> Tutorial

Replays the interactive tutorial.

Help -> Keyboard Shortcuts

Opens the in-app shortcut reference.

First-run tutorial path

When the tutorial is active, the overlay walks through the same first-board loop instead of creating a separate sample project format. It starts from Welcome to FenSight with the instruction Drop a folder on the canvas - or click Browse in the toolbar - to get started, waits at Importing your files..., then teaches the board gestures and docks.

Tutorial steps are Pan the Canvas, Fit to View, Zoom In and Out, Cluster Your Files, Object or Group, Tag Tool, AI Search, Organize Tool, Deduplicate Tool, Clear the Board, Import Your Files, and Enjoy using FenSight!
The tutorial's Clear the Board step explicitly treats board removal as non-destructive: removing items from the board does not delete the source files from disk.
Replay anytime: Help -> Tutorial is the in-app replay hint shown on the tutorial card.

First board commands

These are the commands that matter before a board has any project-specific structure. They are Free unless the row calls out a paid layout or tool.

Command	What it does	Source detail
NewFree	Clears the current board and starts over.	File -> New prompts to save when the board already has items, then StartNewBoard clears items, selection, undo/redo stacks, transient docks, board path, pan/zoom, palettes, and saved metadata.
LoadFree	Opens an existing board file.	File -> Load uses the filter FenSight Boards (.fns;.json)\|.fns;.json\|All Files (.)\|. and then LoadBoardAsync restores board state.
RecentFree	Reopens a recently used board.	The menu stores up to five paths in RecentBoards. Empty state is No recent boards yet; the menu adds Clear history when recent boards exist.
Import Folder...Free	Adds a folder tree to the board.	The folder picker remembers LastImportFolder. Menu imports call ImportDroppedPathsAsync without a drop point, so the ingest pipeline uses ArrangeAndFit placement.
Explorer drag/dropFree	Adds files, folders, or materialized external files directly where you drop them.	The canvas drop target accepts FileDrop and materializable external data. Drops use ArrangeAtDropPoint placement, then fit the board after thumbnail/video phases settle.
SaveFree	Writes the current board back to its path, or asks where to save an untitled board.	Save uses SaveCurrentBoardAsync(false). If _currentBoardPath is empty, the SaveFileDialog defaults to board.fns or LastBoardPath with filter FenSight Boards (.fns)\|.fns\|JSON (.json)\|.json.
Save As...Free	Writes the board to a new path.	Save As uses SaveCurrentBoardAsync(true), forcing the same SaveFileDialog even when the board already has a path.
Rebuild ThumbnailsFree	Regenerates missing board previews.	File -> Rebuild Thumbnails runs video thumbnail generation, then a thumbnail pass for image, sequence, and video items that are still placeholders or missing previews.

Starter layout modes

The default AppSettings LayoutMode is Radial Tight. Free users can use the four classic spatial modes, Cluster: Created Date, and the built-in custom preset Pathing + Vertical Masonry. The remaining Cluster:, Group:, Pathing + Masonry, AI:, and user-created custom layouts are paid-gated.

Layout label	Quick-start use	Tier/source detail
Radial TightFree	Good first default when you want a compact overview.	This is the saved default layout mode and is treated as a classic, non-premium layout.
Edge-BiasedFree	Useful when large anchor items should drive the arrangement.	Classic, non-premium layout available from the layout dropdown.
Masonry RowsFree	Flows imported items into horizontal rows for scanning.	Classic, non-premium layout available from the layout dropdown.
Masonry ColumnsFree	Flows imported items into vertical columns for scanning.	Classic, non-premium layout available from the layout dropdown.
Cluster: Created DateFree	Groups a first import by creation time.	This is the only Cluster: mode treated as classic/free by the license gate.
Pathing + Vertical MasonryFree	Stacks Path ID groups vertically with a built-in custom preset.	Inserted as custom layout id Cust:builtin_pathing_vert; LicensingService treats that id as non-premium.
Cluster:, Group:, Pathing + Masonry, AI:, user custom layoutsPro	Advanced grouping, routing, semantic, and saved custom layouts.	Selecting a premium layout without an active paid license restores the previous dropdown selection and opens the PremiumLayout gate.

Import mechanics

FenSight imports through a staged pipeline so a first board does not block the UI while files are enumerated, decoded, laid out, thumbnailed, and backfilled. The same board item model is used whether the source was File -> Import Folder..., Ctrl + Shift + I, or a direct canvas drop.

Folders are enumerated recursively. Numbered image runs are detected as image sequences and imported as one sequence item.
Supported first-pass groups include images, videos, audio, FenSight boards (.fns), asset references, and pipeline-supported document types: .ppt, .pptx, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .rtf, .eps, .indd, and .idml.
If Accept all file types on drop (uses Shell thumbnail / file icon) is enabled, generic files can be added through Windows shell thumbnails or icons.
Skipped imports open a review dialog with the message Some files were not imported. Review the reason below or export a log. Retry is offered only when the skipped entry is safe to ingest anyway.

What saving preserves

Saving writes a board snapshot. It does not move source files; it records how FenSight should reopen the workspace.

Saved area	What it preserves	Source detail
Board pathFree	Keeps Save pointed at the same file after the first successful save.	The current board path is reused unless Save As is requested or the board must route around read-only/source-control constraints.
Recent boardsFree	Makes the board available under File -> Recent.	AddRecentBoard stores the resolved path, moves it to the top, caps the list at five, and updates LastBoardPath.
Dirty stateFree	Controls prompts before close or New.	FenSight fingerprints the current board state. Imports and edits mark the board dirty; successful save/load captures a new clean baseline.
Board previewFree	Embeds a preview for board files where save generation succeeds.	Large saves show progress phases including Saving board..., Writing items..., Generating board preview..., and Embedding board preview....

Quick start is a Free workflow. Pro becomes relevant when the first board uses premium layouts, AI Search, Duplicate Finder, watched-folder automation, or other paid docks; Studio is not needed for the basic import-layout-save loop.

Connected guides

Follow these related pages when the workflow crosses into setup, search, organization, export, security, or another board-level system.

Interface overviewCanvas, docks, menus, and overlays.Importing media and foldersBring files, folders, and large libraries onto the canvas.Built-in LayoutsEvery one-click arrangement in the layout dropdown.Board filesSave and reopen full visual workspaces.Selection and navigationWork quickly on dense boards.Keyboard shortcutsMove around the board without breaking flow.